Hey Vinnie, loving the look of this thing.  

dusk said:

Hey Vinnie! would adding a phono stage help at all for headphones if all I'm using is USB in from a mbp?

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No phono stage is for turntables, you need either headphones amp or speakers amp plus 4 pin XLR to speakers taps adapter cable and of course your headphones cable should have 4 pin XLR termination

All,
 

(From SoCal CanJam - photo credit goes to headfi'er longbowbbs)
 
 
A few weeks ago we were at SoCal CanJam with LIO.  Here are some impressions (with links) from the feedback thread:
 
wotts

 In a previous post I talked about the LIO. I was really impressed with the unit and am looking to try one out in my main system. The HE-560 off the speaker taps was quite good, but even from the hp out it sang. The modular design and isolation from the AC mains makes the LIO very tempting. 

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http://www.head-fi.org/t/758649/canjam-socal-2015-impressions-thread/810#post_11480332
 
adamaley

 One vendor I failed to mention was Vinnie Rossi's LIO. I've owned at least 5 of Vinnie's components over the years, mostly for a long-gone speaker system and have always been a fan.His new LIO modular, ultracapacitor stacked audio system was very impressive with the HE-560 it was paired with. There was the usual solid palpable body to the images, but what I noticed the most was the impressive bass, and soundstaging that far exceeded that of the Isabellina HPA, which I owned a couple of years ago. I couldn't evaluate the black background benefits the ultracapacitors bring to the table over batteries due to noisy show conditions. Unfortunately I couldn't audition my LCD-3Cs on this because I didn't have the balanced adaptor for my cable. This is also a system I would like to explore further since it has the ability to push ~45W (if I remember correctly) into speakers and it will be one to consider for a dual Headphone/Speaker system. It was also great to meet the man himself and his lovely wife. 

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http://www.head-fi.org/t/758649/canjam-socal-2015-impressions-thread/840#post_11484132
 
matt8268

 Vinnie was there to help showcase the ALO CDM, since he helped design it. He also brought his new LIO ultracapacitor-based modular system. I listened to the HE560 (I think?) he had hooked up to it, and this amp is a beast! It simply manhandled those cans. So much life and PRAT to the music. Yet so perfectly pure and clear. I was really blown away…I only wish I had a quiet environment to have experienced it. I’m curious if others had a chance to hear the LIO and what they thought, as to me it sounded way better than a lot of the much hyped amp/dac gear I had read so much about.

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http://www.head-fi.org/t/758649/canjam-socal-2015-impressions-thread/510#post_11464552
 
 
I skimmed the thread and might have missed some (with apologies if I did, and please feel free to add them!), but I want to thank everyone who stopped by to listen to LIO and say hello, and those who posted your impressions!
 
 
Steve Guttenberg (The Audiophiliac / CNET) also recently posted this on his facebook page.  He is in the process of reviewing a fully-loaded LIO with tubestage:
 
Quote: Steve Guttenberg

The Vinnie Rossi LIO integrated amp's balanced headphone amp is a thing of wonder. It's super transparent, and still has oodles of soul. 

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https://www.facebook.com/steve.guttenberg.5/posts/996056787088734?fref=nf
 
 
Next shows! 
 
- AXPONA (next week!).  Home audio Room 336 with Harbeth Speakers
 
- New York Headfi Meet (May 2nd).  Mr. Speakers is lending me some ETHERs for my LIO!
 
- Fujiya Avic (Tokyo headphone festival, May 16-17) - with ALO Audio
 
- T.H.E. Show Newport Beach (May 29 - 31)
 
There will be others later this year (NY, RMAF, etc)
 
 
Other LIO reviews lined up for this year:
 
- DAR (John Darko)
- Stereophile (Herb Reichert)
- The Absolute Sound (Steven Stone)
- Headphone.Guru (Frank I.)
- more...
 
Website updates are happening, and don't forgot to check out our forum:
 
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=46
 
 
New modules are in the works - sorry for the delay.  It's been BUSY!
 
Thanks again for all your feedback, posts, questions, etc.  Keep 'em coming!
 
Vinnie

I own LIO which has Dac, headphones amp and AVC with tube module and it sounds really excellent driving my Max134 moded HD800 and it's most musical and analogue sound I have ever heard. For the best results I would encourage at least all Windows users to try HQPlayer which for me beats foobar and j River but be aware it will reveal every single weakness of the recording playing but also will show how great properly recorded and mastered record is. Thanks Vinnie for finally having a high end product where you paying just for what you need while still able to add additional features if ever need them

olegausany said:

I own LIO which has Dac, headphones amp and AVC with tube module and it sounds really excellent driving my Max134 moded HD800 and it's most musical and analogue sound I have ever heard. For the best results I would encourage at least all Windows users to try HQPlayer which for me beats foobar and j River but be aware it will reveal every single weakness of the recording playing but also will show how great properly recorded and mastered record is. Thanks Vinnie for finally having a high end product where you paying just for what you need while still able to add additional features if ever need them

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Ya, I'm looking forward to throwing audirvana+ at this thing from my Mac.

