Drop + THX AAA™ 789 Linear Amplifier Discussions | Drop

Drop + THX AAA™ 789 Linear Amplifier

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Feb 17, 2019

Hey guys, I've got some bad news on the THX AAA 789... the single-ended input, at least for now, appears to be heavily voltage dependant and distorts from the single-ended input at least on Windows. I've tested two 789's and get the same result from three different dacs (including some people's favorite, the SMSL SU-8). Running it completely balanced does fix this problem. Also passthrough (to another unit) via single-ended is not affected; however, I do think people need to be aware of this issue. If I can figure out a fix other than, limiting the volume/voltage from the dac/windows, I will let you guys know.

Feb 17, 2019

zep483Weird! This is the first that I've heard about this and I've read a lot of reviews. Looks like I should look into getting some XLR cables.

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Feb 17, 2019

ChibatasticI know, I'm surprised others have not complained. I've heard this from at least two other owners as well though... I'm going to ask massdrop about it and see what they expect.

(Edited)

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Feb 18, 2019

zep483I have the Geshelli Enog2 Pro Dac. It lets you change the amount of power going to the amp (3 levels I think). Once I get the THX I'll test single ended and see if I have the same problem. Will probably end up going Balanced anyways though.

Feb 18, 2019

ChibatasticLet me know. Fiber Optic may fix this as well. It may have something to do with USB and Windows as well... Although it does this for every player I've tested so far, except Foobar seems to be exempt for some reason unless I just didn't notice. Does it via Tidal's player, Windows Player, on Skype (of all places), and in other areas of windows. I'm looking into installing different windows drivers as it may have to do with WASAPI? but none of my other amps pick up this distortion singled ended... and the THX passes it along to them fine... so it seems to be THX specific.

(Edited)

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Feb 18, 2019

zep483Interesting if it’s a windows driver issue. I’m unable to run anything but optical or coax from my dac. Currently running coax but have an optical cable to troubleshoot further. One of the reason Geshelli left out USB on their dac was because of all the various driver issues that can occur. In any case, I’ll let you know what happens when I get my THX.... In May.. Sooo far away but so bloody excited!

(Edited)

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Feb 18, 2019

zep483I use balanced cables, myself.

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Mlcousi

328

Feb 18, 2019

NateBI have the SU-8 and have it connected to the 789 by both XLR and SE so A/Bing is as easy as pushing the button in and out and the only thing I can notice is a volume difference, this is using a windows 10 PC using google music and foobar without wasapi.. I have the SE hooked up just for the passthrough and to listen to records with my headphones.. I think I have my SU-8 volume set to 32 and not max..

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Feb 18, 2019

MlcousiFoobar is the exception here it seems, or the drivers, because with foobar it works fine for me as well using ASIO drivers. The problem is every other driver/Tidal with master audio etc... I also just confirmed that optical also displays the issue if not using the usb drivers as well. The only dac exception to this is my Centrances- Dacportable and Dacport HD, function fine run via usb and even on the high gain setting it seems (although it does appear to be somewhat clearer on low gain). My guess is that the 789 can only take "so much" input voltage or signal, and the other dacs/drivers are outputting too hot or high for this input to handle. I will follow up if I come up with anything different.

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dose

Feb 18, 2019

ChibatasticMay, is that when the next drop is?

Feb 18, 2019

doseSorry, I don’t know when the next drop is. May is when the last drop I got on is scheduled to be delivered.

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dose

Feb 18, 2019

ChibatasticBummer.. and enjoy your 789 =)

Feb 18, 2019

MlcousiYep, lowering the SU-8's volume output to 25 gets rid of the distortion on a computer... I notice mild distortion beyond that... I also decided to test it through a chrome-cast audio via optical to confirm that it is voltage specific and not a problem with windows or a driver itself... it is worse through a chrome-cast... again the only thing that solves this problem is lowering the volume at the dac level itself or between the line (or in windows). I believe that foobar and the alternative ASIO drivers are outputting less signal and this is why there is no difficulty with these. Or, the dac has lower line level and causes less distortion because of that. My main issue with this is that I am leaving bits on the floor if adjusting via the dac, which I don't want to do. I am hopeful that the balanced sdac comes out soon or redrops again... I'm also hopeful that it will have MQA support... but this is even more doubtful.

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Boxster

Feb 24, 2019

zep483Can you run balanced output without running balanced input? I have a Schiit Modi now and I'm going to order the SU-8 in a few weeks, but am waiting. My THX should arrive this week.

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Mlcousi

328

Feb 25, 2019

BoxsterYes..

Feb 26, 2019

BoxsterYou can, but unbalanced input has the issues...

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Feb 26, 2019

MlcousiI did have the SU-8 hooked up to 789, but Saturday I switched over to the purple Geshelli Labs Enog2 Pro DAC, also balanced and takes less room. I like the Enog2 a little bit better paired up with the 789. I will pair the SU-8 with the Aune S7. I do have 5 headphone systems running and when I order another 1 to 5 s/pdif splitter I will set up another system or 2.

Feb 26, 2019

NateBThat’s awesome! I’ll be running the exact same combo once my thx ships. Right now I’m using the Enog2 with the Archel Pro through rca. What kind of xlr cables do you use from dac to amp?

Feb 26, 2019

ChibatasticHow did you hear about The Geshelli Labs products? I heard about them from "Z Reviews" on YouTube". I ordered for that set-up these cables: https://www.amazon.com/SEISMIC-AUDIO-SAXLX-3-2-Female-Balanced/dp/B017C14HTY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1551196685&sr=8-4&keywords=seismic+audio+xlr+cable+3ft. I like them because you can buy different color cables to distinguish left and right channels.

