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Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Liquid Carbon X Amp
01 / 07
Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Liquid Carbon X Amp
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Product Description
Made in collaboration with Alex Cavalli, a legend in the world of headphone amps, the Liquid Carbon X is a solid-state, fully balanced, bridged amp with a clear, transparent, non-fatiguing sound. It has the same topology as the celebrated Liquid Carbon, along with updates to the form factor, switching power supply, and input and output jacks Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downCEE_TEE
3480
Sep 11, 2017
Yes, this is the real Liquid Carbon!
Same power (2.8W RMS Balanced, 0.7W RMS Single-Ended), same balanced bridged topology, same high quality parts, 1x Gain/3x Gain, same sound known by the audiophile community.
Okay, there are a couple of differences in our X version: -This version comes in the Massdrop chassis, stackable with Massdrop products such as the Cavalli Tube Hybrid. -Separated the switching power supply from the amplifier section. We have an in-line power brick. (Still handles 100-240V.)
Sonically, this is the Liquid Carbon. With improved volume pot and different power supply implementation.
Same power (2.8W RMS Balanced, 0.7W RMS Single-Ended), same balanced bridged topology, same high quality parts, 1x Gain/3x Gain, same sound known by the audiophile community.
Okay, there are a couple of differences in our X version: -This version comes in the Massdrop chassis, stackable with Massdrop products such as the Cavalli Tube Hybrid. -Separated the switching power supply from the amplifier section. We have an in-line power brick. (Still handles 100-240V.)
Sonically, this is the Liquid Carbon. With improved volume pot and different power supply implementation.
sahmen
52
Jan 1, 2019
Update: Talking about being patient... I cancelled my order of the CTH and waited. Guess what: I am now the proud owner of a Monoprice Cavalli Liquid Platinum, which is a balanced version of the earlier Liquid Crimson, but scaled down into a smaller form factor. It was released on November 1st, and it sounds amazingly good too.
It is an original Cavalli design and produced with his full collaboration too, so I wonder why Massdrop did not seek his collaboration for the Crimson... Maybe they should try doing that for the Liquid Gold, or Liquid Tungsten. That would be really something. The Liquid Gold made affordable and offered by Massdrop, will almost certainly be a guaranteed winner... Massdrop, are you paying attention?
KimbaWLion
144
Keyboard Club Member
Sep 11, 2017
And WHY did I pay what I paid for a LC 2.0 again?! Look I am ALL for deals. I was REALLY torn up between the LC 2.0 and the Schiit offering. I was told I would never see a balanced Cavalli at the LC 2.0 pricing again... I will feel VERY cheated the moment unless somebody explains how the LC 2.0 is different in a better way or I am totally misreading/misunderstanding this... This appears to be an LC 2.0 (minus the RSA balanced output at a FRACTION of the price. Just goes to show you how trust in a maker can be erased...
Motorrad
2898
Jan 15, 2018
For the record, I paid full price for an LC2 and this drop does not make me feel lied to, ripped off, less 'exclusive' or worried about my 'resale value'. I also just checked and it has not altered the sound of my LC2. whew!
guisess93
143
Sep 20, 2017
TLDR: Massdrop has been selling UNAUTHORIZED/POTENTIALLY FAKE Chord products.
https://www.facebook.com/chordelectronics/posts/1161256660641020
WTF Massdrop????
And someone who joined the drop has confirmed the issue here https://www.massdrop.com/buy/chord-mojo-portable-dac-amp/talk/1817061
My comment may not be relevant to these MD made products, but it is related to audiophile stuff anyway. So you better have a proper answer to this, otherwise you will lose me and many other potential customers.
@CEE_TEE
UPDATE: MD has answered to the issue here https://www.massdrop.com/buy/chord-mojo-portable-dac-amp/talk/1821097
TBH I'm really happy that I can put my trust in MD again. Hope that this will be a lesson for MD and for us as well.
GuyInPittsburgh
509
Jul 16, 2022
Do the rest of us a favor and enjoy a hemlock cocktail…mix it with the mixer of your choice
AveryC
1571
Feb 20, 2018
Hi Everyone,
The Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Liquid Carbon X Amps have arrived at the warehouse and the team is wrapping up quality control checks. We are on track to meet our estimated ship date of February 28.
We're looking forward to everyone receiving the first production of the Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Liquid Carbon X Amp!