I only heard music playing from mac at the meets only so can't comment but would still recommend to try HQPlayer too and report how it compares

All,
 
I hope to see many of you at the NY Headfi Meet this Saturday!
 
I'll have a fully-loaded LIO (with AVC and RVC/Tubestage modules to compare), and
Dan at Mr. Speakers is letting me borrow a pair of ETHER's with 4-pin XLR. 
 
I'll have my Macbook Air as a source USB out), and I have the external CD drive in case some
of you want to bring CD's to demo (how retro! ).
 
See you there!
 
Vinnie

vinnie r. said:

All,
 
I hope to see many of you at the NY Headfi Meet this Saturday!
 
I'll have a fully-loaded LIO (with AVC and RVC/Tubestage modules to compare), and
Dan at Mr. Speakers is letting me borrow a pair of ETHER's with 4-pin XLR. 

 
I'll have my Macbook Air as a source USB out), and I have the external CD drive in case some
of you want to bring CD's to demo (how retro!

).
 
See you there!
 
Vinnie

Click to expand...

Thanks for great news, will be interesting to compare Ether to modded HD800 especially with non stock tubes

Digital Audio Review (DAR) review of LIO - "KO"mpleted!

 
See:

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2015/04/vinnie-rossi-lio-review-part-1-ultracapacitor-power/

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2015/05/vinnie-rossi-lio-review-part-2-modularity/
 
The review concludes with a DAR-KO award for LIO! 
 

 
I want to give a big THANK YOU to John Darko of DAR for all his time and effort in reviewing LIO, making
detailed comparisons to other gear to give the reader how the LIO modules compete (and offer BIG value!),
as well as taking striking pictures, like this one:
 

 
And some more great photos of LIO by DAR:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Congrats! Looking strong!

And sounds great with Ether

Really looking forward to getting mine and spending a lot of time with it, Vinnie.

Thanks, guys!
 

 Really looking forward to getting mine and spending a lot of time with it, Vinnie.

Click to expand...

 
Check the tracking - it should be in your hands any day now
 
 
All,
 
We are leaving this week to the Tokyo Headphone Show.  I will be sure to post pics.  First time in Japan - very excited!
 
 

 
 

 
[Special thanks to Sasaki san (http://www.head-fi.org/u/27985/sasaki) for the translation to Japanese!]
 
Vinnie

It's time for a long overdue update:
 
  
(T.H.E. Show Newport Beach 2015)                             (Tokyo Headphone Festival 2015)
 

 ​

Show...and tell!​

 

LIO a hit at T.H.E. Show, Newport​

We’re back from T.H.E. Newport Beach Show 2015 where LIO earned nothing but high marks from the press, and even more interest from show attendees.  We want to thank everyone who visited us and gave LIO a good listen – now you know how LIO redefines performance and innovation in its price class, and beyond!

We showed LIO with Harbeth's outstanding Super HL5Plus loudspeakers with the Palmer Model 2.5 turntable, and the system's sound was simply stunning. But don't take my word for it, see what people who were there had to say:​

"…the new Vinnie Rossi LIO integrated amp would be my early pick for the best sound of Newport 2015."​

Herb Reichert, Stereophile
 

“By far the most innovative single amp, preamp, and integrated amp I came across at the show was this hybrid unit, the LIO Modular, designed by one Vinnie Rossi.”
 
“Most Significant Product Introduction:  Vinnie Rossi’s LIO modular integrated amplifier.” 
Paul Seydor, The Absolute Sound
 
 
“Awe inspiring and terrific tonality.”
 
 

Frank Iacone, Headphone Guru​

 
 

Have you seen our updated website?

It’s been updated with more information, a cleaner layout, and pre-configured units that make it easy to choose the right LIO for you!
 

 
BTW - Steve Guttenberg of CNET.com (The Audiophiliac Blog) will be posting his review of LIO later this month.
Stay tuned, because he mentioned that he's been testing it with The Abyss, HiFi Man HE-1000, Mr. Speakers ETHER,
and others...

Congrats Vinnie! How are the new modules and standalone amp coming along? Can you give us an indication on the time frame?