CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Lobby => Head Amps, DACs, Sources, Portable Equipment Discussion => Topic started by: joch on April 23, 2015, 07:12:30 AM
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Has anyone pulled the trigger for one?
I'm very tempted, but that means I'll be having leftovers for lunch for the rest of the year. And there's the trouble of hiding it from my better half.
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I have. Despite the fact that it is priced far lower than my current amp (WA7 & WA7tp), I have found it more to my liking, and will likely sell my Woo rig to help fund this. If I may ask, what amp do you have now, and is there some reason why it cannot be sold to cover the cost of a Carbon?
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I am using now a balanced FSA Bobby...quite adequate, and the good thing about it is that it's opamp rolling friendly (soon to be sporting some OPA627 --can't wait). Also have an old but still excellent X-Can V3 from when I started this hobby years ago!
A couple of things about selling (living outside the US market) is that it's a bit difficult and having to deal with shipping. I guess I can try locally, but I haven't found the local HK market to be wanting old gear without asking for a steep discount.
My hesitation is philosophical too: is good enough good enough? a debate that will rage on. But this is about audiophilia, so sensibilities are usually out the door.
And I'm just wondering if it's really that good?
That's why I posted the questions to you guys who have heard the prototype.
Warren, if you're selling the Woo, it's making me wonder even more...
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Joch quite a few here, including myself, ordered the Carbon.
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I guess all of them also ordered Yggdrasil
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Well, against the Ygg, it's a bargain!
OK, I respect you guys, and if you like the proto at CanJam...I'm in! :)p1
Thanks guys! I just needed a bit of peer pressure--I can blame you when the credit card bill comes in!
Time to take inventory and sell some stuff (please, no kidney jokes)
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Joch,
Liver works well too
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Ah yes, okay, I see how it might not be so easy to deal with secondhand sales there. Sorry mate, I assumed you were in the US.
I'm probably catching you too late, but if you're happy with what you have, then I say be happy with what you have... especially if you still have opamps to roll. In my case, I had pretty much maxed the WA7 out, and the Carbon still made me happier, so I hopped on the deal.
Remember, upgrading is only a means to an end (happiness). So if you're already happy... you get the idea.
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Too late, the transaction went through. I was on the fence, I think mostly fearing the missus finding another piece of gear I had accidentally acquired -- "oops" LOL
Years ago, a friend said that if you're on the fence about something, you're probably better just doing it because you'll alway thinking what if?
And you know, sometimes happiness is finding new things to explore.
The Cavalli will be months away, so in the meantime I'll enjoy what I have and what I can tinker with (currently modding headphones--never thought I'd be doing this 6 months ago!)
I'm sure I can unload a Cavalli as well.
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Joch,
Liver works well too
Hardly :P I like my drinking ways
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In this hobby - where everything gets more and more expensive (and rarely better sounding) - the Carbon is a plain bargain.
That probably makes it a "good buy" for more rational people. You won't regret it :money:
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I too nabbed a Cavalli Liquid Carbon pre-order at the snap of launch day!
haven't been brave enough to set a 4 month countdown timer on my iPhone yet tho....
::)
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I pre-ordered one.. plan to pair it with an LPS+Geek Pulse Infinity. Cans will be a couple of custom IEMs and the HD800 (and possibly the HE-560/HD650).
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I placed my order on the first day as well, based on CamJam comments and the fact that it has both SE and balanced outputs.
I guess next on my list will be a DAC with balanced outputs.
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Too late, the transaction went through. I was on the fence, I think mostly fearing the missus finding another piece of gear I had accidentally acquired -- "oops" LOL
Pain is the sensation of fear leaving your body. All will be fine if you just exercise mind over matter... i.e. if you don't mind, it don't matter.
I'm sure I can unload a Cavalli as well.
That too. :D
In this hobby - where everything gets more and more expensive (and rarely better sounding) - the Carbon is a plain bargain.
That was some icing on the cake for me, being able to support Cavalli for doing something that might not be vogue, or even commensurate with the Carbon's SQ, but doing it anyway because it was a very cool thing to do.
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So I too went for the LC and a ygg within a very short time of each launch and a TH900 with a massdrop offering. Wonder how that will all play together :)p7 Will find out later this year.
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I just pulled the trigger on the Liquid Carbon :)p1
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Well, I'm in for a Liquid Carbon as well. I had the pleasure of hearing one at the Axpona meet in Chicago. Dan had one set up at the Mr. Speakers booth. He let me give it a listen fed from an Auralic DAC. While it was hard to listen critically, the prototype sounded good to me and I preferred it over the Wooaudio (?) tube amps he also had at his table, at least with the available Mr. Speakers headphones.
I look forward to receiving it in a few months and comparing it to my Headroom Max.
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Anyone planning on driving LCD-3f's with the LC? I've been enjoying HD-650's for the last couple years, paired with a WA2... but I find it really doesn't sound good with the LCD's. Ordered the LC and hoping it will do a better job... am I on the right track?
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Whoops, I just realized I never posted.
But I think I ordered just slightly after Warren. I'm a slow draw.
I got to demo the Carbon with my own modded LCD-2, and I immediately knew that the Carbon was for me. Best way to describe it IMO: immediacy, and impact. All of the right sounds are slingshot from an impressively black background to the listener. That includes bass. Impact is awesome with this amp. Especially in balanced mode.
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Whoops, I just realized I never posted.
But I think I ordered just slightly after Warren. I'm a slow draw.
I got to demo the Carbon with my own modded LCD-2, and I immediately knew that the Carbon was for me. Best way to describe it IMO: immediacy, and impact. All of the right sounds are slingshot from an impressively black background to the listener. That includes bass. Impact is awesome with this amp. Especially in balanced mode.
I have ordered the LC and its NOT your own modded LCD 2.2 :)p13
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I have ordered the LC and its NOT your own modded LCD 2.2 :)p13
Hahaha
Fine. :)p13
I think my slow-arse, super bright LCD-2 still sounded amazing out of Carbon. And now that I have a relatively fast and awesome Stax to compare to, I think I can get that LCD-2 to sound even more amazing, so you're in for a treat!
Seriously, though, bass on Carbon (and to a lesser extent, the portable) scared the living hell out of me with the LCD-2. Impact was awesomesausage! The bass drum in Hotel California exploded! Disregarding the fact that it was the LCD-2, the amp did an awesome job powering those cans. So mad props to Cavalli for pulling that off. Sound sig aside, the bass impact is a very telling sign of a clean power supply + some amazing power deliverance and control from that amp.
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Dude,
you're winding me up here. I was so mad with myself a few days after sold my LCD 2 here in India. There's something about a good LCD 2 that's addicting. I listen only to rock and a good Audez'e HP makes it so much more involving. Of course, one has to be lucky to get a good one and I had one such. Anyway, look forward to hearing the modded one.
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just jump on one, now it's time to save up for yggy i guess headbang
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Has anyone pulled the trigger for one?
I'm very tempted, but that means I'll be having leftovers for lunch for the rest of the year. And there's the trouble of hiding it from my better half.
I'm on the order list. Pretty excited, although this wait time is insane.
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haven't been brave enough to set a 4 month countdown timer on my iPhone yet tho....
::)
i've been waiting close to ten months for a Geek Stream. If the Carbon shows up in four, I will be overjoyed.
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fellow geek pulse backer here, yeah 4 months is NOTHING to us. I feel like after going through the geek pulse campaign I'm like a holocaust survivor with an auschwitz tattoo. nothing can faze me now
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fellow geek pulse backer here, yeah 4 months is NOTHING to us. I feel like after going through the geek pulse campaign I'm like a holocaust survivor with an auschwitz tattoo. nothing can faze me now
TBH, the hype on Headfi around Geek almost saw me joining it a few months after the initial crowdfunding run. Then I saw the projected wait time and it was insane. Now I see them and all I see is a company which sure knows how to price and market its stuff but completely fails at delivery.
