Massdrop Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp

The correct plug size is 2.1mm ID x 5.5 mm OD. I used these or a close equivalent:

https://www.amazon.com/Chanzon-Connector-Socket-Security-Adapter/dp/B079R94L4J

Just checked again and mine is snug but in no way tight. Is yours noticeably looser or measurably different than the plug on the stock power supply?

 

5.5 mm at the end yes. It’s noticeably looser than the original but not measurably different in width (it may be a bit larger). it is definitely longer.
I don’t know how to post a pic here.

 

These barrel connectors often have a rather loose fit. As long as it isn't falling out or causing the amp to cut out, it'll be fine.

 

It’s not falling and it works fine, without cuts. Thanks for your help.

 

Got a used MCTH last week from a member here and had a quick listen for about 10 minutes before I had to leave town. Very nice with my HD650. However, I just got back and fired up the amp and got the smoke in the tube thing. Pulled it out and it is cracked at the bottom. I know the tube is dead, but is the amp also likely dead? I don't have any other 6922 tubes to test. Did I just not notice the crack before putting the tube in or is this something that the amp is able to do?

 

Sorry to hear about the cracked tube. It’s hard to say if the amp was damaged but I have a green label Amperex 6922 that I won’t ever use for free. PM me if interested.

 

Or since you are in Chicagoland happy to loan you my CTH tube to help figure that out. Hit me up if interested.

 

Nice to see brothers helping brothers.

 

Definitely feeling the love this morning. I have a tube coming, so let's see how that one goes before I potentially blow your main tube.

 

I sold @fraggler his MCTH. I wasn't aware of the tube being cracked, but I'll work things out with him to make this right.

 

If the tube was transported in the amp, it might have taken a hit to the base which may have been affected by the heat after the first play. Hard to say. The amp cannot do this intrinsically to a tube if operating normally.

Possible for the regulator to be damaged but should be fixable if so. Hopefully it all works. As a first test, make sure offset relay clicks off. If it doesn't shut it down and send it to me/MD if under warranty .. dB

 

Managed to pull the trigger on LPS after reading all the posts here. Thanks @atomicbob and all for sharing

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com.sg/ulk/itm/113042445481

 

I can attest to the MCTH being a tough sonuvabitch. I plugged in a cheap tube saver with shorted pins and set off a firecracker inside and @dBel84 helped me out big time by guiding me through the debug/repair process. Thanks again!

 

My MCTH’s tube has become microphonic and crackles, and I’m wondering if there are any alternative tubes I should consider over just getting another EH 6922.

 

My CTH did the same and it seems that this happens often due to the cheap potentiometer that was chosen. I guess they saved a few dollars. I mean, I get it. The amp was $249 and sounds damn good at that price. But damn, who wouldn't pay an extra $10 to have one that does not develop the crackling volume issue?

 

Yeah, this is the second one I’ve had develop the problem. When my first MCTH developed the issue I ended up getting an entirely new unit under warranty.

I’m not sure I want to want to go through international shipping to Canada again — especially because Massdrop messed up the customs papers last time and I had to harass them to reimburse me for assessed duties.

 

My MCTH lives! A generously given Siemens 6922 tube from @Phantaminum has resurrected it. So happy the cracked tube didn't bork anything. Thanks to everyone willing to help out.

 

Hey all, I'm interested in purchasing this amp for my stock HD650. I've been reading this thread from the beginning and got up to this post:

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...alli-tube-hybrid-amp.4866/page-27#post-199942

rtaylor76 said the Valhalla 2 is an upgrade over the MCTH. I've owned the Val2 before, but I had some problems with it. Vocals, especially female, were fatiguing as they were always in my face. It's like the vocals were separated and brought forward to a degree that sounded "shouty" in character. Also the 650s sounded like a closed back headphone, there was no sense of width, a bit too dark up top and lack of bass tightness. I've read descriptions from other HD650/6XX owners that match what I'm hearing, so it might not be the fault of the Val2. I purchased a Val2 because they were the best Schiit offering at plankton that was not the Ragnarok (and within my budget).

I did plug in the HD650s to a shit Denon AVR which softened the harshness of the vocals and recessed it back in the mids for better placement, however I lost a lot of microdetail. Out of my cellphone, the HD650s sound like ass. I could hear the so called "Sennehiser veil" and clarity was gone. My 650s have the silver drivers, 2014.

Anyway, it seems the MCTH ticks off the boxes I'm looking for: plankton, a slight bit of tubey sound, a few friends here say it "sucks you in the music", rich tone, slightly warm, not as aggressively sounding as the Val2, etc. Seems like a great match for the 650 and the sound I want.

If I do pick up the MCTH, I'm going to pair it with an SDAC based on purr1n's recommendation in the OP to have an AKM "Velvet" DAC.

But I wanted to ask those here if anyone agreed the Val2 is an "upgrade" over the MCTH and not a sidegrade that does a few things better? Perhaps I need to re-evaluate the Val2 with a different DAC (I paired it with a Bifrost Multibit) that might smooth out the problems I had. I could not resolve them with parametric EQ.

 

As is often the case, some of this will come down to preferences. For me, the CTH would be an upgrade to the Val2 when using the 650. I found the Val2 good but somewhat dry when it comes to it's tonal character. The CTH will produce a "wetter" signature and offers a more expansive stage.

Based on what you've said, I think that the CTH is what you're looking for.

 

Thank you, Ice-man. A wetter signature + expansive stage, yeah I think this is probably the amp for me. I'm going to stick with the supplied power adapter and not mess with a LPS.