Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp

Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp

bookmark_border
Where's the price?
To negotiate the best possible price for our customers, we agree to hide prices prior to logging in.
3.5K requests
·
1.5k Sold
·
Free Returns in USA
Product Description
The Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/amp brings two of the community’s favorite designers together in one affordable, easy-to-use package. It features the Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp (or CTH), built from the ground up by the founder of Cavalli Audio—a legend in the world of headphone amps Read More

The Best of Both Worlds

The Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/amp brings two of the community’s favorite designers together in one affordable, easy-to-use package. It features the Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp (or CTH), built from the ground up by the founder of Cavalli Audio—a legend in the world of headphone amps. For the DAC section, it uses the Massdrop x Grace Design Standard DAC (or SDAC), a collaboration with a company long known for its incredibly accurate, transparent studio gear. The result is an all-in-one unit that measures objectively well and works with a variety of driver types and impedances, including all previous Massdrop over-ear headphones.

Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp
Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp
Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp
Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp

About the Massdrop x Grace Design Standard DAC

The Standard DAC sets a new standard in entry-level DACs. Designed with the objectivist audiophile in mind, the SDAC delivers objectively good performance meant to meet or exceed the measurements of the popular ODAC while retaining many of its other benefits. It’s equipped with the new AKM AK4452 digital-to-analog conversion chip and can process the most common file types up to 24 bit/96 kHz with no harshness or edge and the kind of resolution and detail that’ll make you want to listen on and on. It runs off of USB bus power with plug-and-play operation, which means you won’t need drivers or any special software to get started.

Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp
Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp

About the Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp

This hybrid amp combines a solid state section, a tube amp section, and an entirely new circuit design. A complete revision of one of Cavalli’s early DIY designs, it delivers the current required by planar magnetics, along with the voltage drive that dynamic headphones need to perform their best. It’s quiet enough for sensitive headphones like the Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 and powerful enough for higher-impedance headphones like the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX. With the supplied 6922 vacuum tube, the sound is smooth, natural, and resolving with precise detail and just a touch of tube character.

Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp
Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp
Massdrop CTH + SDAC DAC/Amp

Specs

DAC Section

  • Massdrop x Grace Design
  • DAC chip: AKM AK4452
  • Audio formats: Up to 24 bit/96 kHz
  • Frequency response, 20Hz–20 kHz: +/-0.02 dB
  • THD+N at 20 Hz -0.15 dBFS: 0.0013%
  • THD+N at 100 Hz, -0.15 dBFS: 0.0013%
  • THD+N at 10 kHz, -0.15 dBFS: 0.0024%
  • IMD CCIF, -6.03 dBFS, 19/20kHz, 24/96k: 0.0005%
  • IMD SMPTE -6 dBFS, 24/96k: 0.0015%
  • Noise, A-weighted:  -105 dBu
  • Dynamic range, A-weighted: >114 dB
  • Linearity, -90 dBFS: -0.07 dB
  • Crosstalk at 1 kHz, -10 dBFS (3.5mm jack): -102 dB
  • Sum of jitter components at 11,025 Hz, -1 dBFS: -133 dB
  • Maximum output:  2.15VRMS
  • USB controller: XMOS XU208-128-TQ64
  • Input: USB micro
  • Output: 3.5mm TRS
  • Power: USB Class 1 (no drivers required for Windows, Mac, or Linux)

Amp Section

  • Massdrop x Alex Cavalli
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, -0.2 dB
  • Maximum power, 50 ohms: 1W Rms per channel
  • Output impedance: < 0.5 ohm at 1 kHz
  • THD: < 0.008%, 20 Hz–20 kHz 1 Vrms
  • THD: 0.0014% at 1 kHz, 1 Vrms with 50R load
  • IMD: 0.002% CCIF 1 Vrms
  • SNR: -97 dB, 20 Hz–20 kHz (1 Vrms into 45 ohms)
  • Crosstalk: -85 dv at 1 kHz
  • Topology: Capacitor-coupled tube hybrid using 6922 tube, single-ended
  • Gain: 8x (12 dB)
  • Input: RCA
  • Output: 4-pin XLR, ¼ in (6.3 mm) TRS headphone jacks
  • Protection: Delayed start with muting relay and DC offset detection
  • Power supply: Wall wart with 28V DC 1.25A
  • Power consumption: Maximum 35W (28V, 1.25A), ~9W idle

Physical

  • Chassis material: Anodized aluminum
  • Dimensions: 8.3 x 9.1 x 2.2 in (21 x 23 x 5.7 cm)

Included

  • 6922 dual-triode vacuum tube
  • Power supply
  • Cloth storage bag
  • Massdrop 1-year warranty

RETURNS—NO QUESTIONS ASKED

We get it. Sometimes what you ordered just doesn’t work out. If that’s the case for you, don’t fret! All customers (both US and international) may return this item in new, unused condition within 30 days of delivery.

Shipping

Estimated ship date is May 11, 2020 PT.

Payment will be collected at checkout. Cancellations are accepted up to 2 hours after checkout for in-stock items, or up until pre-order ships.

Shop Our Curated Deskscapes
Explore these specially curated spaces to find inspiration for yours.
View All
Top Customer Questions26
search
close
Question
I just got the amp today. I have a few problems.
Nov 28, 2019
Top Answer
kruoli
6
Please specify you problems. This is a community-driven question-answer section. Maybe we can help you, but without details, I assume we cannot provide good support.Read More
Dec 23, 2019
Question
where can i get a replacement tube?
Nov 12, 2019
Top Answer
Fayne
2574
You can check Tube Depot. I highly recommend the 5670W on a 6922 adapter, it is leaps and bounds better than most 6922, and dirt freaking cheap.Read More
Dec 17, 2019
See 2 More
Question
I have this and if I'm interested in the Massdrop THX AAA Amp, is there a way I could use the Dac from this to connect to the THX?
Apr 19, 2020
Top Answer
StayAtHome
5
Absolutely: You can use the DAC output straight to THX. I am currently using the DAC output to independently drive my powered speakers, and the CTH can be powered off too! However I did notice the...Read More
May 5, 2020
Showing 3 of 26 questions
View All Questions
User Photos37

Customer Reviews

4.5
(102 reviews)
5star
(70)
4star
(24)
3star
(4)
2star
(1)
1star
(3)
92% would recommend to a friend
Showing 0 of 102 reviews
Related Products