Massdrop Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp

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

  1. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Yeah, there are already people on MD asking how they cancel their orders for the individual units...

    Wonder what their logic was - sell as many individual units first at a higher rate and then sell the combo unit for the lower price? Seems like a profit maximizing scheme. Unless there was some delay in getting the combo unit out there, but it's been less than a month since the CTH was announced, so this would have been known. Would have been cooler IMO to either give people the option of individual or combo unit at the same time, or at least let them know the other was coming.
     
  2. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

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    Bush move. No way the optics on this look good from any angle. Massdrop should be better than this.

    Edit: massdrop was better than this. See posts after this one.
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2017
  3. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Probably didn't sell as many units as hoped and bundling.

    Sure glad I cancelled my order. This combo is probably more my preference than Jot w/ built in DAC.
     
  4. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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  5. Mdkaler

    Mdkaler Friend

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    Quoting @CEE TEE on MD:
    "If you participated in the launch of the Cavalli Tube Hybrid standalone version and you want this combo version with the Grace Design Standard DAC, you may contact customer service to upgrade. (You can cancel your previous transaction if you are switching to the purchase of this version...)"

    Kudos to MD for making it right. Cry babies will keep crying.
     
  6. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

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    Yeah that was coming. This didn't seem like a massdrop type of move without the other shoe dropping.
     
  7. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Glad to hear they're making it right! Well done MD crew and @CEE TEE
     
  8. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    "Designed with the objectivist audiophile in mind, the SDAC delivers objectively good performance meant to meet or exceed the measurements of the popular ODAC while retaining many of its other benefit."

    Wow, that sound like a lot a realtor saying "it a cozy, classic home, in an up and coming neighborhood". I imagine the grace sdac is a noche below the Schiit DAC in the Jot. Seems like a status amp for guys with man buns.
     
  9. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I think that's more marketing-speak for the average Massdrop consumer than a critical description of it's performance capabilities. I haven't heard any of them, but the Modi Multibit, Modi 2 and Jot DAC seem to be pretty close and have slightly differing strenghts and weaknesses.
    I have a CTH on order, but probably won't be opting for the combo unit as the SDAC may only be a slightly inclined side-grade for me. Still not sure which DAC I want to buy next and keeping amp and DAC as separates seems to offer the most flexibility.

    People in the know keep saying "wait 6 months to a year", so who knows what'll be available by the time I actually get.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2017
  10. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    I was one of those who joined the CTH drop, only to learn that CTH + SDAC would be released a few days after the drop was closed. I thought it was a dick move by Massdrop when I realized I could not cancel my CTH order, but I was relieved to hear @CEE TEE assured an cancellation or upgrade was possible if I'm switching to the CTH + SDAC.

    Then today, I get this shit from Massdrop customer service upon asking for it.

    Hi there,

    Thanks for contacting Massdrop!

    Unfortunately, we have don't have the ability to upgrade orders, and as we've placed the group's order for this drop shortly after the drop ended and the parts have already been ordered, everything is on-track to meet the estimated shipping date, which means that your order is not eligible for cancellation at this time. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

    Please let me know if you have additional questions or concerns.

    Best,
    Donald S.


    So... what gives? Maybe this guy wasn't informed of the plan to upgrade from CTH to CTH + SDAC? At any rate, I cannot proceed to cancel or upgrade my order. I will buy the CTH + SDAC one way or another, but if Massdrop doesn't allow me to cancel my order, then I would end up with a redudant CTH I would have absolutely no use for and sell immediately for less than what I had initially paid for it.

    And what does @Will have to say about this matter? I've respected the way Massdrop does business and hope it stays that way by them making it right.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2017
  11. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Sounds like the customer service rep doesn't know what's actually happening. Weird response given the upgrade option mentioned previously...
     
  12. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    The price of the MCTH was 250 (free US shipping, off memory), the price of the SDAC was 80, add both to get to 330.

    The price of the bundle is 320. A ten dollar difference for a product that's going to finish delivery in 2018.

    What's the big deal about the bundle being announced after the MCTH drop closed- international shipping costs I guess? Though if that means receiving the MCTH in 2 months later, that's a bit of a wash.
     
  13. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    It's because for some of us, it's not a matter of difference in price. I would personally opt for the CTH + SDAC in one chassis instead of 2 separate chassis even if the former costs more, say $340. There are advantages and disadvantages to single-box solutions, but for a secondary desktop solution at the workplace, I prefer going simple.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2017
  14. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    Damn, I am glad I asked my question, because I managed to totally miss that they'd jammed the two devices into the one chassis.

    Update: I'm also switching to the new drop :)
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2017
  15. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Interesting that the combo unit doesn't say Cavalli anywhere on it like the CTH did but it says Grace real big on the back.
     
  16. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Can anyone confirm if there's enough space to stack a Bifrost on top of the CTH? Looking at the photos and dimensions, it looks like it might just fit but would be tight.
     
  17. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    Hey Guys,
    I'll be working to make sure all of customer service knows about the possible upgrade tomorrow. I don't think the word reached our weekend staff.
    Is the Bifrost the same size as the Jotunheim? If yes, I'll check and see if it fits on my CTH tomorrow @gixxerwimp...
     
  18. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Wouldn't that be bad for the tube? :p
     
  19. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    It's close enough.

    Jot: 9" x 6" x 2"
    Bifrost: 9" x 6.75" x 2.25"
     
  20. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    If it's close enough that having the Bifrost extend a bit over the back of the CTH, that'll work for me. How hot does the tube get? If I get a black Bifrost, will it char the finish? :p
     

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