Massdrop x THX AAA™ 789 Linear Amplifier - Impressions Thread

[omniweltall]

If that amp is as great as people say than it likely would be "end game" for me

Which amp?

 

[MacMan31]

Which amp?

I have the Aune X7S paired with the Massdrop Grace SDAC running off my Macbook Pro. I'm using the balance XLR cable for my HD6XX.

 

[BrotherKathos]

Not sure if it's "less clean" though I don't know how I would be able to notice. But with balanced the sound seems more open and things like vocals being more forward. The Sennheiser "veil" seems to be gone or at least diminished.

I doubt its audible. Its just less clean in balanced according to distortion measurements, but both measurements (SE and Balanced) are already beyond the level of human hearing as far as I understand it.

 

[MacMan31]

I doubt its audible. Its just less clean in balanced according to distortion measurements, but both measurements (SE and Balanced) are already beyond the level of human hearing as far as I understand it.

Yeah makes sense. I've never heard any "noise" in any headphones I've used with anything I've used headphones with over the years. I'm listening to the Danny Elfman Spiderman score and it sounds quite good on my setup.

 

[sebna]

Hmm, okay then. So no matter what I get in that price range I can only expect to get a 10% improvement? If that is the case then what kind of setup is Silver ears listening too to be so disappointed in the THX 789? I'm okay with spending good money on gear if its truly performing with respect to its price, but if its only going to be a marginal increase I'd rather stick with what i've got. That's why I kept trying to get an answer with no luck out of @SilverEars.

Depending how to look at it but he is more or less right. If you take into account ultimate speaker systems then you are battling for last 20% in general.

The thing is, last 5-7% so when you reach 93-95% of what is possible in music reproduction using hi-fi system you are no longer listening to the music. In the right setting with the right quality recordings it becomes really out of body type experience, very addictive as you can imagine. I am not big into HP systems but so far I have not heard HP system that can achieve this, only high end speaker systems in well organized listening space but it is quite amazing what the music can do to your psyche and how it can transport you and influence much more then your hearing senses.

I do not know any other way to achieve this then dropping some serious coin on the system but I am sure if you would have access to many boxes you could put together relatively cheap and overachieving system that could give you above. However very little of us do have access to many boxes of gear to swap and test in search of the holy grail so we have to spend.

The first high-end system I have heard was based on Avantgarde Duo Omega with well matched rest of the gear. I had tears in my eyes when I was listening to it from conveyed emotions. That day has costed me quite a considerable amount of money as it triggered this hobby in me and I dived in, head first, into rabbits hole.

My speaker system is quite stable for last 3-5 years and I am just enjoying the music. Building system is nothing in compare to finding good music...

Cheers

 

[gtbrown50]

Well my setup does well enough for me even if I am still considering the THX 789. If that amp is as great as people say than it likely would be "end game" for me. Perhaps upgrade the DAC at some point but that may not be necessary.

I agree! The reason for my post was I got a little miffed for being called a weirdo because I was using a THX 789 with a Yggy. I absolutely love the THX, in fact I have two of them. It is an awesome amplifier and is likely gonna keep me very happy for quite a while.

 

[MacMan31]

I agree! The reason for my post was I got a little miffed for being called a weirdo because I was using a THX 789 with a Yggy. I absolutely love the THX, in fact I have two of them. It is an awesome amplifier and is likely gonna keep me very happy for quite a while.

Hehe fair enough. I may jump on the next drop whenever that happens. After just a day I've switched back to my default SE cable for my HD6XX. The constant rubbing noise in my ear cups from the Periapt XLR cable is very irritating. I emailed Periapt to see if there is anything that can be done. Perhaps they can make me another cable with a different external material. If the XLR cable had the standard "rubbery" covering of the default cable that would be fine with me. I don't hear any noise with that cable if it rubs against anything. Guess I'll see what they say if or when they reply to me.

 

[Zachik]

Btw, the Cavalli that most interests me is the Liquid Platinum. Have you heard it?

I own it, but received very recently so still burning-in... Off topic for this thread, though.
I would say, from a very brief listen, that it is the best Cavalli amp I own (I also got Massdrop's CTH and LCX), but also the most expensive. Go figure

Back on-topic, I did audition the THX 789 courtesy of @CEE TEE
For people who are looking for accurate true-to-recording (i.e. not colored) and very very low noise floor - this is a great amp! I used to own the Schiit Jotunheim that is supposed to tick the same boxes, and I think the AAA 789 is better.

