triplestarfish3D
New Head-Fier
Can anyone provide a solid upgrade from the Liquid Carbons? I know the Liquid Gold is supposedly similar in tonality but I'm not sure if I can shell out that much money. Anything around ~$1500 would be appreciated.
I have a Liquid Carbon v2.0 & love it. I also have a Violectric V281 & its less expensive but still excellent cousin, the Lake People G109-A.
I've been comparing the V281 to the LC for several hours on my Fidelio X2s. I'm having trouble taking them off my head!
These amps all rock like crazy, but they also contrast each other in fascinating ways, sonically. I get something different from the Violectric products vs the LC:
- somewhat less warmth
- still that great bass, but even a bit more dynamic/concussive
- and great dynamics, top to bottom (the LC is not the last word in dynamics, though it's certainly not deficient). The V281 in particular has insane dynamics & bass, just beyond the pale.
- but the LC has slightly more 3D soundstaging, though I'm splitting hairs now.
So I would suggest 2 Violectric options:
(SE output only): Violectric V200 (~$1,000 incl. fall discount): a lot of people give this one a lot of love on Head Fi. It has a little more than 1W greater power than the LC, though unless you have and HE-6, it probably won't matter in the least (the LC drives everything I have to more quality volume than I can handle).
(SE & XLR outputs): Violectric V220 (~$1,550 incl. fall discount): This is the V281 minus preamp capability. A power monster said to sound identical to the V281--and believe me, that is a VERY GOOD thing.
Thanks for the hint.I have a Liquid Carbon v2.0 & love it. I also have a Violectric V281 & its less expensive but still excellent cousin, the Lake People G109-A.
I've been comparing the V281 to the LC for several hours on my Fidelio X2s. I'm having trouble taking them off my head!
These amps all rock like crazy, but they also contrast each other in fascinating ways, sonically. I get something different from the Violectric products vs the LC:
- somewhat less warmth
- still that great bass, but even a bit more dynamic/concussive
- and great dynamics, top to bottom (the LC is not the last word in dynamics, though it's certainly not deficient). The V281 in particular has insane dynamics & bass, just beyond the pale.
- but the LC has slightly more 3D soundstaging, though I'm splitting hairs now.
So I would suggest 2 Violectric options:
(SE output only): Violectric V200 (~$1,000 incl. fall discount): a lot of people give this one a lot of love on Head Fi. It has a little more than 1W greater power than the LC, though unless you have and HE-6, it probably won't matter in the least (the LC drives everything I have to more quality volume than I can handle).
(SE & XLR outputs): Violectric V220 (~$1,550 incl. fall discount): This is the V281 minus preamp capability. A power monster said to sound identical to the V281--and believe me, that is a VERY GOOD thing.
Can anyone provide a solid upgrade from the Liquid Carbons?
Thanks for the hint.
I'm a bit confused on the V220 though, it seems it has only SE outputs on the front panel and balanced only on the rear panel! That is weird.
And what about the V280?
That's what I thought thanks!No wonder you're confused about the V220--it's the wrong model #! My bad...sorry for the confusion. But it must be said, the Violectric models #s are kind of confusing to begin with.
I meant to refer to the V280, which is the non-preamp, balanced output version of the big V281: http://violectric-usa.com/headphone-amplifiers/hpa-v280
The V280 is their primo balanced amp that is not also a pre-amp; the V200 is their primo SE amp that is not also a pre-amp.
That's what I thought thanks!
Well this is very, very interesting. I will look for comparisons vs V281, if it's really so close its a perfect solution to upgrade from LC2 without going completely bankrupt!
If it is under warranty I would email Cavalli Audio about it and see what they will do for you.
Unfortunately all warranty are deemed expired now that Cavalli has shut up shop for good.
I shall cherish my LAu (and LC2) for as long as my ears holds up
Where did you get this information?Unfortunately all warranty are deemed expired now that Cavalli has shut up shop for good.
I shall cherish my LAu (and LC2) for as long as my ears holds up