Hybrid Tube Amp Comparison (CTH, Vali 2+, MLP)

[@kcr2365]

Nice review. CTH serves the audio with a layer of butter

[@mastaboog749]

I'm listening in on the CTH right now! definitely digging it I just grabbed it for a $100 last week and don't regret it. just gotta figure out what tubes I want for it

[@MrAyrit]

I did a tube rolling video as well.

[@deemee79]

The CTH is also my favorite and I tried many different amps. Every time I coming back to it. Bought a used as backup in case it will die one day. Had also the LP and sold it after 6 months because it isn’t better even with tube rolling. I have also a Loxjie P20 that I would also recommend as a very cheap good sounding balanced tube hybrid. My dream combination is the RME ADI-2 with CTH and the HE-1000 V2. Love it and didn’t find a better combination since 1 1/2 years even after a big journey through the rabbit hole.

[@mastaboog749]

I have both rhe loxjie and the CTH and you can get a convertor and use the tubes from both amps with each other. it really opened up the loxjie for me. still trying to find the perfect tube for the CTH

[@ChildrenOfDesire]

I really liked your honest impressions of this amp, I personally relate to it a lot. For me I have a Jotunheim 2 and the CTH. After testing them side by side, voltage matched down to the 0.1mv - I found the difference was mainly that the CTH is definitely less forward and definitely has a noticeably smoother treble presentation. One of the biggest differences is that the Jotunheim 2 really accentuates dynamics, has a slightly tighter control in the bass region and everything is much more forward on a marginally smaller stage. While the CTH accentuates a slightly more laid back and smoother sound, letting you absorb the separation and slightly larger soundstage a bit better. As with most good amplifiers, after matching the volumes precisely with a multimeter, the differences aren't night and day but they are noticeable switching back and forth for sure - different enough to justify keeping both if someone was inclined to. Both are engaging, just in slightly different ways - unlike the Topping L30 that I had before.. (which also goes against what I said about there not being a very big difference between amps) but that's for another day.

[@MrAyrit]

None of the Topping stuff has really hooked me. It's all a bit sterile IMO.

[@ChildrenOfDesire]

@@MrAyrit I definitely agree, I was running a Topping E30 + L30 setup for over a year with absolutely no idea what I was really missing out on. I'm now running a Modius + Jotunheim 2 setup and its so much more enjoyable and engaging. I think the main issue with that Topping setup for me was that it was inoffensive to a fault. Tonality felt rolled off, not in a warm way at all - it just had absolutely no energy in the treble. Both macro and microdynamics basically don't exist, causing me (at the time, not anymore) to prefer less dynamic headphones simply because the Topping essentially bottlenecked headphones which did have strong dynamics. The sound is clean, but very sterile and the amplifier didn't have enough control over the drivers to really wipe away the infamous HD6x0 series veil. I was a "measurements are everything in DACs and Amps" guy until hearing my new stack. I could never go back to Topping gear now. If I wanted low noise for IEMs or sensitive cans I'd pick up a Singxer SA1 these days personally.

[@anhiirr]

had a magni1 modi1 stack. With k7xx. Back when the k7xx first launched(first editions). Then i got the 580x and was considering the heresy for them...saw this on liquidation and got it instead. Pretty good combo. Vol management is nice between lowering my PC volume in win to my modi. Using discord/gaming/content consumption is easy to manage with the depth of volume/gain this amp offers. Also when connecting my g8x to my modi from 3.5mm to rca for tidal master. Between my pc dac/modi, and g8x dac+modi, and g8x dac+cth...it was a fun time listening to the same tracks across the different orientations. Plus the g8x has its own EQ management for added emphasis.

[@theoriginalcraig]

I wish you had given more thoughts on the Vali, but good review overall. Please do a tube roll review on the Vali, as that's kinda the whole idea behind it. Low price of entry, and inexpensive tubes. Seems like a good idea. Keep up the great work!

[@MrAyrit]

Sorry, I didn’t mess with the Vali too much, because I preferred the CTH. The Vali went back, but I did do a tube rolling video on the CTH if you want to check that out.

