[mscott58]

But Dan, thought you preferred DS DACs?

 

[Stillhart]

But Dan, thought you preferred DS DACs?

 
 Yeah man, I can't wait for the next LH Labs Sabre-based DAC!!!

 

[warrenpchi]

I believe that there have been some really good reasons posted why the Liquid Tungsten was designed as SE, but I forget the details.

I'm sure they had good reasons for going SE too

Actually, if you guys really want to know, the number one reason is because a balanced Tungsten would be a very large, very hot, and very expensive amp with twelve tubes. Just thinking about it is like playing back audio porn in my head. I don't know of another headphone amp that would even come close to that in terms of physical footprint. Seriously, it'd be ginormous, and uncomfortably so.

BTW, for those who are curious, even though it's SE, the Tungsten puts out a very respectable 5W/ channel.

And FWIW, there has been talk of working up a balanced Tungsten one-off, if for no other reason than to tinker and satisfy curiosity... but at the end of the day it was decided that it'd be a hideously expensive experiment.

 

[x RELIC x]

Actually, if you guys really want to know, the number one reason is because a balanced Tungsten would be a very large, very hot, and very expensive amp with twelve tubes. Just thinking about it is like playing back audio porn in my head. I don't know of another headphone amp that would even come close to that in terms of physical footprint. Seriously, it'd be ginormous, and uncomfortably so.

BTW, for those who are curious, even though it's SE, the Tungsten puts out a very respectable 5W/ channel.

And FWIW, there has been talk of working up a balanced Tungsten one-off, if for no other reason than to tinker and satisfy curiosity... but at the end of the day it was decided that it'd be a hideously expensive experiment.

Thanks Alex oops, Warren, that's exactly as I recall. Appreciate the design for keeping the cost reasonable (did I just say that?!) and I'm sure it sounds GREAT from all I've read.

I think the LW will be my first tube amp!!!

 

[goldendarko]

Ah, interesting, well it sounds like you guys probably made a good call then. Althoooouugh, a 12 tube behemoth amp does kind of sound like audio porn, lol. Anyway thanks for the input Warren, definately hope to hear the Tungsten at some point, if it blows away my Studio Six I may just become a Cavalli convert yet!

 

[kingkikapu]

Sorry I missed this everyone, but can you fill me in on why the liquid gold model is getting discontinued?  Thanks.

 

[wink]

Ran out of gold......?

 

[sheldaze]

Would you be able to comment on the Tungsten vs Glass? Any idea what tubes tungsten uses?

I think it is pretty simple - if you want to play with tubes, Glass is your solution.
Tungsten is your solution if you want a tube amplifier. And what a glorious, wonderful sounding solution it is!
 

 
If a balanced flagship tube amp were to come along from a company like Cavalli I can tell you I would certainly be drooling over it. As it stands the Tungsten just intrigues me though I do hope to get a chance to hear it at some point. Really loved my time with the LAu!

And it's still being loved 

 

 

[bearFNF]

I did lots of listening to the YGGY into my LAu both SE and Balanced and found I prefered the Balanced. It was close but SE was not quite to my liking as I remember. It's been a while but as I recall the balanced just seemed more complete to me.
as always IMO YMMV.
This was with my HD800.

BTW I just did the SDR mod on the HD800 and it just keeps getting better, I thought the LAu did a good job before the mod, now it and HD800 are another step closer to my 009/BHSE... :blink:

 

[Illya]

I just emailed cavalli about the stop in production of the lqiuid gold, hopefully I get a reply soon

 

[Stillhart]

The Cavalli amps have never been "in production".  Cavalli is a small boutique manufacturer so they build and sell them in small batches.  Remember, at $4k per amp there aren't a lot of people at any one time who are running out to buy one.  Waiting between batches give time for enough demand to build up so that they can validate running another batch.
 
My guess is that the reason they are no longer going to build the Liquid Gold (etc) is because there's something similar but different coming down the pipe.  The Liquid Tungsten (to my ears at least) is better than the Liquid Gold but it's not solid state and not balanced so not a direct replacement -- but perhaps the replacement we're going to have to live with for now?

 

[goldendarko]

h.


 


-- but perhaps the replacement we're going to have to live with for now?

 


Damn, guess I'll just have to "settle" for the Liquid Tungsten

 

[Stillhart]

h.


 


-- but perhaps the replacement we're going to have to live with for now?

 


Damn, guess I'll just have to "settle" for the Liquid Tungsten

I think we've established that that's unlikely. But who knows... It does sound pretty good!

 

[krumley7882]

 I always enjoy reading the SE v. balanced discussions.  Speaking of wonderful SE implementation, I have been enjoying the Cavalli Crimson...  Hope to one day try the Gold or Tungsten

 

[kingmajix]

Anyone able to comment on channel balance at low volumes?
 
I have to listen pretty low and I consistently have issues on amps with channel balance. Any idea if I'd run into any problems if I'm using a Utopia?