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Massdrop Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/Amp
01 / 05
Massdrop Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/Amp
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Product Description
This DAC/amp brings two of the community’s favorite designers together in one convenient, great-sounding package. It features the Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Liquid Carbon X amp, built by the founder of Cavalli Audio—a legend in the world of headphone amps Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downCEE_TEE
3480
Jan 24, 2018
We received many requests for a version of the Cavalli Liquid Carbon X (LCX) with the Grace Standard DAC (SDAC) inside.
Thank you! Turns out, this is an extremely versatile system. :) The LCX+SDAC is all you need with your computer and headphones or in-ear-monitors (IEMs) to have a great musical experience.
And, this DAC/Amp combo can be used to test other gear (if you ever wish to): -LCX+SDAC allows you to compare the internal DAC with an external DAC. The LCX can be fed from external sources (DACs, CD players, digital audio players). -The LCX+SDAC can be used as a DAC into another amp. You may want to try a tube amp on top. -Single-ended versus balanced operation…you can try your headphones and in-ear monitors on both outputs. -The LCX+SDAC can accept single-ended or balanced DACs.
The LCX+SDAC is a very high-quality audiophile Swiss Army Knife for sound. Topology - Quiet, Powerful Alex Cavalli and I have had many conversations over the course of the past year about what makes the Liquid Carbon amplifier topology special.
The original purpose for the Liquid Carbon was to make a high-quality, low noise balanced IEM amp with a gain of 1x, with the additional features of having a gain of 3x and a single-ended output for convenience.
The LCX utilizes unity gain current feedback discrete operational amplifiers derived from the output buffers used in the highly-regarded Liquid Glass amplifier. The Liquid Carbon’s balanced & bridged design rejects noise in the circuit, and can produce the clean power needed for both IEMs and headphones.
Grace Design Standard DAC (SDAC) There are phase-splitters in the LCX that convert the SDAC signal into balanced. I've done my own testing and can definitely tell a difference between the balanced and single-ended outputs with the SDAC.
Using Noble K10 IEMs with balanced cable (and adapter to 4-pin XLR), I can report that the Noble K10 balanced out of the LCX+SDAC is a great pairing...
Thank you! Turns out, this is an extremely versatile system. :) The LCX+SDAC is all you need with your computer and headphones or in-ear-monitors (IEMs) to have a great musical experience.
And, this DAC/Amp combo can be used to test other gear (if you ever wish to): -LCX+SDAC allows you to compare the internal DAC with an external DAC. The LCX can be fed from external sources (DACs, CD players, digital audio players). -The LCX+SDAC can be used as a DAC into another amp. You may want to try a tube amp on top. -Single-ended versus balanced operation…you can try your headphones and in-ear monitors on both outputs. -The LCX+SDAC can accept single-ended or balanced DACs.
The LCX+SDAC is a very high-quality audiophile Swiss Army Knife for sound. Topology - Quiet, Powerful Alex Cavalli and I have had many conversations over the course of the past year about what makes the Liquid Carbon amplifier topology special.
The original purpose for the Liquid Carbon was to make a high-quality, low noise balanced IEM amp with a gain of 1x, with the additional features of having a gain of 3x and a single-ended output for convenience.
The LCX utilizes unity gain current feedback discrete operational amplifiers derived from the output buffers used in the highly-regarded Liquid Glass amplifier. The Liquid Carbon’s balanced & bridged design rejects noise in the circuit, and can produce the clean power needed for both IEMs and headphones.
Grace Design Standard DAC (SDAC) There are phase-splitters in the LCX that convert the SDAC signal into balanced. I've done my own testing and can definitely tell a difference between the balanced and single-ended outputs with the SDAC.
Using Noble K10 IEMs with balanced cable (and adapter to 4-pin XLR), I can report that the Noble K10 balanced out of the LCX+SDAC is a great pairing...
Hawaiiancerveza
6
Jun 28, 2019
Haha I can't seem to find my question. I appreciate the reply, but I forgot what I had asked.
DF85
56
Feb 5, 2018
Need some help on this guys,
Currently weighing up this vs an Asgard 2 / Modi 2 stack.
To keep it simple, here's my cans listed below and what I currently amp with.
Ath - msr7 Fostex th-x00 PH AKG 7xx Sennheiser HD 6xx Sennheiser hd800s ( potential future buy )
Currently using a sound blaster E5 usb DAC amp and looking for something what will power the HD 650s better and generally sound a lot better than the E5.
Should I be looking up another price bracket to expect improvements over the E5?
If not, what's the better option for my cans... Shiit combo or this. I'm stuck on what to buy and don't want to end up with 10 amps laying around.
Currently weighing up this vs an Asgard 2 / Modi 2 stack.
To keep it simple, here's my cans listed below and what I currently amp with.
Ath - msr7 Fostex th-x00 PH AKG 7xx Sennheiser HD 6xx Sennheiser hd800s ( potential future buy )
Currently using a sound blaster E5 usb DAC amp and looking for something what will power the HD 650s better and generally sound a lot better than the E5.
Should I be looking up another price bracket to expect improvements over the E5?
