AudioCircle
Other Stuff => Archived Manufacturer Circles => Vinnie Rossi => Topic started by: Vinnie R. on 15 Mar 2016, 03:49 pm
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To all our LIO customers,
You’ve seen the glowing reviews (http://vinnierossi.com/reviews/) and awards for LIO that continue to roll in from websites and print magazines. Reviewers are fascinated by LIO’s adaptability, freedom from obsolescence, and ultracapacitor power supply. Most of all, it is LIO’s sonic performance that is knocking them out!
While I am thrilled and honored to receive such great press, fellow music lovers want to hear more in-depth feedback from actual LIO owners like you. This will be the official "LIO Owner's Thread."
Some topics to *consider* discussing:
- Your LIO configuration
- The rest of your system (speakers, source components, etc)
- What the LIO has replaced, and how does it compare?
- Did you later add more LIO modules or upgrades? How easy were they to install?
- Do you have any favorite recordings that you like to use to show off your system?
- Anything else that you'd like to share about your experience with LIO / Vinnie Rossi
Additional notes:
I have shipped LIOs to quite a few different countries where English is not the primary language. Please DO NOT
be concerned about perfect English, grammar, etc. And if you are not comfortable with writing a review, it does not have to
be like a professional audio review at all! Just sharing your LIO configuration, other equipment, and general impressions on how
it is all working out for you is the most important thing. If you want to write a novel, that is fine too! If you are new to this forum, maybe you will enjoy posting more in the future, asking questions, learning, and sharing. This is what it is all about and I want to do a better job encouraging this.
It will be very helpful to current and future LIO customers to know what other equipment you use with LIO, how it all is working for you, what it replaced, etc. And I deeply appreciate the feedback here because I do get emails/phone calls from time to time from someone
who reads up on LIO, but wants to learn more about customer experiences as well. Even things such as how responsive I have been to questions and concerns is all valuable and I work very hard each day towards supporting our customers to earn and keep your business.
When I set out to design LIO, the concepts of "upgradeability," ease of use, and long-term ownership where on my mind. I learned these lessons in the 10 years of Red Wine Audio designs. If you later added LIO modules, please share how the experience of buying the module and installing it yourself has been.
If you want to share a few pics of your system - please do!
I want to thank you all in advance for sharing your LIO experience. More exciting things are coming...
With much appreciation,
Vinnie
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I first heard the LIO at an audio show in the fall of 2015. It was amazing. I decided that I needed that sound in my room. Four months later I am loving it!
- I started with LIO configured as an amplifier, then it became an integrated amp with the addition of the AVC/Tubestage module. Adding DSD/PCM DAC eventually.
- Originally fed by a Benchmark Preamp/DAC, the Benchmark is now configured as a DAC. (Sonos or Raspberry Pi2) I am using it with a pair of kit built ($475) bookshelf
speakers that I didn't really like that much. But when I hooked them up to the LIO it was a night and day difference. The detail is amazing. For Subs I'm using
a pair of home built GR Research Dual 12" Open Baffle H-Frames.
- My old rig was a Sonos ZP90 feeding the Benchmark Preamp/DAC, to an active crossover, into two recapped Carver M500-t amps playing a pair of Emerald
Physics CS2 speakers. With the LIO I am hearing detail and realism from my system that I've never experienced before, outside of a high end audio show.
While my old system was very nice sounding there really is no comparison. Speaker upgrade is next, the next level.
Steve
P.S. Thanks Vinnie.
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I am getting GREAT sound with my LIO hooked up to KEF LS50s. Can't say enough about the great customer service as well.
Has anybody tried LIO with Salk speakers? I am curious about that combination.
Cheers, Margot
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I would love to provide my feedback and share my experience...just waiting to receive my new LIO!
Hopefully I will have it for this weekend.
George
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All,
Thanks for getting this thread started! :hyper:
In my first post, I added some "suggested topics to discuss" (of course you can chose to pass
on them, or even bring up something different about your LIO experience) Wink2
The goal is to share some details. For example - how your LIO is configured (preamp, integrated amp,
headphone amp, etc.), the rest of your system that LIO is used in (especially speakers!), what LIO replaced,
how it compares, music that really shines with LIO/your system, etc.
