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Author Topic: Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Impressions  (Read 18631 times)

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Marvey

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Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Impressions
« on: April 10, 2013, 09:43:28 PM »
Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Early Impressions



I received it last week, and finally had a chance to open it up two days ago. It still smells brand new, so this morning I turned it on and will leave it one for the next few days. (Don't know about burn-in, but I have certain superstitions about solid-state audio gear: solid-state, unlike tube amps which require about 30 minutes to stabilize, seem to require a few days.)

It's difficult for me to speak with confidence about this amp since I have nothing else to directly compare it to in the house. I can say that I have spent considerable time with the LL1 (on the exact same DAC / headphones I have now*), and also with various other electrostatic amps. Thus all my comments will be according to memory.

The LL2 exhibits a number of sonic changes, which when taken as a whole, result in significantly better sound quality to the LL1. It digs deeper with more microdynamics, it has better control, articulation, and focus throughout, it's more energetic and slightly brighter than the LL1  (which IMO has too laid back and polite). Most importantly, this thing is darn musical!

And by musical, I do not mean the syrupy, lush, warm, mid-bassy qualities that neophytes commonly use the term to mean. By musical, I mean this amp brings a level of immediacy: a level of realness, aliveness, authority which I have not heard in any other solid-state electrostatic amp. The low-level resolving capabilities of the LL2 is quite amazing - possible the best solid-state headamp of any sort I've ever heard. And this combined with the improved micro-dynamics, speed, and control... I don't know that to say. There's all shit flying at me when I'm listening - the LL2 just keeps me involved in the music.

Anyways, I know MF has already heard it and is working on her more formal review. (You can read her comments in her section of the website.) Anax will be next in line.

* HE Audio Jades and SR007mk2.5 (all tweaked slightly) and PWD2r1fw2.03.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2013, 02:31:41 PM by purrin »
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s1

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Re: Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Impressions
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2013, 12:40:38 AM »
Interested to know how this compares to the Electra with Stax SR-009 and 007mk1 :wheel:
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MuppetFace

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Re: Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Impressions
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2013, 12:57:49 AM »
I got to spend a week-and-a-half with it and left it on a good deal of the time. Used the SR-007mk1, 007mk2, 009, Omega, and Jade and compared directly to the LL1. Haven't heard the Electra yet, but I'm familiar with the A10, 717, KGSS, and BHSE.

In short: Holy sheeet it's good!

Here are some of impressions:

  • Same overall character as the LL1: warm, stately, extremely black background.
  • At the same time it has been refined enough to be on another level.
  • Detailed but not sterile sounding, very musical and effortless.
  • Really impressive sense of layering, uncannily adept at picking up nuances.
  • Great dynamic range. Can handle delicate passages with ease but also hit really hard.

I personally feel that my production LL1 sounded better than the prototype LL1 I heard, so to me it seems like a fairly steady improvement from proto-LL1 to LL1 to LL2 rather than a big jump. In terms of synergy, I feel the SR-007 pairs better with the LL2 because it sounds slightly less laid back (and likewise I think the SR-007 pairs better with the LL1 than the proto-LL1).

The SR-009 and Omega are still excellent matches with the LL2, too.

I pretty much agree that this is the best solid state stat amp I've ever heard. I haven't heard the Electra yet as I said before, but so far this is also pretty much the best commercial stat amp I've ever heard period. Keyword: commercial.

Oh, and it's a real beast in the build department too.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2013, 01:07:27 AM by MuppetFace »
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CEE TEE

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Re: Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Impressions
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2013, 01:37:23 AM »
Nice to hear and verifies that I did not hear the LL1 under the best conditions because I used 007 to test and they are not as good a combo with the LL1. 
 
Sounds like the enhancements to LL2 are exactly what I would have hoped for and I look forward to trying the new one (or the LL1 with a proper 009 pairing) someday!
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MuppetFace

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Re: Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Impressions
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2013, 01:53:04 AM »
Quote from: CEE TEE on April 11, 2013, 01:37:23 AM
Nice to hear and verifies that I did not hear the LL1 under the best conditions because I used 007 to test and they are not as good a combo with the LL1. 
 
Sounds like the enhancements to LL2 are exactly what I would have hoped for and I look forward to trying the new one (or the LL1 with a proper 009 pairing) someday!

Was it the #0 LL1 demo unit by any chance? I personally think my production unit (#13) sounds better than the demo w/ the SR-007. Not sure why.

I agree though that the LL1 is more polite, so it's better suited for the SR-009 / Omega than the SR-007 (though I still like the latter combo personally). The SR-007 is specifically why I ordered a BHSE.

The LL2 + SR-007 just blew me away tho.
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Re: Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Impressions
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2013, 02:14:41 AM »
Glad to hear Alex is making improvements all around and not just in build quality. I loved the LL1, so if LL2 is even better...damn.
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zerodeefex

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Re: Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Impressions
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2013, 02:34:29 AM »
Quote from: MuppetFace on April 11, 2013, 12:57:49 AM
I pretty much agree that this is the best solid state stat amp I've ever heard. I haven't heard the Electra yet as I said before, but so far this is also pretty much the best commercial stat amp I've ever heard period. Keyword: commercial.

What non-commercial amps have you heard that you consider better?
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n3rdling

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Re: Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Impressions
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2013, 06:08:52 AM »
What circuit changes did he make in the LL2?  I know I read something about them about a month ago but I dunno where.
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CEE TEE

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Re: Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Impressions
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2013, 08:31:36 AM »
Quote from: MuppetFace on April 11, 2013, 01:53:04 AM
Was it the #0 LL1 demo unit by any chance? I personally think my production unit (#13) sounds better than the demo w/ the SR-007. Not sure why.

I agree though that the LL1 is more polite, so it's better suited for the SR-009 / Omega than the SR-007 (though I still like the latter combo personally). The SR-007 is specifically why I ordered a BHSE.

The LL2 + SR-007 just blew me away tho.
Not sure- was the LL1 that purrin and Anax had the Friday night before the SoCal meet. 
We also had the BHSE, T2, and HEV-90 Orpheus set-up there. 
Phones: HE-90, Modded Jades, and it was an 007 mkII.
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MuppetFace

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Re: Liquid Lightning MK II LL2 Impressions
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2013, 09:59:02 AM »
Quote from: zerodeefex on April 11, 2013, 02:34:29 AM
What non-commercial amps have you heard that you consider better?

I haven't heard the DIYT2, but I assume it's still one of the best stat amps around. It's extremely rare and going to cost significantly more tho, assuming you find someone even willing to part with one.

Quote from: CEE TEE on April 11, 2013, 08:31:36 AM
Not sure- was the LL1 that purrin and Anax had the Friday night before the SoCal meet. 
We also had the BHSE, T2, and HEV-90 Orpheus set-up there. 
Phones: HE-90, Modded Jades, and it was an 007 mkII.

Ah, okay. If it came from Alex then it was probably the demo unit. If it came from someone else, probably not.

Either way, the BHSE is going to be better than the LL1 w/ the SR-007 in my opinion. The SR-009 on the other hand...

Quote from: n3rdling on April 11, 2013, 06:08:52 AM
What circuit changes did he make in the LL2?  I know I read something about them about a month ago but I dunno where.

Pretty sure it's the same circuit topology as the LL1, but with less parasitic capacitance. The result to my ears is an amp that has a similar character to the LL1 but sounds cleaner and more detailed. It's not a huge difference, but it was more than I expected. It also seems to result in a slightly brighter sound, as per purrin's observations, or what to me seems like a less laid back sound.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2013, 10:06:44 AM by MuppetFace »
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