[@theoriginalcraig]

@@MrAyrit Thank you for your reply. I have used my Vali for a preamp for my big system (Nelson Pass amp/sometimes Bryston amp, McIntosh preamp, Zu Audio Omen Dirty Weekend speakers), and the Vali makes a BIG difference when used as a buffer between preamp and amp. I only rolled the stock tube, an Electro-Harmonix 6CG7, and an Electro-Harmonix 6922, and it makes a shocking difference. The 6922 makes the soundstage height increase by 2 or 3 times. It's insane the difference it makes! You should try one of these as a buffer in a big speaker system. My Pass amp is also 8 watts, and it needs plenty of input gain, so the Loki provides a HUGE injection of input gain with ZERO added noise, which is unheard of. All in all you should try it. Or try your preferred tube headphone amp in the same way. You'll be amazed!

[@MrAyrit]

@@theoriginalcraig thanks for adding that. I don’t listen to speakers much, but I just moved into a place that may make that possible. I may have to try a Vali again at some point.

[@ChicagoRob2]

@@theoriginalcraig I have the Vali 2++, and with the GE 5670 5-star Red, it is amazing. Extremely transparent, detailed with great layering, and zero glare.

[@theoriginalcraig]

@@ChicagoRob2 WOW! Thank you so much for your reply! I'm gonna go try the GE 5670 in mine! Do you need an adapter to use for the pin socket?

[@Strngboy]

I own both the Vali 2 and the CTH, sand yes I also prefer the CTH. Good video. Looking forward to more

[@Princeton_James]

Do you have the Vali 2 or 2+?

[@daviewavie112]

@@Princeton_James any idea what the difference is between the vali 2 and 2+?

[@Princeton_James]

@@daviewavie112 Not of the top of my head. All their plus series are supposed to be better. They just released the Loki + and they've had the Modi 3+ for a little while.

[@paulwoaert]

So your personal choice (which is very well argued) is the Cavalli Tube Hybrid. 2 questions : 1) I saw your more recent videos on the iFi Audio Zen CAN and the JDS labs Atom Amp 2: even though they are not tube amps, does the Cavalli Tube Hybrid sound warmer or richer than those two amps? 2) the Cavalli Tube Hybrid does not have an internal DAC I guess, so I imagine it is probably impossible to plug it into a recent MacBook for example (?). Or maybe if you use an adapter like the "UGREEN 2 RCA to 3.5mm Cable, 3.5mm Male to 2RCA Female Jack Stereo Audio Cable Cord Y Splitter Cable Adapter", so we could plug the Cavalli Tube Hybrid directly into the headphone output of the MacBook? (the MacBook Air M2 has a headphone output compatible with high impedance headphones like my Beyerdynamic DT 990 pro 250 ohms). This way the Cavalli Tube Hybrid would benefit from the MacBook's DAC (this DAC is surprisingly very efficient).

[@JTB--]

Check out the Schiit LYR 3. Very cool sounding Hybrid Tube Amp.

[@MrAyrit]

At some point I’ll probably have the opportunity. Don’t see many of them for sale.

[@cxmxc]

I still love this amp so much. I prefer it over the darkvoice, tube w/o the lethargy.

[@daviewavie112]

I’ve been thinking about getting one of these three, so this video is perfect

[@newsigmundfreud3023]

*Thank you very much for this informative comparison, and its all with a nice attitude.* Would you show how tubes “work”? Most people dont know how its works meaning it glows up, it heats up.. etc. When does a tube (bulb) go wrong? Does it play better when its new vs getting older? Having balanced input/output ONLY isn’t a problem? Can you explain why tube and why hybrid vs solid state? *THANKS again.*

[@LordVictorHalgaard]

It’s very important, from my understanding, with the liquid platinum to note that it shouldn’t be judged on the single ended out - it’s a balanced amp, and from my understanding, Alex cavalli put the SE output there for convenience, but it’s significantly worse sounding than the balanced out. So it would be good to know which you used - sorry if I missed it.

[@carter7036]

A video covering different tubes would be great!

[@MrAyrit]

Stay tuned! Although it's difficult, because it's hard to A/B them (luckily I just bought a second CTH, which should make that more manageable).

