stillhart said:

Yes, definitely listen more.  When I went from SE to Balanced on the HD650/LC combo, I thought the difference was a noticeable improvement, well worth the investment in a balanced cable.  I'm curious what @warrenpchi
 will have to say about it when he finally gets around to his promised testing.

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Yes, looking forward to doing so, I'm sure the balanced is noticeably better after some comparison. I love this amp so my initial impression was a credit to the pleasant surprise of the SE output not having any glaring deficiencies, certainly not any disappointment with the balanced output, which has exceeded my high expectations.

I'm more curious about spending time comparing the LC/HD650 to the Crack/HD650 pairing and impressions from others given the Crack's reputation with the HD650.

Some variables that could have affected my initial impression that the LC/HD650 was better (1) I'm using a custom headphone cable whereas always used stock HD650 cable with the Crack, (2) excitement of using the new LC, and (3) using Pangea power cord with LC whereas always used mono price cord with the Crack. I'd be quite surprised if using the same cables/cords with the Crack changes my initial strong preference for the LC over the Crack, but nevertheless curious to compare apples to apples as much as possible. Likewise, Ive initially only played music (lossless) from iPhone>DAC>LC, whereas playing lossless music from PC on Jriver>DAC>amp has otherwise sounded better to me. Perhaps it's the LC's balanced output compared to the Crack's SE output that really does it for me.

stillhart said:

  Hearing background noise (hiss) from the SE connection isn't surprising if you've got very sensitive headphones or IEM's.  Hearing a hum is a different story...

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I have replugged, reconnected everything exactly as I had it a couple days ago.
 
No hum...odd.
 
I was playing Pono > LC > TH-X00 but still had my normal DAC plugged into the balanced inputs on the LC. Other than Pono has been recharged, there is no change. Perhaps the hum was from the low-battery Pono.

sheldaze said:

  I have replugged, reconnected everything exactly as I had it a couple days ago.
 
No hum...odd.
 
I was playing Pono > LC > TH-X00 but still had my normal DAC plugged into the balanced inputs on the LC. Other than Pono has been recharged, there is no change. Perhaps the hum was from the low-battery Pono.

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Mine has hum out of the SE without even having a source (Hugo) attached, I only have the power cord and IEM's or headphones connected to the LC.  I have now tried my SE-846, JVC FX850, and Sony MDR 750 which all have a slight hum.
 
I just ordered a pair of HD650 and will have to try SE with those as another poster said higher impedance headphones don't seem to have this hum... But I am planning on using the HD650 with a balanced cable when it get here as well.
 
I really only plan on using balanced anyways, which I am very happy with.  
I am really loving the sound from this amp. 

buttuglyjeff said:

Isolators are great for certain audio components.  The ones with moving parts...

The Liquid Carbon is so light, I'm already tugging that thing around with my headphone cable.  I could only imagine how much more "slippery" those feet could make it.  I think silicone feet are in my future.

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Odd request, but any suggestions for feet for the LC? Most I'm finding are either too big for the LC or sold in larger quantities than I need...Found these "Baby Booties," though not sure they're worth the $25 they come to w/ shipping. http://herbiesaudiolab.net/bbootie.htm

dave74 said:

  I am really loving the sound from this amp. 

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The Carbon indeed has a really good sound. I'm running balanced EL-8C, HD650, and HE-1000. I'm waiting for HD800 to show - they were supposed to show up yesterday, but anytime today...we need an emojii for waiting.
 
Hearing the HE-1000 and LC at a couple of meets is what sold me. Though I hear from a certain Dr. that my ears will be blown away by MicroZOTL2 at a meet in February   

coastal1 said:

Odd request, but any suggestions for feet for the LC? Most I'm finding are either too big for the LC or sold in larger quantities than I need...Found these "Baby Booties," though not sure they're worth the $25 they come to w/ shipping. http://herbiesaudiolab.net/bbootie.htm

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Hardware or grocery store silicon or rubber feet. Less than $5 for a bunch of them.

sheldaze said:

  The Carbon indeed has a really good sound. I'm running balanced EL-8C, HD650, and HE-1000. I'm waiting for HD800 to show - they were supposed to show up yesterday, but anytime today...we need an emojii for waiting.
 
Hearing the HE-1000 and LC at a couple of meets is what sold me. Though I hear from a certain Dr. that my ears will be blown away by MicroZOTL2 at a meet in February 

 

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Yes, I've heard him giving high praise for the ZOTL2.  I'm wondering how the Eddie Current Black Widow or Copperhead will compare to these as well.
 
[size=x-small]The waiting is tough... Canada Post was also on holiday yesterday so that [/size]didn't help I[size=x-small] am also waiting on a pair of Nighthawks I ordered on Dec. 26th, but I don't think I will be using them SE with the LC due to the hum.  I might have to get a balanced cable for them as well. [/size]
[size=x-small]I've never heard the HE-1000, but I'd imagine they would sound amazing as I love my HE-500.  But [/size]the[size=x-small] HE-1000 are now out of my budget[/size]  If I wouldn't have spent so much on mid-fi portable over the years I could have just bought a higher end HP.

coastal1 said:

Odd request, but any suggestions for feet for the LC? Most I'm finding are either too big for the LC or sold in larger quantities than I need...Found these "Baby Booties," though not sure they're worth the $25 they come to w/ shipping. http://herbiesaudiolab.net/bbootie.htm

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I'm using these.  They are fine, a little squishy but do the job.
 
