Drop has
Drop + THX AAA 789 Linear Achromatic Audio Amplifier on sale for
$199.
Shipping is free.
Thanks to Community Member
dlfdr43 for posting this deal.
Specs:
- Note: All parameters measured at 0 dB gain, 1 kHz, with balanced inputs and 300-ohm load unless otherwise noted
- Inputs: Stereo XLR-3 gold-plated Neutrik; Stereo RCA gold-plated
- Outputs: 1/4 in (6.35 mm) TRS gold-plated Neutrik; 3.5 mm TRS gold-plated; XLR-4 balanced gold-plated
- Frequency response: + 0.01 dB / - 0.03 dB 20 Hz–20 kHz; + 0.05 dB / - 0.15 dB 10 Hz–50 kHz
- Input impedance: 50 kOhms balanced or unbalanced
- Chassis: High-grade CNC-milled aluminum with bead-blasted finish
- Power supply: 24 VDC inline brick, universal input 100–240 VAC
- Dimensions: 8.3 x 9.1 x 2.2 in (210 x 230 x 57 mm)
- Weight: 3.4 lbs (1,520 g)
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Top Comments
Updated to a balanced DAC and cables to match.
Difference was not worth the hundreds of dollars invested.
Money is far better spent on headphones.
I like the 789 for IEMs and full size headphones (not many THX based amplifiers support IEMs like 789) and desktop setup with SU-8s.
The below recommendations from Andy vault.
1 TempoTec Sonata E44
2 Ovidius B1 Apogee Groove
3 Hidizs S9 Pro E1DA 9038SG3
4 Astell & Kern PEE51 Hidizs S9
113 Comments
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if so what kinda difference? how much percent better is it ?
Chord is great stuff, and is likely not worth replacing, but the THX headphone amps are better.
At the same time, I bet 99.9% of people wouldn't know the difference.
if so what kinda difference? how much percent better is it ?
Get the THX if:
- You can't get enough volume out of the atom. The THX is necessary to get more volume (gain, not power) out of some inefficient planar headphones.
- You have interference issues. I had (mostly insignificant) interference from my monitor that was solved by running a balanced topping D10-balanced. When I ran the atom, I had to be careful about placement near my computer monitor and its wires.
- You want to run the 4-pin balanced headphone output for more volume.
- You want a really solid feeling amp. The all metal build just looks and feels great.
DONT get it for sound quality. I couldn't tell the difference between the THX and the Atom when volume matched with a multimeter and the measurements on audio science review support this. Basically anything above 90dB dynamic range/SINAD will sound identical, so this is why most people say put your money into good headphones as a priority.Benchmark your ears here: http://www.klippel.de/listeningtest
The best I can distinguish is about -39dB using sensitive IEMS and my thx 789, and I usually get around -33dB. After 39dB, I just don't care anymore. Compare that to a dynamic range of 110dB or higher for these amps and DAC's. We are living in the golden age of audio thats for sure. I hope this helps.
I like the 789 for IEMs and full size headphones (not many THX based amplifiers support IEMs like 789) and desktop setup with SU-8s.
The below recommendations from Andy vault.
1 TempoTec Sonata E44
2 Ovidius B1 Apogee Groove
3 Hidizs S9 Pro E1DA 9038SG3
4 Astell & Kern PEE51 Hidizs S9
Like the other USB-C DAC/AMP combos listed from Andy - nothing beats the portability and small convenience of these smaller USB-C devices.
They may have a premium cost but it sure beats being forced to listen to your headphones near an outlet where the amp is plugged into.
USB-C devices are able to be plugged into phones/laptops allowing the user to listen to their music/videos anywhere
if so what kinda difference? how much percent better is it ?
I just want to add, I believe atom has more power single ended than 789 (I looked it up when I was buying the atom)
As someone else said, invest in great headphones. Try out good amps or look for amps that bring out the qualities of your headphones that you bought them for, not the other way around.
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would i benefit by changing my hd6xx to balanced xlr cables?
Get the THX if:
- You can't get enough volume out of the atom. The THX is necessary to get more volume (gain, not power) out of some inefficient planar headphones.
- You have interference issues. I had (mostly insignificant) interference from my monitor that was solved by running a balanced topping D10-balanced. When I ran the atom, I had to be careful about placement near my computer monitor and its wires.
- You want to run the 4-pin balanced headphone output for more volume.
- You want a really solid feeling amp. The all metal build just looks and feels great.
DONT get it for sound quality. I couldn't tell the difference between the THX and the Atom when volume matched with a multimeter and the measurements on audio science review support this. Basically anything above 90dB dynamic range/SINAD will sound identical, so this is why most people say put your money into good headphones as a priority.Benchmark your ears here: http://www.klippel.de/listeningtest
The best I can distinguish is about -39dB using sensitive IEMS and my thx 789, and I usually get around -33dB. After 39dB, I just don't care anymore. Compare that to a dynamic range of 110dB or higher for these amps and DAC's. We are living in the golden age of audio thats for sure. I hope this helps.
Before pulling the trigger on audio gear check out the measurements at AudioScience.com. For example. the Atom measures better than the 789:
https://www.audioscienc
Before pulling the trigger on audio gear check out the measurements at AudioScience.com. For example. the Atom measures better than the 789:
https://www.audiosciencereview.co...ier.24680/ [audiosciencereview.com]
https://www.audioscienc
The output specs manufactures use (i.e. 6000mW) are usually taken right at the clipping x-point. Distortion climbs exponentially just before reaching this threshold.
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I'd be wary of the idea of "pairing" audio products. It's true in the sense of things like impedance and signal levels. For instance, a Benchmark DAC puts out a far higher signal than a typical consumer product, which feeds into their preamp that is designed for the higher signal, and their amp that is also designed for a higher signal, leading to vanishing distortion and noise. Some amps can't handle the ohms many speakers and some headphones demand, causing distortion, overheating, or even failure. But a well-designed product will work with anything, and these are all well-designed.
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