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Drop + THX AAA 789 Linear Headphone Amplifier - Desktop Amp with Balanced XLR and Single-Ended RCA Inputs

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 224 ratings

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Brand DROP
Color Black
Compatible Devices Desktop
Material Aluminum
Output Wattage 6 Watts

About this item

  • 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
  • Fatigue-Free Listening 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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Product Description

DROP + THX AAA 789

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.

DROP + THX AAA 789

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.

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.

DROP + THX AAA 789

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 of experiences with superior quality and high performance that ensure 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.

DROP + THX AAA 789

SPECIFICATIONS

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)
Drop THX One Amp Drop + THX AAA 789 Linear Amplifier Drop + Grace Designs Standard DAC Balanced Drop Objective 2 Headphone AMP: Desktop Edition (Standard)
Drop + THX AAA One Amplifier Drop + THX AAA 789 Amplifier Drop + Grace Designs Standard DAC Balanced Drop Objective 2 Headphone AMP: Desktop Edition (Standard)
Component Type: THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier with preamp output THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier Standard DAC Balanced Desktop Amplifier
Frequency response: + 0.01 dB / - 0.03 dB 20 Hz – 20 kHz + 0.01 dB / - 0.03 dB 20 Hz–20 kHz; + 0.05 dB / - 0.15 dB 10 Hz–50 kHz +/-0.1 dB (20 Hz–20 kHz)
Maximum power: Single-Ended Output: (16 ohms): 1500 mW, (32 ohms): 2,700 mW, (300 ohms): 280 mW, (600 ohms): 140 mW Balanced: (16 ohms): 6000 mW - (600 ohms): 400 mW. Sindle-Ended: (16 ohms): 3000 mW - (600 ohms): 100 mW (33 ohms): 613 mW - (600 ohms): 88 mW
Output impedance: Single-Ended: < 0.1 ohms Balanced: < 0.1 ohms / Single-Ended: < 0.05 ohms Balanced Single-Ended: 0.54 ohms
Gain: 0.25x , 1.0x, 4.0x (-12, 0, +12 dB), selectable via front switch Balanced: 0.66x , 2.0x, 6.6x (-4, +6, +16 dB) / Single-Ended: 0.33x , 1.0x, 3.3x (-10, 0, +10 dB) 2.5x and 6.5x (Standard) - Recommended for higher impedance headphones, or if your source is weak (less than 2V output).
Input: Stereo RCA gold-plated Stereo XLR-3 gold-plated Neutrik; Stereo RCA gold-plated Coaxial connector for SPDIF (IEC-60958) audio input, USB 2.0/1.0 input type-B RCA
Outputs: 1/4 in (6.35 mm), TRS gold-plated Neutrik, Stereo RCA preamp gold-plated 1/4 in (6.35 mm) TRS gold-plated Neutrik; 3.5 mm TRS gold-plated; XLR-4 balanced gold-plated 3.5mm stereo line output jack (2.15VRMS), 3-pin XLR balanced line output(4.3VRMS) 1/4 in (6.35 mm)
Power Supply: 30 VDC inline brick, universal input 100 – 240 VAC 24 VDC inline brick, universal input 100–240 VAC USB bus-powered design Battery (not included) or 120V AC adapter (included)
Dimensions: 8.1 x 8.1 x 1.5 in / (207 x 206 x 39 mm) 8.3 x 9.1 x 2.2 in / (210 x 230 x 57 mm) 3.9 x 4.1 x 1.2 in / (100 x 104 x 30 mm) 4.12 x 3.87 x 1.12 in / (105 x 98 x 29 mm)
Weight: 2.6 lbs (1,300 g) 3.4 lbs (1,520 g) 7.44 oz (210.8 g) 9 oz (255 g)

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  • Drop + THX AAA 789 Amplifier and Power Cable
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    Drop + THX AAA 789 Linear Headphone Amplifier - Desktop Amp with Balanced XLR and Single-Ended RCA Inputs


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    Customer reviews

    4.4 out of 5 stars
    4.4 out of 5
    224 global ratings

    Customers say

    Customers like the quality, sound quality, appearance and condition of the musical instrument amplifier. For example they mention it performs admirably, has super nice clean sound and the noise floor is nonexistent. That said some complain about the power.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    24 customers mention23 positive1 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the quality of the musical instrument amplifier. They mention that it is clean and powerful, performs admirably, and is an amazing amp. It has enough power to satisfy their headphone's needs, and there is no distortion. Overall, customers are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.

