Massdrop Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp

Have you heard a production unit yet to see if your impressions have changed?

 

Yeah @Bill-P and I were talking about this recently. The pre production unit we heard was on the lean and bright side. He just received his production unit which sounds warmer and smoother. Bill later popped open the amp and saw a "rev2" printed on the inside. I suppose doesn't mean much on it's own but combined with the big difference we heard between the units does suggest there may have been a change. Also helps explain why Hands impressions were different from the preproduction that Bill and I heard. I didn't love the tonality before but think it's a damn nice amp now. Bill agrees as he's selling his other amp after receiving this one

 

I wasn't too sure about this after the initial impressions, but now I'm much more interested.

It's unfortunate that they didn't have the final tone dialed in, but I doubt they'll be losing any customers.

 

Update - Have the Keysight U8001A providing power to MCTH. It does make a difference. Noise floor dropped, clarity improved, low end has more grunt. Keep in mind the MCTH with included SMPS already impressed me. MCTH with LPS impresses me even more.

Dedicated LPS will be an Acopian A28MT210. Acopian B28G110 would probably be fine. However I want the higher amperage and lower ripple ratings of rhe A28MT210.

An enterprising DIYer could probably get by with an International Power IHB28-1.0 found at Mouser for under $50.
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/International-Power/IHB28-10?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtl%2b/t8G5TWgG6t7N41i4QNe34x4Bu1AUE=

Disclaimer
My LPS suggestions are for knowledgeable DIYer types. I will not be responsible for damage, injury or death by attempting to build and use an external DIY LPS. Likewise, @CEE TEE is not responsible if anyone blows up their amp experimenting with LPS. If you do not possess the technical skill set, please leave well enough alone and be happy with the stonking great sound at a bargain price provided by Cavalli and Massdrop.

That comparison will be better assessed when I can A/B compare the two. From memory though I'd venture it falls in the same vein as ZDT Jr. to ZDT and HD6x0 to Focal Clear. Impressive performance for not much money.

 

So @atomicbob ...

Can you say that the improvement in the performance justifies the outlay of cash? Effectively, this psu is double the cost of the amp. Not looking for anything crazy here, just your simple opinion.

 

That depends on the listener, his/her preferences and goals. Noise floor is important to me but I listen in an environment below NC -15 for ambient noise. If the listener's environment is more typical, that improvement in noise floor may be masked by the ambient. Grunt and clarity will be noticeable. But a similar improvement may be had moving from HD6x0 to Focal Clears. There is a big difference in cash outlay. Is it worth it? To me, yes. Yet I intend to keep HD6x0 cans in the lab library. They are useful, provide enjoyment. So it is hard for me to tell someone else whether adding an LPS is worth it. I will be taking this amp to local meets with both supplies for others to hear and decide for themselves.

Updated the original LPS response to include a more DIY type of alternative LPS.

 

Hey Gray, Please PM me and I will send you another tube to try. Let's see if it is the tube. All of these tubes have been pre-sorted and tested before going into the amps, then the tube stays with the amp through production and testing. Finally, it burns in with the amp for 2 hours before it heads out the door.

 

I have a production unit here that I can get out to you, Marv...or straight to Vansen and the loaner program.
I won't open the box before sending.

 

I don't this this circuit has changed since Alex originally floated it past me in 2013



Credit: @xkcd.com

 

This amp has improved my HE4xx now that the tube has settled in. They no longer get tiring and are just very smooth and I can listen for hours. On the other hand, my HD650K bass has gotten a little boomy and gets tiring. I'm going to put all of the foam back in and keep the dynamat. Hopefully that will bring them back up to snuff.

 

If it's boomy, try the rear foam rather than the front foam (though you probably knew that already).

 

Yep, that's the one. Surgery complete and problem solved. Was nice to have a heavy bass Buddy Guy track playing so I could see the change immediately

 

How is SE v balanced on this amp?

 

As I understand it, the amp is single ended only. The XLR output is solely for convenience.

 

I'm loving this amp with my HD-6XX, there may be some songs I prefer on this to my La Figaro, I'd need to do more listening to be sure.

At first it sounded too flat with my HE-4XX and LCD-2c but is sounding better on a second listen. Perhaps there is some brain burn-in but it sounded great on the HD-6XX immediately for me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I'm curious if anyone else has had a similar experience or perhaps my ears are weird.