The only way Cavalli can match them is to announce the Carbon as the base amp at $399, put in extra options (say premium Cinemag transformers or carbon fiber case), launch a crowdfunding campaign on indiegogo/kickstarter that doesn't end, then six months down the road after only delivering say only 300 Carbons, announce and hype another product and say they are shipping that while having failed to deliver on the original backers for the Carbon.
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I spent the better part of a day with the Carbon at the Nashville meet a few weeks ago. For me, the performance of the Carbon was remarkable at it's price point. I compared it against some flagship amps: wa5, Rag, Liquid Crimson, as well as some mid tier amps: Asgard 2, idsd micro. I didn't need an entire day to realize that the Carbon was my next amp. I'm in the pre-order line. Starting the countdown timer.
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I spent the better part of a day with the Carbon at the Nashville meet a few weeks ago. For me, the performance of the Carbon was remarkable at it's price point. I compared it against some flagship amps: wa5, Rag, Liquid Crimson, as well as some mid tier amps: Asgard 2, idsd micro. I didn't need an entire day to realize that the Carbon was my next amp. I'm in the pre-order line. Starting the countdown timer.
Great choice \o/
I figure I should check in here too. I got in somewhere near order #50. My current plan is TransDAC > Liquid Carbon > SE Paradox (then, when funds allow, a pair of balanced Slants). I suspect that this setup is going to be incredible for its size and (relatively) low cost.
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Great choice \o/
I figure I should check in here too. I got in somewhere near order #50. My current plan is TransDAC > Liquid Carbon > SE Paradox (then, when funds allow, a pair of balanced Slants). I suspect that this setup is going to be incredible for its size and (relatively) low cost.
You literally are planning for the the setup I am using at work.
Wyrd > Ciunas > TransDAC > Carbon (incoming, but might be replaced by Black Widow depending on the comparison) > balanced Paradox Slants
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My current plan is TransDAC > Liquid Carbon > SE Paradox (then, when funds allow, a pair of balanced Slants). I suspect that this setup is going to be incredible for its size and (relatively) low cost.
I heard only very minor differences between the SE and XLR outs with Ether, but it might be different with another headphone.
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You literally are planning for the the setup I am using at work.
Wyrd > Ciunas > TransDAC > Carbon (incoming, but might be replaced by Black Widow depending on the comparison) > balanced Paradox Slants
Yep - and I suspect that this will be awesome. I am going back and forth between getting a balanced Slant or a ZMF Vibro/Blackwood though.
I heard only very minor differences between the SE and XLR outs with Ether, but it might be different with another headphone.
That's really good to hear!
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Just curious, to those who have experience with the Schitt Mjolnir and have heard the prototype Liquid Carbon, could you comment on their similarities and differences?
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Do you guys think the Emotiva Stealth would be a good match for this?
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Just curious, to those who have experience with the Schitt Mjolnir and have heard the prototype Liquid Carbon, could you comment on their similarities and differences?
I'd also be very much interested in this comparison, or even to the Rag.
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Do you guys think the Emotiva Stealth would be a good match for this?
Yes. I will also use the LC with the DC-1.
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Yes. I will also use the LC with the DC-1.
Do you guys think the Emotiva Stealth would be a good match for this?
I look forward to your impressions guys, I was initially gonna go that route but I got a good deal on a vintage r2r dac instead. Just placed my LC preorder earlier :).
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Anyone have the chance to listen to the Liquid Carbon with the HD800s?
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Anyone have the chance to listen to the Liquid Carbon with the HD800s?
Of course. What do you want to know? Mine are modded though, so maybe that's not as useful.
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Of course. What do you want to know? Mine are modded though, so maybe that's not as useful.
Would be very useful. Just thoughts on the pairing in general. Maybe more specifically, what do you think about this SS pairing compared to say something like a lower cost tube amp like the Valhalla 2? I know it's probably apples to oranges and not a great comparison but any thoughts on the pairing would be great.
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I posted this over at HF:
Only four months to go to find the perfect DAC to complement the new Cavalli Liquid Carbon amp. My own personal wishlist:
1. Transportable (maybe even portable). No bigger than the Liquid Carbon
2. Balanced output. Dual 3-pin XLR would be best, but in a pinch, any balanced output will do
3. USB input
4. Coax input (to use with Fiio DAPs)
5. Optical input (to use with A&K DAPs)
6. Under $1000. Under $600 would be even better
7. Personally, I am ambivalent about DSD (I have some and use the AK240 for it). YMMV
I have lots of good DAPs and several good DAC/AMP combos, but very little experience with stand-alone DACs other than the SCHIIT Modi.
So, I need your help guys. We only have 4 months!
I got some good suggestions. Some were too large or too heavy or too expensive or were missing one or more inputs or were too expensive or weren't balanced. The ones that look interesting to me, so far, are the Emotive Stealth DC-1, Schiit Gungnir w/USB and NAD D1050. I will be using this DAC and LC with these headphones: LCD-X, LCD-2.2, HD800, HD650, HD600, HE-5, HE-4, Alpha Dog, RS1i, RS2e, Z7, FAD PHVI.
I am hoping that you guys have some thoughts on my wishlist and the suggestions from HF.
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Wait til you have it, buy the best DAC you can afford then
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ZD, you did listen to the LC right? If so, did you use the Yggy with it or was it a different DAC?
Thanks
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I did not get a real listen to it. It was hooked up to the Hugo TT so I didn't have a basis for comparison. I don't like auditioning gear like that. It's why I only compared geek out v2 > leckerton vs the Hugo TT headphone output.
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I posted this over at HF:
Only four months to go to find the perfect DAC to complement the new Cavalli Liquid Carbon amp. My own personal wishlist:
1. Transportable (maybe even portable). No bigger than the Liquid Carbon
2. Balanced output. Dual 3-pin XLR would be best, but in a pinch, any balanced output will do
3. USB input
4. Coax input (to use with Fiio DAPs)
5. Optical input (to use with A&K DAPs)
6. Under $1000. Under $600 would be even better
7. Personally, I am ambivalent about DSD (I have some and use the AK240 for it). YMMV
I have lots of good DAPs and several good DAC/AMP combos, but very little experience with stand-alone DACs other than the SCHIIT Modi.
So, I need your help guys. We only have 4 months!
I got some good suggestions. Some were too large or too heavy or too expensive or were missing one or more inputs or were too expensive or weren't balanced. The ones that look interesting to me, so far, are the Emotive Stealth DC-1, Schiit Gungnir w/USB and NAD D1050. I will be using this DAC and LC with these headphones: LCD-X, LCD-2.2, HD800, HD650, HD600, HE-5, HE-4, Alpha Dog, RS1i, RS2e, Z7, FAD PHVI.
I am hoping that you guys have some thoughts on my wishlist and the suggestions from HF.
It doesn't come close to checking all the boxes on your wish-list, but I am going to use the Resonessence Concero with the Carbon.
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Way out of your stipulated price range, but I'm planning on listening to Yggdrasil through the LC. I've heard the Gungnir and think it's wonderful. Plus, upgrades are on the way. Schiit is future-proof.
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Would be very useful. Just thoughts on the pairing in general. Maybe more specifically, what do you think about this SS pairing compared to say something like a lower cost tube amp like the Valhalla 2? I know it's probably apples to oranges and not a great comparison but any thoughts on the pairing would be great.
Sorry to interrupt, but I have the exact same question.
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Of course. What do you want to know? Mine are modded though, so maybe that's not as useful.
Yes, impressions please! Quick comparison vs Black Widow?
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Yes, impressions please! Quick comparison vs Black Widow?
BW is more resolving, more holographic, more layered, more articulate of micro dynamics, signature is on the neutral/warmish side wrt treble control and smoothness.