    "...Great buy." Read more

    "...What it does, it does VERY well. I have a Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus running to this with Amazon Basics balanced cables, and USB from my laptop...." Read more

    "...This amp reminds me of the gilmore lite but with low power usage, adjustable gain, and single ended and balanced outputs for phones AND line out...." Read more

    "...This amp performs admirably, and is my new benchmark to test all other amps against. It sounds way better than its price would suggest...." Read more

    22 customers mention22 positive0 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the sound quality of the amplifier. They mention that it is perfect for aryas and produces super nice clean sound. They also appreciate the noise floor being nonexistent, even with IEMs.

    "...The point is, it sounded good out of the box, but with a few tweeks it is even more enjoyable. Great buy." Read more

    "...It sounds REALLY good. In fact, I think the Sennheisers sound BETTER in this combo than the B&W P9s (the reverse was true with the Peachtree)!..." Read more

    "(Positive)+Lots of Power+Excellent Noise Floor(Neutral)+/- Clean Sound+/- Balanced(Negative)-..." Read more

    "...It sounds way better than its price would suggest. I use balanced out exclusively to take advantage of its full 6w of power...." Read more

    11 customers mention11 positive0 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the amplifier. They mention it's a clean beautiful amplifier, has enough power to satisfy their needs, and has a very nice design. Some say that it goes great with their topping D90 and Denon AH-D7000's.

    "...Goes great with my topping D90 and denon ah-d7000's. The jds atom was making my last set of headphones sound shouty and unbalanced...." Read more

    "...I don't mean it in a bad way, it is just incredibly clean. Maybe too clean...." Read more

    "Definitely clean but I would say if you're not using the "balanced XLR" output and balanced in with a 4v Dac source you might not be getting enough..." Read more

    "...a versatile amp that’s affordable, has balanced XLR output and is as clean and neutral as possible this is your best bet...." Read more

    8 customers mention8 positive0 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the condition of the musical instrument amplifier. They mention that it is an incredible value and that the unit arrived in excellent condition.

    "...I think this is an incredible value...." Read more

    "...This headphone amp has exceeded my expectations and is a bargain at its price." Read more

    "...of it as as good of a headphone amp as I could ever want, at the lowest price I could ever expect to pay for this class of sound." Read more

    "...Best for the money imo. If you want a versatile amp that’s affordable, has balanced XLR output and is as clean and neutral as possible this is your..." Read more

    5 customers mention0 positive5 negative

    Customers are dissatisfied with the power of the musical instrument amplifier. They mention that it shuts off randomly and will not turn back on. Some customers also mention that the amplifier no longer receives enough power to fully power on, and the power on switch failed.

    "...a good sound, the problem with the amp failure is because the power on switch failed...." Read more

    "...is that I have only had it for just under one month and now it will not even power on past the red led light...." Read more

    "...It would no longer receive enough power to fully power on (the led would stay red and never turn white)...." Read more

    "Shuts off randomly and will often not turn back on. Almost a daily occurrence...." Read more

    3 customers mention0 positive3 negative

    Customers are disappointed with the light of the musical instrument amplifier. They mention that the red light would not turn white, and the led would stay red and never turn white.

    "...relay wont click to indicate the amp has turned on and the light does not turn white...." Read more

    "...It would no longer receive enough power to fully power on (the led would stay red and never turn white)...." Read more

