Liquid Gold X Balanced Headphone Amplifier from Monoprice by Alex Cavalli

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by jexby, Sep 10, 2019.

  1. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    As long as we have a choice whether to have the in-built DAC, all is good. Like Schiit.

    And TBH, for $500 more, I'm more inclined toward the Rag 2.
     
  2. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Optional DAC input cards. You can choose to pay less to not have an input card.
     
  3. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    fair question - I have lived with or heard most of the TOTL gear up till about 5 years ago when I stepped off the coach

    I still own the CA Glass - that has a special sentimental place for me and it doesn't hurt that I love the sound.

    I have spent a fair amount of time with tube gear such as Moth Audio 2A3 , EC balancing act , the controversial Single Power MPX3, solid state dynahi, AMB labs B22, M3, ECP audio L2 and I forget his transformer coupled mosfet amps name but I thought it was really very good and then a fair smattering of electrostatic gear.

    I fear my bias is clear from the above list

    There are amps that you know immediately are doing the majority of things right - this is one of those amps, no muddiness or smearing of transients, very tight layered bass notes that retain their decay despite being overlayed, vocals are suspended in the sound scape and the whole presentation just feels right.

    even though I am a huge fan of the Glass, the Gold is the better amp technically and has much lower distortion figures. It truly is a lens to see the rest of the system and if there is anything that is going to limit the playback, it will let you know. The Glass although clean and ethereal, adds that gorgeous second harmonic that provides the slight of hand of expanding the soundstage. This game is about recognizing what it is you like and embracing it - I am an H2 whore and not ashamed to admit it. I do have the ability to hear beyond harmonics and a few truly amazing products can shine in a different way.

    yes - this is the exact reason for the dac and the reason that the original Gold / all Cavalli Audio's TOTL gear were standalone products.

    Monoprice has to OK a loaner , if it was up to Alex, you would have one doing the rounds now.

    ..dB
     
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  4. Sqveak

    Sqveak Friend

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    ...and all of those input cards are optional.

    The built in shouldn't be the only option at this performance tier.
    And at this price, I honestly find the thought of paying for a DAC -that can't be opted out of- genuinely offensive.
     
  5. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Very true those cards are optional, which gives them greater value over an already included one that you may not want.

    Just trying to point out a growing trend of the market wanting an all-in-one solution.
     
  6. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    Black Diamond?
     
  7. runeight

    runeight MOT: Alex Cavalli

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    Hello folks, quite a few of you have asked me, since the intro of the LP, whether there would be more. Unfortunately, I was not able to discuss until this announcement of the LAuX (and the Spark DAC).

    This is just some information that may answer questions that have been asked or may be asked.

    1. The LAuX is exactly the original LAu, but obviously reduced to SMD sized components and lower power.
    2. The power output is identical to the Platinum.
    3. It uses the same DC power control as the LP. Don't use linear supplies as they may be destructive.
    4. The analog inputs are the same as the LP - RCA and Bal. Obviously the additional input selection is the DAC.
    5. The DAC doesn't have outputs to the external world.
    6. The DAC selector button on the front cycles among the usual suspects, USB, COAX, OPTICAL.
    7. You can completely ignore the DAC if you wish, but you might choose not to.
    8. The DAC is not two Spark DACS put together, but a fully balanced design specifically for the LAuX.
    9. As the announcement noted, this amp has an MCU on board. While this doesn't show much externally,
    internally it does a better job of controlling the amp functions while monitoring its internal operational state.
    10. For anyone who might be in EU, the MCU also incorporates the required feature of powering down
    after 4 hours of no in put signal.

    I'll be happy to answer other questions, if I can. Some I may have to defer to MP.

    Edit:

    I should probably add a few that came up with earlier products.

    11. The board design is mine.
    12. All amp electronic component specs are mine and cannot be changed without my permission.
    13. Interface components are mutually agreed upon.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2019
  8. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    I don't recall ever being offended by the mere existence of a piece of audio gear, although I have occasionally been offended by the sound...
     
