The Cavalli Liquid Carbon

I use the balanced connections for the Gungnir Multibit and the SE for the BifrostMB. On the output side, its balanced out for the orthos and SE for the Fostex.

 

Well, as much as I like this amp, I'm gonna sell it as soon as I get the Black Widow. I've only been here for a month or two and I've learned a lot about EC and the cool dudes who make em. I have a lot of faith in EC to design an amp that surpasses the Carbon in every way, but I'll definitely try and do a comparison before I toss out the Cavalli to someone who wants a good deal.

 

surpass it while being cheaper THO?

 

Cheaper? The Black Widow is twice the price. $1289. Carbon was $600.

 

I was also thinking about the new Black widow whenever I wanted to move on from the carbon. Seems solid and versatile! Looking forward to your comparison

 

I think somebody asked about what I meant by the LC having some "heft". By that I mean: really solid bottom end and good power. The combination of LC and the Fostex TH X00 to me is the equivalent of a very pleasing boombox without any muddiness. So much so that I have put my Xfi (plus PS) in storage and use the Bifrost MB+LC in my office. Need to add a Wyrd for that last bit of smoothness.

 

I'm looking forward to the comparison, though it's not really gonna surprise me if the Black Widow will be better since it's twice the price of the Liquid Carbon. Normally price doesn't always equal quality in my experience but since it's EC you never know.

 

The xfi amp is handily beaten by the LC but is the bifrost even comparable to the xfi DAC, also it's not fully balanced so you would be kinda short changing the LC by running the SE schiit in to the Liquid Carbon = diarrhea liquid poop(just joking I'm sure the differences are minimal). Also you can contact PETEREK and get your thx00 balanced.

I have the infinity with the LC and use them balanced and think its a good set up. I just think the production run has had a bit too many hiccups but that is the case with a lot of first batches.

 

I dunno man, the LC apparently has a phase splitter that does a bang up good job, and bifrost multibit has a reportedly awesome smooth sound (esp factoring price).

 

Fair enough...I prefer the MB sound to the Sabre...But for good order's sake, I should use the Xfi DAC with the LC and check it out...Thanks

 

I'm also currently using my LC hooked up to a Pulse X infinity and would love to hear how the Xfi compares to the Bifrost Multibit through the LC.

 

So, I have had my repaired Liquid Carbon back for about a week. Out of the box they were really good with my Oppo PM-2. I have been burning in the amp in accordance with the manual instructions and am approaching the recommended 150 hours burn in. I was somewhat skeptical of burn in, but the amp subjectively seems to be better with the PM-2 after the burn in to date, although I am willing to acknowledge that this could be brain burn in or some other psychoacoustic effect (and I have some specific thoughts on that I may get to in another post).

However, the LC has been just "meh" with the HD 600. Keep in mind I have been using SE out for both headphones. I am hoping to borrow some balanced cables from a local member here, but have not been able to get them yet. In fact, I prefer the sound out of my Marantz amp headphone jack over the LC with the HD 600. The HD 600 just seems to be lacking some body is the best way I can think to put it. And burn in has not really improved things.

For those who have used the LC balanced with either the HD 600 or HD 650, do you think going balanced is likely to make a noticeable difference or if I am not happy with the sound signature with the Senn am I likely to remain unhappy even with balanced cables. I do note that I really need to turn the volume knob (even with high gain enabled) in order to drive the Senns adequately. Not so with the lower impedance and more efficient Oppo.

 

I'll let you know my thougths once I get my balanced cable for my HD650. Should arrive within 2 weeks, hopefully sooner.

 

I was using my HD600s through the LC with the SE output until I made a balanced cable for them and found that I was more likely to use my project ember in high impedance than the carbon as I just gravitated towards its sound more despite wanting to use and like the new LC. However after making a balanced cable I have been using the LC almost exclusively. I would definitely say the LC is an amp to run balanced.

 

The LC isn't all that great with the SE out.

It is, however, pretty good with SE inputs and balanced output (vs all balanced).

 

Exactly, right now, its Bifrost MB (SE outs) to LC to LCD 2.2 balanced and Pink Floyd...on the money Clem!

 

Even with a proper balanced headphone plug, I wonder how good solid state is with the 650s. They sound pretty good on my BW, but they sound better with a tube amp.

 

Don't understand the lack (if you will) of compatibility between the Senns and SS amps in general. BW as you said works well but these cans go to a better level with almost any tube amp - I've used Vali 1, BH Crack with Speedball, Project Ember and stopped with the ZDS, all with better results.

 

Really?
I can understand ZDS & maybe Bottlehead Crack, but a Vali 2?

Besides having a tubey sound vs more solid state sound, does the BW not do anything better?
I would expect the resolution, bass & soundstage to be several fold better.