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042U6ZDU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s02

dave74 said:

 
Mine has hum out of the SE without even having a source (Hugo) attached, I only have the power cord and IEM's or headphones connected to the LC.  I have now tried my SE-846, JVC FX850, and Sony MDR 750 which all have a slight hum.
 
I just ordered a pair of HD650 and will have to try SE with those as another poster said higher impedance headphones don't seem to have this hum... But I am planning on using the HD650 with a balanced cable when it get here as well.
 
I really only plan on using balanced anyways, which I am very happy with.  
I am really loving the sound from this amp. 

Click to expand...

 
Have you tried the amp plugged into a different outlet?  Amps shouldn't have hum when they're just doing nothing.
 
EDIT - For feet, I'm literally just using those foam pads that you put under your furniture's feet to keep them from scraping.  I had a bunch sitting around and figured they were better than nothing.  They're don't slide nearly as much as I'd feared.  Something like this, though not this particular one.

I have it plugged into my PS Audio Dectet.  I am using the HC (high current) receptacle, but I have also tried another receptacle on the Dectet.  I am thinking about trying it straight out of the wall receptacle.  I have a new power cord (Asylum) out for delivery today and will and experiment more once that gets here.  I'd still like to have a power conditioner for the LC though as I don't want it to get damaged from a power surge.

Mine just came in.  Delivered while I was away for Christmas.  Just plugged into my MB Bifrost DAC and playing some tunes.  Right out of the box it sounds tremendous.  Whisper quiet background.  I'll post impressions as I get more time on this and let it break in.  I'll also run from my Yggy as time allows (more time required for setup in main system).  S/N 415.  I'm glad I snagged one when I could.  Great amp.

Had the pleasure to listen to the Carbon today. A friend of mine just got it a few days ago. What a wonderful piece of equipment it is. Still not at the level of the 3x expensive Auralic Taurus but it shows comparable musicality in a very transportable size. I'm really regretting cancelling my order after communication of the September's delay from Alex. 

The LC is loads of fun and does well. I have only used it balanced with Whiplash Twau cable. The Kobiconn connector works well and I love the light weight and that it isn't heavy enough to be a weapon. lol A few things about the Kobiconn is that is light weight, offers a very short path through the connector rather than a bunch of brass, costs little and since I have used it for years now, holds up extremely well. 
 
The micro Zotl amp by comparison is extremely fine and top tier but the LC is still a great amp and very enjoyable to use.  

sheldaze said:

dave74 said:

 
I am really loving the sound from this amp. 

Click to expand...

The Carbon indeed has a really good sound. I'm running balanced EL-8C, HD650, and HE-1000. I'm waiting for HD800 to show - they were supposed to show up yesterday, but anytime today...we need an emojii for waiting.

Hearing the HE-1000 and LC at a couple of meets is what sold me. Though I hear from a certain Dr. that my ears will be blown away by MicroZOTL2 at a meet in February h34r:  

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My ears were buzzing, heh heh heh!
I did bring it to the meet in Stamford Ct not long ago (there was another there for display as well). Planning on getting to the Spring meet, but these things are always dependent on other things in my life, which sometimes interfere with playtime, but hoping I'll get to it.

1+ to Jamato8's comments...really like the LC, have it bedside, actually using it single ended mostly (have a balanced cable set up only for my HE-1000, at least that would go to the LC, do have Pono cables for my acs Encores). It actually sounds fine with the sensitive acs, likely better if I got the adapter to use it balanced, but haven't gotten to it, do use it every night, in fact, because IT IS AT THE BEDSIDE!!!!!
The ZOTL is hooked to the PC at the moment (LH Labs 2Gen usb cable, REgen, Geek Out Special Edition), have the HE-1000 there, LC is nice, ZOTL is better (not a knock on the LC, again, just how I hears it. For the money, it is a great, light amp. For the record, I did compare the balanced HE-1000 in the LC to the HEK with the ZOTL, which is only single ended, the ZOTL is better sounding, hence it's placement in my "better" system).

Well, i just received my LC in egypt, paid around 16$ customs LOL , also iam kinda sure it is the only cavalli product in egypt

I have only my LCD 2.2 balanced, so iam gonna complete burning in either with lcd or without headphones when iam not listening,

Iam using as a source either my zx2 or my x5, with x5 i use volume around 9 or 10 oclock, with zx2 i can use it maxed, both on high gain ( very big difference in power )

What initially impressed me the transparency wow just amazing its like you can see through haha, on the other side the sound is a bit thin with zx2, more full with the x5, and the highs are a bit shouty, thats like 1 day into burn in without much listening, also with different sources the sound changes clearly,

So i will just mix and match abit to reach the best combo, but its very musical and enjoyable !