Carbon is a richer, fuller sound with bigger bass impact and presence. Not overly colored as some impressions might lead on, but tastefully done. It is not slow, congested, muddy or smeared. It's a more laid back overall tone with a more energetic macro dynamic presence if that makes sense.
Think Chateaubriand with Bernaise versus Texas Brisket and espresso BBQ sauce.
I think it would come down to what headphone you prefer, why, and what you are hoping to get out of it. Also how capable your DAC and source are.
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Is that marbled brisket or lean brisket? Lockhart or something like The Granary in San Antonio?
In all seriousness, thanks for the food analogy Anax. It made a lot of sense to me. For the sake of comparison, how do you classify Ragnarok?
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Has anyone taken a look at the Audio-GD 1AMP? It has a ton of power and preamp outputs for a little bit cheaper than the LC. I'm considering switching my preorder over.
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I'm hoping for great things from LC paired with gungnir. I've always enjoyed the dynamics (which are bordering on explosive) of the gung. I'm thinking that this combo should prove to be something to hang my hat on and just enjoy the music.
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I'm hoping for great things from LC paired with gungnir. I've always enjoyed the dynamics (which are bordering on explosive) of the gung. I'm thinking that this combo should prove to be something to hang my hat on and just enjoy the music.
Didn't you sell me your Gungnir? HOW DID YOU GET ANOTHER ONE?
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Didn't you sell me your Gungnir? HOW DID YOU GET ANOTHER ONE?
Well, I had the bifrost and gung. Left them on the desk overnight and the next morning...there was a new dac :-)
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Of course. What do you want to know? Mine are modded though, so maybe that's not as useful.
Anax, thoughts on the LC vs the Ragnarok?
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Anax, thoughts on the LC vs the Ragnarok?
Ragnarok will be more clear, resolving, and nuanced but SS is more flat lacking depth and bass is not ideal with the HD800 but better with orthos or other phones. Carbon is more organic and euphonic but tastefully so and still transparent enough to appreciate upstream changes. Of course, price and size are quite different.
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anyone compared the balanced and unbalanced outputs of this yet? any discernable difference?
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I got a chance to listen to the amp at Axpona. During meet conditions, about the only thing I can say is that the balanced out is louder than the single-ended out at the same position on the volume switch. My Mad Dog Pro is terminated with an XLR. I had my 1/4" adapter with me so I tried both.
My understanding is that the use of the single-ended out only takes advantage of half the amp's power.
Anyone else have experience in better conditions to evaluate the two outputs?
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I got a chance to listen to the amp at Axpona. During meet conditions, about the only thing I can say is that the balanced out is louder than the single-ended out at the same position on the volume switch.
Anyone else have experience in better conditions to evaluate the two outputs?
I heard it in the same conditions but during a quieter time using Ether and A-Prime, neither of which I'd heard before. The difference was negligible with XLR sounding very, very slightly better in a way I couldn't easily identify (maybe just a little smoother? more coherent? dunno) and I can't be sure the cause wasn't only a slight difference in volume. If there is a difference, HD800 will pick it up.
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Hello to everyone...
I am new here... Belgian male painting artist living in the Black Forest in Germany.... Have been reading through a lot of postings here lately. Very refreshing! And of course some questions arose...
My headphone listening setup at the moment: Macbook Pro (or sometimes tube cd player) - Concero HP - Violectric V200 - ATH-W3000ANV + decent cabling. Ears are still in reasonable good shape. Finished Philips Golden Ears training relatively easy.
Music preferences: Indian Classical, Acoustic, some World, New Age (not the dentist waiting room stuff), Jazz and Classical. Mostly slow paced, even though such things as tablas and sitars can be tricky and I like good dynamics...
Guess twice what I would like to change: the V200 amplifier, it just doesn´t do much except making the sound thicker. A Resonnecense Herus+ by itself actually sounds different but as good, but with some hiss (ATH-W3000ANV seems quite sensitive to hiss)
Now that Liquid Carbon is teasing me... but:
1) Concero = SE (should be not so bad from what I read)
2) Headphones are SE (with such a beautiful wooden-golden jack! Hard to cut that off...) The ATH-W3000ANV doesn´t need much power at all, but why pay for all the balanced goodies and than not use them....
3) Shipping costs + import duties make the Liquid Carbon quite a bit more expensive to get here
So, does this make sense? Would it be a substantial upgrade? Are there any better alternatives? I don´t mind buying used (luckily I got the V200 used for a good price, so I won´t loose money there).
(Other amps which are luring are the Svetlana 3 (Korean tube amplifier) or the new to be released Unison Research Simply SH. These are quite a bit more expensive, and I would have to save up even longer, but I generally do like tubes actually...).
I would be happy with any feedback / comment / suggestion!
thanks...
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Hello to everyone...
I am new here... Belgian male painting artist living in the Black Forest in Germany.... Have been reading through a lot of postings here lately. Very refreshing! And of course some questions arose...
My headphone listening setup at the moment: Macbook Pro (or sometimes tube cd player) - Concero HP - Violectric V200 - ATH-W3000ANV + decent cabling. Ears are still in reasonable good shape. Finished Philips Golden Ears training relatively easy.
Music preferences: Indian Classical, Acoustic, some World, New Age (not the dentist waiting room stuff), Jazz and Classical. Mostly slow paced, even though such things as tablas and sitars can be tricky and I like good dynamics...
Guess twice what I would like to change: the V200 amplifier, it just doesn´t do much except making the sound thicker. A Resonnecense Herus+ by itself actually sounds different but as good, but with some hiss (ATH-W3000ANV seems quite sensitive to hiss)
Now that Liquid Carbon is teasing me... but:
1) Concero = SE (should be not so bad from what I read)
2) Headphones are SE (with such a beautiful wooden-golden jack! Hard to cut that off...) The ATH-W3000ANV doesn´t need much power at all, but why pay for all the balanced goodies and than not use them....
3) Shipping costs + import duties make the Liquid Carbon quite a bit more expensive to get here
So, does this make sense? Would it be a substantial upgrade? Are there any better alternatives? I don´t mind buying used (luckily I got the V200 used for a good price, so I won´t loose money there).
(Other amps which are luring are the Svetlana 3 (Korean tube amplifier) or the new to be released Unison Research Simply SH. These are quite a bit more expensive, and I would have to save up even longer, but I generally do like tubes actually...).
I would be happy with any feedback / comment / suggestion!
thanks...
Welcome aboard, Matey!
I have an original Concero (in fact, I have the very first one that was shipped, other than review samples). I didn't have time to run over to my office (which is about 100 meters from the hotel) and get it to use with the Carbon when I tried it out at CanJam, but I expect them to be fabulous together.
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Is this new offering silent with sensitive phones like ciems? I have listened to a liquid fire on 2 occasions and the hiss was loud enough, with audezes and something else that's escaping me, that I don't really remember anything else about the amp.
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Is this new offering silent with sensitive phones like ciems?
Not according to Cavalli. He said it shouldn't be too bad from the balanced out but that's not the same as no hiss.
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Hello to everyone...
I am new here... Belgian male painting artist living in the Black Forest in Germany.... Have been reading through a lot of postings here lately. Very refreshing! And of course some questions arose...
My headphone listening setup at the moment: Macbook Pro (or sometimes tube cd player) - Concero HP - Violectric V200 - ATH-W3000ANV + decent cabling. Ears are still in reasonable good shape. Finished Philips Golden Ears training relatively easy.
Guess twice what I would like to change: the V200 amplifier, it just doesn´t do much except making the sound thicker. A Resonnecense Herus+ by itself actually sounds different but as good, but with some hiss (ATH-W3000ANV seems quite sensitive to hiss)
Now that Liquid Carbon is teasing me... but:
1) Concero = SE (should be not so bad from what I read)
2) Headphones are SE (with such a beautiful wooden-golden jack! Hard to cut that off...) The ATH-W3000ANV doesn´t need much power at all, but why pay for all the balanced goodies and than not use them....