Thanks again, everyone!
Vinnie
I would love to provide my feedback and share my experience...just waiting to receive my new LIO!
Hopefully I will have it for this weekend.
George
Hi George,
Shipping today - You'll see it on Friday ! 8)
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Like George, my LIO is on order. I've been without a system for a while (I'll explain later) so I'm anxious to get back up and running.
Bob
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Hi George,
Shipping today - You'll see it on Friday ! 8)
Awesome!
I should probably see it much sooner than Friday given that I am only 45 miles away from you.
George
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Since Reichert, Stone, Darko, and Ebean have accurately described the sonics of the LIO, I will make my comments about the sonics brief. I will simply say that owning a LIO turns my analytical mind off and I get lost in the music more easily than anything I've ever owned before (and unfortunately there is an extensive list). In my opinion that is the ultimate endorsement. If that's your goal ( even if your budget is unlimited), you owe it to yourself to at least investigate the LIO.
What I'd like to talk more about is the ownership of a LIO. My unit is configured with phono, remote control loading, dac, AVC with tubestage and amp. It started out with the RVC and tubestage (purchased before the AVC/tubestage was created) and this is where the LIO gets really great. Within 3 months of buying the LIO, the preamp section was "outdated". If this was any other manufacturer, you would have to sell your unit, take a loss, and buy a new unit to get the new preamp. With the LIO, Vinnie sent me the preamp module and I sent the RVC back to him once I received the AVC. There was zero down time, it took 2 minutes to swap the modules out, and it cost $5 to send the RVC back to Vinnie...trust me when I say you will be thrilled with the value of the LIO when you upgrade a module.
Purchasing from Vinnie is a pleasure. He is a flat out honest man with impeccable integrity, customer service, and accessibility. When you add that on to the flawless execution and build quality of the LIO as well as Vinnie's skill with voicing, the LIO is a wonder product in my opinion. The honeymoon period has been long over with my LIO and I like it more now than when I purchased it.
David
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So, its plainly amazing. As of now its the mosfet hooked up with LS50's. On the wishlist first the headamp, later DA. My first encounter with VinnieRossi was the iMod, which turned that expensive disappointment of equipment into something - finally - i really enjoy listening to. Despite its archaic user interface. From that experience i knew Vinni is for real. So i plunged for the Lio without prior auditioning.
The key for that was this: My apartement, 100year old building, ancient wiring, a transformator pole right in front. Hum, and other noises being a major problem ever since i moved in 15 years ago. Don't know how much what really contributes to that, but eventually I got around it somewhat with power "conditioner" and hum-filters on the input side.
The Lio independent powersupply, sounded like a more thorough solution, so with the imod experince in mind, i wanted to try it out, and saved for it.
Wow, was that a day and night experience!!
Absolutely nothing in the background (when i plug in the imod)! Such a crisp and clear sound, well defined, even with my worn Sony speakers. That experience made me shell out the $$$ for the KEFs. ...listening happy ever after, as they used to say long ago. Can only second what everyone says about it.
Getting noise out of the system is never easy. So that was almost too much!
Now with the other sources i still use the filters and stuff (input side), it does give less noise than without. So i have to see what happens if i put those on battery, (wish the Lio had a power-out...i know it'd take another leap in capacitor tech). But probably move to the built-in DA. For the digital connection all this shouldn't matter....
here we are.
C,-w
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Hi all, I plan to use my LIO in a new system still in construction. Probably with Harbeth speakers which I loved for their thick enveloping sounds especially with vinyl.
Configuration:
Input
Output
Volume - AVC/Tubestage
But I plugged the LIO into my current system - Watt Puppy 6 and Audio Research CD7 or my RWAK240. Great sound - black background, treble very clear but still smooth, especially with high def music through the RWAK240 . Sound adjustments with interconnects, speaker cables and positioning of my speakers and seating required to fine tune the sound to my room, but all in an amazing value considering it is competing with my original system of a BAT VK5i and YBA2000 mono blocks. If there is any weakness in the sound, perhaps the soundstage isn't as wide, thick and meaty as my old setup, but that's what the optional power amp is for I suppose!