 

[jmac1516]

I agree! The reason for my post was I got a little miffed for being called a weirdo because I was using a THX 789 with a Yggy. I absolutely love the THX, in fact I have two of them. It is an awesome amplifier and is likely gonna keep me very happy for quite a while.

I use my THX 789 with a Gumby as a bedroom setup. Very happy over here!

 

[CoFire]

Anyone have a chance to compare the Cavalli Liquid Carbon X to the THX 789? So far I like the Cavalli, but I don't get a lot of power out of it when using the SE port.

Both are great sounding amps. The LCX is slightly warmer which in notice in the mids and might have a tinge more texture in the bass. The LCX gives guitars a slightly different tone due to this. Because of this added warmth, the THX AAA 789 presents music with a little more perceived clarity. I haven't done any hardcore AB'ing to test all the differences but this is what's most apparent immediately to me. Mary Jane's Last Dance was the song I used for this impression.

I don't really like the word "colorless". And I don't think that it is bright. For me, I felt that the THX 789 has slightly forward upper mid. Treble is actually quite smooth and extended, imo. But I may be biased because I'm used to my previous amps, as reference.

Also remember that people have different ear designs too. Perhaps, your hearing is more sensitive in certain frequency more than others. So, different factors can come into play. To be honest, I don't understand why silverears say it is bright. But I believe that he did experience it, for one reason or another.

I don't hear any difference in brightness compared to the LCX, but tonality sure. I like that the THX AAA 789 has treble control as compared to something like the O2. I find that amp bright. Maybe Silverears heard his DAC? Hard to say unless we have an understandable of bright compared to what. I think another good thing to point out is how loud do you listen? I'm not a loud listening so my perception may be different.

I agree that LCX is warmer. But I personally like the LCX better. THX 789 definitely does NOT make the LCX redundant!

Agreed, they are most certainly audibly different but both enjoyable and great performers. It depends on what sound/tone you might like.

I was listening using a Grace m9XX DAC and Focal Elex.

 

[CoFire]

I own it, but received very recently so still burning-in... Off topic for this thread, though.
I would say, from a very brief listen, that it is the best Cavalli amp I own (I also got Massdrop's CTH and LCX), but also the most expensive. Go figure

Back on-topic, I did audition the THX 789 courtesy of @CEE TEE
For people who are looking for accurate true-to-recording (i.e. not colored) and very very low noise floor - this is a great amp! I used to own the Schiit Jotunheim that is supposed to tick the same boxes, and I think the AAA 789 is better.

Not off topic if you compare it to the THX AAA 789 and might as well add the other amps. I have the THX AAA 789 and LCX, had the MCTH for 2 weeks until it's owner had to head back home from vacation and they all sounded and synergized differently. I am very much interested in a Liquid Platinum from what I heard of the MCTH.

Sounds like you don't have a THX AAA 789 shop that may make the comparison challenging.

 

[MacMan31]

Has anyone compared the Topping DX7 DAC/amp to any of the Massdrop offerings like the THX 789 or LCX (amp or amp/DAC)?

 

[jsmiller58]

I use my THX 789 with a Gumby as a bedroom setup. Very happy over here!

That's what I like to hear - people amping it up in the bedroom...



Could. Not. Resist.

 

[alpovs]

The reason for my post was I got a little miffed for being called a weirdo because I was using a THX 789 with a Yggy.

Don't mention that you connected them through SE, not balanced

 

[jsmiller58]

Has anyone compared the Topping DX7 DAC/amp to any of the Massdrop offerings like the THX 789 or LCX (amp or amp/DAC)?

I have tried the DX7S alone with its headphone amp. My cans all are pretty low impedance, so the DX7S does give the bass a bit of a boost/warm up the sound (well, with the exception of my planar Sundara). So I tend to avoid using the DX7S amp outputs.

My main rig is DX7s balanced into MD THX 789. Sounds great, though almost indistinguishable from my DX3Pro, or my Topping D50 into JDS Atom. DX3Pro and Atom SE outputs are enough for all my cans while the balanced output on the 789 has more power than any of my cans need.