Very happy with this combo. Every balanced head phone I have sounds better.
Well I got in on this drop before it ended. I figure this is the type of amp I can keep for a long time and have it be part of my setup as a foundational part of my audio set up.
Now I need to figure out what to do with my DAC setupā¦
Are you looking for a balanced DAC? If so, Iāve done research on that (all IMHO, YMMV, etc. etc.).
As far as I can tell, the best value is the SMSL SU-8. I chose the Topping D70 because it is the next step up in measured quality - but $200 more and that difference is probably inaudible. The ultimate is, wellā¦look up at the the post above yours!
Iām actually curious - SMSL SU-8 over the Geshelli Enog 2 Pro? I donāt mind the optical only input on the Enog 2 at all, but quality wise are there any differences?
The thing is that I already have a DAC with a balanced output - the Yamaha AG03 mixer. My audio setup was built with an eye towards streaming, and for that use scenario itās perfect. The DAC isā¦ at least a reasonable enough upgrade over my PCās built-in audio that I havenāt found a need to upgrade. About the only bad thing about the outputs is they are very much on the hot side, even compared to the Enog 2 (which Z noted has a hot output). The outputs are meant for monitors, after all. (My current amp, for comparison, is a Liquid Spark.)
Unless there really is a dramatic difference in sound quality, Iām kinda inclined to stick with what I have and just connect it to the 789 with a pair of TRS to XLR cables. To me they sound good enough, but I donāt really have a good comparison (i.e., other DACs).
Grace SDAC balanced is cheaper than any balanced DAC. Solid company, too.
There are some headphones out there that need much more than what the 789 can put out. Something like raals or akg1000ās. But they usually come with a speaker amp transformer. Raalās need something like 20 amps last I checked.
Well a ribbon driver is pretty specialized and really uncommon, so itās not something you would consider running with the 789 anyway. Stuff like the akg1000 or mysphere, or even the he6 or he6se is usually powered off of a speaker amp like you said. But I mean for him its probably plenty unless he is looking for these specific headphones.
They sent out an email a long time ago, and posted on the discussion page, that the august 30th shipping date was pushed to the end of September.
The transactions page doesnāt get updated when they have the usual massdrop shipping delays.
Eating my my words hereā¦drop just emailed me shipping notification.
nice!! - for the may drop?
Yep! I wasnāt expecting it, itās good news.
They were smart and re-set expectations for end of Sept, then exceeded their it. They were probably guessing a 9/5 ship date all along. I do this stuff with my customers all the time. If somethingās going to take 3 weeks, I say 6. Then Iām the hero even if it takes 4.
Are you though? Like I cancelled my order because of this delay and ordered the EL AMP instead.
Not saying its better - I am not daft, just saying Iām happy with my setup and they lost out on sale. (Donāt cal the liquidators all at onceā¦ lol)
I also recieved the shipment information mail a minute ago
Nice! When did you order it?
it was the may drop- joined in the first 2 minutes the drop opened
Thank you. I order mine on May 30. So maybe, I will get mine soon also.
LOL. I just got my shipping notice! About f***ing time!