One note on working with Vinnie - he sent me an input module with a pair of balance connectors as my setup is all balanced. But using my RWAK240 as the source, there was some hum in the music especially if holding the player. After some communication with Vinnie, he managed to figure out the reason why and sent me (on his own cost half way around the world) a replacement module which fixed the issue. I have yet to return the old module which should soon. That's great support and effort to help getting his product working properly. He's got me as a lifetime customer :D
Not to mention also the mesmerising voltage figures that drops and rises when the power banks switches. Can seem to stop looking at that.... :lol:
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In anticipation of my LIO's arrival (today or tomorrow), I thought I would share some info.
LIO Configuration:
Preamp with balanced inputs/outputs
AVC/Tubestage module
DSD/PCM DAC module
Here is my current system:
Dedicated room (21'10" x 12'10" x 8') with two 20 amp dedicated lines
Vandersteen 5A speakers
Acoustic Imagery Atsah 1200 mono block amps
Atma-Sphere MP-1 Mk 3.2 two chassis preamp with the following options: Remote volume control, Copper Foil V-Caps, Caddock Resistor package, Damping package, Dual Outputs, NOS 6SN7 tubes
Auralic Vega DAC
Custom built PC running Jriver
Morrow Audio SP4 speaker cables (two runs)
Morrow Audio SP6 XLR IC's
Pi Audio Uber Buss with Kaplan Cable Copper Cord (amps + powered woofers in 5A's)
Furman IT Ref-20i with Kaplan Cable Copper Cord (preamp, DAC, computer)
RealTraps room treatments
GIK room treatments
Here are a couple of older pics with the previous amps (Hypex Ncore NC400 mono blocks):
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bkh57cdmaVdu2VWEtyakfcdrzXty4MlKChzixtUwDznmKCR-8ebHqbitzF5Rs-69Lu4-LAO8Uovc2FXCVUiCXjQE7-aUzI3rAdZaiEEI6DNOLLZQjf8DvdZo9ZI_9ZHWNriwRHEFIqBGz1bud4oLyQuhynB8VTIahC5jiIeYhfbfyZipOevN_k-PTqyhUEBq-8Lor78waqQgTPt_Xaho7aHvbgxB-sCHGMQOPJrP0wFpooiw9hbGRBcF9yfPFTGtTOzcC0CfjG9lpnfyxrdSOoNZUvtjpwu1xeHmgSZe8FKGMvxp42DQOP23BAk3rl4ikUwyfPUXOlTQheSrNAcLxdFJ8Q2qvmlGhqKMxvmt-HX9QXLHj2g0EWhP2HlUC7D8FIU2JBTQ1d9mkynq_td-JkpzzZgW7HCVgt2rJ5auJw1fQtTLgrT6PmswMPG-nMao-OvVjlNWrCWDpWD5y44ICG07aqZhOI7f0swDLohKhwVoycmRvaJlAND_n97eEklIuZ9GH2geQGlLD30bi8YR-_-ABdCJNhE3J93iiJU_3uwQ5kQzcrLF3fbBPOtGRaDxHds7bw=w1920-h907-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iWIW9cJlcKVgfRk1wgjzc0zvcsavsbk1d0XAQAvC3i7xIbrL4V-TQc4nNsAkUj10KqVV2aQNStBU4mUXekNwJ81EAicPDTZExAIiaWzatE5zM4CJL605d-g4ES3c6NeP3eSmveKnBYTiqSx0SZt8fdVQgdfmYOCJUaNul2s0OFyUe0hoHifirAf0YJo_1kt10v0wgtPEjDd1Dh_eX9OZd3cNboMYKxw6ArJ2tonOtyoLrww_1CUftEfnJ63GGTvKuUnR0p5XR0juCu7MZVZH88Pmpq7oFdciKbQ1wTnDlbzaRMa8c1PHIBiWDtoZKitRY1DdsnItFdkY5Jf7VVtC7ZUsyB_uguO0AOiWo5z6A7U-YjLlRp6p9DV9IvgvltzM5bC_yx0dc2kd_tQvQUBCR3q5XgLU5sixXO6h4XrIRgir5sRW5wh04dnU8e2PL4E600CAcPXHhBsDyJyfRnV6Uw2vQyo-hJYPcMo4jMRjNoJoqE8OwKm0LwJYSUQPoWkkkVgHponxGnuf1fErzzcD6P9EWooaKWx3ni2VeTbyp1w97mFuXB3NKZIDYCmsUn8uX15HmQ=w1624-h1075-no)
George
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Definitely interested to hear your comparison of the LIO as DAC to the Vega.
