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expired Posted by dlfdr43 • Sep 18, 2021
expired Posted by dlfdr43 • Sep 18, 2021

Drop + THX AAA 789 Linear Achromatic Audio Amplifier

+ Free Shipping

$199

$299

33% off
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Deal Details
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)

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • About this Deal:
    • This price is $100 Lower (33.4% Savings) than the list price of $299.
    • Highly rated with 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 850 reviews.
  • About this Store:

Original Post

Written by dlfdr43
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
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)

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • About this Deal:
    • This price is $100 Lower (33.4% Savings) than the list price of $299.
    • Highly rated with 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 850 reviews.
  • About this Store:

Original Post

Written by dlfdr43

Community Voting

Deal Score
+43
Good Deal
Visit Drop

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Top Comments

dweekie
617 Posts
114 Reputation
I have this and had a JDS Atom.
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.
cobelali
969 Posts
311 Reputation
This is an amp, not a DAC.
paruchuribros
873 Posts
77 Reputation
Chord Hugo is a $2500 product 🙄. Cobalt is a portable and you can get better alternatives for this like TempoTec Sonata E44 which is 79 bucks.

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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Sep 20, 2021
1,516 Posts
Joined Jun 2005
Sep 20, 2021
mr0x
Sep 20, 2021
1,516 Posts
Quote from brucknerfan :
Bloggers with audio engineering backgrounds have made compelling posts explaining that BO audio does not discernably sound better than SE. So I think that BO is just another example of feature creep in this hobby that some companies resort to in order to demand a higher product price under the false veneer of "higher quality". BO's primary benefit is to provide more power output more efficiently but SE circuits are plenty strong and in the case of wall-powered amps the additional power efficiency of BO is not pertinent.

As for end-to-end balanced topologies I haven't seen any compelling measurement data to support the added cost for these designs. The inexpensive Atom Amp in fact measures better than many pricier balanced amps.

That's the problem with this "hobby". Mystic beliefs and snakeoil permeate throughout it. Many of these companies, including Audioquest and component makers like THX, exploit the naivete of consumers. Forums like Head-fi are sponsored by boutique audio companies and propagate myths that encourage overspending on products that fail to deliver objective tangible benefits.
Apparently there is a caveat for this model.

If you DAC outputs high enough voltage, balanced does not clip whereas unbalanced does (because of the lower output voltages).

Not a big deal. You can just turn the volume down on your computer to 70% for this and it shouldn't matter. Or more probably the your DAC is not going to output high voltage anyways.
Sep 20, 2021
2,476 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
Sep 20, 2021
brucknerfan
Sep 20, 2021
2,476 Posts
Quote from mr0x :
Apparently there is a caveat for this model.

If you DAC outputs high enough voltage, balanced does not clip whereas unbalanced does (because of the lower output voltages).

Not a big deal. You can just turn the volume down on your computer to 70% for this and it shouldn't matter. Or more probably the your DAC is not going to output high voltage anyways.
The only problem with that workaround is that you would degrade the audio signal. Every 6dB drop in volume lowers the bit depth by 1.
Sep 20, 2021
1,516 Posts
Joined Jun 2005
Sep 20, 2021
mr0x
Sep 20, 2021
1,516 Posts
Quote from Rep_Me :
Is this only for headphones or does it also have outputs for speakers? Would love a 2 in one for this price
It has SE pass on the back but it is passive. It is not a preamp for speaker amps. But, the passive output can go to your speaker amps.
Sep 20, 2021
7,406 Posts
Joined Jul 2016
Sep 20, 2021
Frank_Nitty
Sep 20, 2021
7,406 Posts
An overpriced glorified DAC/Headphone Amp...
4
Sep 20, 2021
1,505 Posts
Joined May 2005
Sep 20, 2021
dark_velocities
Sep 20, 2021
1,505 Posts
Quote from Frank_Nitty :
An overpriced glorified DAC/Headphone Amp...
And pray tell, what would you consider not to be overpriced?

At $200, you're not going to beat this level of performance, based on objective, unbiased, reproducible measurements. I challenge you to give a recommendation if you consider this overpriced.
1
Sep 20, 2021
7,406 Posts
Joined Jul 2016
Sep 20, 2021
Frank_Nitty
Sep 20, 2021
7,406 Posts
Quote from dark_velocities :
And pray tell, what would you consider not to be overpriced?

