Cavalli Compact Tube Hybrid Amp -- A Review - Page 2

No bad - just goes to show listening to the amp you'd never know

Yes, but the switching supply is only for the heater voltage. Cfcubed did a superb job designing this and giving it both 6.3V and 12.6V settings.

The LV and HV supplies come from simple rectification and regulation or a voltage multiplier. All the needed supplies come from a single 24VAC wall wart.

Nice review. Looks like I might have to build one.

You should

Except I suck at casework........I'd probably want some pre-fabbed front and rear panels as well.

Its not that hard with the plastic end caps believe me.. just do a pilot punch and go at it with the right bit sizes and a hand drill..half an hour to make the front and rear panels really..

Yeah, it looks horrendously small and complex inside but it sounds great. I'm looking forward to doing one. I might need to get one of those magnifying hoods first, my eyes are crappy

Wanted to add my thanks for the nice review!
Yes, thanks runeight... The SMPS bit came up @ the NYC meet too

• A few knowing runeight expressed their surprise at a switcher in a Cavalli design. Quickly clarified that its for heater circuit only, the amp's other supply designs (HV, LV) are similar to what we've come to love from Alex Rationale & advantages of this and other designs are on the official CTH site.
• I knew this would happen if anyone gave such a tiny amp a try... Most everyone listening to this amp stayed with it longer than one would with an amp they didn't enjoy. Esp. with SO many other "big guns" to listen to @ the meet. Search this site for cth+amazing or cth+bass and you'll see some comments.

When I was around & noticed someone listening to one of the CTHs I tried to make sure they held it in their hand... To really notice the light weight, small size & reasonable temps of the amp:

Obvious, but there many ways to build it to support other pots, i/o jacks, DAC integration, etc.


As little as my bias could be having had a part in the design/devel of this amp, from my somewhat brief impressions of other kits @ the NYC meet, one might have to spend a multiple of the cost of this amp to do "noticeably better". Take this for what it worth (perhaps not much ), but as a builder there are 2 other DIY amp designs I'm considering for next winter, both of which will cost far more than this amp; the β22 or Bijou. And the CTH is so revealing I'm having to do something about my sources first

a little thread revival here... anyone know how this amp sounds compared to a hifiman ef5?  or at least any speculation based on how the two are designed??

 

ive heard the CTH is a dream with the Thunderpants, and at the price the CTH go for id be willing to give it a whirl.. if I could find one.. Building one myself is totally out of the question...