Great room, BTW. Envious :)
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All,
What a great start to this LIO owner's thread - thank you! :hyper:
To 4003, flkin, and all other newcomers joining in.... WELCOME!
I hope you enjoy visiting and posting on the VR forum, and the entire Audiocircle.com site.
On this thread - you are free to post updates, pics, etc. If you order new modules and what to post about them
here (and how the installation process was), please do!
And even though the subject says "LIO" - feel free to mention if you are using VR120 (and if you
upgraded from LIO MOSFET AMP to VR120, it would be very helpful to hear from you!)
It would also be cool to know where you are from. Just ideas...
Like George, my LIO is on order. I've been without a system for a while (I'll explain later) so I'm anxious to get back up and running.
Bob
Hi Bob,
Your LIO will be shipping tomorrow or Friday of this week! 8)
Thanks again, everyone!
Vinnie
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Okay, since I'll be seeing my LIO by next Wednesday, here's what's happening:
Config: Black with silver knobs, amp, phono stage, AVC with tubes, single ended inputs
Room: 21 x 17 with cathedral ceiling (14') living room, but pretty much dedicated to me. The equipment sits on / in an 8' custom (Amish) made record cabinet - 2 rows of records + 1 row of CDs. The top is 2" maple, with most of the equipment laid out on the top. Room is carpeted, gas fireplace in one corner, 2 sets of French pocket doors, double hung windows. The speakers sit on the long wall, with a listening sofa a few inches off of the opposite wall. No special room treatment at this point.
Current system:
VMPS RM30 with outboard xover and BPS bass system.
Wellborne Moondog 2A3 SET amps driving the mid panels and ribbon
Joule Electra LA100mk3
TTWeights GEM w/ copper ring and record weight, 12" ARO arm mounted on VTA tower, Van Den Hul Colribi XGM
Herron VTPHMC phono
PS Audio Power Director
CAL Alpha / Delta (don't play many cds, most are for the car)
Grover interconnects
Wywires silver speaker wires - biwired
Black Sand PCs
A couple of weeks ago I powered up the system and put a record on the table (Simon and Garfarkle in Central Park). I only heard one channel. After debugging I discovered one of the amps was silent. The tubes were glowing, so I'm thinking a coupling cap died. I don't churn equipment often (like every 10 - 15 years), so I decided to use the opportunity to convince the CFO that I needed to replace things. I wanted to simplify, so I was thinking integrated, and the LIO rose to the top of a very short list. (Yeah, I could fix the amp, and I probably will, eventually. But this was an opportunity that I didn't want to miss.)
I've read the reviews, but after using DHTs for so long, I'm hoping the mosfet amp is up to it. I've read Herb's review, as well as aumacoustics piece, so I'm thinking it should be close. It's the same with the phono stage vs. the Herron - The Herron has been revered for years, so this could be a tough comparison. I also have a Choir Audio Hashimoto SUT that I'm going to compare to the internal SUTs (cinemag?)
More to come.....
Bob Rex
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I have received my Lio about 3 months ago and I ordered it with AVC Tubestage / Phono Stage / Remote Loading / MOSFET Amp / Input Select.
The Lio replaced a NAD M3 integrated and Ifi IPhono.
Source is a VPI Classic 3 with a Transfiguration Phoenix S and a Dynavector XX2mkii cartridge.