3) Shipping costs + import duties make the Liquid Carbon quite a bit more expensive to get here
I would be happy with any feedback / comment / suggestion!
thanks...
I always hesitate to recommend that people spend more money if there aren't going to be any substantial improvements. The W3000 is ridiculously easy to drive, and because of that, really doesn't benefit from most amps. Have to be careful with gain, because with the super high sensitivity, some amps will have hiss. The W3000 doesn't really scale that much either with super expensive DACs + super transparent amps.
It's like what you said about the Herus -> W3000 being pretty much as good (but with noise), or that the V200 just thickens the sound which is not necessarily good.
The Carbon will suite your requirements, but taxes and duties will make it really expensive. On your side of the woods, maybe CORDA Classic:
http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/amplifiers.htm (http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/amplifiers.htm)
Good x-feed implementation too. We don't see the Meier stuff here in the USA anymore, but last time I heard the Corda, I liked it quite a bit. The -2db gain factor on the low setting should do help a lot with the super sensitivity of the W3000.
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On your side of the woods, maybe CORDA Classic:
http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/amplifiers.htm (http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/amplifiers.htm)
Good x-feed implementation too. We don't see the Meier stuff here in the USA anymore, but last time I heard the Corda, I liked it quite a bit. The -2db gain factor on the low setting should do help a lot with the super sensitivity of the W3000.
IMO a Meier Corda Jazz is even a best bet. The W3000 does not need the power of the Corda Classic. When I was owning the Jazz, I asked Jan Meier and he answered me that considering I had a Jazz and I used to power a HD800 , the Classic wasn't a significant upgrade. Jan is a great and honest guy. c
The Classic offer a better implementation of crossfeed and a Tonal balance settting. That could matter for you :)
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Thank you so much for the input and suggestions.
I am living in the Black Forest and it is quite difficult here to get to listen to or compare good gear.
In fact that was why I got the V200 because it is a well documented amplifier and it helps me as a mental reference when reading reviews and postings.
One clarification on my first post: The Concero HD + V200 does sound better as the Herus+. But connecting the Herus+ to the V200 is not better than listening to the Herus+ by itself; the sound is just different. Young pirate lady compared to one of Rubens´ models :)p13. Concero HD adds better resolution, better instrument separation, and little less grain too IMHO.
The Corda Jazz sounds interesting. That would make for a nice small setup next to a notebook. But I did read the volume might be hard to adjust with sensitive phones (too little travel). Anybody has first hand experience?
And I keep asking myself if this would be a big enough difference. I am looking for more resolution, more clear highs, more depth and more dynamics. MOAR....MOAR....MOAR... :)p1 Of course that might mean an additional pair of headphones one day; but I´m actually very happy with the W3000´s as a pair of closed headphones for evening listening when my wife is around. I sold my Stax srs-3030 set because of them.
Another way to go would be to get the Concero HP and be done with it. Small and cute. Merv says the W3000´s don´t scale much beyond a certain point. So would there be a big enough difference compared to a Concero HD + Corda Jazz for example?
And I still wouldn´t mind to discover a small tube or hybrid amp, if it isn´t the warm and rolled-of type...
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The Classic offer a better implementation of crossfeed and a Tonal balance settting. That could matter for you :)
I really do like crossfeed especially for those hard panned Indian classical recordings, but I already do use toneboosters Isone for such cases, which works great.
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The Corda Jazz sounds interesting. That would make for a nice small setup next to a notebook. But I did read the volume might be hard to adjust with sensitive phones (too little travel). Anybody has first hand experience?
In fact with the Jazz you can't put the volume at Zero. Even with the volume pot at the min, the volume is low but not Zero. I never found this bothersome when I had the W3000 at home.
For Hybrid My vote go to some Polaris Project . Dunno if the Ember mesh well with low Impedance/high sensitivity headphones but it's a fuckin good little amp for anything . Great buy .
Ember project and Corda Jazz was the two amps we highly recommended in Tellementnomade.org 2013 Xmas Guide. I personaly tried both and both definitely worth their respective prices. ;)
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Can anyone who's heard this comment vs the UHA-6S MKII? I'm reasonably happy with the Leck driving my LCD2 and am trying to decide whether to pre-order this.
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So, decision has been made, course is set :wheel: CAVALLI LIQUID CARBON
I checked all my gear this morning once again...
The Violectric keeps on being dissapointing, especially the subdued highs without any energy. (e.g. Buddy Guy playing Hard Time Killing Floor: his guitar almost seems to have nylon strings! This sounds just fabulous through my speakers with their ribbon tweeters).
I also checked all suggestions made here on Changstar the last few days...
and I come to the conclusion the Liquid Carbon could just fit the bill :)p7, even though it is going to be more expensive because I am in Germany... but it is nice to have something a little exotic here and I really like Alex Cavalli, just from reading about him or watching photos from him. Gives me a good feeling about where my money goes.
So my chain as of september will be: Macbook Pro - Audirvana+ - Concero HD - Liquid Carbon - ATH-W3000ANV
My order nr is 100000877. I guess that number might indicate soon there will be 500 sold units.
Thanks to Changstar for their great expertise.
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So, decision has been made, course is set :wheel: CAVALLI LIQUID CARBON
I checked all my gear this morning once again...
The Violectric keeps on being dissapointing, especially the subdued highs without any energy. (e.g. Buddy Guy playing Hard Time Killing Floor: his guitar almost seems to have nylon strings! This sounds just fabulous through my speakers with their ribbon tweeters).
I also checked all suggestions made here on Changstar the last few days...
and I come to the conclusion the Liquid Carbon could just fit the bill :)p7, even though it is going to be more expensive because I am in Germany... but it is nice to have something a little exotic here and I really like Alex Cavalli, just from reading about him or watching photos from him. Gives me a good feeling about where my money goes.
So my chain as of september will be: Macbook Pro - Audirvana+ - Concero HD - Liquid Carbon - ATH-W3000ANV
My order nr is 100000877. I guess that number might indicate soon there will be 500 sold units.
Thanks to Changstar for their great expertise.
Congrats, I wonder when the 500 units will be done. I've heard some people speculating it'll be around 910~ or so...
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Last order number I saw posted on the web was 910, so there can´t be that many left anymore...
This week my ATH-W3000ANV will travel to Poland to get recabled with a nice balanced cable + 4-pin XLR-plug by Matthew from Forza Audioworks. :-DD
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I was order 405, in the first few minutes of when Cavalli was accepting orders. And I'm 10th or so. So it must be close to a sold out situation, keeping in mind some orders are for other Cavalli amps...
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My order was 909.
Coming from the Ragnarok, my expectations are of compromise. Can't wait to hear it though. Hoping for no delays in shipment.
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Ordered yesterday with order 917.
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I just ordered a Liquid Carbon. Cost $970 AUD including shipping. I probably chose a poor time to buy considering the weak Aussie dollar. Order #964 for the LC.
Gonna be pairing the LC with HD800's, LCD-X's and DT250's. I also plan on buying one of Schiit's upcoming trickle-down Yggy DAC's to go with it :)p7
Gonna be selling a Gustard stack (U12 + X12 + H10) to help fund all of this. I do like the Gustard equipment, so hopefully the Cavalli and Schiit products cure that upgrade itch nicely!
EDIT: @olor1n, there's almost always a compromise, but there's been a number of people who say they prefer the musicality/euphony of the LC over the Rag :)
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Gonna be pairing the LC with HD800's, LCD-X's and DT250's. I also plan on buying one of Schiit's upcoming trickle-down Yggy DAC's to go with it :)p7
We have similar taste in headphones. I have Beyer DT-880 250 ohm, DT-250 80 ohm, and a Mad Dog Pro.
