Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp
The Best of Both Worlds
The Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/amp brings two of the community’s favorite designers together in one affordable, easy-to-use package. It features the Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp (or CTH), built from the ground up by the founder of Cavalli Audio—a legend in the world of headphone amps. For the DAC section, it uses the Massdrop x Grace Design Standard DAC (or SDAC), a collaboration with a company long known for its incredibly accurate, transparent studio gear. The result is an all-in-one unit that measures objectively well and works with a variety of driver types and impedances, including all previous Massdrop over-ear headphones.
About the Massdrop x Grace Design Standard DAC
The Standard DAC sets a new standard in entry-level DACs. Designed with the objectivist audiophile in mind, the SDAC delivers objectively good performance meant to meet or exceed the measurements of the popular ODAC while retaining many of its other benefits. It’s equipped with the new AKM AK4452 digital-to-analog conversion chip and can process the most common file types up to 24 bit/96 kHz with no harshness or edge and the kind of resolution and detail that’ll make you want to listen on and on. It runs off of USB bus power with plug-and-play operation, which means you won’t need drivers or any special software to get started.
About the Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp
This hybrid amp combines a solid state section, a tube amp section, and an entirely new circuit design. A complete revision of one of Cavalli’s early DIY designs, it delivers the current required by planar magnetics, along with the voltage drive that dynamic headphones need to perform their best. It’s quiet enough for sensitive headphones like the Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 and powerful enough for higher-impedance headphones like the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX. With the supplied 6922 vacuum tube, the sound is smooth, natural, and resolving with precise detail and just a touch of tube character.
Specs
DAC Section
- Massdrop x Grace Design
- DAC chip: AKM AK4452
- Audio formats: Up to 24 bit/96 kHz
- Frequency response, 20Hz–20 kHz: +/-0.02 dB
- THD+N at 20 Hz -0.15 dBFS: 0.0013%
- THD+N at 100 Hz, -0.15 dBFS: 0.0013%
- THD+N at 10 kHz, -0.15 dBFS: 0.0024%
- IMD CCIF, -6.03 dBFS, 19/20kHz, 24/96k: 0.0005%
- IMD SMPTE -6 dBFS, 24/96k: 0.0015%
- Noise, A-weighted: -105 dBu
- Dynamic range, A-weighted: >114 dB
- Linearity, -90 dBFS: -0.07 dB
- Crosstalk at 1 kHz, -10 dBFS (3.5mm jack): -102 dB
- Sum of jitter components at 11,025 Hz, -1 dBFS: -133 dB
- Maximum output: 2.15VRMS
- USB controller: XMOS XU208-128-TQ64
- Input: USB micro
- Output: 3.5mm TRS
- Power: USB Class 1 (no drivers required for Windows, Mac, or Linux)
Amp Section
- Massdrop x Alex Cavalli
- Frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, -0.2 dB
- Maximum power, 50 ohms: 1W Rms per channel
- Output impedance: < 0.5 ohm at 1 kHz
- THD: < 0.008%, 20 Hz–20 kHz 1 Vrms
- THD: 0.0014% at 1 kHz, 1 Vrms with 50R load
- IMD: 0.002% CCIF 1 Vrms
- SNR: -97 dB, 20 Hz–20 kHz (1 Vrms into 45 ohms)
- Crosstalk: -85 dv at 1 kHz
- Topology: Capacitor-coupled tube hybrid using 6922 tube, single-ended
- Gain: 8x (12 dB)
- Input: RCA
- Output: 4-pin XLR, ¼ in (6.3 mm) TRS headphone jacks
- Protection: Delayed start with muting relay and DC offset detection
- Power supply: Wall wart with 28V DC 1.25A
- Power consumption: Maximum 35W (28V, 1.25A), ~9W idle
Physical
- Chassis material: Anodized aluminum
- Dimensions: 8.3 x 9.1 x 2.2 in (21 x 23 x 5.7 cm)
Included
- 6922 dual-triode vacuum tube
- Power supply
- Cloth storage bag
- Massdrop 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 May 11, 2020 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.
