Massdrop Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp

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

  1. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    God I hope this is not the case. I suppose the muolnir2 and lyr2 didn't help in this matter either. I def agree that shoving lovely gold pin 6922 variants into this amp will make my blood boil though. Remember Marv's note that tube rolling didn't affect this amp all that much.

    Also just a general point but I find the discussion of definitions of midfi and the prices at which one escapes midfi very f'ing tiring and just totally irrelevant to anything. I suppose if you measure your Big D by whether you're midfi or hifi then it's helpful for that. But otherwise there's really only what a thing can and can't do and what someone is going for and their priorities and constraints. This is not an enforcement of postmodern bullshit, there's definitely good gear and shit gear but that seems orthogonal to definitions of midfi-ness. Please let's put these discussions to bed and let redditors fret over whether they're midfi.

    Otoh we could institute a sbaf caste system?!
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2017
  2. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    Bring it bitch. There's a difference between buying a $250 amp and burning irreplaceable $300 tubes in one pretending its anything more than mid-fi.
     
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Funny you mention that. The pairing is excellent, for obvious reasons. You guys know why right? I mean, I hope you know why.

    IMG_20170812_111211.jpg
     
  4. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    I don't think that this unseat my BHC with hd650. But who knows. Crack/650 is my personal audiofool wet dream. I do like the fact that the Cavalli seems like it will also play nice with efficient planars. I'm on the fence with this one.
     
  5. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Dislike. The Lego Friends girls would totally win that fight.
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    They are supposed to be randos. There was no intent of sexism or anything. I just grabbed random pieces.
     
  7. Vansen

    Vansen Gear Master (retiring)

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    I've never liked the BHC because the bass always feels cringe worthily distorted on the Senns to me. This has none of that nonsense going on.
     
  8. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Shows where my head's at... I didn't see that as someone having lost a fight so much as a few guys looking for some... Twister partners.
     
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Did some of you turds send Jeremy at Garage 1372 a link to my post describing the Ember as a POS?

    Okay. It's not a piece of shit. That term is too strong. But it's what @Hands said: it's bloated, veiled, too tubey, slow, unlively, and glossed over, and with some grain and dryness in the highs. And I've heard worse. The $3500+ Leben CS300 was worse. I could probably look past the tonal balance, but bottom line is that the Ember sounded unsatisfying.

    I don't remember what revision. Maybe @zerodeefex remembers. We used an Yggdrasil and PWD2 as sources, with almost every headphone you can imagine back at that time, and GAIN 1 recordings, so we weren't farting around.

    Also, I would like to make clear that I have only heard the Ember and Starlight. And my opinions of these may not reflect the rest of their lineup

    P.S. @Mshenay. This is all your fault. This thread had nothing to do with the Ember or the Starlight. I don't even know why you brought them into the thread. I already warned all of you. I become mentally unstable when pissed.
     
  10. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    The BHC/650 really has nothing to do with bass response...well, not much anyway. It is, for me, all about tone. Beautiful, unadulterated, accurate, fuckin' tone. I really don't give two craps about molar rattling bass when it comes to this combo. I have other headphones for that.

    So back to the Cavalli. My question becomes how well does it facilitate that wonderful Senn. tone?

    Anyway, I've decided to buy this amp. When I see it on HF used for like $199 shipped. There will be an ad that say, "I didn't really want or need this. Didn't even open the box, just sniffed it for the Cavalli smell....blah blah blah."
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2017
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Obi-Wan sense tells me and everyone else reading thread that you should stick to where you are because you are content. Yes, it's that obvious.

    Palpatine says give in to desire, screw the Jedi. You'll never know how it sounds otherwise. It's a good deal too, so downside is minimal.

    As for the question on the "Senn tone". No one can answer that for you. MCTH and BTH bring different things to the table. I like them both for different reasons.

    P.S. I know I'm not helping.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2017
  12. Mshenay

    Mshenay Barred from loaner program. DON'T SEND ME GEAR.

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    @Marvey I didn't reach out to him, nor did I write up that comment you made,

    This thread is about the MCTH, I'll be getting one and I hope it's better than what I have the whole reason I mentioned either of those is because the Vali 2 was brought up, we will see how well this does when it's in my home! I'm not a shill for any one brand, I just want something that sounds good to my ears, the Vali 2 was not that product, which is a shame considering how good the Original was/is, but that's ok! Let's hope this is a better product for me an for every one else who want's a Hybrid Tube with good clarity and resolve

    Non the less, getting back on track. I too would like to see a Linear Powersupply built for this, does any one have the time to work up a DIY Solution
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2017
  13. manatworks

    manatworks Friend

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    oh hey, Luis mentioned to me once in our pm regarding an amp that he like with Code-x , CTH is one of them so i'm grabbing this to get a hint of Cavalli's sound before i begin to chase Liquidglass (or go to those big speaker amps)
     
  14. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    Perhaps not my place, but how in the blazes is this guy still here? What a disingenuous, inveterate shit stirrer.

    Anyway, MCTH looks nice. Almost picked up a DIY CTH a while back, so I'm keen to have another go at this amp. Also nice to read that the standard EH tube is a good fit sonically, wouldn't expect anything less.
     
  15. Melvillian

    Melvillian Friend

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    I don't really agree with the logic. The T3 I heard was faster than my ZDS, does that mean my ZDS is muddy and slow?

    You're thinking in absolutes (sith reference?)
     
  16. guisess93

    guisess93 New

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    @Marvey
    hi guys, I'm new to all these dacs/amps related topic. My question is: Does this MDxCTH amp have better performance-price ratio than say Schiit Magni2 Uber, Vali 2, Asgard 2?
    What DAC should I pair with MDxCTH?
    Will I be better off just going for tried and true Magni2 Uber - Modi Multibit combo and/or Jotunheim + balanced DAC?
    Thanks
     
  17. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    "This marks the beginning of a new line of Massdrop Made amps, DACs, and DAC/amp combos. As they’re released, you’ll be able to build your own stack and compare the different DAC technologies and amp topologies."

    I found that pretty interesting too. Did MD commission and O2 amp/DAC a while ago? Then there is the Grace. The above statement implies the Cavalli is part of a new line. Sort of implies their DACs might be R2R or some other technology. Anyone have any insights?
     
  18. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    Every one of those questions has already been addressed in some way or another. Go back and read this thread and others relevant to the issues you'd like addressed, please. Be assured, they do exist.
     
  19. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    My ignorance misses the joke and sarcasm detector broken. Why is the pairing obviously excellent?
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Mid-bassy | Romantic | Closed | Headphone
    Neutral | Precise | Open | Amp


    First Rule of Synergy*: Seek balance or avoid too much of a good thing.

    * There are 52 more rules, some contradictory. Or maybe I am thinking Baskin Robbins Ice Cream.
     

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