I had a chance to hear the LC at a Chicago meet and enjoyed the sound immensely with my DT-250 and Mad Dog Pros. I think you will also enjoy the sound. headbang
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I just ordered a Liquid Carbon. Cost $970 AUD including shipping. I probably chose a poor time to buy considering the weak Aussie dollar. Order #964 for the LC.
Aye caramba! That should be roughly same price I'd pay in SGD, if I order LC. Then again, maybe I can sell my amps too...
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Aye caramba! That should be roughly same price I'd pay in SGD, if I order LC. Then again, maybe I can sell my amps too...
I'm selling some of my other amps/DACs/headphones to help offset the costs for my incoming system (Gungnir Multi Bit + Liquid Carbon). This is my end-game.
Would definitely recommend selling off the equipment that doesn't quite captivate you, and use the proceeds to buy equipment that does :)
We have similar taste in headphones. I have Beyer DT-880 250 ohm, DT-250 80 ohm, and a Mad Dog Pro.
I had a chance to hear the LC at a Chicago meet and enjoyed the sound immensely with my DT-250 and Mad Dog Pros. I think you will also enjoy the sound. headbang
I actually have a pair of DT880's as well :). They definitely share the HD800 type of sound signature, and sometimes are actually more enjoyable (but less technical).
Greatly looking forward to hearing the LC with the GMB. The GMB cost about $1960 AUD shipped directly from Schiit.
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The GMB and Liquid Carbon are close to my end game as well. Except I have no dacs, a schiit vali, and a few $200 and less headphones other than the he 560. Good thing I decided to wait. No big need to sell to buy.
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Is your he560 modded?
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Nope. Just the focus a pads.
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Any updates on ship dates? Don't go to HF anymore and it seems like that's where the communication happens.
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Any updates on ship dates? Don't go to HF anymore and it seems like that's where the communication happens.
Last update was about 10 days ago. Just going to quote the post here:
"Gents, here’s an update on where we are. I’ve waited a little longer than planned to be sure to have the best info.
Things are moving along well, but we have decided that the first run of volume controls are not to the level of performance we want them. And so, we have ordered an entirely new set of controls. These will not be here for a few weeks yet. Our work now is to ensure that the production run keeps moving forward even though the vol pots can’t be installed on the boards immediately. We are working on this right now.
I know that many of you have been waiting for some time, but it is important to us that you get a Carbon that is up to our standards. Yes, there will be a slight delay because of this. Don’t know how much yet, but hopefully not too much. As soon as we have a more solid idea of time I will post this info."
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Fateful decision made. I just pre-ordered one before they ran out. I figure if it's not perfect for me, I'll be able to sell for pretty much full price. I don't have a balanced DAC or balanced headphone cable yet. This might get me there. Next step will be something like the Gumby.
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Fateful decision made. I just pre-ordered one before they ran out. I figure if it's not perfect for me, I'll be able to sell for pretty much full price. I don't have a balanced DAC or balanced headphone cable yet. This might get me there. Next step will be something like the Gumby.
I'm getting both. Ordered the Liquid Carbon and already have the Gumby. Added the HE560 to the mix, and we'll see where it goes.
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What's a decent but relatively inexpensive power cable to pick up for this? AudioQuest? Pangea? Hosa? Monoprice?
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What's a decent but relatively inexpensive power cable to pick up for this? AudioQuest? Pangea? Hosa? Monoprice?
14AWG 6ft cable from Monoprice is $3.33. http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10228&cs_id=1022801&p_id=5292&seq=1&format=2 (http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10228&cs_id=1022801&p_id=5292&seq=1&format=2)
I'm getting both. Ordered the Liquid Carbon and already have the Gumby. Added the HE560 to the mix, and we'll see where it goes.
Wow...that exactly what I'm shooting for, too! Still need to order the Gumby and the HE560's with FocusA.
Edit3: Update from Dr. Cavalli, posted today:
"Good question. The pot manufacturer emailed me yesterday saying pots would ship about 9/3. This is a little later than their initial prediction, but we can continue with other aspects of production so as not to lose any more time than necessary."
Originally Posted by Poimandres View Post
"Dr Cavalli with the pot delay will more units be initially shipping once the pots are received?"
"Possibly. It's all a matter of how the other pieces are finished and in what order. You plan for one sequence of events, but almost always in a real production run the world changes the sequence and you have to adjust.
The thing with the vol pots is fairly minor compared to some other production problems I've seen. It's just the timing. So we will try to fill the time with as much other construction as we can so that when the pots arrive we can accommodate quickly. But, still, I would say we are in the critical phase of production where all the pieces have to come together right.
I never like to give up on production timing until it just becomes impossible, so while there is definitely a delay, I hope to make it as small as humanly possible."
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Can't afford a Gumby, so I'm likely grabbing a used Emotiva DC-1. Might also have a line on an Audio-GD Reference 5, but man are those heavy and I think it only has balanced out.
Anyone want to buy an ODAC rev B + Objective 2 (desktop, rear power, rca out, aluminum knob, the whole kit) or Vorzuge VorzAMP Duo?
Or a Fostex TH600... Or JVC HP-DX1000? Man, I gotta liquidate if I'm going to get a worthy dac for this amp!
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Cavalli all but admitted to working on a DAC that will pair with the Liquid Carbon.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/763905/finding-a-dac-for-the-cavalli-liquid-carbon-only-four-months-to-go/900#post_11866878
Hello gents. I've actually been following this thread, although not at a high level of detail yet.
It is possible that a DAC is in the works. It might actually be a DAC that mates with the Carbon.
Who can say...........
However, as someone pointed out, you guys have placed quite a few requirements or requests for product features into this fairly long discussion. A bit of a challenge for me to pull them all out accurately so I am wondering, can you all think of a way we can summarize these? Now would be a very good time to feed them into the product cycle of an imaginary DAC. ;)
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No r2r no dice
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Proper portable r2r market segment is untouched. No options to buy.
Let's hope something comes up.
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There are no chips for that power consumption envelope
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No r2r no dice
Nothing set in stone. I get the impression Alex Cavalli is sitting back and watching the HF thread. If he could pull off R2R in a LC form factor it would be :boom:
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The big problem for me would be could he get a well received DAC out there around the same time the Carbon is shipping? I'm not sure how many people would wait for one to show up since the Carbon would probably start shipping at worst late September/early October, IMO. Good thing I already decided on a DAC.
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No r2r no dice
Basically a mini Cavalli DAC-19, maybe balanced too...
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FWIW, I am going to use the Geek Out V2 with a 3.5mm TRRS to 3 pin XLR adapter as a balanced DAC with the liquid carbon.
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Same.
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Basically a mini Cavalli DAC-19, maybe balanced too...
I'd rather it not be a pcm1704 chip, didn't really dig the master 7 when I heard it. Anyways I doubt it will be a r2r dac anyways.
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Same.
Ditto. Going to try to find a 3.5mm TRRS to Kobiconn too to pair the V2+ with an ALO MX Mk3 as well.
Balanced Adapters. Balanced Adapters Everywhere.
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Getting cold feet on this amp thinking I want the black widow instead. Then remember black widow is $600 more. facepalm
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Getting cold feet on this amp thinking I want the black widow instead. Then remember black widow is $600 more. facepalm
I doubt you'd barely lose anything if you decided to sell it...
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I keep reading that and it's a terrible supposition.
It's audio. Expect to lose 20-25% of the new price when selling used.
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I keep reading that and it's a terrible supposition.
It's audio. Expect to lose 20-25% of the new price when selling used.
I think this amp is the exception to your rule. I'd normally agree, and say maybe your estimate is a bit light. But this is a single batch item, and even if the good doctor decided to produce it again, there will be people that won't want to wait...
