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Drop + SMSL HO150X Linear Headphone Amplifier
$179
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Drop + SMSL HO150X Linear Headphone Amplifier
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Product Description
It’s been over half a decade since our first linear amplifier, the THX AAA 789, brought exceptionally transparent, balanced amplification to audiophiles around the world. Now, as more and more listeners chase that coveted “wire-with-gain” holy grail of amplification, we thought we’d pick up where we left off—by launching another game-changing linear amp Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downT.Fernandez
849
Collabs
Jul 3, 2023
Stickied
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The Drop + SMSL HO150X marks our first official collaboration with the popular headphone amp brand.
Some quick history, SMSL was the OEM manufacturer for the original Objective 2 and SDAC products which were sold back in the Massdrop days. Over the years we have continued offering their products but had yet to develop a true collaboration until now.
With the introduction of the Precision Linear Feedback Circuit , SMSL showed they were able to produce an amplifier with performance metrics which were on par with our widely popular AAA 789 and AAA ONE amplifiers designed to deliver incredibly low distortion.
Improving on the 789 and AAA meant that we needed to achieve high levels of output power and equally low distortion into a significantly smaller footprint. Building off of the SMSL HO100, we challenged the engineers at SMSL to push out considerably more power and performance. The result of the HO150X equates to 6 Watts of output power, matching the 789 at a substantially lower cost.
When desktop space is scare, the HO150X’s can also double duty as a preamp for powered speakers
(Edited)
Smee
20
Apr 30, 2024
Marcus22687The review is good, but every amplifier with an analog volume wheel will vary in channel balance from one unit to another. I got one that's excellent and keeping it for a daily driver. Measures within 1.db with attenuation at 15 percent volume, and best in medium and low gain. I'm simplifying things to de-clutter all the remote controls. One nice thing is it doesn't get hot like the HO400 which will singe your fingertips on the bottom center if you pick it up right after using it.
This is really like an SMSL SP200 only with a silent noise floor and smooth volume wheel. I've tried it with several DACs, and using a C200 just to have all the different headphone jacks covered for testing all the stuff that comes in. A 4 or 5 volt DAC didn't make a volume matched audible difference. They should have tested a unit to send for reviewer if he got one with bad attenuation on channel balance. I love this thing, going to see if it'll fit on a D-6s, but that little fin they put on the left side might block a switch.
Fcpchop
3
Oct 12, 2023
Is the listed output power based on a balanced input? If so, what would the output power be from an unbalanced input?
Fcpchop
3
Oct 12, 2023
Is the listed output power based on a balanced input? If so, what would the output power be from an unbalanced input?
Yunnos
0
Sep 6, 2023
Hello,
I received a US plug with the product, I bought an standard EU power cable but I hear some sizzling/interference with the headphones.
Can you tell me what type of cable to buy ? (I know it has to be 10A-250V)
Thanks for help
T.Fernandez
849
Collabs
Oct 16, 2023
YunnosThere is no special requirement for the power cable as long as it conforms to the standard IEC socket on the rear of the amp. If you continue to have interference with the product please reach out to CS team for further assistance.
BasBeers
2
Sep 6, 2023
Almost dead on arrival??
My 100-240 Volts unit just arrived with a 110V US cable, that I replaced with a suitable 220V grounded EU cable. The unit has 3 problems:
-It seems to be more or less out of (and never really in) balance between the 2 channels, using different sources, DACS and headphones out, regardless RCA or XLR.
-It gets really hot when used with for example Fostex Dekoni Blue, which is quite demanding.
-After that tested, it didn't work with my BeyerDynamic DT880 600 Ohm where I bought it for. It kept triggering overload protection mode after a far too modest volume threshold. After shutting and cooling down, I can't get it up & running again because it refuses to go out of protection mode.
I presume this means it died already after 15 minutes and it's useless for me..........?
dostoevsky233
19
Jun 29, 2023
I’m assuming we’ll have to wait another 6 months before we can pre-order the matching DAC?
OZ.Bloody.Rabbit
197
Jul 3, 2023
dostoevsky233I had the same question when I saw the drop ... I was there when they drop the original 789 run and the infamous ladder implementation DAC with the same form factor not long after...
hence that make me curious as to the line-up this time around.
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