At $200, you're not going to beat this level of performance, based on objective, unbiased, reproducible measurements. I challenge you to give a recommendation if you consider this overpriced.
They say "a fool and his money are soon parted" so stay entitled to your opinion...
4
Sep 20, 2021
1,505 Posts
Joined May 2005
Sep 20, 2021
dark_velocities
Sep 20, 2021
1,505 Posts
Quote from Frank_Nitty :
They say "a fool and his money are soon parted" so stay entitled to your opinion...
You said this is overpriced, so I'm asking you to contribute and recommend something that in your opinion, is not overpriced.

Clearly, you have nothing to add. Sounds to me like you're just a fool who has no money in the first place. LMAO
1

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Sep 20, 2021
7,406 Posts
Joined Jul 2016
Sep 20, 2021
Frank_Nitty
Sep 20, 2021
7,406 Posts
Quote from dark_velocities :
You said this is overpriced, so I'm asking you to contribute and recommend something that in your opinion, is not overpriced.

Clearly, you have nothing to add. Sounds to me like you're just a fool who has no money in the first place. LMAO
Arguing w/ a disingenous shill fanboy over the internet is a foolhearted errand which is why you're entitled to your opinion. I have better things to do w/ my time, you should consider a more productive hobby.
5
Sep 20, 2021
1,505 Posts
Joined May 2005
Sep 20, 2021
dark_velocities
Sep 20, 2021
1,505 Posts
Quote from Frank_Nitty :
Arguing w/ a disingenous shill fanboy over the internet is a foolhearted errand which is why you're entitled to your opinion. I have better things to do w/ my time, you should consider a more productive hobby.
^ Exhibit A: Classic, insecure projection. LMAO

You made a claim. I asked you to give an example. You promptly felt attacked and lost your mind.

To be clear, no one was even arguing with you. I just wanted to know what you think is not overpriced, if you think this is. Just amazing how easily triggered you are by a stranger on the internet.
Last edited by dark_velocities September 20, 2021 at 01:39 PM.
1
Sep 20, 2021
2,386 Posts
Joined Jul 2017
Sep 20, 2021
fintlewoodlewix
Sep 20, 2021
2,386 Posts
Quote from brucknerfan :
Bloggers with audio engineering backgrounds have made compelling posts explaining that BO audio does not discernably sound better than SE. So I think that BO is just another example of feature creep in this hobby that some companies resort to in order to demand a higher product price under the false veneer of "higher quality". BO's primary benefit is to provide more power output more efficiently but SE circuits are plenty strong and in the case of wall-powered amps the additional power efficiency of BO is not pertinent.

As for end-to-end balanced topologies I haven't seen any compelling measurement data to support the added cost for these designs. The inexpensive Atom Amp in fact measures better than many pricier balanced amps.

That's the problem with this "hobby". Mystic beliefs and snakeoil permeate throughout it. Many of these companies, including Audioquest and component makers like THX, exploit the naivete of consumers. Forums like Head-fi are sponsored by boutique audio companies and propagate myths that encourage overspending on products that fail to deliver objective tangible benefits.
​Balanced outputs resist interference and are often designed to carry more power. If you have no interference and need no more power, then which cable you use depends on what your headphones have. I'd want the option to use balanced headphones. I use balanced connections on my stereo, but only because I have experienced interference issues with single-ended cables. They're a pain compared to RCAs, though.

The THX and similar high end headphone amps are imperfect in the sense that they offer far greater fidelity than is necessary and often more power than can be used, too. But I don't think that's actually snake oil. It's just overengineering. Snake oil is garbage like "tube sound" which is just noise and distortion. Snake oil is, as you said, overpriced cables.
Sep 20, 2021
2,476 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
Sep 20, 2021
brucknerfan
Sep 20, 2021
2,476 Posts
Quote from PoopyMcPoopyFace :
​Balanced outputs resist interference and are often designed to carry more power. If you have no interference and need no more power, then which cable you use depends on what your headphones have. I'd want the option to use balanced headphones. I use balanced connections on my stereo, but only because I have experienced interference issues with single-ended cables. They're a pain compared to RCAs, though.