    "...The red light would not turn white. Oh well..." Read more

    FANTASTIC sound
    5 Stars
    FANTASTIC sound
    I'm not going to say that this amp somehow changes the sound of music as if blessed by God's chorus of angels themselves. What it does, it does VERY well. I have a Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus running to this with Amazon Basics balanced cables, and USB from my laptop. It is powering a pair of Sennheiser HD650 headphones, the modern equivalent of which is also available from Drop. I paid $400 for these headphones a decade ago, and I think they go for about $220 from Drop. I had previously used an integrated amp solution from Peachtree Audio, the Decco2 - also using USB from my computer. That Peachtree amp uses a (bypassable) tube input stage and class A headphone output. I was never really impressed by the sound of my headphones from that amp though...I mean, it sounded good, but it was missing something. I bought a $900 pair of Bowers & Wilkins P9 as a replacement...that's how much I thought was missing. But now, through this combo of Cambridge Audio DAC and Drop + THX AAA 789 headphone amp, I am really quite pleased with the sound! It sounds REALLY good. In fact, I think the Sennheisers sound BETTER in this combo than the B&W P9s (the reverse was true with the Peachtree)! That's right... $220 headphones now sound BETTER than a $900 pair, at least to me. This entire combo, Sennheiser HD6xx, Cambridge Audio DAC Magic Plus, and Drop + THX AAA 789, would cost about $900 today, or MUCH less than the $1400+ I paid for the Peachtree and Sennheiser combo a decade ago. That $900 could be reduced further by getting a less expensive, but still very high quality DAC, such as those from Topping, Schiit, and others, that can be had from $50-250+ (sky's the limit on DAC prices - up to tens of thousands of dollars...serously, though diminishing returns occurs the higher you go, as with all audio). This amp is a no brainer, if you ask me, and very highly recommended for those who demand high quality audio!
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    Top reviews from the United States

    Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2020
    2 people found this helpful
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    Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2020
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    5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC sound
    Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2020
    I'm not going to say that this amp somehow changes the sound of music as if blessed by God's chorus of angels themselves. What it does, it does VERY well. I have a Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus running to this with Amazon Basics balanced cables, and USB from my laptop. It is powering a pair of Sennheiser HD650 headphones, the modern equivalent of which is also available from Drop. I paid $400 for these headphones a decade ago, and I think they go for about $220 from Drop. I had previously used an integrated amp solution from Peachtree Audio, the Decco2 - also using USB from my computer. That Peachtree amp uses a (bypassable) tube input stage and class A headphone output. I was never really impressed by the sound of my headphones from that amp though...I mean, it sounded good, but it was missing something. I bought a $900 pair of Bowers & Wilkins P9 as a replacement...that's how much I thought was missing. But now, through this combo of Cambridge Audio DAC and Drop + THX AAA 789 headphone amp, I am really quite pleased with the sound! It sounds REALLY good. In fact, I think the Sennheisers sound BETTER in this combo than the B&W P9s (the reverse was true with the Peachtree)! That's right... $220 headphones now sound BETTER than a $900 pair, at least to me. This entire combo, Sennheiser HD6xx, Cambridge Audio DAC Magic Plus, and Drop + THX AAA 789, would cost about $900 today, or MUCH less than the $1400+ I paid for the Peachtree and Sennheiser combo a decade ago. That $900 could be reduced further by getting a less expensive, but still very high quality DAC, such as those from Topping, Schiit, and others, that can be had from $50-250+ (sky's the limit on DAC prices - up to tens of thousands of dollars...serously, though diminishing returns occurs the higher you go, as with all audio). This amp is a no brainer, if you ask me, and very highly recommended for those who demand high quality audio!
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    11 people found this helpful
    Report
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2020
    2 people found this helpful
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    Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2022
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2021

    Top reviews from other countries

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    Peter Hall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pure, clear, powerful
    Reviewed in Canada on July 7, 2021
    Patricio Pablo Rolón
    5.0 out of 5 stars Alta potencia sin perdida de calidad de audio
    Reviewed in Mexico on March 18, 2020
    One person found this helpful
    Report
    Robert Louis
    5.0 out of 5 stars dead silent, extended highs and lows
    Reviewed in Canada on March 9, 2021
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
    wood dragon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent amp
    Reviewed in Canada on October 11, 2021
    One person found this helpful
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    Firestart3r
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice build, sound and measurements for the price. Read the specs if you plan to use the SE output!
    Reviewed in Canada on November 2, 2021
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    Firestart3r
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice build, sound and measurements for the price. Read the specs if you plan to use the SE output!
    Reviewed in Canada on November 2, 2021
    Sound great with my Topping E30 DAC and cellphone as a source. Didn't want to buy a chi-fi unit because of looks. Glad with the Drop 789! Enjoy the music 😎

    Update: please be aware that the XLR input cannot be outputted via the SE bypass output. The SE output only works with the SE input.
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    One person found this helpful
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