Drop + THX AAA™ 789 Linear Amplifier Discussions | Drop

Drop + THX AAA™ 789 Linear Amplifier

Showing 1 of 1589 conversations about:

Will

8470

Chief Product Officer

Apr 17, 2020

Hello Friends, Since its release in 2018, the Drop + THX 789 THX AAA™ Linear Amplifier has been praised by reviewers and community members alike. It’s hard to find a “Best Amp Below $1000” thread without a recommendation for the 789 and the incredible value it offers at $399. Now, two years after the 789’s initial release, we’re excited to announce we’re adjusting the 789’s market position. As of April 17, 2020, we’re adjusting the 789’s MSRP from $399 to $299. This price adjustment is made possible via increased production size (thanks to you) and more efficient material sourcing + manufacturing optimization (thanks to our Product Realization team). At $299 MSRP, we’re excited to cement the 789 as a critical part of the Headphone community purchase progression. Thanks for your continued support and feedback. We wouldn’t be here without you.

UnderhookDDT

Apr 17, 2020

WillDoes this mean expect a DAC/Amp combo soon?

Josepfe

Apr 17, 2020

WillVery glad to hear these news!. Now the next thing that we the audiophiles in Europe are waiting for is that you make this amplifier available in the EU collection.... Kind regards Josepfe

JDWarner

349

Apr 17, 2020

WillI've bought two of these, one at $350 and the other at $400. I do not think I overpaid. Handles the HD6XX and HE500 wonderfully. At $300 this is just scary. Puts virtually everything under $1k on notice. I wouldn't want to be a competitor in this specific space, as "just get the 789" is probably going to be the go-to advice...

(Edited)

esmneuhof

Apr 18, 2020

WillHey Massdrop thanks for answering my question as to whether this amp will ever go on sale. Appreciate the $100 Drop in price (pun intended). Just ordered one.

Apr 19, 2020

WillHello, what happen to that beautiful massdrop THX 789 design ? Why is it out of stock ?

Vote

Apr 19, 2020

WillI paid $400, and always was upset with myself not getting it at $350, but as I said in my review the price was fair. At $299 it's absurd how good of a deal this is. It's hard to recommend other amps over this one now, even the very good value competitors (Atom, Heresy). Step in the right direction! Now to just get a Grace Balanced DAC in a matching size chasis...

rowaihi.11

Apr 21, 2020

WillDoes this mean it will stay at the price of 299$ permanently?

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Assimilator702

184

Apr 21, 2020

rowaihi.11Yes this seems to be the case. This is VERY good news. I resisted @ $400 when it was almost impossible to secure a unit. After 2 failed attempts I decided to not play the game.

lunawang

Apr 21, 2020

WillWhen will you reduce noble kaiser 10 to $550, I will buy immediately.

Apr 21, 2020

WillWhat about that beautiful massdrop design of the THX 789 ? What happen to that available option for save $50 ?

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adi518

292

Apr 22, 2020

nick_tIt ran out of the stock. I think they kinda waited for it to go OOS before announcing this new price point.

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Apr 22, 2020

adi518Unethical way to do business for this hype and awareness in the THX competition. I have this feeling as well. Also, they failed to acknowledge the few remaining stocks due to unethical attitude for internal confidentiality reasoning.

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Will

8470

Chief Product Officer

Apr 22, 2020

nick_tWe sold out, there were a hundred or so when we made the price change and they sold out quickly.

Apr 22, 2020

WillI fully regret and I cannot forgive myself of not getting earlier. Are there any plans to restock the beautiful massdrop THX 789 version ? Many agreed with me as well regarding on the design.

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Apr 22, 2020

nick_tThere is no design difference, is there? Just a few subtle changes? Volume knob / logo.

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Apr 23, 2020

PeeManAm surprise with your comment. Have you even see online pictures of DROP and massdrop version ?

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Apr 23, 2020

nick_tYes... I'm looking at pictures right now. The only two differences are the volume knob and the logo. And they're very minor.

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Apr 23, 2020

PeeManAnd thats very minor ? One is ugly and one is beautiful. Difference are wording and fonts. One has brand name and the other has not, the knob shape and precision is so different. Texture are even different.

adi518

292

Apr 23, 2020

nick_tWow, adding the Drop logo is one thing, but I didn't realize they changed the lettering font to this very ugly, cheap looking font. Unfortunately, the volume knob suffered too. It looks a lot less elegant now.

(Edited)

Apr 23, 2020

adi518What they should have done is very simple ? Dont change a damn thing about the massdrop design. And change the massdrop branding to DROP from behind. I know the marketing reason behind it but for us, they should not have change.

