Official THX Measurements of the Massdrop x THX AAA 789

[Sythrix]

Just received this mail from Massdrop:

"We’re happy to announce that your Massdrop x THX AAA 789 Linear Amplifiers have arrived at our warehouse and we’ll be shipping them about two weeks ahead of schedule! You should receive your tracking information by the end of next week (week of 10/19). We’re excited for you to receive your amps!"

Sounds like you'll have even more to do soon Amir!

Although, now that you've told me how uncertain and ambiguous regular amp (non-DAC) measurements can be, I'm a little worried. Do you have any plans for how you're going to continue measuring amps?

 

[Sythrix]

I hope you plan to send it to Amir so that we can find out how it actually performs.

Mine is being shipped direct to Amir from Massdrop.

 

[amirm]

Sounds like you'll have even more to do soon Amir!

Although, now that you've told me how uncertain and ambiguous regular amp (non-DAC) measurements can be, I'm a little worried. Do you have any plans for how you're going to continue measuring amps?

There aren't that problematic. We can still good data as far as amount of output power and such.

 

[Dialectic]

Mine is being shipped direct to Amir from Massdrop.

Many of us are very grateful! Thank you!

 

[Veri]

Monoprice's THX amp again pushed back a month....

View attachment 16380

And again pushed back some three weeks since yesterday

I'm starting to lose faith in this product honestly. Is it still being designed??

 

[andymok]

And again pushed back some three weeks since yesterday

View attachment 16404

I'm starting to lose faith in this product honestly. Is it still being designed??

meanwhile ...

 

[rajapruk]

Can't wait to see the measurements of, quote:

The World’s Most Linear Amplifier

 

[rajapruk]

A comparison with the new Benchmark THX AAA headphone amp would be very interesting @amirm!

 

[amirm]

A comparison with the Benchmark THX AAA headphone amp would be very interesting @amirm!

That's the plan. Benchmark has been kind enough to say they will loan theirs to me.

 

[rajapruk]

That's the plan. Benchmark has been kind enough to say they will loan theirs to me.

"Theirs" haha. I guess it is not a lemon produced on a early monday morning then

If the Massdrop one lives up to the specs, I want this t-shirt:
0.000007%
Group buy?

 

[pos]

I have high hopes for this THX amp. I am eagerly waiting for a pair of them!
The designer is very responsive and honest, and so far the only thing that disgruntled me (just a bit) is the fact that the input stage is limited to 19dBu.
For the price it looks like a bargain, and the best possible speaker amp for 16 ohms or 32 ohms compression drivers

 

[rajapruk]

so far the only thing that disgruntled me (just a bit) is the fact that the input stage is limited to 19dBu.

Get a life!!

the best possible speaker amp for 16 ohms or 32 ohms compression drivers

The Benchmark is probably a little little little bit better.

 

[bunkbail]

And again pushed back some three weeks since yesterday

View attachment 16404

I'm starting to lose faith in this product honestly. Is it still being designed??

According to Alex Cavalli back in June, these Monoprice new products have been plagued with delay issues due to parts shortages.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/mon...m-by-alex-cavalli.876406/page-8#post-14310602
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/mon...m-by-alex-cavalli.876406/page-8#post-14310949

 

[amirm]

According to Alex Cavalli back in June, these Monoprice new products have been plagued with delay issues due to parts shortages.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/mon...m-by-alex-cavalli.876406/page-8#post-14310602
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/mon...m-by-alex-cavalli.876406/page-8#post-14310949

That is fine but putting out a retail schedule before knowing you can source components is not wise.

 

[Veri]

Yes that is just the amp, I think I would be correct in saying its lower distortion and noise than any DAC Amir has tested so should be pretty transparent to whatever is feeding it. I have had very encouraging subjective feedback from those that have heard the prototype.

DAC plot

View attachment 16227

Hey March Audio one question about the DAC plot which looks really excellent. Around what chip is it based? Or is it FPGA?

Thanks Can't wait for that amp of yours to be finalized. Looks world-class.

 

[March Audio]

Hey March Audio one question about the DAC plot which looks really excellent. Around what chip is it based? Or is it FPGA?

Thanks Can't wait for that amp of yours to be finalized. Looks world-class.

Hi

It's es9038 based. The first batch of DACs will be available in a few weeks. Enclosure samples have arrived.

I have been delayed with the headphone amp but will concentrate on that once the DACs are out in the wild.

 

[pos]

Is it the mobile version?
How does it fare regarding the (in)famous "ESS hump"?

 

[Veri]

Is it the mobile version?
How does it fare regarding the (in)famous "ESS hump"?

Good question

 

[March Audio]

Is it the mobile version?
How does it fare regarding the (in)famous "ESS hump"?

Yes mobile, yes same hump.

I will be working on a balanced output version next and actively looking to eliminate it in that version. However that's a good 6 months away.

Regardless, the subjective feedback from those that have heard the dac has been extremely positive.

 

[Thomas savage]

Yes mobile, yes same hump.

I will be working on a balanced output version next and actively looking to eliminate it in that version. However that's a good 6 months away.

Regardless. The subjective feedback from those that have heard the dac has been extremely positive.

Giving Keith a run for the title of barrowmaster