Massdrop Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp

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

  1. dirt

    dirt New

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    I listened this evening, to 3 Lounge Lizards CD, through my Ack! dac V.2 and the Cavelli. With the NOS RCA / Siemens in place. No, I didn't pay big money for the tube. But these cds have always had a "brash" tone, with other equipment. Not so, tonight. You can hear the reeds in horns, and the skin on the drums. Lots of "air" and "space". Just a pleasure , even though a bit "progressive".

    When I got in on this drop, I was leery of the switching power supply. My experience with these devices in sub and power amps has not been good. They seem to be sensitive to crap coming through my power lines. I have the Cavelli plugged into a Emotiva DC blocker, along with other equipment. No noise that I can hear. A linear power supply might make a difference, but I don't know that I would notice it. And my dac, with new batteries, must not see a lot of load, driving the Cavelli. It goes back into float mode within minutes, even after 3-4 hours of use.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2018
  2. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    So I received my CTH a few days ago, and I finally have it burned in for over 100 hours. I figured I'd take a shot at giving some impressions. I'm not as well versed in articulating the sonics of amps, so please feel free to point out anything you don't understand. (I.E. if I fvck up)

    As a baseline, I'm drawn more toward a warmer sound, and through SBAF I've discovered I'm particularly sensitive to the lower mids (I prefer the 'BBC dip'). If I discovered SBAF earlier I would have bout a HD650 rather than my 600, but I digress.

    Listening was done mostly with my LCD2F, Eikon, and HD600. I am still looking for a DAC to pair it with, and Gungnir Multibit is the prime choice, but I'm still researching. My usual reference has been Hugo V1 (please don't judge too harshly) but I didn't listen with that because it's packed up for selling (I hope). The majority of my listening was with a borrowed Peachtree DACiTx which seems to be decent (obviously much better through coax) but wouldn't be my 1st choice since I do think I hear some digititis, and it's not particularly resolving, but adequate. (and the best I have for now)

    My reference amp is the ifi iCan pro

    I found the CTH to change dramatically through burn in, which is actually a 1st for me. The bass was originally very bloated and overdone, but it settled tremendously over the burn in period.

    The CTH seems fairly expansive, adding a certain 'openness' that I'm not used to. Maybe what people call 'air' but there's a bit more than just that, and I find it hard to describe, I imagine this is a taste of the 'tube magic' everyone refers to, and I find it hypnotic. This was especially evident with well recorded music, but everything I listened to would draw me in that much more. If that's the effect of tubes, I think I'm hooked.

    Soundstage is improved over my ifi, which was never it's strong suit, but I found it nicely wide with better depth. Height sounded about on par,

    Power seems to be no issue at all, as I barely reached 9:00 on the dial with anything I used. I'm sure something like the Abyss and HiFiMan HE-6 would be problematic, but for anything else this should be plenty powerful.

    I found it to have a great synergy with the Eikon & HD600 in particular, but it didn't sound bad with any headphones I have (I haven't listened with my modded Elear yet as they are on loan). The biggest surprise to me is how well the Blue Lola actually scaled...sounding much more involving and having incredible bass slam.

    Overall this is an amazing amp for the price.

    Thanks again for all the impressions from everyone..I wouldn't have this amp if not for SBAF.
     
  3. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I have yet to see one review where someone said it did not pairs well with their headphones.

    eg. "It pairs well with my _________."

    I take this as a very good sign. Mine arrives Saturday. I know what my plans are Sunday afternoon!
     
  4. vanjim

    vanjim New

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    Hi Biodegraded. Will do. Hope there won’t be a degrading of the sound quality, though I suppose running it through the Naim is not ideal as well. Cheers.
     
  5. shanchandi

    shanchandi Acquaintance

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    [​IMG]
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    I've had the MCTH burning in for the last day or so and its definitely a step-up from the little guy I was using in the photo above(great christmas present from the gf). Out of the box there was definitely a lot more bass than now and I kinda enjoyed that for the couple hours I listened yesterday, but I'm definitely not missing it.

    Vocals on this thing are soooo good. I'm a big fan of music with a strong vocal leads like Frank Ocean, SZA, or Beyonce and vocals sound very nuanced and adds a reverb I haven't heard before. Staging is also a huge improvement to what I'm used to.

    I've been thinking a long time about dropping headphones all together and building a pair of OSMTs and getting a pair of Massdrop Pluses for desk/commute use but this might have changed my mind.. We'll see;)
     
  6. dirt

    dirt New

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    Got an Amperex Bugle Boy 6dj8 (luck of the draw) in today. Made in Holland. Plugged it in. There was a little noise right off the start, but it went away. Nice sounding tube. Good smooth high end. Also got a Sylvania 7308, made in USA, but labeled Siemens. I'll try it tomorrow to make sure it works. It is the most expensive tube I've purchased. I should have enough tubes to last a good many years, now. Hope I do.

    Regarding the previous post, the bass is there at first, but a little wooly. Then it seems to get a bit bass shy. It comes back as the tube breaks in and is "tighter". Noticed this with the EH.
     
  7. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Day 4 of six+ hour listening & comparison sessions vs Lyr 3 (aka - at my job). Days ago I started burning in the stock tube in the MCTH. It has been left on since I plugged it in, and playing music. I listened to it almost all day today, with brief breaks to listen to the Lyr 3 (with new prod TS 6SN7gtb).

    Modi Multibit > MCTH > Eikons.

    MCTH is smooth. It does everything well. It's kinda boring compared to the Lyr. Bass seems rolled off. Crispy impact lacking everywhere. I think I'm keeping the Lyr. I'll see what tomorrow brings.
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2018
  8. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Thought I was posting to the Lyr thread. Sorry.
     
  9. bengo

    bengo Friend

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    Lol, gotta love how you turned last month's FotM into this month's dumpster fodder there, Elnrik.
     
  10. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I blame @schiit.
     
  11. bengo

    bengo Friend

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    Kinda still curious to see what Massdrop can do with all those other Cavalli designs, though.
     
  12. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Not really.

    MCHT is half the price and also @Elnrik prefers more forward, aggressive sound which is Schiit to a T.
     
  13. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    There is one question I have, which I haven't noticed addressed here (I don't think I missed it).

    Does anyone else experience the tube as being pretty loose in the socket? Or is this a common thing with tubes?

    I do find it loosens fairly frequently. So much so that I usually like to check it every time before I turn it on.
     
  14. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Mine is not loose at all. Very tight and difficult to install or remove.
     
  15. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Same...
     
  16. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    PLEASE. Someone make the obligatory immature sexual joke so I don't have to.

    I don't want to be that guy.

    Help!
     
  17. shanchandi

    shanchandi Acquaintance

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    Mine is really loose.. like I could flick it out if i hit it hard enough. The tube works/sounds fine so i figured it wasn't me screwing up putting it in and just a bad socket
     
  18. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    That seems to be the real issue...the tube works fine enough, so I might bee a bit paranoid, being a tube noob and all.
     
  19. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    I've NEVER had a tube amp behave like that.

    I'd first be sure you're seating the tube entirely into the socket. I can see people who are new to tubes being a bit afraid to seat it all the way.

    If you are, then I'd contact Massdrop.
     
  20. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    I'm guessing you're right...there's no click or anything, so it seems I wasn't seating it deeply enough. I am a bit wary of pushing down on something made of glass, but I just turned off the amp and pressed harder and it does seem more secure.

    That makes a bit of sense in retrospect since others are saying it's hard to insert.
    (Another obligatory immature sexual joke, perhaps?)

    Thanks!
     

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