Review and Measurements of Massdrop THX AAA 789 Amp

[Sythrix]

I can’t really tell from the picture, but does this unit also use that rubbery paint?

Amir would have to confirm, but looking at both pictures, it seems that the finish of the THX is shinier, while the LCX has a dull black look (perhaps because of the rubbery paint?).

I think it's different.

 

[amirm]

Amir would have to confirm, but looking at both pictures, it seems that the finish of the THX is shinier, while the LCX has a dull black look (perhaps because of the rubbery paint?).

I think it's different.

It is different and not rubbery.

 

[maxxevv]

They should just sandblast and do a hard anodized black finish.

More durable, less tolerance fit issues and dissipates heat much better than painted cases.

 

[amirm]

I think they are going for a matt finish and hence the powder coating or whatever is used.

 

[Aweicc]

It is different and not rubbery.

That’s good to know, cos I ordered one and that rubbery paint will degrade rather quickly at where I am.

 

[Grave]

Lets see if it beats this one!

Ha, like it would actually matter. I want to buy this amplifier and to use my Topping D30 with it, but the Topping D30 has a 10 dB worse SINAD. I guess it would be good to pair it with a DAC with a similar SINAD. Is this even possible?

 

[amirm]

Ha, like it would actually matter. I want to buy this amplifier and to use my Topping D30 with it, but the Topping D30 has a 10 dB worse SINAD. I guess it would be good to pair it with a DAC with a similar SINAD. Is this even possible?

Since the amp goes after the DAC, you want it to have the least distortion which this unit provides. That way it is fully transparent.

Also, it is very easy for me to hear headphone amplifier distortion as I max out their volume. Such is not the case with DACs. This THX unit solves that problem by producing superbly linear output until it suddenly maxes out (well before my ears can tolerate).

Net, net, don't feel the urge to get a new DAC just because you buy this amp.

Here is my SINAD table for DACs by the way: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ad-distortion-comparison-graph-for-dacs.4814/

The Exasound E32 (third from left) is available for sale: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-and-headphone-amp-on-sale-from-asr-lab.4808/

 

[yummy]

someone is selling this for $1,099 (I mean resell) and tons of people want to buy it, man, what happened to the deal?

 

[rajapruk]

Hahaha. I can sell mine for $ 2,995 each, if someone is interested

 

[Sythrix]

Hahaha. I can sell mine for $ 2,995 each, if someone is interested

Are you going to stencil:

on the front?

 

[amirm]

someone is selling this for $1,099 (I mean resell) and tons of people want to buy it, man, what happened to the deal?

Hopefully my review is not behind the price increase!

 

[Headphonaholic]

someone is selling this for $1,099 (I mean resell) and tons of people want to buy it, man, what happened to the deal?

Hopefully my review is not behind the price increase!

People resell basically every Massdrop exclusive product. I think just the way Massdrp sells products with limited windows to buy, some try to take advantage of the demand by reselling at higher prices when the drops are inactive.

 

[AndrewMason]

Are you going to stencil:
View attachment 17023
on the front?

I hope you're going to be machining it

 

[rajapruk]

Are you going to stencil:
View attachment 17023
on the front?

Yes, and attach a silly little screen to it!

This reminds me of when my friend bought a CD with Lenny Kravitz in Thailand in the late 90-ies. When he came home he realised it was another artist called Kenny Kravitz, a thai copycat!

 

[rajapruk]

3002 requests on Massdrop now, encounting.

 

[Headphonaholic]

@AndrewMason I have a question about the Monoprice THX amp/dac if you don't mind me asking. If you can't comment, that is fine, I understand. This amp has measured so well that it out performs every DAC Amir has measured. This has got me thinking about how Monoprice's offering will have a balanced DAC integrated with the amp. Is the DAC portion of the Monoprice amp going to be able to keep up with the amp portion?

 

[sonci]

Since the amp goes after the DAC, you want it to have the least distortion which this unit provides. That way it is fully transparent.

Also, it is very easy for me to hear headphone amplifier distortion a I max out their volume. Such is not the case with DACs. This THX unit solves that problem by producing superbly linear output until it suddenly maxes out (well before my ears can tolerate).

Net, net, don't feel the urge to get a new DAC just because you buy this amp.

Here is my SINAD table for DACs by the way: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ad-distortion-comparison-graph-for-dacs.4814/

The Exasound E32 (third from left) is available for sale: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-and-headphone-amp-on-sale-from-asr-lab.4808/

Is Topping D30 really 107? I had one, but even though good for the price, it didn't sound like a high end dac..

 

[Grave]

Is Topping D30 really 107? I had one, but even though good for the price, it didn't sound like a high end dac..

It is easily audibly transparent. Nothing is ever going to sound better than that.

 

[sonci]

It is easily audibly transparent. Nothing is ever going to sound better than that.

What?? If transparent is like crap then ok. What else have you tried? After owning D30 for some months I'm having doubts about the importance of these measurements..

 

[amirm]

Let's not have off-topic debates in this thread please. There are dedicated threads on Topping DACs.