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coatessey

Apr 24, 2020

WillWill are the changes with the new version cosmetic only? Has there been any changes to the internal components, circuits, etc?

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LowAmbition

Apr 24, 2020

WillYou're still selling it without any indicator that it's out of stock? I ordered one on April 18th but I've received no notification that it's out of stock.

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Apr 24, 2020

PeeManThey're practically the same, sorry man. But, you're wrong. I'd even argue the newer one is better since the volume knob is more obvious now with where it's pointing. A slightly different font and logo placement is not enough to say its better / worse than before / after.

Apr 24, 2020

coatesseyPretty sure its cosmetic only. Its practically the same. Can't believe people are crying on these forums over a different font and a better volume knob. Hahaha.

logeme115

Apr 24, 2020

LowAmbitionI ordered my 789 April 19 at 2AM EST, i just received a shipping notification April 24 10AM EST, as some what of a possible time frame for shipping

Apr 27, 2020

Why? You were fine with the old price when you bought it.

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Usehername

107

Apr 27, 2020

owtlaw333Right. I bet you wish you could afford one, huh?

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Apr 27, 2020

UsehernameSince you're stalking my ancient comments in my profile, why don't you stop by my purchase history, hotshot.

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Apr 27, 2020

Stay classy, kid. Sorry about your $100.

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Usehername

107

Apr 27, 2020

owtlaw333Sorry, Not sorry. You’re a joke.

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Apr 27, 2020

UsehernameCool.

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Apr 27, 2020

coatesseyNo internal remains the same, just the ugly exterior only. And you are welcome !

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Apr 27, 2020

PeeManBecause that DROP design is hideous and eye sore. If you the aesthetics does not bother you, then its alright, good for you. For the rest of us, we care about aesthetics.

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Mylene2006

Apr 28, 2020

adi518Really?? They both look very very similar to me. I sure wouldn't feel that one is "ugly", and the other is "beautiful"

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adi518

292

Apr 28, 2020

Mylene2006Well, they put a notch on it instead of that subtle white dot. For most it's just nitpicking though. Edit: My bad, not a notch, but a small indent that's rather elegant.

(Edited)

Apr 28, 2020

adi518There wasn't a white dot, it was just a round indention. But, yes, a lot of people pitched a fit about the rebranding for whatever reason.

(Edited)

purceller

Apr 28, 2020

LowAmbitionLowAmbition, I ordered on the 21st and got a shipment notification today. Did you get your shipping notification yet sir?

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purceller

Apr 28, 2020

UsehernameUsrhername: Is all okay? Why the negativity? Let's all get along here. During this time we are blessed to be worrying about things like delivery dates for audio toys. Perspective friends...be happy :)

LowAmbition

Apr 29, 2020

purcelleryep

Apr 30, 2020

WillIt's great to come back to this amp and see that you PALOOKAS finally realized that price gouging the market wasn't going to work for you. I wanted to buy this amp so much one year ago and you PALOOKAS broke my heart with your disorganized drops, price increases and confusion. At the new price and stock availability, I may finally get around to buying one.

adeadcrab

258

May 5, 2020

LuckyLuke575calm down luke

Squirly

May 9, 2020

LuckyLuke575Hehe, I doubt you'll keep it once you get a load of the push buttons. Think...jello...

Vote

May 9, 2020

SquirlyYou mean the whole single power button that has been talked about since day one as being a design decision (while the input button is fine)? What's that conversation even look like? "Why'd you get rid of that amp?" "Well, you know, I only bought it for the power button, and I tell you it just wasn't doing it for me!"

(Edited)

•

Squirly

May 9, 2020

postwarscarsDoes this look fine to you?

I guess I wasn't smart enough to read up on that before buying. Or maybe I'm old enough to expect quality at that price point.

May 9, 2020

SquirlyI own the amp? I wrote a review for it? The power button is intentional, there's been plenty of people who talked about it. Hey! Look! I mentioned it in my review in the cons section: https://drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-789-linear-amplifier/reviews/2509562 I'm old enough to research any product I buy. Anyway, here are two threads specifically explaining the reasoning for the power button. It's not an issue of quality, so we are clear: https://drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-789-linear-amplifier/talk/2502447

https://drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-789-linear-amplifier/talk/2261508

(Edited)

bcaulf

151

May 13, 2020

JDWarnerDoes it handle the HD6XX in SE? I read some comments saying it struggles to drive the HD6XX in unbalanced mode but I have a hard time believing that.

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JJayJJ

472

May 14, 2020

bcaulfOf course it handles it, if you have a DAC that can output 2V, you're going to blow your ears to shreds even on SE.

