[Sterkoff]

My THX 789 has bit the dust and so I am looking for a new balanced (well, balanced cable ready) desktop amp.. A few points which will hopefully help narrow down suggestions:

My current gear (I'm a lower mid-fi guy, I know):

Massdrop THX789 (now dead)
Massdrop Cavalli LCX
Sennheiser HD6xx
Hifiman Sundara
Geshelli Labs JNOG2 Dac
SMSL D6 Dac

I am looking for a balanced amp because I currently have some nice balanced cables for all my headphones.

For this use case I will always be listening with my computer and using EQ settings with APO/Peace.

I previously used the THX 789 most of the time but switched to the LCX when I wanted a slightly warmer sound and when listening to some older mid-century Jazz and other lesser audio quality music where the THX 789 was a bit too honest.

It would be easy to just grab the Topping A90D or A70pro and call it a day (which I still might do), but I imagine with all the recent products that have been released there must be something in the $200-$300 range that would satisfy as a replacement for the 789.

A few amps for example that have caught my interest:

Geshelli Erish2
Schiit Midgard
Topping A30pro
Topping L70

TIA!

 

[dunring]

I have all the ones you mention. The best value is the Sabaj a20h for $63 on Amazon and it would replace your THX789 perfectly. I have one and it's a killer value. The A90d and A70pro sound identical. I prefer the original A90 because they both (have two) have .1db channel matching, simple operation, and silky smooth volume wheel vs digital golf clicker style.