Setup: I bought THX 789 for the massive output of idk 6W/32ohms, but whenever I try to use my Sundara/Modhouse Argon/HD600/Arya V2/...whatever, I cannot reach decent listening levels in terms of db without getting this scratching/hissing noise in the background ... I think it's distortion. (DAC I use: Geshelli labs - J2, set to max volume) Settings: With an XLR output, gain setting level at 2/3 and the volume knob set to 2-4 o'clock, hearing distortion from a 250-350$ THX amp shouldn't be a thing, should it? With somewhat hard to drive headphones, I'm not reaching 70db, but I can already hear this godforsaken noise on all tracks without a constant stream of sound. If you dare to up the volume past 4 o'clock, or past 12 on gain setting 3/3, this noise becomes so loud, it might as well be an additional instrument Music: The tracks I usually listen to involve so few instruments, that you don't have a constant stream of sound. (e.g. Creep - Lena Hall) I'd love to get some feedback!...
Jun 5, 2024
Good news!
Massdrop had several new amps, DACs, and DAC/Amp Combos available at the same time. This way, people had the maximum amount of choices we could provide and still produce before Chinese New Year.
We got the jump on some long lead time parts to try and speed up production where possible (even before the numbers came in).
After the dust has settled, we are going to have enough parts to build 300 more CTH+SDAC combo units than we sold on the first drop.
So, we are going to re-open the drop to give another chance to get in on the first run of CTH+SDAC combo units without affecting the original shipping date.
Hopefully this helps some of you where the timing was not right or you didn’t know about these products during the initial launch!
It is still not clear to me why an LCX with integrated DAC unit should be the way to go, at an higher asking price, when a separate DAC unit would easily address the needs of a much larger user base (CTH and LCX) and make everybody happy.
A separate DAC unit in the same footprint and finish of the LCX / CTH would make for a beautiful and fully featured stack, since there would be no issues or compromises to be made on the DAC components because of space/layout constraints - as it is instead the case in the design of an integrated unit.
I would personally support and instantly buy a separate DAC unit for the LCX and CTH, as soon as it appears on Massdrop!
I seriously hope this dream will come true! If it happens, the “Cavalli/Massdrop Stack” may become a new common reference in the Hi-Fi community, as it is already the case for a very popular stack of a well-known US brand! :-)
Unfortunately, the stand-alone Grace SDAC previously offered by Massdrop was a very basic DAC and built into an enclosure that does not match well with the LCX and CTH.
What I'm hoping for is a more advanced DAC that would pair well, has better inputs/outputs and stack perfectly with the Cavalli/Massdrop amps.
That would be the ideal offer for those who have purchased the Cavalli Liquid Carbon X or Tube Hybrid units.
There's this, but that may be going too far up in price: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/grace-design-m920
The form factor of the box is again different though, I believe.
I wonder if Massdrop has really any interest/plan in developing a DAC (possibly in collaboration with Grace) in the same form factor and finish of the LCX and CTH that would be part of a specific product line.
My point is that the number of LCX and CTH units sold is not negligible, thus making for a large user base that could be potentially interested in a good DAC that would match and stack well with their amps!
If I was going to be fussy about stacking or appearances, I'd shell out for it and also not have to wait several months. Thankfully for my wallet, I don't need to be fussy.