The THX and similar high end headphone amps are imperfect in the sense that they offer far greater fidelity than is necessary and often more power than can be used, too. But I don't think that's actually snake oil. It's just overengineering. Snake oil is garbage like "tube sound" which is just noise and distortion. Snake oil is, as you said, overpriced cables.
Regarding the "snake oil" comment THX and their marketing for their amplifier modules reminds me of Bose in the 1990s. THX puts a lot of focus on isosteric specs like low SNR that really doesn't confer any perceptible benefit to the end user. The fact that THX cut their teeth on movie theater and DVD video sound makes them the red headed step child of the audio world. Their technologies always had the veneer of scientific respectability but at base are just plain gimmicky.

For all their purported superiority over traditional IC designs THX module equipped amps continue to be outclassed by more humble and affordable amps.
Sep 20, 2021
2,476 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
Sep 20, 2021
brucknerfan
Sep 20, 2021
2,476 Posts
Quote from mr0x :
I got the Magni 3 Heresey and I like this better. It used to be triple the price but now its just double though so makes things very interesting.

I also got the Schiit Modius to go with this to run balanced.

This has a balanced/unbalanced toggle button on the right. I have EQ and tube preamp on the unbalanced loop and I can toggle between them. Conclusion: waste of time to tube and EQ for me.

Only downside is that the footprint is huge on this. It will take twice the space as the schiit stack. But worth it for me since I have a good sized desk. This amp made me just stop looking for better sound since it just has that clarity even at higher volumes. I say go for it.

My headphones are M50x and Sundara.
If I'm not mistaken the Modius uses different IC chips for the balanced output which some people on SBAF stated sounded too forward and strident compared to the SE IC chip which yielded a more mellow sound. This might not produce a pleasant synergy with a THX amp.
Sep 20, 2021
2,386 Posts
Joined Jul 2017
Sep 20, 2021
fintlewoodlewix
Sep 20, 2021
2,386 Posts
Quote from brucknerfan :
Regarding the "snake oil" comment THX and their marketing for their amplifier modules reminds me of Bose in the 1990s. THX puts a lot of focus on isosteric specs like low SNR that really doesn't confer any perceptible benefit to the end user. The fact that THX cut their teeth on movie theater and DVD video sound makes them the red headed step child of the audio world. Their technologies always had the veneer of scientific respectability but at base are just plain gimmicky.

For all their purported superiority over traditional IC designs THX module equipped amps continue to be outclassed by more humble and affordable amps.
I honestly don't care about the marketing or the way the factory makes the sausage. Their product delivers low distortion, low noise, and high power. It does everything well, not just SNR. Nothing to dislike there. As for price, when they came out, they were the cheapest for the performance level by a good amount. Others figured out other ways to make the sausage too. Good for everyone!
Sep 21, 2021
1 Posts
Joined Jan 2019
Sep 21, 2021
yydingG
Sep 21, 2021
1 Posts
Quote from Frank_Nitty :
They say "a fool and his money are soon parted" so stay entitled to your opinion...
A fool or not, his (or your) money will be parted one way or the other, I say Smilie Kidding aside, this is a great deal. Drop has a 30day free return policy if you are on the fence. When I started this hobby 15 years ago, I had to spend 3-4 times for a lesser HP amp. There were a lot fewer quality options below 1k.
Last edited by yydingG September 20, 2021 at 09:45 PM.
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Sep 21, 2021
1,451 Posts
Joined Jan 2006
Sep 21, 2021
whodiini
Sep 21, 2021
1,451 Posts
Quote from paruchuribros :
Cool. This is the best desktop Amp you can start with 😊.
Actually the monoprice THX is better built and measures slightly better, I own the monoprice and prefer it over the Drop and the SMSL Sp200 THX amps. I also tried the Asgard 3 and preferred the cleaner and lower noise of the THX amps. There is also an improved version of these THX headphone amps and that is the SMSL SH-9. The SH-9 eliminates the potentiomer (variable resistor) volume control of all these 3 THX amps and replaces it with a array of resistors, which makes for an even more transparent sound. I am not advocating for any of these because the differences are very slight and would be system dependent, but am providing this info for potential buyers to consider.

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