[@carter7036]

@@MrAyrit Nice! I appreciate that you’d be going the extra mile to A/B test. I’ve been learning a lot about bias and how that plays into how we hear things, so it’d be helpful to get a more objective perspective.

[@AA0011.]

Hi, great comparison. I never thought of the cavali, I might look into that one. Do you know how the vali 2+ compare to magni 3+?

[@MrAyrit]

I have not heard the Magni 3+, but I did have a Heresy for a little bit. Hard for me to say how the Vali would compare to the 3+.

[@AA0011.]

@@MrAyrit thanks for the reply. How about the heresy and vali?

[@MrAyrit]

IMO the Vali will be much more flexible, just because you can slightly tweak the sound with tube rolling. The Heresy is great for what it is, but it is a more clinical sound. I did not keep it around. I currently have a Magnius in addition to the CTH. The Magnius is basically the balanced version of the Heresy. I almost never use it, I much prefer the CTH. I'm guessing if I had the Heresy and the Vali on my desk, I would mostly use the Vali.

[@AA0011.]

@@MrAyrit Nice thanks for elaborating. I also prefer a smoother sound signature. I am on a budget and considering the Loxjie p20, which should perform amazingly through the balanced output.

[@MrAyrit]

@@AA0011. definitely worth trying out. I actually just had one, but it was purchased from Amazon Warehouse, and they sent it without the power supply 😩. It has been returned, and I purchased something else to try.

[@johnpearson7815]

Hey, thanks for the video - it's great. Really liking the channel! You mention the Darkvoice as a full tube amp you'd tried - how does it compare to these hybrids in your opinion?

[@MrAyrit]

I only had the Darkvoice for a short while. I mainly picked it up to try with the 6xx I had at the time (since that is supposed to be the way to do the 6XX correctly). I thought it was a good amp. It definitely woke the 6XX up to a more exciting / engaging listen. Ultimately though, it took up a crazy amount of desk space (it is gigantic and weights like 10 pounds, literally), and I didn't find it to be super practical to use. I literally could only barely turn the volume knob before it was too loud for me with the 6XX. I'd recommend a DAC with volume control (which is handy regardless) if you were going to use it on the regular.

[@johnpearson7815]

@@MrAyrit that's really helpful, thank you. I'd be getting it for the HD650. I have the Schiit Valhalla 2 tube-rolled for warmth, but even then I find it too solid-state sounding, with some glare in the highs and slightly rough upper mids. I'm very sensitive to this, so am looking for a more relaxed, tubey sounding tube amp at a similar price point to replace it. If you felt it providing a more exciting listen, perhaps not the amp I'm looking for? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@MrAyrit]

@@johnpearson7815 I’d do some more research. I think you can probably get it rolled to your preference. There are many more people that are knowledgeable about this than I. I’d just google dark voice hd650 tube rolling. I guarantee you’ll find a ton of stuff.

[@daviewavie112]

Which one sounded best with planars? We’re you running the Vali 2+ on high gain?

[@MrAyrit]

I was mostly listening to the LCD2PF, and I didn't have any other planars on hand. For me, it was the CTH. Although, many many people love the MLP with planars. For me, the CTH is just a phenomenal value.

[@daviewavie112]

@@MrAyrit ever try out the schiit lyr 3?

[@MrAyrit]

@@daviewavie112 I have not.

[@NeverHadFun]

New to audiofile-dom, would the Vali 2+ be good for using with some listening headphone & some gaming headsets plugged into my comp OR would the Fulla 3 do better? Trying to dip my toe in, but want a dual purpose. : )

[@MrAyrit]

For strictly gaming and with gaming headsets, I think the Fulla will be fine. I haven't tried the Fulla, but I had the Hel for a little bit, and found it noticably more compressed than the dedicated amps I had on hand at the time. I think if you're looking to move into higher tier headphones, I'd recommend a dedicated amp like the Vali.

[@NeverHadFun]

@@MrAyrit Exactly the advice I needed. Ordered. : D

[@beslemeto]

Cavali should have preamp outputs!