Gianni85
31
Oct 24, 2018
AveryCAre you planning to drop this again? I see the SDAC version is live, but I don't need the internal DAC so would avoid unnecessary extra costs.
gearofwar113
52
Sep 13, 2017
This hp amp has a "meh" build quality, not sure why they are too much hype nowadays for Carbon. My friend had a V2 (V1 was even worse) and it got too warm, failed after few weeks that he had to send back. Also the signature is too warm that misses out details and might only suit analytical hps. Heard that the customer service is not good and the parts they use inside are questionable...
EinTheVariance
342
Mar 2, 2018
So I've spent the past few days with my LCX with a few of my headphones and it's been going great. The LCX has a lot of power for sure, especially out of the balanced out, which has plenty of headroom even with my R70X (which is the most demanding headphone I have in terms of power). I've been spending the most time with the HD 800 as the pairing is quite good. The slight warmth helps the HD 800 which can be distant sounding at times while still letting the details pop. The HD 800 is still bright don't get me wrong, but emotional parts of tracks I'd usually find a bit too analytical with other pairings sound a lot more lush for a lack of a better word. I didn't find the LCX to be overtly warm, in fact I was expecting it to be warmer based on people's impressions, but it's just a slight tilt. I did find with my R70X, the more intimate sound sometimes feel a bit too closed in than what I prefer, but it does drive the R70X effortlessly and does not falter in the lower mids which the headphone otherwise can sound a bit muddy with lower power devices. Speaking of that, the low end is quite good, it doesn't intrude needlessly but when the track calls for it, it's quite tight and impactful. I don't agree with the sentiment that it adds a lot of bass though.
botisto
111
Sep 15, 2017
How warm is the LC actually? Does it only have a very slight warm tilt in comparison to high end neutral amps like the Jot?
I currently have a JDS OL Dac and O2 which I'm really enjoying with HD6XX. It makes my Dacport slim sound overly warm and muddy and just lifeless. I was hoping to go in on this drop as the LC + OL dac looks like a great all rounder for all my headphones / IEMs and low listening levels. I don't mind a slight warm tilt... but I'm just a little concerned if it's too far from neutral It might veil some of that higher end clarity on the 650s like with the Dacport, as I don't have money for more amps.
I currently have a JDS OL Dac and O2 which I'm really enjoying with HD6XX. It makes my Dacport slim sound overly warm and muddy and just lifeless. I was hoping to go in on this drop as the LC + OL dac looks like a great all rounder for all my headphones / IEMs and low listening levels. I don't mind a slight warm tilt... but I'm just a little concerned if it's too far from neutral It might veil some of that higher end clarity on the 650s like with the Dacport, as I don't have money for more amps.
ales1972
13
Jun 28, 2018
Hi guys I have my CLC for couple of months and can’t complain about it, but couple of days I had to move it to another place and when I plug power supply in it it start sparkling.It does every time when I unplugged it and plug it back.
rslatara
287
Dec 11, 2019
Noted I did this after that first time and it actually sparked in my Belkin surger protector which is fairly beefy.
(Edited)
ElectronicVices
2937
Dec 12, 2019
rslataraYeah most manuals for devices with barrel connectors specifically tell you not to do what OP did, it's not a design flaw.
kukkurovaca
323
Sep 11, 2017
The way Massdrop is staggering the announcement of these products is kind of unpleasant and certainly a strong argument against ever joining the first round of a new MD product.
BurritoJustice
85
Oct 24, 2018
Any chance we could get an official comment on the disparity between the stated specs and the measurements from Audio Science Review? They paint a poor picture for this amp, disappointingly.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-cavalli-liquid-carbon-x.4947/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-cavalli-liquid-carbon-x.4947/
Ninja_Theory
7
Dec 1, 2019
Please can you describe the difference between in sound presentation between the LCX and the 789? I have the 789 and the Airist. I recently ordered the CHT but it hasn't arrived yet. Headphones: HD800S, HD650, Shure SRH1540.
Artifiz
180
Dec 1, 2019
Ninja_TheoryIts been a long time since i sold the LCX, but from memory I can say that the LCX I owned had a warmer tone, maybe tube like, but not round, a little edgy. The 789 is clearer and has a much more wider sound stage. I don't know if it was just my LCX unit, but I always heard distortion if I turned the volume up all the way and no music or sound playing through the dac. This doesn't happens with my 789, its all silent, no distortion. Dont get me wrong, I was happy with my LCX, but the 789 is a mile ahead in tonality.
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