This definitely is so easy to use and is such a sleek piece of equipment. Sound is great but the power is not there and it does not get loud. If you have a hard to drive headphone you will want to spend more money and get a set up with more power.
JoeKnottWhich headphone did you feel didn’t get loud? I’ve enjoyed the HE-560 and HD 800 on the single-ended output, the only headphones I’ve felt NEEDED the balanced cable was the ZMF Vibro (a variant of the Fostex T50RP, an unusually hard to drive headphone). However, I had the original Liquid Carbon, with the built-in linear PSU instead of the wall-wart. I don’t particularly think that would make a difference in the Quantity of power, but maybe it’s worth mentioning.
JoeKnottThat reminds me, Cavalli actually included a note with my unit, recommending some hours of break-in. Forgot about that!
Glad your experience improved. I upgraded to a Sennheiser HDV 820 (sound is not far from a Liquid Gold), but I’ve not been able to let go of my LC because it is such a good amp. It’s coming with me if I ever start working at an office!
LambdastormI don’t know all the design differences, but I know the LCX uses a wall wart while the LC “OG” has a custom built internal power supply. Might even be linear. But the OG LC was sold at close to cost as a kind of <3 note to the community (and hopes to introduce the brand to more people who might upgrade later), while the LCX has to cut costs somewhere (economy of scale can’t account wholly for the price difference). But Cavalli designs good stuff, so I’d bet the LCX is still a great amp.
audioinmyearsI do and I find better power. However you can't just use balanced all the time because most headphones don't come with balanced cables. The one headphone I would like to have some more power can't be balanced (DT1990). However, I have seen less of a power problem as I used it more and got past the break in period.