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I ordered the Drop + THX AAA™ 789 Linear Amplifier along with the Drop + Grace Design Standard DAC Balanced. The DAC hasn't arrive yet, so I decided to see if I could run the THX AAA 789 using the Schiit stack. The setup in the picture is Modi -> Magni Heresy -> Drop + THX. I'm still rather new to the desktop hardware, so I wanted to ask a few things:
  1. Does anyone else use their DAC with two Amps? The modi -> THX didn't provide enough power (as expected), but I couldn't find any guidance online around whether or not to use a second amp in the middle.
  2. Is there a better way to arrange these three devices?
  3. Am I crazy for doing this? Could this cause any damage? Should I stop immediately and just wait patiently for the balanced DAC?
Please feel free to provide your honest advice. Thanks
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danny87
556
Mar 6, 2021
Just curious, are you stacking them that way on purpose? Like sticking to the theme of 'unbalanced' setup? Or are the cables stiff and doesn't allow the dac/amps to stack nicely on top of each other?
Papptona
37
Mar 6, 2021
danny87You're correct - this setup only supports Singled Ended. When the rest of my gear arrives I'll use the THX AAA 789 with the Drop + Grace balanced DAC and XLR cables. I can't wait to hear how it sounds! As for the cables, I spread them out in the pic to show the input/output setup. They actually fit neatly on my desk . I'm using 1.5' cables from Monoprice (a no frills audio equipment store worth checking out). To your point, they're stiff and definitely a foot too long for the modi/magni connection. I haven't experimented much in the cabling department, so I'd love some recommendations and thoughts on how the more expensive brands compare.
danny87
556
Mar 6, 2021
PapptonaYou might want to look at Amazon RCA cables too. They're cheap but very well built and the cables are fairly thick but still very flexible.
hypnoticdcime
161
Mar 5, 2021
Did you try XLR balanced cables yet?
(Edited)
Papptona
37
Mar 5, 2021
hypnoticdcimeThey should be coming with the Grace balanced DAC any day now... I'll keep you posted.
hypnoticdcime
161
Mar 5, 2021
PapptonaMAR 5, 2021 I have the same rig with the XLR balanced cables and it so clean. Love it. There on the front of the amp AAA THX is a balanced XLR headphone out. I'm using that to balanced headphones and WOW, what a difference. Truly great products, both of them.
J1aE_doN9
14
Mar 4, 2021
Please, let me know how that is going! I have the same schiit stack and I am about to pull the trigger on the THX AAA 789. I am unsure if I should buy a good dac to go with it. I really dont think I need to...
Papptona
37
Mar 6, 2021
One thing to note - the Schiit stack doesn't have balanced outputs to connect to the THX. Honestly though, just buy the THX, you won't be disappointed.
J1aE_doN9
14
Mar 6, 2021
PapptonaYea, I really cant pass this one up, considering the quality, utility and price! Cheers.
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