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Getting cold feet on this amp thinking I want the black widow instead. Then remember black widow is $600 more. facepalm
won't dictate to others since it's uber rare that any human has heard both LC and BW in the same chain.
but will say- don't regret my BW order in place of LC one iota. yah, had to cancel LC order + sell some gear to make the same jump you debate.
every night of BW listening just make for a perfect end game night.
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I think this amp is the exception to your rule. I'd normally agree, and say maybe your estimate is a bit light. But this is a single batch item, and even if the good doctor decided to produce it again, there will be people that won't want to wait...
500 amps is not that limited of a run and I see MANY people recommending this. With hundreds of owners and many of them trying it out and expecting to recoup their cost by selling it if it's not a fit, do you really think anyone is going to recoup more than $500 of the ori
Even the super expensive amps that are made out there in INCREDIBLY limited runs lose significant % value on the used market. I'd recommend anyone who is interested buy it with the intention of owning it. Making a purchase in audio at MSRP and expecting to recoup your investment seems foolhardy at best. The only reason I'm arguing with you is because it's not a good justification for purchasing/owning any amp.
I'd still recommend this as a nice, transportable, well priced amp for people looking for one. The Ether sounded pretty nice out of it!
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won't dictate to others since it's uber rare that any human has heard both LC and BW in the same chain.
but will say- don't regret my BW order in place of LC one iota. yah, had to cancel LC order + sell some gear to make the same jump you debate.
every night of BW listening just make for a perfect end game night.
I heard both I liked the BW better but it still wasn't end game for me (and I don't know if its $600 better), so I decided to skip it and save for a legit tube amp.
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500 amps is not that limited of a run and I see MANY people recommending this. With hundreds of owners and many of them trying it out and expecting to recoup their cost by selling it if it's not a fit, do you really think anyone is going to recoup more than $500 of the ori
Even the super expensive amps that are made out there in INCREDIBLY limited runs lose significant % value on the used market. I'd recommend anyone who is interested buy it with the intention of owning it. Making a purchase in audio at MSRP and expecting to recoup your investment seems foolhardy at best. The only reason I'm arguing with you is because it's not a good justification for purchasing/owning any amp.
I'd still recommend this as a nice, transportable, well priced amp for people looking for one. The Ether sounded pretty nice out of it!
well said. a lot of people are throwing out advice saying that you might as well get it even if you are iffy about it because you can sell it is a bit misguided. It is pretty close to production and the 500 units have not been all picked up yet. You will lose shipping money both ways & likely $50-$100 reselling it. doesn't make sense to buy it just to try it unless you are intending to keep it.
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Does anyone have experience with the LC driving HD800's?
I intend to use the Schiit GMB + Cavalli LC for HD800's and LCD-X's. I also have a Valhalla 2, but I'm curious as to whether people think the LC will be an improvement over the V2. I was hoping to keep the V2 for the HD650's in my secondary rig.
I may need to answer this question myself when the time comes, due to the lack of LC's in the wild.
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Does anyone have experience with the LC driving HD800's?
I intend to use the Schiit GMB + Cavalli LC for HD800's and LCD-X's. I also have a Valhalla 2, but I'm curious as to whether people think the LC will be an improvement over the V2. I was hoping to keep the V2 for the HD650's in my secondary rig.
I may need to answer this question myself when the time comes, due to the lack of LC's in the wild.
I never got an opportunity to effectively A/B the LC against Val 2 on the same system. That being said, I *really* liked what I heard with my modded HD650's on the LC out of the available sources - which were a Pulse X Infinity and Questyle DAC.
As of right now, I plan on keeping my Val 2 as a secondary amp myself specifically for the synergy with the HD650s (and the preamp outs). But that could change depending on how my use shifts.
Also +1 for your avatar of the sweet ventral banded poisonous snake. (Etmek bishlemek gurpgork!)
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So gentleman
the Liquid carbon has been delayed yet again. :)p2
who's out and who's still in?
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I quit. I sold off all my decent amps in anticipation of the Liquid Carbon and can't wait until (earliest) November (but probably December/January) for one.
I emailed Audio-GD about an NFB-1AMP and will give them my money once they sort through Google Translate or whatever and send me an invoice. It's an adventure crossing the language barrier over there.
I'd still really like to hear the Liquid Carbon, but it's not in the cards for now.
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who's out and who's still in?
I'm still in. Just ordered the HE560's the other day ($799 from Amazon Prime Marketplace, still 1 left the last time I checked. Listed as NEW, so I hope it is). If the Carbon falls through for me, I will have to look around (especially at the Mjollner2). I still plan on ordering the Gumby next month.
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I'm close to bailing myself. It seems like Cavalli was given an optimistic schedule from his suppliers, and now reality is setting in.
I have some stuff coming up that requires me to have some $$$. At the initial delivery of late August, I felt it was too late to back out. Now with another 2 months (and possibly more, who knows), I'm thinking of better flexibility with my bank account.
Luckbad, sorry to hear that you kicked off your other amps for this. At least I have a Schiit Vali.
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I was considering dropping out, but the value of the amp has kept me in.
The weak Aussie dollar has made the Mojo 2 cost $1700. The Liquid Carbon only cost me $960 including shipping. The Mojo 2 is my only real alternative (needs to drive HD800's and LCD-X's and be paired up with a Gumby) and it's almost twice the price now.
I've got a Vali, Valhalla 2 and the balanced outputs on the M-DAC in the meantime.
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Luckbad, I totally understand why you would cancel. Getting all the puzzle pieces ready for that last piece, only to have it delayed another month is sooo frustrating. If I had anything else lined up, I would probably bail, too.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) I have no other gear to sell. I got computers and a 20-year old Nakamichi AV Receiver (20+ lb toroidal transformer!). I had planned a slow entry, but jumped in impulsively on the Carbon. HE560, Gumby, and Liquid Carbon are going to be my first pieces of gear. Waiting for Gumby to be announced worked in my favor, but then Schiit also announced Mjolnir2. Gumby/Mjolnir2 stack is sooo tempting and fit together so aesthetically...
EDIT:
*stands up, puts his hat over his heart* RANDOLPH SCOTT
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Yeah I'm close to backing out myself. I don't have another desktop amp so I need one asap. But this is one of the cheapest amps I currently want. So I'm in for now but if the hd650s hit ~$300 im out and I'll just get a Valhalzsla 2. Around the same price
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I'm really thinking of canceling and getting a Mjolnir 2 at this point but I do want it to be an amp I can live with for a few years. The Mjolnir seems to be endgame if you do want both tube and solid state in one...
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Yeah, I think I'll bail. Not like I need the amp, but I agreed to purchase one if the price was right.
I still would, but it doesn't look like I'll have my LC until next year or so. Might as well allocate fundings toward other pieces of the puzzle now.
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All the bailers and here I just joined yesterday. Planning to pair with a HD800 future purchase.
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All the bailers and here I just joined yesterday. Planning to pair with a HD800 future purchase.
Add me to the bailers as well. (You just moved up one in queue.) I actually ordered it to have a transportable amplifier for late September/October travel (and then for more travel from Thanksgiving through New Years for the holidays). I feel a bit bad about it, especially because of how excellent the good Doc's work is and how great the communication with the company has been.
It makes me happy that I picked up Valentin's ALO amp so I'll have something on the go in the coming months.
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I'm still in for now. :money:
To be honest that new board pic looked awesome and kept me from backing out.
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Yeah, I'm of the same sentiment as Austin. I originally wanted a Carbon as a travel amp, but the recent delays would mean I won't have it until next year or so.
I need to apologize to the good Doc for this, but well, another 2-3 months out exceeds my patience. Haha. I have been on the pre-order since April.
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The delay is not an issue for me. I'm not in a hurry to get it. I've got other amps to tide me over.
Still excited about this amp. It's gonna be neat.
I'm optimistic that I'll be able to listen to it while I visit the parents over Christmas. If not, I've got other amps that I can use.
I hope a bunch of people don't try to cancel their order because of this.