My speakers are PSB Synchrony One with 4Ohms impedance and a sensitivity of 88db and I was somewhat worried that the power of the MOSFET amp might be too low.
To sum it up, the Lio was a massive upgrade to my system and I couldn’t be any happier.
The Lio has absolutely no trouble driving my speakers. It is very realistic and detailed but most importantly it is incredible enjoyable to listen too and I find it highly addictive.
Also I find the remote cartridge loading module very help full. You can assign 2 different loadings to each of the 2 MC inputs and then switch between them for a direct comparison. It is really easy to optimize cartridge loading this way and not to mention the conveniency to do this all from your listening position.
Vinnie was extremely helpful, responsive and insightful with his advice during the whole purchase process as well as after. Really outstanding customer support which for me just rounds of the package to be an really outstanding deal.
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I have listened to LIO an hour or more a day for the three months I’ve owned it. Past experience with Red Wine Audio gear (I still have a Sig 30.2 in use) made me expect great things. So far, LIO has exceeded my expectations. The physical appearance and overall construction quality has to be seen to be appreciated. It is better than anything I’ve owned before, including some expensive ARC gear.
I would say the biggest surprise has been the total compatibility with other gear, including my tube amp and a variety of sources (see below). LIO slipped into my system as though it belonged there all along. I try to avoid preamps (except for phono) and extra cables as much as possible. Prior to LIO I was using a Decware TORII JR power amp in my main system. It has it’s own volume controls so I can go source to amp to speakers for a minimalist path. I missed the convenience of a powered remote and the extra inputs so the LIO had instant appeal as a preamp. The reviews convinced me that LIO configured with the AVC module would be very transparent. The reviews were correct. I’m pretty sure the only “veiling” I can detect is caused by the extra interconnect - and it is very slight. I can’t hear much difference even on a direct comparison (tube amp direct vs. LIO in the chain as preamp). This clarity, and the remote control, were my main criteria. The Slagleformer Volume Control is the best VC I’ve ever used (and that includes dozens of them over the years). The 1dB increments are just right and there is never a question of finding the “sweet spot”. You just turn it to the volume you want and enjoy. It is hard to describe something that isn’t there but imagine a preamp that sounds exactly the same with the volume control wide open (under no signal conditions) as it does at zero. You can put your ear to the speaker and hear nothing at full clockwise rotation (this is with the Mosfet amp - tube amps have some residual noise but LIO adds nothing to the noise floor).
Soon after I got my LIO, I gave in to temptation and added two more modules - phono and HPA. The phono is terrific and the headphone amp does justice to my HiFi Man and Grado cans. My old headphone amp and phono pre are sold. I ordered LIO with the Mosfet amp even though my primary need was an “invisible" preamp for my tube amp. I wanted the amp module for a “different flavor" from the tube sound and it provides a perfect alternative - offering tons of sweet detail and bass control vs. the mellower magic of EL34 tubes. Living with LIO is great. It always works perfectly and, of course, is dead silent. Dynamics are superb, depth and air are preserved, and all the things you read in the professional reviews are true. Mostly, it just gets out of the way of the music and lets me enjoy my collection of 4,000 LPs and CD’s.
I Iive in San Diego County, CA. In the near future we plan to sell our 2 story house and move to smaller digs. When that happens I will likely downsize my entire rig to just the LIO (next addition will be the DAC), three sources (phono, CD and streaming service) and the speakers. I will keep the tube amp if room permits.
Gear:
LIO with Phono, Mosfet and HAP modules (plus DAC, eventually)
Decware ZDSD DAC
Decware TORII JR power amp
Decware Silver Reference interconnects
Mapleshade Double Helix v2 speaker cables
Decware DM945 Monolith speakers
Sources:
VPI Traveler with Denon DL-110
BelCanto CD player
Sonos streamer (digital out to DAC)
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My LIO arrived yesterday! :hyper:
Listening begins this afternoon.
Will post a few pics later.
George
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Hi BobRex, SL, CSI, and Zybar:
Thank you for posting! :bowdown:
Okay, since I'll be seeing my LIO by next Wednesday, here's what's happening:
Hi BobRex - shipping today, so you'll see it Monday (Tuesday the latest)! 8)
All the best,
Vinnie
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I'll be on the lookout....
