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Author Topic: Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson Headamp Review Succinct Stream of Consciousness  (Read 7774 times)

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Marvey

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Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson Headamp Review Succinct Stream of Consciousness
« on: February 19, 2015, 06:25:27 AM »
Crap. Server just exceeded space quota. Need to type entire review over again. Anyways, my crappy obligatory handheld iPhone pix taken in low light.

Executive Summary:
  • Probably Alex's best amp, especially in terms of technicalities that I desire: plankton and microdynamics.
  • I like it, a lot.
  • Good tonal balance is a given for Cavalli gear; but more aggressive than LG and LAu (or you can say LG is more laid-back). This is a good thing because it suits my personal sensibilities better.
  • I'm still listening to it. That must mean I like it. (more on this later.)
  • TUBE ROLLING: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2144.msg62328.html#msg62328
« Last Edit: April 07, 2015, 02:58:43 AM by purr1n »
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Marvey

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Re: Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson Headamp Review Succinct Stream of Consciousness
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2015, 06:30:31 AM »
Gear Used:

Theta Gen Va DAC
SFD-1mk2 SE+ DAC
Paradox headphone (SE)
K7XX headphone (SE)
ATH-AD2000 headphone (balanced)


Music Used:

Muddy Waters Folk Singer MFSL GAIN
Talking Heads Speaking in Tongues (remaster from 7 years ago or so)
Eva Cassidy Songbird
Daft Punk Random Access Memories
KD Lang Hymns of the 49th Parallel
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antifocus

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Re: Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson Headamp Review Succinct Stream of Consciousness
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2015, 06:35:10 AM »
No the reference HD800s? :)p17
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Marvey

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Re: Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson Headamp Review Succinct Stream of Consciousness
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2015, 06:39:07 AM »
Questhate: You know when Marv likes something or at least finds something interesting because he will keep listening. The longer he stays, the more he likes it.

LOL. it's funny when your friends know your habits more than you. I'd say that statement is only somewhat true these days. There are many many occasions at meets where I simply want to get out of the chair after 4 seconds, but I know that doing so would probably be rude. So I force myself to look all around and pretend to enjoy when I just wanna get the eff outta there. Life's too short though, so maybe I'll revert to my old standard practice or ripping off the headphones in disgust and leaving.

I would have to say that I enjoyed listening to the Liquid Crimson so much that I moved the Gungnir and LC over to my computer (I have no DAC/headamp at my computer anymore.) I think I unpacked this amp several hours ago and I'm still at it. Only means the Liquid Crimson does plankton and microdynamics well. The two aspects I treasure the most. Macrodynamics is pretty darn good too. Nice robust bass. The amp does suck you into the music. That's a good thing.

I knew this was going to be a good amp after a few seconds when I first fired it up. BTW, the Genelex 6922 that is included with the Crimson is a good choice. Probably the best new production 6922 - one that I recommend. The vintage Telefunkens are much better though - sublime is the word.
« Last Edit: February 19, 2015, 07:00:48 AM by marvey »
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Marvey

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Re: Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson Headamp Review Succinct Stream of Consciousness
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2015, 06:40:52 AM »
Quote from: antifocus on February 19, 2015, 06:35:10 AM
No the reference HD800s? :)p17

My HD800s are disassembled. Writing a guide on how to do it. Besides, I don't listen to HD800s for enjoyment. They are more of a tool to me. HD800 sort of ruins my ears for the speaker projects I am currently working on. You get accustomed to the HD800's tonal balance. Not a good thing if you have certain FR targets for speakers.
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antifocus

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Re: Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson Headamp Review Succinct Stream of Consciousness
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2015, 06:45:35 AM »
Thanks Marv for the clarification, good luck on that guide, really looking forward to it. Speaking of speakers I have a friend used HD800s as a reference to position his speakers. headbang
Okay I won't derail the thread further.
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Marvey

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Re: Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson Headamp Review Succinct Stream of Consciousness
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2015, 06:51:35 AM »
  • Good plankton - one of the first things I've noticed. Robust bass. Sucks you in. Kind of dreamy (with the Telefunken tubes.)
  • Sounded good with all headphones used.
  • More aggressive than LG and LAu (or you can say LG is more laid-back). This is a good thing because it suits my personal sensibilities better.
  • But still a Cavalli amp which means a nice tonal balance. Robust bass which is not fat or bloated. Some bite, crisp, but none of the sizzly, etched, analytical, SS, abomination stuff. Gentle treble. Tonal balance akin to good tube amps I've heard.
  • Very nice chassis. Small footprint about half the size of full-sized amps. Solid - best design I've seen from Alex. Warren: "Marv, I'm totally with you on the chassis, love the louvered jet intake aesthetic". Yup. I can see myself bringing this to work, whereas not gonna happen with something like that EC ZD which will burn skin off arms in 2 seconds.
Going to roll some tubes and I will report back. Feel free to ask questions.
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Marvey

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Re: Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson Headamp Review Succinct Stream of Consciousness
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2015, 06:57:18 AM »
Can someone do me a favor and make in photoshop a Pirate Certificate of Excellence that I can sign and then post on HF. I love this amp. I think it deserves it. Obviously, omit references to Changstar because that would be illegal there; but if you can, make references to pirates, ninja assassins, power rangers, turtles, or whatever. I figure we need to keep up with Positive Feedback or whatever.

BTW, this sort of goes back aways. I liked the L Cobalt (was that least year?) at the last OC meet I went to, so I asked Alex if I could have loaner of the Cobalt. Fast forward, and I ended up with the Crimson. Can anyone tell me a bit more about this amp. Is this amp like the EHHA? (The EHHA was one of my Cavalli favorites before he started selling stuff.)
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sachu

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Re: Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson Headamp Review Succinct Stream of Consciousness
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2015, 08:17:03 AM »
its an evolution from the LF he says which in itself traces back to the EHHA.
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Hammy

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Re: Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson Headamp Review Succinct Stream of Consciousness
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2015, 08:19:10 AM »
Nice!  Can you offer any comparisons to the Liquid Fire?  The LF does a magical set-back laid-back enveloping soundstage kind of thing that I really like.  With the right music it makes me melt.  I'm wondering how much of that is in the LC.  I bought a used LF last year.  I'm looking for a more aggressive amp to pair with it, but an amp that sill has that magic.  Would a LC be different enough?
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