šŸ”· MassDrop THX AAA 789 - Linear Headphone Amplifier

Very happy with this combo. Every balanced head phone I have sounds better.

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I approve of this setup. Here’s mine.


(ignore the janky board it’s sitting on lol)

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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 setup…

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Are you looking for a balanced DAC? If so, I’ve 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, well…look up at the the post above yours!

I’m actually curious - SMSL SU-8 over the Geshelli Enog 2 Pro? I don’t 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 it’s perfect. The DAC is… at least a reasonable enough upgrade over my PC’s built-in audio that I haven’t 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, I’m 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 don’t really have a good comparison (i.e., other DACs).

Grace SDAC balanced is cheaper than any balanced DAC. Solid company, too.

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OK. It’s the 30th. Where’s my tracking number???

C’mon Massdrop!!

There are some headphones out there that need much more than what the 789 can put out. Something like raals or akg1000’s. But they usually come with a speaker amp transformer. Raal’s need something like 20 amps last I checked.

Well a ribbon driver is pretty specialized and really uncommon, so it’s 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.

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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 doesn’t get updated when they have the usual massdrop shipping delays.

Eating my my words here…drop just emailed me shipping notification.

:slight_smile:

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nice!! - for the may drop?

Yep! I wasn’t expecting it, it’s good news.

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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 something’s going to take 3 weeks, I say 6. Then I’m the hero even if it takes 4.

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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 I’m happy with my setup and they lost out on sale. (Don’t cal the liquidators all at once… lol)

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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!

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