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As one of the early adopters of the LIO, I'm happy to report that I'm still in love with it and have zero plans to change it. After decades on the merry go round of swapping out expensive components and cabling looking for my unicorn, I have finally found something that makes me happy every time I turn it on, no matter what I'm listening to. The Miles Davis Quintet swings with the vibe of a live performance, Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances envelops me in visceral energy, and I feel every emotional ebb and flow of Steven Wilson's masterful Hand Cannot Erase.
The LIO can do no wrong and excels at pretty much every thing that matters - staging & imaging, PRAT, accuracy, instant current, whatever. It works well with every speaker I have used it with (ProAc, Sjöfn, Devore, and Harbeth to name a few), but when I paired it with a demo pair of KEF LS50 in my home, the room just exploded with musical energy that was simultaneously easy to listen to. Everyone's ears are a little different, so you may prefer the Harbeth sound or the full range capability of the Devore 096 that I auditioned, but for me the LIO and KEF combination puts everything right where I want it and lets me just listen to music (instead of listening to equipment).
The only change I've made to the LIO since I bought it was to swap out the original Resistor Volume control and tube stage for the Autoformer Volume control with tube stage. The differences are both subtle and revealing. Subtle speaks to the quality of the base Resistor control, but revealing in that the Autoformer removes last thing standing between you and the "you are there" musical experience. The music isn't compressed or hindered in any way with the Autoformer, and the tube stage lets you roll tubes to "season" or tweak the sound to your room, preferences, or associated equipment. I keep it neutral as my room is very good and allows components to speak clearly.
At this point, the only changes I might consider to my system would be an upgrade to my turntable setup - though I honestly buy less vinyl than I used to with the advent of redbook streaming services like Deezer and Tital (which will be going high resolution soon). If I move to a different home with a larger listening room, I might consider something like a pair of KEF Blades paired with Vinnie's VR120 amp with the goal of keeping the sound I have now but accommodating a larger space. Beyond that, I've heard nothing at any of the audio shows, dealers, or Audio society meetings in the last couple years to dissuade me from my love of Vinnie's LIO.
If you have questions or are considering LIO, I'm happy to talk.
Cheers!
Tim
My setup:
LIO Delux with Autoformer Volume Control + Tube Stage
KEF LS50 - a perfect match for the LIO's MOSFET amp
Rega RP6 turntable
Auralic Aries Extreme (for my High Res library and Tital)
Sonos Connect (for Pandora, Deezer, other streaming services)
Anticable speaker, USB, and digital wiring (one of the best 'bang for the buck' in Audio)
Recent (former) Equipment:
Amps: Naim SuperUniti, LSA Statement, Manley Mahi Mahi
DS: Naim, PS Audio Perfect Wave with Bridge
Cables: Nordost Heimdal and Vishnu lines, Cable Research Labs, Transparent Audio
Speakers: ProAc D28 and 1sc, Sjöfn
Phono Stage: PS Audio GCPH, Sutherland PhD
Table: Michel Tecnodec with Benz Glider M
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It all started with a used pair of Red Wine Audio 70.2's just over 4 years ago that I found on Audiogon, and that Vinnie graciously, and for a small fee of course, upgraded to tube stage. So impressed was I, that I bought the Isabella to match and sold my Sim Audio gear that I had, and loved, for many years. Fast forward a few pair of speakers later, and I contacted Vinnie for some upgrades, and that's when he told me about a 'new' concept he was working on. SLA's just weren't good enough I suppose. Ultra Capacitors and a new concept of plug and play modular system certainly enticed me. I seem to have this bent towards new technology, always moving forward. I was one of the early adopters of the LIO with Input Selector, Phono Stage, MOSFET Amp, RVC and Tubestage. As if that wasn't enough, I subsequently upgraded, yet again. Swapped out the RVC and Tubestage for the newer and more resilient AVC/Tubestage module, which was like night and day, and why not, go for the gold, swapped out the MOSFET for the newer VR120 Amp. So now you're caught up. If that doesn't speak volumes of my devotion to this line of products. Let me share my musical thoughts.