Feb 26, 2019

NateBFound out about Geshelli from Z as well. Great people to deal with! I wonder how much different / better the THX sounds compared to Archel pro. I ended up ordering Mogami Gold studio from B&H. Going to be using some of them for microphones and I was told they were reliable. Shame they only come in black though. I'd have opted for purple to match the dac :)

Feb 26, 2019

ChibatasticI am a subscriber to Z Reviews, Zeos Pantera and Z Cooks Consortium. Oh you got one of the purple DACs, so did I, along with a clear one and a clear Enog Pro DAC (Single Ended). I don't have a Archel, so I don't have the answer. One thing though the Archel sounds better with the Enog2 Pro.

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Feb 26, 2019

NateBAlso there is the SUPRISE1 promo code on Monoprice today. I got the THX portable for $56.00 off. People are buying that, the THX AAA 788 (Monolith), subwoofers and I think one guy bought the M1060Cs!

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Mar 4, 2019

NateBSome follow up... I have determined that the problem with the single ended input is two-fold... One it is related to the output voltage of the main line as 2 volt dacs cause and issues where as .7V ones do not. I am not sure the exact voltage number where the distortion occurs, but it appears to be closer to the 2 V number than the lower number. Having said that, the distortion on the single-ended input goes away if not feeding the 789 to another amp via the single ended output. Also the single ended output does not transmit the distortion- instead a clean signal is passed to the next amp, no matter what. Instead, depending on the amp that is inline after the 789, distortion occurs only in the 789 on the single ended input. I am uncertain what could be the cause of this directly. However; I will also say that the next amp in line matters- and, seemingly, if the amp has a digital volume control or an analog one matters. From my testing, if it is an analog amp, there appears to be no difficulties; however, if it is a digital volume control, the distortion occurs. The easiest fix, is to put a switcher in between the two amps or feed them separately if this occurs. The distortion seems to only occur when the amps are "inline" (using the output on the 789) and not if fed from another output or via a switcher... I have been unable to verify if a splitter can solve this problem, or not, as I do not have access to one at current, but this may also be another option- using a sys to cut the signal works. Also, I am not sure why Foobar or the ASIO drivers fix this as well, but they do seem too... so if you're running Foobar 2000, this may not be an issue for you. In summation, this may be a particular problem for "some people," but not most. While it has affected me, I hope what I share here can help others figure out, "what is going on"... I have heard from other people who report this issue as well, so I am curious what amps you are running "inline" from your 789, and if they are causing any distortion for you on the single-ended input. In my particular case, I was running a Loxjie P20 after the amp- which resulted in the distortion. A Geshelli Labs Archel Pro or Bravo Ocean does not cause a difficulty. I have yet to test my sprout 100, because it is kind of a pain for me to unhook, but I may try this at some point time to narrow the root of the problem further.

(Edited)

Mar 4, 2019

zep483More follow up... running out the single-ended output into a SMSL Q5 pro (which has a digital volume control) causes distortion in the Q5 Pro, but not in the 789 (the reverse finding)... There is definitely something funky with the way that it interfaces with digital volume controls on the single-ended output...

(Edited)

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NaranKPatel

Jul 13, 2019

zep483Anyone know for sure if it has MQA support?

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Jul 13, 2019

NaranKPatelIt is only an amp... there is no dac in it at all, so no MQA support unless your dac has MQA support. I myself am waiting for the SMSL M500 to come out in September (D2 should also have MQA support as well). These will be a balanced dacs with MQA support... M500 does come with an unbalanced headphone amp on its own, but the SM300 doesn't have MQA support as of right now... Maybe there will be a firmware update in September though... waiting to see. I know the SU-8 will not get a firmware update for MQA (which is what I use now). THe SM500 is a Saber Dac I believe and the SM300 is a Burr Brown dac I think. So, may have to just pay the money for the extra headphone amp for no reason :( at least for me...

(Edited)

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NaranKPatel

Jul 13, 2019

zep483Know anything about if the Monoprice AAA 788 supports MQA then?

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Jul 13, 2019

NaranKPateldon't believe it does... it is also less powerful than the 789... about half as powerful

(Edited)

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NaranKPatel

Jul 13, 2019

zep483Even with 2 x 788 chips instead of one 789?

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Jul 13, 2019

NaranKPatelyep balanced power output is around 3 w... the unbalanced out of the 789 is around 3 w and the balanced is around 6 w.

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jer925

Oct 22, 2020

zep483I have bought one of these amps in the monoprice form and was just researching the issue I have and found your post! I tried 3 different AVRs using RCA cable connected the "pass" output of the headphone amp, each of them distorts the sound coming from the headphone amp heavily, very easy to notice even at low volume, the signal become very similar to FM radio quality. The sound clears up either by unplugging the RCA cable from the receiver, or by turning on the receiver. I did this while everything is running (carefully) and the difference is huge. It seems to me this is pretty simple thing to implement and I have had my share of audio compatibility issues but this is just strange. I didn't want to turn on the receiver to listen to the headphone amp, which was the point of having an headphone amp inline. I was thinking of exchanging it due to being defective but maybe this is just a design issue since I see you are posting this issue with the DROP 789.

jer925

Oct 23, 2020

zep483I bought another headphone amp this time a Liquid Platinum. I still have the same distortion problem when using the pass through port on that headphone amp as well. Any idea why this may be happening? If I turn on the receiver the sound clears up. I put a Schitt Sys switcher between the HP amp and the receiver to act as an switch, that seems to have fixed the distortion when one of the switch position basically disconnected the hot of the cable, but because the grounds are connected I still feel it maybe slightly degrading the sound quality of the headphone amp. The only solution now is not plug any cables to the pass through until when I want to listen to the receiver.

(Edited)

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