Massdrop Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Aug 11, 2017.

  1. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Based on my limited experience, the wait should be well rewarded. If the MCTH delivers a portion of the Liquid Crimson experience it will be a success.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2017
  2. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    Not that I want to argue, but I believe the Carbon was referred to as a "baby Gold". The Gold and Crimson are quite different sounding, and many prefer the Crimson (I being one)

    You know, I want to not like/want this. Then Alex has to say "mini Crimson".... I hope its sold out before I get home.
     
  3. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Marv said mini crimson. If Alex called it that that's double the endorsement as far as I'm concerned.
     
  4. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    I think the only comparison Alex made to the MDCTH and his other amps is this: "The component quality in this amp is equal to the quality in the Liquid Carbon."
     
  5. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    I better double check that. I was reading massdrop comments before I had my coffee. Maybe someone was quoting Marvey, not that I don't trust the main man here...

    And I know one of Alex's prototypes is supposed to be influenced by the Crimson too...
     
  6. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Aww, damn.. I'm moving overseas in January. I was hoping for a December ship date. Usually I roll my eyes at all the complaints about ship dates at MD but in this case I actually cannot place an order because of it. Thats ok though. Guess I'm just not meant to have it!
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2017
  7. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Got in on it. The price is low enough that it's hard not to at least give it a proper audition.

    The estimated ship date is miles away, so I updated my shipping to go to work just in case I move and forget.

    I'm also figuring out an LPSU solution.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2017
  8. el1x

    el1x New

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    I just jumped in on this as well.
    I have a BHC and 650's so for this price I'm very interested to hear how it sounds. I also have a Modi Multibit handy to pair with it.
     
  9. MattRG

    MattRG Facebook Friend

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    I am very interested to compare the MCTH with my current Saga+Jotunheim setup. From what I am hearing about the sound stage on the MCTH then there is a good chance that I would actually prefer it over the Sagaheim. And at $250 it is sort of a no-brainer to test out whenever it finally arrives.
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Definitely Crimson, not Gold.
     
  11. highflyin9

    highflyin9 Facebook Friend

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    I'm tempted as well even though I have absolutely no need for it. IIRC the cost to DIY the old CTH isn't far from the asking price, and you get the added benny of the balanced out.
     
  12. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    It'll be fun to hear the comparisons of this next to a Jot. I mean the real elephant in the room is can it hang with a Jot, driving an HD650. That's where my little Carbon fails miserably...
     
  13. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    They are rather different amps. The MCTH is more akin to the Vali 2, but think a little warmer/mid-bassier sounding, a little more forward and less laid-back, a little less grey and restrained sounding, and more technically capable across the board for the most part.

    The Jot is going to sound brighter, harder, more glaring, faster, cleaner, and more neutral than the MCTH. The Jot I believe will give more slam to the HD650, but the MCTH will give it a bit more of a meaty sound depending on the tube (also helped that the treble tone and timbre is less "solid state sounding" than the Jot by a noticeable amount).

    I haven't heard the Carbon, but the MCTH treats the HD650 well. It doesn't sound weak or strained, which is the biggest hurdle for most amps running the 650. But it's not going to sound like a Jot.
     
  14. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    Anyone know how similar this is to the CTH of yore? Would be an interesting data point.

    Also I'm pretty skeptical about terms like mini crimson or mini anything. If you have to throw the word mini in front of something, then it's really not that thing. An example is the 4XX which is sorta kinda a mini CodeX. The only resemblance between the two is sorta kinda similar tonality (with deviations in treble after mods, to my ears). Other than that it's really not that similar in presentation, technicalities, etc. just providing my own skepticism at the use of such terms.

    All of that said, if the mcth is clearer, less rolled and more forward vali2 for a bit more money that could be a solid starter amp or nice second system kinda amp. Haven't heard one myself though.
     
  15. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    That's interesting. You don't think the MCTH/HD650 is what I'll quote @Marvey as "Too much of a good thing"? And too "ooey gooey" in the mids? I always think the HD650 craves a good kick in the pants
     
  16. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    I didn't see a limited run number so they're likely planning for the worst/biggest, and at the moment MD has sold 501 units (though I recall it was 2,000+ requested). Hopefully we don't have to wait that long; for Christmas would be really nice.
     
  17. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    It says on the drop it will be limited to 1000 units
     
  18. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    They must have updated that. Thanks.
     
  19. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

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    I'm in but didn't know it wasn't shipping till Feb 2018, Cripes! Vali 3 will be out by then.
     
  20. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    Sorry, no balanced out. While it is a 4-pin XLR, it's still single ended.
     

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