Cavalli Audio • 2017 Line-Up • Questions & Updates

[Stillhart]

Alex is obviously very aware of the potential problems from having active cooling in the amp.  I trust him to come up with a workable solution that doesn't degrade the sound of a $6k amp.

 

[Stillhart]

I have not heard that thing but I concur...having fans on that unit is not a good idea but maybe there's a reason to it and only Alex could explain.

But SE only first batch is a no go for me. I uses my LAu strictly in balanced mode and I would hate to re-terminate all my cables for this.

 
The amp actually has only XLR ports on it so reterminating won't be an issue.  Also, not that it matters in this case, but you can use an adapter when you're going from balanced cable to SE amp, you just can't in the other direction.

 

[Toolman]

The first version of the tungsten will only be SE.

OK...just so I'm not confused the initial version will be without a balanced XLR port?

 

[pippen99]

I have not heard that thing but I concur...having fans on that unit is not a good idea but maybe there's a reason to it and only Alex could clarify.

But seriously...SE only first batch is a no go for me. I uses my LAu strictly in balanced mode and I would hate to re-terminate all my cables for this.

I thought it was kind of cool looking also.  Obviously I don't know the ins and outs of amplifier design, but I don't understand the need for fans either.  The Ragnarok puts out so much heat I am surprised no one has reported mirages over the top.  My WA5 is a secondary heat source for my bedroom on cold nights and my Lau is a solid state fireplace with a headphone output.  None of those have fans! Go figure.  For $100 dollars Trevor will make you an absolutely gorgeous Draug 1/4 adaptor.  That is what I use when moving back and forth between amps.

 

[Stillhart]

OK...just so I'm not confused the initial version will be without a balanced XLR port?

 
The amp circuitry is single-ended.  The output where you plug your headphone in is an XLR port.  Think of it as an adapter that's built right into the amp.

 

[Toolman]

OK...just so I'm not confused the initial version will be without a balanced XLR port?

The amp circuitry is single-ended.  The output where you plug your headphone in is an XLR port.  Think of it as an adapter that's built right into the amp.

Haha...obviously I've not actually seen or heard the LW...was hoping that it will show up during CanJam SG but unfortunately it went MIA

 

[Toolman]

For $100 dollars Trevor will make you an absolutely gorgeous Draug 1/4 adaptor.  That is what I use when moving back and forth between amps.

Oh adapters I have plenty but that's not exactly my point here. These adapters can be cumbersome and degrade the sound to a certain extend, so if I could avoid using them, I would and I should!

But it looks like I'll need to hold on to my LAu for a little bit longer until a proper balanced LW is out

 

[buke9]

I have not heard that thing but I concur...having fans on that unit is not a good idea but maybe there's a reason to it and only Alex could clarify.

But seriously...SE only first batch is a no go for me. I uses my LAu strictly in balanced mode and I would hate to re-terminate all my cables for this.

It is balanced out for headphones so no need to re terminate cables. The Tungsten is the best Cavalli amp I've heard and that is most of them.

 

[444906]

I'm curious about the two "middle-ground" prototypes. The "Ambience" in particular. How would it compare versus the LC 2.0 for those that have heard it? Is it balanced with the same phase splitter of the Carbon?

 

[runeight]

The "Ambience" is purely SE, so does not use a phase splitter. Also, it is a tube hybrid while the carbon is pure SS. Because the Carbon is balanced it makes more power than the Ambience.
 
Others, perhaps, can comment on the differences in sound.

 

[Stillhart]

I haven't had a chance to listen to them all back to back.  But I describe the sound kind of like this:  You have the Cavalli "house sound" that's the magic combo of being detailed AND musical at the same time.  Within that house sound you have stuff that's closer to the detailed side (i.e. Liquid Crimson) and closer to the musical side (i.e. Liquid Tungsten).  To my ears, the "mini Crimson" is on the detailed extreme and the "Ambiance" is on the musical extreme.  The Carbon sits in the middle somewhere.