  9. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    @runeight - Is it fair to say that the LAuX is the same circuit design as the LAu? Seems kind of weird to say it's "exactly the original" and then list a bunch of ways it's different.
     
  10. redrich2000

    redrich2000 Facebook Friend

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    Anyone kow what's happened with this? The ETA keeps going back and back, even before we all got corona'd.
     
  11. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    What are the main voicing changes between Monolith versions of LP and LG if you were able to describe?

    I would love to see a limited slightly higher build quality versions of these amps in the same form factor at some point - little stuff like neutrik XLR jacks, improved volume pots, improved PSU, flashier faceplate, etc; core internals the same - charge 50% more and make it a limited numbered run or something ; nothing that would break the bank but just a touch of extra premium on some of the parts that receive a lot of handling. The form factor of these is just perfect as is the balanced I/O, for instance Liquid Platinum functionally works better for me than Liquid Crimson would have because of the size and I/O since I'm using in a PC desktop setup as I'm sure many are.

    I seriously can't believe how great Liquid Platinum sounds, nevermind the price I got it for.
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2020
  12. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    You mean like the original Cavalli stuff?
     
  13. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    Not exactly, no. The Liquid Crimson, for instance, was significantly larger than the Liquid Platinum and didn't have XLR inputs/balanced version available in what I saw online. I am talking about literally the same size as the Liquid Platinum, same I/O [but neutrik brand plugs], nicer pot, higher finishes on the outside parts and maybe nicer PSU. Since I am using PC desktop the Liquid Platinum works better than Liquid Crimson for space purposes and I/O (balanced to reject PC noise), but I would buy a liquid-crimson-ish build quality version of the LP for say ~$1199-1299?

    Could be accomplished by reusing most of the same core design, chassis, & internal parts of the LP, just replace the XLR connectors, pot, faceplate, buttons, (maybe tube sockets?) & psu with improved alternatives; a special edition version.
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2020
  14. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    A "nicer power supply" would mean substantially larger enclosure or a separate enclosure altogether for the linear power supply. I would personally be all over a Liquid Platinum with a linear PSU, nice volume pot, Neutrik connectors, and balanced preamp outputs. It would probably cost $1600 or more even from Monoprice, though.

    I'd settle for one that can handle a linear power supply being plugged into the DC socket without getting fried. If it had preamp outs I'd have grabbed one at $484 and tried modding it to make that work.
     
  15. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    LP is still my biggest and baddest amp so I've been happy for going on 2 years. I do wish there was a gain option and the volume knob didn't seem so flimsy. The knob on the liquid spark seemed to turn and feel much nicer FFS. I do not have any channel weirdness at any volume I can detect and it's operated flawlessly. I do baby it though because there's been a lot of people with issues and bad pots. No complaints, sounds amazing for the 600 clams I paid. I thought the new amp would be my next but turned off by the dac and do not want another amp that looks like LP. Not to mention being delayed a year.
     
  16. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    Oh I bought one at $484. I'm saying I'd buy it again (even at $1599) if they came out with a premium version with upgrades mentioned in the exact same size (no larger for main unit - but ok with a seperate psu enclosure) and same I/O, whatever that takes. I like it that much.

    My impressions w/ HD820 & LP here:
    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/sennheiser-hd-820.4327/page-20#post-314371
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2020
  17. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    In stock now
     
  18. sahmen

    sahmen New

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    Listening impressions???
     
  19. Rob the Comic

    Rob the Comic banned from ASR

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    Anyone? Anyone? (said in the voice of Ferris Bueller's teacher)

    I would dearly like a full review. I am also in the 'why the DAC??' camp.
     
  20. Huhnkopf

    Huhnkopf Friend

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    Then buy it and loan it out to users here or simply wait for someone to do it.

    Stop begging.
     

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