Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
VIEW 21 MORE
VIEW 2 MORE
VIEW 3 MORE
Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp (CTH)
01 / 11
Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp (CTH)
bookmark_border
Where's the price?
To negotiate the best possible price for our customers, we agree to hide prices prior to logging in.
5.6K requests
·
2.9k Sold
·
Free Returns in USA
Product Description
Built from the ground up by Alex Cavalli, a legend in the world of headphone amps, this hybrid amp combines a solid state section, a tube amp section, and an entirely new circuit design. It delivers the current required by planar magnetics, along with the voltage drive that dynamic headphones need to perform their best Read More
Want to know something about this product or how to use it?
Ask the community!
Ask the community!
Sort by: Newest
keyboard_arrow_down
chame1i0n
80
Dec 18, 2019
I think the stock tube they have included is actually a great match. I would suggest sticking with it.
ManzanitaBoy
18
Jul 20, 2020
Because the inputs are RCA Red & Black, is the 4-pin headphone output truly balanced?
leoflo1982
13
Jul 21, 2020
No it is not balanced at all. Just convenient for using headphones with 4pin Xlr connector...
Reedo
454
May 5, 2020
The output impedance is low enough that you can pair it with anything without worrying about it influencing the sound signature of the headphones. Many "true" (non-hybrid) tube amps have a very high output impedance, which will alter the frequency response of low impedance headphones - the general rule of thumb is to keep the output impedance/headphone impedance ratio at 1:8 or better. Since the CTH has an output impedance of less than 1 ohm, you can use it with anything 8 ohms or higher (which is pretty much everything).
From a more subjective standpoint: many people like finding the right pairing of headphone to amplifier, especially with tube amps and their wildly varying sound signatures. The CTH has a pretty neutral sound IMO, with perhaps a bit of coloration in the high end. This makes it a good pair with most headphones, though I don't love it with headphones that already have a little sibilance (the DT990, for example, was not a good match). Headphones that need a little extra emphasis in the treble, on the other hand, sound great - the HD6XX is the most obvious example here. The differences won't be enormous compared to a standard solid state amp like the 789 or a JDS Atom, but A/B testing can highlight the changes.
Artismo
474
Nov 6, 2019
When you hear significant distortion or sound degradation. It depends on how long the tube will survive its use.
jlolo
17
Jun 5, 2020
How would one set this up at a desk to work along with a standalone DAC, to drive both headphones and PC speakers? RCA from PC to DAC, RCA from DAC to amp, line out from amp to PC speakers? Then for the headphones, just use the headphone jack on the amp?
hks128
68
Aug 27, 2020
If you wanted to run a set of speakers and headphones, you wouldnt use this for the speakers.
I would suggest the following
PC usb to DAC
2x RCA splitters from DAC (unless your DAC has both a 3.5 and RCA outputs)
If your DAC has both outputs
RCA to amp
3.5 to speaker amp (more powerful than headphone amp). Adapters may be necessary here
Otherwise, you'd run one set of the split RCAs to the headphone amp,
and the other set to the speaker amp
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionFollow Drop