 

[Odin412]

  I haven't had a chance to listen to them all back to back.  But I describe the sound kind of like this:  You have the Cavalli "house sound" that's the magic combo of being detailed AND musical at the same time.  Within that house sound you have stuff that's closer to the detailed side (i.e. Liquid Crimson) and closer to the musical side (i.e. Liquid Tungsten).  To my ears, the "mini Crimson" is on the detailed extreme and the "Ambiance" is on the musical extreme.  The Carbon sits in the middle somewhere.

​This is a really good description of the Cavalli house sound - it's just magical IMHO. I really enjoyed the Liquid Ambience at CanJam SoCal - it has the trademark liquid Cavalli sound with an added dose of seduction. It will be very exciting to watch this amp on its road to production.

 

[Zachik]

  I haven't had a chance to listen to them all back to back.  But I describe the sound kind of like this:  You have the Cavalli "house sound" that's the magic combo of being detailed AND musical at the same time.  Within that house sound you have stuff that's closer to the detailed side (i.e. Liquid Crimson) and closer to the musical side (i.e. Liquid Tungsten).  To my ears, the "mini Crimson" is on the detailed extreme and the "Ambiance" is on the musical extreme.  The Carbon sits in the middle somewhere.

 
Dan - how would you compare the LC to the Schiit Jotunheim?  I never spent much time with the LC... usually paying more attention to the headphones I was checking out than to the amp itself.
I am wondering whether Jot -> LC would be an upgrade, SQ wise?  or would it just be a somewhat-different-sound-signature? The Jot definitely is NOT lacking in power!!

 

[Stillhart]

   
Dan - how would you compare the LC to the Schiit Jotunheim?  I never spent much time with the LC... usually paying more attention to the headphones I was checking out than to the amp itself.
I am wondering whether Jot -> LC would be an upgrade, SQ wise?  or would it just be a somewhat-different-sound-signature? The Jot definitely is NOT lacking in power!!

 
I haven't spent a ton of time with the Jotunheim.  I do recall thinking that it sounded pretty good to my ears for a Schiit amp; I tend to find them to be a little dry/analytical in general, which probably explains why I like Cavalli amps so much.  I liked it for a Schiit amp but I've never had the opportunity to A/B with the LC.  The one thing I'll say for sure about the Jot is that the optional DAC upgrade was pretty bad (sorry, Mike!).  
 
As to whether it's an upgrade, I suspect that will depend on how much you like the flavor of the LC vs the Jot.  But without A/Bing, I can't say how they'd stack up in the technicalities.  Fortunately, both the LC and anything Schiit move VERY quickly on the classifieds here.  I suspect you could grab them both and sell the one you don't like and not lose much money, if any.

 

[Zachik]

   
I haven't spent a ton of time with the Jotunheim.  I do recall thinking that it sounded pretty good to my ears for a Schiit amp; I tend to find them to be a little dry/analytical in general, which probably explains why I like Cavalli amps so much.  I liked it for a Schiit amp but I've never had the opportunity to A/B with the LC.  The one thing I'll say for sure about the Jot is that the optional DAC upgrade was pretty bad (sorry, Mike!).  
 
As to whether it's an upgrade, I suspect that will depend on how much you like the flavor of the LC vs the Jot.  But without A/Bing, I can't say how they'd stack up in the technicalities.  Fortunately, both the LC and anything Schiit move VERY quickly on the classifieds here.  I suspect you could grab them both and sell the one you don't like and not lose much money, if any.

 
I own the Jot (with DAC) for couple months.  I was wondering whether LC is a worthwhile upgrade, or just stick to the Jot.  The DAC sounds OK to me (did not A/B it to anything) out of my desktop Windows PC.
 
IF I decide to upgrade (again, assuming it is an upgrade 

) - should I go with LC, or one of the new $1500 tubes ("Ambience") ?  ...and what DAC would YOU pair either the LC or Ambience with?