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I would've kept my pre-order if they didn't already have my money. $600 tied up indefinitely is unacceptable.
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I will say the amp was a good pairing with the Ether when I heard it. If I didn't have financial reasons and wanted a good sounding ortho amp under $1k, this would definitely be a purchase for me. I really like the form factor as well.
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I hope a bunch of people don't try to cancel their order because of this.
I hope not also. If they don't sell out by later in the year, I may still pick one up just because it's a great amplifier.
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I get it when I get it. Yeah, I'm bummed about the delay. But there really isn't anything catching my interest at the same price point anyways. The LC has always been just a planned stop gap, till I can afford an awesome tube amp
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I will say the amp was a good pairing with the Ether when I heard it. If I didn't have financial reasons and wanted a good sounding ortho amp under $1k, this would definitely be a purchase for me. I really like the form factor as well.
For someone with HD800's, HD650's and LCD-X's, do you think the LC would be on a similar level to the Mojo 2? I'm looking for an amp that can drive dynamics and orthos well!
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A few months delay is nothing. I have many thousands of $$$ tied up in a project that has been in the works for FIVE YEARS. Yes 5 yrs. It will be well worth the wait when the designers have finished. Both the LC and the project I mention.
As for those thinking the LC is a stopgap on the way to another amp I'll say this. I own a few awesome tube amps. I am still investing in an LC for reasons that this will be a special balanced amplifier by its own right, never mind the price or other amps.
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Just a general comment and observation, not directed at anyone's specific circumstance. Seems to me as of three years ago audiophiles were much more patient waiting for product release. I don't know if it's an influx of brick and mortar buyers or the rise of the #twitter generation leading to this sense of instant gratification and fulfillment. The BHSE and GSX waits were (are?) epic. The Fiio X3/5 was in development for years. JH3A was a fiasco. CEntrance M8 didn't happen over night. The paradigm shift has been obvious to me.
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I had planned a slow entry, but jumped in impulsively on the Carbon. HE560, Gumby, and Liquid Carbon are going to be my first pieces of gear.
That's one helluva combo for your 'first pieces of gear.' I've owned a very healthy number of well regarded DACs/amps/phones over the last few years (many pieces that I've purchased multiple times.. i.e. HD800, HD650, HE-560, LCD-2, Leck amps, etc.). There's only four full sized, open phones that interest me at this point in my journey: HD650, HD800, HE-560, and the Code-X.
-The Code-X is exceedingly hard to find (and a bit out of my price range when it does come up).
-The HD800 is picky with mastering.. and I listen to a pretty wide array of music/recording quality. None of it would sound horrible on the HD800.. but a good portion of it would certainly sound average enough to be annoying. I'm also not interested in gimping the HD800's technical abilities to let it 'play nice' with less-than-ideally recorded music. Also, I sense that nothing less than the Black Widow (ss) or a Torpedo III would satisfy me for amping purposes (the former being financially unfeasible atm since we're in the middle of buying a new home and the latter not being released yet.. and potentially beyond the $1K mark when the price is announced).
-That leaves the HD650 & HE-560. The 560 is my choice for orthos.. the 650 my choice for dynamics. I want to only keep one pair (but my desire for strengths of each of the two technologies is proving tough for me to decide between either.. and I've owned both these phones no less than three times and heard them off excellent rigs.. so I'm quite familiar with their abilities).
If I go the ortho route, I plan for the rig you've mentioned to be my last rig for the foreseeable future. The Gumby is already decided upon. The LC is what I plan to pair with an ortho.. but it sounds like it could sound very good with the 650, as well (even though I prefer tubes with the 650).
The 560 I'm using now is the third one I've owned.. and this pair is one from a very recent production run. I like it more than the last two pairs I've owned.. b/c it's the most linear sounding of the three I've owned. This shouldn't be entirely surprising given HFM's penchant for less than optimal QC'ing of phones that are relatively early (and sometimes, midway) in their production maturity. I think you'll be very happy with this combo.. I'm banking on it myself, as well.. hopefully it's worth the wait.
I don't have another desktop amp so I need one asap. But this is one of the cheapest amps I currently want. So I'm in for now but if the hd650s hit ~$300 im out and I'll just get a Valhalzsla 2. Around the same price
I'm in a very similar situation. I'm currently making due with the Geek Out 450 powering my HE-560.. then, the (hopefully?) soon to arrive GOv2+ Infinity to get me to until the LC's released. The latest delay on the LC is definitely a downer, but the Cavalli reputation (and near universal praise for this amp under the $1K mark) is keeping me committed.
I'm conflicted on a phone to settle on (HE-560 or HD650) and that's throwing a bit of a wrench on what my amp will be. If I decide to opt for the HD650 (AGAIN!).. I'm torn between sticking it out for the LC, going with a Valhalla 2, or the (soon to be released?) Torpedo III (OJ.. if your offer to build it for me still stands.. I'll take you up on it!). Trusted ears tell me the 650 sounds magnificent on the LC.. but I'm unsure if it'll have the microdynamic performance I crave for the 650 (the MisterRogers-customized Cavalli CTH and Valhalla 2 deliver this). Ideally, I'd like to have both the 560 & 650 and just use the LC.. but the pull of a good, CS-approved tube amp for high impedance Senns is too strong.. and I don't have the cashflow, space, (or desire) to keep two full sized phones and two desktop amps around.
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Just a general comment and observation, not directed at anyone's specific circumstance. Seems to me as of three years ago audiophiles were much more patient waiting for product release. I don't know if it's an influx of brick and mortar buyers or the rise of the #twitter generation leading to this sense of instant gratification and fulfillment. The BHSE and GSX waits were (are?) epic. The Fiio X3/5 was in development for years. JH3A was a fiasco. CEntrance M8 didn't happen over night. The paradigm shift has been obvious to me.
I was in on the CEntrance M8 wait, and that started getting a bit unruly as timelines slipped.
especially when a key feature: 24/96 output from a iPhone wasn't delivered (as initially intended) in the end.
(some chip vs. Apple compatibility / USB problem)
ah well, sold my M8 after a year and moved onto better....
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I don't mind waiting if they don't have my money in full. Shady people could be investing that money like a bank or some crap. Cavalli doesn't seem shady, but some places sure do.
I spent months watching the Liquid Carbon and kept hoping the pre-order link would just go the hell away. It never did, so I finally bit. I didn't realize I'd be giving them $600 for nothing. This isn't Kickstarter.
Once it's out or has a firm date--if it's still the same price--I'll get it. Or I'll buy a used one. Or I won't do either.
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Just a general comment and observation, not directed at anyone's specific circumstance. Seems to me as of three years ago audiophiles were much more patient waiting for product release. I don't know if it's an influx of brick and mortar buyers or the rise of the #twitter generation leading to this sense of instant gratification and fulfillment. The BHSE and GSX waits were (are?) epic. The Fiio X3/5 was in development for years. JH3A was a fiasco. CEntrance M8 didn't happen over night. The paradigm shift has been obvious to me.
Or perhaps it's because the economy is much worse now than it was 3 years ago?
Also, I'd guess a part of the paranoid (even though it doesn't apply to me at all) is because some people have been "taught" to be more impatient... what with however long they have had to deal with some of LH campaigns.
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For someone with HD800's, HD650's and LCD-X's, do you think the LC would be on a similar level to the Mojo 2? I'm looking for an amp that can drive dynamics and orthos well!
I'm also wondering about this, if anyone has any thoughts about it. In my case, it's LC vs BW for Paradox & HD600.
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Personally I think the Mojo2 is more transparent. Keep in mind my warning that you must use it with balanced headphones otherwise you are wasting your money. If you want to stay single-ended stay with the LC.
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Personally I think the Mojo2 is more transparent. Keep in mind my warning that you must use it with balanced headphones otherwise you are wasting your money. If you want to stay single-ended stay with the LC.
