Massdrop x Grace Design m9XX DAC/Amp Discussions | Drop

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Massdrop x Grace Design m9XX DAC/Amp

Audiophile

FULL DISCUSSION

HappyMax

Mar 15, 2016

Sometimes it's hard to separate how much you really like a thing from the initial excitement of receiving it, but I'm happy to report that the m9XX continues to impress and delight after 4 months. I got one in the first drop (Nov 2015), and I use it every weekday at work. I have a bunch of other amps and DACs, but I choose to use the m9XX every day. It's that good.
The build quality is very high. Yes, the knob tilts if you push on it, but this was not something I noticed until I saw reports on here. I don't think it's a consistency issue; I suspect all m9XXs work this way. I like the way the knob feels, and I'm not sure it would feel better if it didn't tilt. It might even feel worse ("edgy") if it didn't tilt. The knob feels "just right" to me -- I like the heft of the aluminum knob and the subtle detents. I like the thick panel, and how all the connectors feel "solid"; a nice contrast to the common board-in-a-thin-box feel of some other gear.
I think Grace's experience making studio equipment, perhaps bolstered by Massdrop's input, shows in the thoughtfully-designed menu and control knob. I also like the flexibility of the two headphone jacks, the dual power system, RCA outs, Toslink input, fine volume control steps, four digital filters, USB modes, display dimmer, mute function. I don't use it all the time, but the crossfeed feature is really nice for some kinds of tracks. The fact that the right headphone jack mutes the RCA outs is another example of the thoughtful design. Even the manual is well-written. I haven't found a single operational flaw, and I expect that the hardware will give consistent and long-lasting performance.
It sounds great. Clear and transparent. I sometimes connect the RCA outs to other headphone amps, but I soon switch back. The m9XX amp is excellent.
The m9XX is a keeper.

Mar 15, 2016

Solarium

Mar 16, 2016

HappyMaxWhich headphone do you pair the m9XX with? I found that it lack the amping power to drive my T1, and is borderline driving my HD800 properly.

Mar 16, 2016

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HappyMax

Mar 16, 2016

SolariumI use it with the Fostex TH-X00 most of the time. This combination works great. I was just listening at m9XX volume level 70, which is pretty loud, so there's plenty of headroom.
I did find that I was near the max volume when using it with the Hifiman HE-560, but I was listening really loudly. I would say that the m9XX / HE-560 pairing works fine, generally, though.

Mar 16, 2016

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MassEDU

182

Mar 17, 2016

HappyMaxUsually 55 on the X00 for me. Protect your ears friend, those are loud volumes if common (all of a sudden I feel like a parent).

Mar 17, 2016

Socratease

191

Mar 18, 2016

SolariumAre you running the m9xx with its external power supply? Make sure you plug the PS in before the computer so that the display reads "HP" on power-up, otherwise it might be running at lower power.

Mar 18, 2016

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Solarium

Mar 19, 2016

SocrateaseDoes it matter if I plug in the USB before or after the external power supply? I always plug in the USB before.

Mar 19, 2016

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AlexVallejo

Mar 19, 2016

SolariumAs long as you see "HP" when you plug the external supply in, you should be good.

Mar 19, 2016

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Socratease

191

Mar 19, 2016

SolariumYou're right, you get a "HP" either way. Maybe it was an earlier version of the firmware I read that about.
I don't have any 600 ohm headphones to try, but the high power mode lets the amp run on higher voltage, which is what is needed for high impedance phones.

Mar 19, 2016

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CalebRoberts

Mar 19, 2016

SocrateaseThere is one thing that is affected by which you plug-in first. The USB desciptors tell the host computer the capabilities of the device. If you plug into the computer first then m9xx tells the computer that it needs 500mA bus power. But if you plug in the 5V/2A power supply first then it tell the computer that it is "self powered" - meaning that it does not take power from the host. This is critical if you want to connect to a portable device that cannot power the m9xx - such as an iPhone.

Mar 19, 2016

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