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Drop + SMSL HO150X Linear Headphone Amplifier
$169
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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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mattris
1275
Keyboard Club Member
Jun 22, 2023
An intriguing budget amp with above-average specs. Other than its XLR-out not being balanced, it should work well for those who desire considerable headphone power in a relatively small form factor.
RouseHouse1013
25
Jun 28, 2023
Hopefully their description for the product is the truth "We also made sure to fit in several Audiophile-requested features, including balanced inputs and outputs"
EniGmA1987
607
Jun 29, 2023
mattrisIt is probably better being unbalanced actually. Typically balanced outputs have 2x the THD as unbalanced outs on the same amp, so by being unbalanced but still having 6w output gives you the high power you typically get with a balanced amp but the lower distortion of an unbalanced amp.
Je_Saist
163
Jun 24, 2023
Considering I still use the Drop O2+SDAC as my daily headphone driver and I'm always on the lookout for something just a bit better than it, I'd absolutely love to see this Amp paired with Grace Design's SDAC or a successor.
dostoevsky233
19
Jun 29, 2023
Glad for you, and I’ve heard others say something similar, which is why I’ve been looking for an SDAC for so long. But Drops probably never going to re-stock them :(
Hyde
1120
Jun 29, 2023
dostoevsky233Yeah I really hope they bring it back or make a new version with similar sound.
For now I have to resort to buying from second hand market. You could either hunt for SDAC Standard (dac only) or SDAC/O2 (dac/amp combo). Keep in mind that SDAC Balanced is 32 bit only so it sounded a bit different, I like the single ended versions better (since it runs 24 bit).
Cheers!
(Edited)
Wabberjacker
4
Jun 25, 2023
That on/off button is so effing ugly. It sticks out like a sore thumb and the style choice of it clashes with the industrial style choice of the input and gain selectors.
Fcpchop
2
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?
Hyde
1120
Jun 23, 2023
Hmmmmm I could be wrong but, I find in general there's always different audiophile trend that's popular at different times. A while back was that everything need to be super neutral super linear and measure super well, then some people find that sound too clinical/cold sounding. Next up all the headphones need to follow Harman curve, everything need to be Harman target.
I thought we're currently in the "tube sounding solid state amp" phase (i.e. Schiit Magni Piety). I would actually be more interested to see more tube sounding solid state amps in the market rather than linear amps.
Examples are Magni Piety, Asgard 3, Violectric V200......etc.
(Edited)
OZ.Bloody.Rabbit
192
Jul 4, 2023
Hyde(I was halfway through typing a 16 paragraph essay... then I look at the clock and realised it's getting laste so I decided to binned it, and here is my second take)
An amp is just part of the equation of signal path, there is also the dac and headphone and speakers, each adding to the final favour. A linear amp works if you a pro working/ mixing/ mastering on your project with each other component all being neutral/ analytical which brings out a reference/ baseline. As for most people who just want to "enjoy" music then a bit of favour/ warm would be prefer way to go, all in all, amp is just one part of the equation, so it's up to you to decided what you enjoy most/ what synergy works best for you.
For myself, my computor/ desktop setup is an ESS chip-per-channel, a class A tube preamp, output to my active speaker (built-in DSP, class D), which works fine for me. On the other side of my room I have my (current) headphone rig which is a sony universal player (DSP on) output to my ladder-per-channel, relay attenuater, THX 789 amp, then my choice of (just to name some recent ones) DT-1770/ 1990, MDR-Z7 (G1), T60rp, Thioaudio Ghost ... etc etc
As evidence, a linear amp works fine, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a bit of tube/ warmth to my music, I still have (abeit in storage downstairs) my tube+chip rolled littledot mk1 + , a hybrid tube (DSP/ preamp) stage with SS (power) stage, which got best of both worlds, but admittedly didn't sync well with my then dirty/ noisy electricity supply, 2.1V dac output (non attenuation) and sensitive IEMs.
Anyway, it's getting late, sleep tight and enjoy the fireworks tomorrow.
Hyde
1120
Jul 4, 2023
OZ.Bloody.Rabbitlol oh yeah totally agree with everything you just said. Maybe I just feel like we have enough linear amp in the market now, so I was hoping we'll get more "tube sounding" solid state amps.
Personally I go with a bit more extreme approach where everything in my chain is a bit colored LOL.
I'm running Grace SDAC + Project Solstice (Hybrid Tube Amp) + Lawton TH900 and it's been working out great so far.
Though I wish I can replace my hybrid tube with a tube sounding solid state one day.
Ares78
1506
Keyboard Club Member
Jun 29, 2023
why is the power button white, you couldn't have sourced a black one?
T.Fernandez
801
Collabs
Jul 6, 2023
Ares78The power button on the left has an amber glow when the amp is on.
Ares78
1506
Keyboard Club Member
Jul 6, 2023
T.FernandezIdk, maybe you guys should include some photos of the unit in a dim office
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
192
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.
Anjanakrishnan
43
Jun 27, 2023
I'd just like a budget usb powered dac with volume knob that is small but has lots of outputs and a generic usb cable and warm sound.
Anjanakrishnan
43
Jul 20, 2023
I have the zen DAC v1 which is great but a bit too bulky to use with the laptop on the go. I want something like the nuforce udac but with better audio that also can output to speakers or tv but also have the headphones running.
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..........?
Marcus22687
303
Nov 22, 2023
Headfonics review of the HO150X:
https://headfonics.com/drop-smsl-ho150x-review/
PROS Dependable setup for transparency Three-level gain for IEMs and headphones Includes RCA pre-out sockets CONS Imaging placement is sometimes inaccurate
PROS Dependable setup for transparency Three-level gain for IEMs and headphones Includes RCA pre-out sockets CONS Imaging placement is sometimes inaccurate
Smee
19
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.
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