Drop + THX AAA™ 789 Linear Amplifier
The World’s Most Linear Amplifier
Announced at CES 2018, the Drop + THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (THX AAA™) 789 is a linear bipolar amplifier with feed-forward error correction. It’s designed for objectivists who appreciate an incredibly clean, transparent amp—the sought-after “wire with gain” whose amplification is wholly uncolored by a sound of its own. Made in collaboration with THX Ltd., it features the company’s groundbreaking THX AAA and feed-forward topology, which reduce distortion by 20 to 40 dB for realistic, fatigue-free listening. In fact, this bridged-output amp’s performance figures speak for themselves: It’s powerful (2 x 6W at 32 ohms) and quiet (136 dB SNR) with a record-low THD of -140 dB at 300 ohms, 100 mW. That’s four times the power of the Objective 2 amp, for example, with far less distortion.
THX AAA Technology
Capable of driving any headphones, including high-impedance, high-current, and high-sensitivity types, the THX AAA 789 amp transmits the original audio in its purest possible form. That’s thanks in large part to THX AAA technology, which reduces harmonic, intermodulation, and crossover distortions. Virtually every conventional amplifier distorts significantly when driving current into a headphone, producing crossover distortion that fatigues the listener. The engineers at THX set out to solve this problem—and to deliver the performance of a class-A amplifier without the heat and weight—and THX AAA technology was born. To learn more about Laurie Fincham, the chief scientist behind THX AAA, check out this interview on Home Theater Geeks.
Additional Features
Each channel of the THX AAA 789 amp is equipped with a low-bias class-AB main amplifier and an auxiliary error-correction amplifier, the former providing the majority of the power and the latter providing a realtime low-power error-correction signal. These work together to null all distortion components. Additionally, the product’s low quiescent current minimizes wasted power. Finally, the THX AAA 789 has multiple gain level settings to optimize for headphone and earphone listening.
About THX Ltd.
Founded by legendary filmmaker George Lucas in 1983, THX Ltd. and its partners provide premium entertainment experiences in the cinema, in the home, and on the go. Over the past 30 years, THX has expanded its certification categories beyond studios and cinemas to consumer electronics, content, and automotive systems. Today, THX continues to redefine entertainment, providing exciting new technologies and assurance of experiences with superior quality and high performance that guarantee the artist's vision is truthfully delivered to audiences worldwide. Fun fact: Composed by Lucasfilm sound engineer Dr. James “Andy” Moorer and screened at the start of the 1983 premiere of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, THX Deep Note remains one of the most recognizable sonic identities to this day.
Specs
General
- All parameters measured at 0 dB gain, 1 kHz, with balanced inputs and 300-ohm load unless otherwise noted
- Inputs: Stereo XLR-3 gold-plated Neutrik; Stereo RCA gold-plated
- Outputs: 1/4 in (6.35 mm) TRS gold-plated Neutrik; 3.5 mm TRS gold-plated; XLR-4 balanced gold-plated
- Frequency response: + 0.01 dB / - 0.03 dB 20 Hz–20 kHz; + 0.05 dB / - 0.15 dB 10 Hz–50 kHz
- Input impedance: 50 kOhms balanced or unbalanced
- Chassis: High-grade CNC-milled aluminum with bead-blasted finish
- Power supply: 24 VDC inline brick, universal input 100–240 VAC
- Dimensions: 8.3 x 9.1 x 2.2 in (210 x 230 x 57 mm)
- Weight: 3.4 lbs (1,520 g)
Balanced Output
- Output power: 6000 mW, 16 ohms, <1% THD (watts per channel)
- Output power: 6000 mW, 32 ohms, <1% THD (watts per channel)
- Output power: 800 mW, 300 ohms, <1% THD (watts per channel)
- Output power: 400 mW, 600 ohms, <1% THD (watts per channel)
- THD: -143 dB, 300 ohms, 1 mW: 0.000007%
- THD: -140 dB, 300 ohms, 100 mW: 0.000010%
- THD: -130 dB, 32 ohms, 1 mW: 0.000032%
- THD: -130 dB, 32 ohms, 100 mW: 0.000032%
- THD: -122 dB, 16 ohms, 1 mW: 0.000080%
- THD: -122 dB, 16 ohms, 100 mW: 0.000080%
- IMD: -123 dB, SMPTE 70 Hz + 70 kHz, 300 ohms: 0.000071%
- IMD: -124 dB, DFD 18 kHz + 19 kHz, 300 ohms: 0.000063%
- Crosstalk: -127 dB, 300 ohms: 0.000045%
- Noise (A-wt): 2.4 uV, potentiometer at nil
- SNR: 136 dB, 300 ohms, <1% THD
- Gain: 0.66x , 2.0x, 6.6x (-4, +6, +16 dB), selectable via front switch
- Output impedance: < 0.1 ohms
Single-Ended Output
- Output power: 3000 mW, 16 ohms, <1% THD (watts per channel)
- Output power: 1800 mW, 32 ohms, <1% THD (watts per channel)
- Output power: 200 mW, 300 ohms, <1% THD (watts per channel)
- Output power: 100 mW, 600 ohms, <1% THD (watts per channel)
- THD: -143 dB, 300 ohms, 1 mW: 0.000007%
- THD: -135 dB, 300 ohms, 100 mW: 0.000018%
- THD: -135 dB, 32 ohms, 1 mW: 0.000018%
- THD: -133 dB, 32 ohms, 100 mW: 0.000022%
- THD: -130 dB, 16 ohms, 1 mW: 0.000032%
- THD: -125 dB, 16 ohms, 100 mW: 0.000056%
- IMD: -117 dB, SMPTE 70 Hz + 70 kHz, 300 ohms: 0.000141%
- IMD: -125 dB, DFD 18 kHz + 19 kHz, 300 ohms: 0.000056%
- Crosstalk: -90 dB, 300 ohms: 0.003162%
- Noise (A-wt): 1.2 uV, potentiometer at nil
- SNR: 136 dB, 300 ohms, <1% THD
- Gain: 0.33x , 1.0x, 3.3x (-10, 0, +10 dB), selectable via front switch
- Output impedance: < 0.05 ohms
Included
- Switching power supply that handles 100–240 VAC (US plug; adapter needed for global use)
- Manufacturer’s 1-year warranty
RETURNS—NO QUESTIONS ASKED
We get it. Sometimes what you ordered just doesn’t work out. If that’s the case for you, don’t fret! All customers (both US and international) may return this item in new, unused condition within 30 days of delivery.
Shipping
Estimated ship date is July 24, 2023 PT.
Payment will be collected at checkout. Cancellations are accepted up to 2 hours after checkout for in-stock items, or up until pre-order ships.