If not, what's the better option for my cans... Shiit combo or this. I'm stuck on what to buy and don't want to end up with 10 amps laying around.
shimage
228
Feb 27, 2018
I don't really see the trade off side of things, though. Other cheap dacs (eg, Topping D30) just measure better than the modi 2 does, even ignoring the jitter. I haven't heard the modi 2, but I assume it sounds fine. The differences are all well below the threshold of audibility.
igobybig3
1
Apr 18, 2019
DF85Hello, I am noob to this, do you use different cable for AKG 7XX or you just plug into the SE end, if you plug into the balance end, what cable do you use ?
kevinh
75
Jan 25, 2018
is there any reason to get this over the jotunheim? I don't really know what I'm talking about so if anyone could do a comparison that would be helpful
dabbaranks
51
Jan 25, 2018
But if you only need an amp... 405 Us VS 455 US shipped to canada, I also waited for this to drop before making a decision, went with the Jot because xlr out, more power and shipping now vs May 22 is worth 50 dollars to me. And always go usps even though it’s more expensive to avoid as much border fees as possible. Paid nothing on my Fulla 2. Will definitely join the drop if the LCDX drops again without the dac for 300.
dabbaranks
51
Jan 31, 2018
dabbaranksJust wanted to update since USPS came through again, Jotunheim took 5 days to Ontario, NO FEES. USPS is literally been the MVP for me for the past 10 years.
EinTheVariance
342
Jan 25, 2018
yea, that statement wasn't really directed at you or anything. It just seemed like the conversation was pointing towards this being a terrible buy because you are paying $380 for a DAC that can't do DSD, etc when in reality, this is the LCX being stuffed with a basic DAC so that beginners can jump in and have a built in DAC right away and then upgrade later if they want to since all inputs on the LCX remains available. If you already have a decent to great DAC that you are not interested in replacing, the standalone LCX is definitely the better buy (which is what I signed up for :D ). Performance wise it's hard to say since not many have heard it but if it is the liquid carbon like it claims to be, I can't wait!
Anyway, I just wanted to make sure false info isn't being spread around, so I hope you don't take it personally.
Anyway, I just wanted to make sure false info isn't being spread around, so I hope you don't take it personally.
loplop
10
Jan 25, 2018
The iDSD BL is a fantastic transportable DAC/AMP, with a pleasing sound signature and a ton of features. I've owned one since they launched, and it's a great bang for the buck.
IMO (and although I enjoy it as a standalone) the amp is the weakest part of the iDSD BL. I think the DAC is at a higher level, and an iDSD BL into the LCX would likely be a nice setup.
As a standalone I'd expect the iDSD BL to be a better overall sound than this LCX/SDAC, but that's just a guess from looking at spec sheets as I've never heard the SDAC.
I joined the drop to find out :)
IMO (and although I enjoy it as a standalone) the amp is the weakest part of the iDSD BL. I think the DAC is at a higher level, and an iDSD BL into the LCX would likely be a nice setup.
As a standalone I'd expect the iDSD BL to be a better overall sound than this LCX/SDAC, but that's just a guess from looking at spec sheets as I've never heard the SDAC.
I joined the drop to find out :)
AveryC
1571
Jun 11, 2018
Hi everyone,
The Massdrop Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/Amp has arrived at the warehouse and the team is wrapping up quality control checks. We estimate that the DAC/Amps will ship by this Friday (June 15).
We’re looking forward to you receiving the Massdrop Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/Amp!
Ares78
1506
Keyboard Club Member
Jun 15, 2018
AveryCShipped 2 days ago via DHL (shudders because they don't have a shipping office here and if they don't hand it over to Canada Post it could add extra delays) but the tracking # doesn't being up any results on DHLs website.
JYDM
8
Feb 7, 2019
Hey All! I just received my LCX + SDAC. I just set it up and am experiencing a lot (and i mean A LOT) of interference in the left SE channel. I've already submitted a help ticket and they suggested that I reach out to the community to see if y'all had any ideas. Is it a defective model or am I missing something?
For more information:
The interference also occurs even when the volume is all the way down, set on any of the 3 inputs, when I unplug the USB, and with other headphones as well.
The white LED is on as well.
zypherion
242
Feb 14, 2019
I'm still hunting a good deal on an oppo ha-1.. That's the DAC/AMP that checks all of my boxes. Then I'll use the jotunheim to replace my schiit stack at work. Unfortunately, I'm not about to pay $1000+ for a used one lol.
Best of luck with your setup!
jaydunndiddit
3262
Jun 21, 2018
Was your CTH tube burned in out of curiosity? The manual states it can take upwards of 100 hrs to burn in properly and apparently the sound can change when all impurities are burned off.I'm about halfway there on mine and it does sound different than first day out of the box.
Jotunn
87
Jun 22, 2018
jaydunndidditHey, thanks for pointing this out as I completely forgot to account for burn-time. My CTH has only a couple hours of use total while the LCX is approaching 30. I'll have to provide an update if ever get a chance to reach some sort of burn-in baseline for the two. Thanks for the tip Jay!
mastershake
376
Jan 24, 2018
ah man really? now i wish i would have waited for this vs the stand alone carbon. can you guys PLEASE do the dac in a chassis size to sit under the carbon and cth i already bought??
Wuthoqquan
80
Jan 27, 2018
mastershakeI’ve lost the count of how many times this has been asked... I‘ve also asked several times if there’s any chance to have an external balanced SDAC in the same chassis of the LCX, but no answer on this as of yet. Should I probably stop keeping my fingers crossed?
Itsa
19
Jan 30, 2018
Dear Massdrop, PLEASE work on a Massdrop-produced Liquid Gold or Liquid Glass. Even if it costs $1500+. With cavalli out of business and no inventory on the resale market, a bunch of us would be interested. It would be total endgame for me and worth the cost.
Jackula
1743
Feb 13, 2018
Well Black Widow is to MD later this year, as for their tube amps, Craig won't be able to make them fast enough. I don't think true high-end is really the right market for MD, their target audience is mainly mid-fi. Personally I'd love to see a high-end solid state here like a Violectric v281 or Moon 430HA.
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