Does the LC balanced not make enough of a difference?
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Does the LC balanced not make enough of a difference?
I'm only referring to the LC in balanced output. I don't use TRS jacks unless I have to.
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Does the LC balanced not make enough of a difference?
I think Anax is talking about how the Mojo2's SE output is worse relative to the balanced out, and you wouldn't be getting as much of a performance upgrade as you would over the LC than if you were using balanced outs.
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Thx
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Anax, speaking of the Mojo2 and LC comparison, I've been considering cancelling the LC order for a Mojo2 with glass tubes. What are your thoughts on where they stand tonally, since you mentioned earlier that the Mojo2 is more transparent?
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That's one helluva combo for your 'first pieces of gear.'
Even as an "objectivist", there is a minimum quality and engineering necessary for everything to level out. I figured if I hit 85-90% then I should be quite happy with the sound. I've never been the type to sell off gear and I must find upgrades compelling. I truly expect to be listening to the Gumby and Liquid Carbon 10+ years from now. Might have another set of headphones, but only due to wear and tear.
-That leaves the HD650 & HE-560. The 560 is my choice for orthos.. the 650 my choice for dynamics. I want to only keep one pair (but my desire for strengths of each of the two technologies is proving tough for me to decide between either.. and I've owned both these phones no less than three times and heard them off excellent rigs.. so I'm quite familiar with their abilities).
I would buy and keep both rather then keep going in the cycle; 3 cycles!
If I go the ortho route, I plan for the rig you've mentioned to be my last rig for the foreseeable future. The Gumby is already decided upon. The LC is what I plan to pair with an ortho.. but it sounds like it could sound very good with the 650, as well (even though I prefer tubes with the 650).
From all the impressions, Liquid Carbon seems to be well received and seems to work well with both headphones. Of course, I'm biased. I think 1 good DAC and 1 good Amp with enough power is good for me. On the other hand, cans are where you get major differences in color, so having more than 1 set of cans seems appropriate to me.
I've ordered all the parts to make balanced cables for my HE560 and balanced XLR interconnects between a Gumby & Carbon. I plan on running all balanced. Cables from source...I know I can't make a TOSLINK, and I'm afraid that any USB 2.0 cable I make won't be USB 2.0, so those I'm buying from Blue Jeans.
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Anax, speaking of the Mojo2 and LC comparison, I've been considering cancelling the LC order for a Mojo2 with glass tubes. What are your thoughts on where they stand tonally, since you mentioned earlier that the Mojo2 is more transparent?
That's going to depend a lot on the tubes. If someone wants an easier listening amp sound that's solid on the macro dynamics with a decent amount of well implemented warmth, the LC is pretty solid. If one is more of a resolution whore, needs greater tonal contrasts to feel their music come alive and involve them in a more actively engaging way, go for the Mojo2. At least that's my take.
Hope that helps.
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You just sold me on the Mj2 Anax. Cheers.
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Same - ordered the MJ2 from A2A ($1649 AUD, LOL, but what can you do...)
Seeing as I'm using expensive dynamics and orthos, I need something that can do it all. The hybrid Mojo2 looks like it's the one. I got both the LISST and 6BZ7 tubes, but I get the feeling that I'll primarily be sticking with the 6BZ7's, even for the orthos.
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Same - ordered the MJ2 from A2A ($1649 AUD, LOL, but what can you do...)
Seeing as I'm using expensive dynamics and orthos, I need something that can do it all. The hybrid Mojo2 looks like it's the one. I got both the LISST and 6BZ7 tubes, but I get the feeling that I'll primarily be sticking with the 6BZ7's, even for the orthos.
Very nice. I wonder how the Mjolnir 2 (balanced) will stack up to the Valhalla 2 with the HD800s and HD650s. Since the Sennheisers prefer voltage to current, would it be a pretty close toss-up? Would the Val2 still be better? I know that for planars the Mjolnir 2 will likely leap right over the Val2, but the performance potentiality is less clear to me with high Z dynamics, even when running balanced through the Mjo2.
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Haven't heard the Valhalla 2 in a while but the way Jason talked about it the mojo2 is sort of like a balance lyr/"hey your got some lyr in my mojo"
Also maybe new thread?
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Very nice. I wonder how the Mjolnir 2 (balanced) will stack up to the Valhalla 2 with the HD800s and HD650s. Since the Sennheisers prefer voltage to current, would it be a pretty close toss-up? Would the Val2 still be better? I know that for planars the Mjolnir 2 will likely leap right over the Val2, but the performance potentiality is less clear to me with high Z dynamics, even when running balanced through the Mjo2.
A lot of people have been wondering about just this very thing. (I think Hands was the first one who asked about it almost immediately after the SchiitShow.)
There's about a 95% chance that I'll pick up a Mojo2 at the end of the month when I send in my Gungnir in for the multibit upgrade. If I do, I'll make sure to compare it to the Val 2 directly with the HD800 and HD650.
Also maybe new thread?
And yep, if a mod could split this off into a Mojo2 discussion thread - or Mojo2/Liquid Carbon comparison thread, that would rock.
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A lot of people have been wondering about just this very thing. (I think Hands was the first one who asked about it almost immediately after the SchiitShow.)
There's about a 95% chance that I'll pick up a Mojo2 at the end of the month when I send in my Gungnir in for the multibit upgrade. If I do, I'll make sure to compare it to the Val 2 directly with the HD800 and HD650.
And yep, if a mod could split this off into a Mojo2 discussion thread - or Mojo2/Liquid Carbon comparison thread, that would rock.
I just hunted down this thread looking for this exact info. Guess I might be on the jumping bandwagon as well.
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Cavalli updated the carbon thread
http://www.head-fi.org/t/762722/cavalli-audio-liquid-carbon-now-available
First a comment on the first update. I am really digging the look of the black pcb. Not that I'm prejudiced against the green pcb board but that black pcb board is stylish and it shows the attention to detail that cavalli puts into his work, even the budget stuff, as it lines up with the design of the exterior. Real Steve Jobs "attention to detail" shit. Wondet if cavalli will hire a brittish guy with a thesaurus to explain to us why its so awsome.
Second machining the amp panels out of a chunk of aluminum rather than pouring the metal into a mold, on a budget amp! :-DD Don't know how much more expensive it is, but I think more work goes into the former process.
Both updates impress me, while doing these things is common for some products (*cough IPHONE *cough) I would think that a "budget amp" wouldn't have it just because I think the bottom line wouldn't allow it. Overall cool to know.
*other stuff too but meh to lazy to double check other stuff.
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Second machining the amp panels out of a chunk of aluminum rather than pouring the metal into a mold, on a budget amp! :-DD Don't know how much more expensive it is, but I think more work goes into the former process.
Looks like the panels are simply cut and CNC'd from a thick Al sheet. The milling is not particularly extensive... only two maybe three bits used. All things considered, not that expensive as your costs are basically just machine shop time.
Casting molten metal into that shape would be much more costly. Initial investment would be very high in the creation of the molds. Heating metal up to molten state is also relatively expensive (consider this: it is sometimes cheaper to transport molten metal from the refinery to the manufacturing/casting plant because it costs so much to reheat and melt). Casting quality in a thin sheet is also quite terrible and you can have porosity or warping or slag tainting the material. Even if you could get the casting to come out relatively clean and uniform (more $$), the crystal structure is gonna be crapola and inconsistent because the molten material that hits the surface first cools very quickly while the remainder cools more slowly. You can fix that by with post heat treatments, again more $$. Finally, you'll have to actually finish the surface, so you're paying machine shop time anyways.
Die casting would be better/more consistent quality (basically a metal injection mold), but that initial setup cost is even higher. Drop forging or similar could be cheaper in huge quantities, but you'd still need to machine the holes.
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You can still make small molds of appropriate size, then laser the appropriate holes, and slice into sheets.