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SMSL
SMSL SH-9 THX AAA-888 Balanced Headphone Amp
An Economic Amp With a Major Power-up
The SMSL SH-9 arrives almost exactly two years after the release of its predecessor, the SH-8. The SH-8 impressed reviewers by being a solidly performing balanced amp for under $200. It was a great choice for the budget-conscious audio lover looking to jump into balanced sound.
The SH-9 is a classic upgrade: it does everything its predecessor did, only better. The amp is both more powerful and more discreet. The screen is larger. The protruding volume knob is easier to operate. And to top it all off, the SH-9 matches the SU-9 DAC in size and aesthetics for easy stackability.
Power You Can Feel
Entry-level and mid-tier amps all beg the same question. Are they powerful enough to drive all my headphones? The answer in this case is (almost) definitely. With 6W at 16Ω and 3W at 32Ω, the SH-9 can power nearly everything. And if you need a little extra oomph, just toggle the gain switch for another 10 decibels.
(If you’re unsure about your headphone’s power requirements, check out this handy headphone power calculator, courtesy of DigiZoid.)
The THX AAA-888 Offers Extreme Clarity
The THX AAA lineup of amps are known for their power and clarity. Unlike many amplifiers, THX AAA amps use a feed-forward error correction topology that removes common distortion issues. To put it simply, the amp measures errors in an early part of the system and corrects them in a later part of the system.
The THX AAA-888 is the most sophisticated iteration of the lineup. Its distortion levels are seriously low. Signal-to-noise ratio is 137dB, meaning that you’d have to crank the amp up to 138dB before hearing any hiss. And unless you’re trying to permanently damage your eardrums, you’re probably not going to do that.
Desktop Friendly
Despite its massive output capabilities, the SH-9 is actually quite small. At 7.3” on its longest size, you should have no problem fitting it onto most desktops. And as we said, it’s designed to stack with the SU-9. The stacked pair are a modest three inches in height.
Product highlights
THXAAA-888 Headphone Amp with THX AAA Technology
6W into 16Ω, 3W into 32Ω
Frequency response: 0.1-500,000Hz
SNR >137dB
THD <0.00006%
Ultra-compact design that’s perfect for desktops
Balanced stereo headphone output
Balanced stereo line input
HIgh precision resistors for temperature stability
Pop-less design with high-quality relays
256-level relay volume control
Switchable gain control
1.9” LCD display
Remote control
Inputs: 1 balanced, 1 unbalanced
Outputs: 1 balanced, 1 unbalanced
Output power
6W x 2 (16Ω)
3W x 2 (32Ω)
440mW x 2 (300Ω)
220mW x 2 (600Ω)
Output noise: 1.9uV, A-weighted
THD+N
-123dB, 0.00006% (A-weighted)
-117dB, 0.00013% (20-20kHz, 32Ω, -3dB)
THD: -125, 0.00006% (1kHz, 16Ω, -3dB)
Input impedance: 47kΩ
Output impedance: Near 0Ω
Gain: Low (+0dB), High (+10dB)
Power supply voltage/frequency: AC100-240V, 50-60Hz
Power consumption(EN60065): 24W
Power consumption in standby mode: <0.1W
Size: 7.38 x 6 x 1.5” (187.5 x 154 x 40mm)
Packing size: 11.1 x 9.1 x 3.1” (282 x 232 x 79mm)
Weight: 1.7lbs (790g)
What’s included
SMSL SH-9 THX AAA-888 Balanced Headphone Amp
Remote Control
What Pairs Well