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Pearshapedboy

May 14, 2020

bcaulfI have the 789 paired with the HD6XX in SE, and while it does get loud, I was expecting more power. The DAC I'm using is an Aune X1S, which supposedly outputs at 2.2v, and yet, on Gain 3, I can comfortably push the volume knob to about 1 o'clock before my ears start to hurt. For the time being, I've settled on using Gain 2 at about 2-3 o'clock. Regardless, the HD6XX sounds amazing on this amp!

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JDWarner

349

May 14, 2020

bcaulfI've only ever used the HD6XX balanced with this amp.

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May 17, 2020

SquirlyIt's sad to see things like this man. Just as I start to get some faith in Massdrop then they make schoolboy errors like this...

May 17, 2020

adeadcrabI've got low tolerance for schoolboy errors bud

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May 17, 2020

PeeManThe new one looks like it has inferior quality with the knobs, font and finish. $100 price reduction? I smell a rat...

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May 17, 2020

LuckyLuke575Quality is fine. Font is cosmetic and finish is also fine. To save $100, I'd gladly have sightly different one cosmetically. Its exactly the same otherwise.

May 18, 2020

PeeManIts a big difference. One is pretty aesthetic and one is cheap ugly. Sound and specs are the same. End of story !

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May 18, 2020

LuckyLuke575I own the "Massdrop" version and that's just how the power button is. It's not a standard button. You'll notice he didn't do that with the input button, because it doesn't do that. I can't speak to fit and finish, or knob quality though.

(Edited)

May 21, 2020

postwarscarsI don't know man the build quality looks dicey to me. I know that the sound quality and performance are up there, but I don't want to drop several hundred bucks and end up with a cheap and nasty device.

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ElectronicVices

2937

Jun 11, 2020

PearshapedboyIf you are listening loud enough to experience pain you are many decibels past the point of hearing damage threshold, don't do this with any regularity.

bcaulf

151

Jun 11, 2020

ElectronicVicesI can gladly say the HD6XX gets plenty loud enough on Gain 2 for me.

ElectronicVices

2937

Jun 11, 2020

bcaulfWith a 4 volt input even my HE6se gets reasonably loud on Gain 2... I rarely use high gain as most of my listening is via 4 volt sources, outside of the Zone 2 out of my receiver that is.

bmp81

Jul 3, 2020

Lucky!

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bmp81

Jul 3, 2020

PeeManFew tweaks

Eric00886

Jul 31, 2020

WillWill DROP make new model from other THX AAA module? Or add Digital volume control, example PGA2310? I think both will be interesting.

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Aug 30, 2020

WillI'm glad I was able to source an un-used original Massdrop version that was never used by a collector for the same price as this lower price point. If they made cosmetic adjustments to lower the price point, I can only surmise there are internal changes as well that affects the manufacturing. Can't wait for someone to open up both units and actually compare the components if there are internal changes.

Eric00886

Aug 31, 2020

oneframeMore information?

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Will

8470

Chief Product Officer

Aug 31, 2020

oneframeNah, we actually had to use some higher-end components (mil spec versions of resistors vs consumer spec) in the units produced this year due to general consumer part shortages. If anything, these should measure and sound better than the originals. Otherwise, it's the same spec, same manufacturing, nothing's different beyond the cosmetics. We're just making a lot more of them now.

(Edited)

Aug 31, 2020

Eric00886The information is he thinks they cut cost by reducing the quality of parts, but he doesn't realize the cost likely came down due to improved production vs. small batch orders. People need to stop assuming they reduced costs because of something as arbitrary as visual elements, too.

(Edited)

Aug 31, 2020

WillThat's great to know for those who are just buying into it. Too bad the volume knob has changed though. I don't mind the branding. It just doesn't look similar to the other Drop when paired together. Unless you start changing the knobs of all the other offerings as well.

Aug 31, 2020

postwarscarsI said I was surmising. That's why I was asking on this forum. There is nothing wrong about asking and getting proof there wasn't internal change apart from the external once. And because I asked, you guys got your answers. Okay.

Sep 1, 2020

oneframeThe issue I took with your comment was that I've seen it paroted in other locations on the site, but it's largely baseless. I wasn't really trying to dig at you, but there's a certain set of misconceptions about manufacturing that lead to people making claims that aren't true. I wouldn't have said it how I did if you'd just asked about the internals rather than surmising, if that makes sense. So I'm sorry if I came off as harsh, but sometimes words have more weight than we realize.

Sep 1, 2020

postwarscarsAgreed. Writing is hard to interpret. Apologies for incorrect interpretation on how I asked.

Sep 1, 2020

oneframeYou're fine. I was definitely more harsh than I should've been.

•

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