[alpovs]

Why balanced input but unbalanced output in the measurements?

 

[jude]

Why balanced input but unbalanced output in the measurements?

Connection availability. I had a very limited time window to do the measurement, and we had what was needed in the box to make that connection from the 1/4" headphone out. At some point after CanJam SoCal, I'd like to run more measures and post more about what I think of this amp subjectively, too.

 

[Daemon Ursus]

Missed the drop. Why did they end it in the middle of the night?

It ended at midnight Massdrop local time, not that strange IMO.

 

[tizman]

The drop is over. Now is a perfect time for some listening impressions and a review of a sample. If you all like, I can do an impression of some listening impressions....

 

[sebna]

The drop is over. Now is a perfect time for some listening impressions and a review of a sample. If you all like, I can do an impression of some listening impressions....

Is this a joke? If so it is a bad one.

 

[tizman]

You are right. This is not the joke thread, it’s the thread for listening impressions. But there are no listening impressions. That’s actually the joke. Well, that’s my impression.

 

[tizman]

“Bad joke” is your opinion. Unlike opinions, not everyone has impressions. Actually, no one has impressions. But I can do an impression of someone who has heard the amp and has an actual listening impression. No joke.

 

[tizman]

Here is a short excerpt from my “Impression of a Listening Impression of the THX AAA 789 Linear Amplifier”...

“Upon receiving the amplifier, I took it out of the box and placed it on my solid plutonium equipment rack. I was immediately struck by its incredible transparency. I could clearly see the top of the equipment rack through the amplifier.”

 

[Daemon Ursus]

Here is a short excerpt from my “Impression of a Listening Impression of the THX AAA 789 Linear Amplifier”...

“Upon receiving the amplifier, I took it out of the box and placed it on my solid plutonium equipment rack. I was immediately struck by its incredible transparency. I could clearly see the top of the equipment rack through the amplifier.”

Man, if you were any saltier, your name would be Lot's wife. Maybe take a breath go outside, get some sun, possibly even have a good time and realize its just a first production run of a headphone amp, not a life and death situation.

 

[Gallic Dweller]

DU - well said. hang loose, catch some rays, one or three glasses of a good wine also helps - listen to some sounds, that also helps.

 

[tizman]

Went outside, took a walk in the sun, heard a bunch of birds chirping, and had a few beers. It helped a bit. Let me know if you all would like another snippet of my impressions. Lots more.....

 

[GenEricOne]

Small bit of news, Jude had a brief blurb about sound impressions from listening to THX AAA amps, with the implication that this includes the Massdrop x THX AAA-789.

The rundown: In Jude's CanJam SoCal Preview video, Jude announces the Benchmark HPA4 will be present at CanJam SoCal 2018. HPA4 is another THX AAA amp, based on the AAA-888.

He shows the Massdrop x THX AAA-789 measurements that are already in this thread and says he expects the HPA4 to measure at least as good.

Then he goes on, "Now if you're wondering if this kind of measured performance means clinical sound, think again. The AAA amps I've heard so far have been, like Benchmark's latest DACs, highly resolving, neutral, and yet smooth."

Link to YouTube video beginning at the of the HPA4 segment:
.

 

[mtoc]

Benchmark hpa4: thx888 dual mono
this: 788 dual mono

 

[negura]

The price of this makes the Massdrop amp the bargain of the century or what.

https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/hi-fi-preamplifiers/products/hpa4

But don't get me wrong, knowing what I know, I still think the Benchmark amp will be worth the asking price. The 256 steps, 0.5dB relay volume control seems well thought out.

 

[alpovs]

Moreover, it ships June 2108. And you thought Massdrop was slow.