I might do that what are some good dynamic pairings with the LAu.

How is the build quality on these? Anyone got some good pictures from the inside of their own unit?

As the heatsinks are directly screwed in to the chassis it's not as simple as popping the top like many amps.  Alex posted some internal shots, I believe the differences with production are just jack changes though I could be wrong.  When I had it the build struck me as nice, clean, minimalist, and substantial. Can't comment on internals as I never opened it up.

muppetface said:

  I'm pretty sure DefCon knew how much the LAu costs. If he didn't, a quick Google search or trip to the Cavalli website would surely be quicker than asking here and waiting for a reply.
 
Makes me wonder if he and Dubstep, the dynamic duo of thread crapping these days, aren't just trolling.

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Someone had to say what everyone's thinking. 
 
What I really want is a real comparison between this and the GS-X.....not a comparison with a short listen at a meet and then pounds every thread that mentions the LAu with unreliable comments about performance (what's been assessed under meet conditions with limited time) and price bashing.  Cavalli products obviously isn't chump change (but there are somewhat valid reasons for the high price....mainly the limited numbers of production and how much custom work goes into them) but the 2 dynamic amps I have had extensive experience with (Liquid Fire and Liquid Glass) have been very good.  I don't think the Liquid Fire holds up to the more "current" amps in the same price range but it is a very nice amp in its own right especially @ the time it came out.  Liquid Glass has been an absolute joy and even though I have the GS-X/Stratus incoming.....I am not exactly counting the days as I'm busy enjoying the Liquid Glass with some nice NOS 6sn7 sets of glass.  Alex seems to have a real knack for hybrid amps....I look forward to finding time to try out the LAu in due time (when I free up my schedule) as Darin here in San Diego has been very kind to offer an audition.

radio_head said:

  As the heatsinks are directly screwed in to the chassis it's not as simple as popping the top like many amps.  Alex posted some internal shots, I believe the differences with production are just jack changes though I could be wrong.  When I had it the build struck me as nice, clean, minimalist, and substantial. Can't comment on internals as I never opened it up.

Click to expand...

 
That's a bummer then - some pictures of the inside of an actual production unit would be nice. Surely, someone in here must have opened his / her unit up anyway? (Or does it break if you open it / loosen those heatsinks for a moment?)

It won't break if you open it.  Most LAu owners here aren't active posters, (I think there are maybe three active posters among 30 LAu owners here) so that's probably why we haven't seen internal shots.  Are you interested in purchasing one of these amps?  Alex may still have a tour unit going around.

radio_head said:

  It won't break if you open it.  Most LAu owners here aren't active posters, (I think there are maybe three active posters among 30 LAu owners here) so that's probably why we haven't seen internal shots.  Are you interested in purchasing one of these amps?  Alex may still have a tour unit going around.

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I'm curious at this point, so I'd like to see what's inside of an unit that someone here has bought and enjoyed the sound from.

If your profile is at all current, that's a huge jump in cost for your amp.  Something like a Liquid Glass might be more prudent, especially as it's having its run earlier than the Lau. It's really good with a variety of vintage orthos, and pictures are plentiful at various stages of production for the curious. I personally find it to be the sweet spot in CA's lineup, with the LAu too rich for my blood as a headphone-only amp and the LF not his best effort.

It would be nice to see some guts. I would have thought purrin would'a popped the top off by now. 

He does get a brief shot of the innards here, but it's very hard to see anything on account of the lighting and environment.

ROFL!! Didn't see that one coming

Say, does anybody have any updates on the Cavalli portable?

radio_head said:

  He does get a brief shot of the innards here, but it's very hard to see anything on account of the lighting and environment.

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Shenanigans from a hooligan, why did I expect better. 

radio_head said:

He does get a brief shot of the innards here, but it's very hard to see anything on account of the lighting and environment.

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... Made my day.

sensui123 said:

Someone had to say what everyone's thinking. 

What I really want is a real comparison between this and the GS-X.....not a comparison with a short listen at a meet and then pounds every thread that mentions the LAu with unreliable comments about performance (what's been assessed under meet conditions with limited time) and price bashing.  Cavalli products obviously isn't chump change (but there are somewhat valid reasons for the high price....mainly the limited numbers of production and how much custom work goes into them) but the 2 dynamic amps I have had extensive experience with (Liquid Fire and Liquid Glass) have been very good.  I don't think the Liquid Fire holds up to the more "current" amps in the same price range but it is a very nice amp in its own right especially @ the time it came out.  Liquid Glass has been an absolute joy and even though I have the GS-X/Stratus incoming.....I am not exactly counting the days as I'm busy enjoying the Liquid Glass with some nice NOS 6sn7 sets of glass.  Alex seems to have a real knack for hybrid amps....I look forward to finding time to try out the LAu in due time (when I free up my schedule) as Darin here in San Diego has been very kind to offer an audition.

Click to expand...

Someone need to pull Gavin down from his HEX+LAu+Abyss/LCD3/TH900/HD800 audio nirvana and post some more impressions.