I'm not as proficient with the lingo that goes around in the audio trade rags, so I'll just keep it simple. For CD's I own an Esoteric X0-1 and for Digital I pump Sonos through Schiit Bitfrost. Speakers are DALI Epicon 8's. I'm not too sure, but I think the VR120 came about because I kept hounding Vinnie for more power to fill the room with my hefty sounding DALI's, as efficient as they are. What I mean is that when I had the 35 Watt MOSFET plugged in, the sound was spectacular through my speakers, even at really low volume. Rich, deep and broad in imaging. So what prompted me to want more power, particularly when there are so many audiophiles looking for low wattage? Probably just the way my brain is wired I suppose, who knows.
So, I couldn't have been more satisfied. Well, just so happens that a few weeks ago, I had my good friend Shane Tenace, of Tenacious sound, come over with some serious sound measuring equipment that consisted of a weird looking microphone and techie software run from his laptop. After a few attempts at moving some furniture around, shifting the speakers this way and that, and adjusting the software, we tuned the room so that, well what can I say, I thought I had hit gold before.
Bass is something I have had a lot of trouble with in my house, either too much or not enough. But the lesson I learned form Shane was that the bass in relation to the mid and highs was really my problem. I should say that I also swapped out cabling. My Acoustic Zen Double Barrel speaker cables and Silver Reference interconnects seemed to suck the mid rage out of the system, thus increasing the impression of the bass. Had a pretty good bass, but mid range just wasn't there. I decided I'd had enough spending oodles of money on cabling. So I gave James Schmitt a shot. I purchased several cables from him last year for my AV system downstairs in the TV room,and I was super impressed with the sound quality I got out of my Arcam AVR450 at his really great price point. This time I hit him up for his best bi-wire speaker cables and interconnects throughout, and BAM! there it was. All of a sudden Vinnie's system in conjunction with the X0-1 and DALI's came alive. So well balanced in mid's and highs, the bass sounded sweet, something one probably doesn't associate with bass, but that's my impression. Can you figure that, for a tenth the cost for cabling, I had a vast improvement in really sweet highs, clear and concise, mid range that had Annie Lennox singing "Summertime" and "You belong to me" right in my living room.
LIO is amazing in two ways. I can swap out modules and have some fun with different configurations. The sound quality of the LIO in the configuration I now own is superior to anything I have ever owned. The system really meets my expectations. I'm thrilled!!! And best of all, Vinnie... He's just so darn friendly and responsive. I don't know how he finds the time to respond not just here but with personal emails with all the innovations and trade shows he's got going on.
Thank you for a great experience!
:rotflmao: :hyper: :banana piano:
PS> I still own the Red Wine Audio gear hooked up to a small pair of Vienna Acoustics in my work studio, jamb all day while I work.
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I’ve had my LIO since last Sept. and listen to my audio system every day. First thing I do after hitting the bathroom in the morning is fire up the LIO. I live in a small 800 sq. ft. house in Asheville, NC, so my living room is my listening room. And I can hear the music anywhere in the house, so when I’m not doing “hot seat” critical listening, the presence of music is still always there. Yes, I am a music addict. If I am at home, music is playing. I listen to all kinds of music. Often times, I have Radio Paradise playing. Right now I don’t subscribe to any streaming music services. That will change. Tidal and Roon are beckoning. Mostly I enjoy jazz, jazzgrass, bluegrass, world music, reggae, rock, americana. Love the eclectic mix on Radio Paradise.
My LIO is configured with the mosfet amp and the AVC/Tubestage. I replaced the RCA Input Module with the Balanced Input Module. It was a tight fit and after a quick call to Vinnie, who gave me a tip, it was a breeze to insert the Bal Module. After letting the stock J&J tubes settle in with perhaps 100 hr., I replaced them with a pair of Telefunken E88CC tubes from Upscale Audio. The LIO sits on a platform on the floor between the speakers. My equipment rack is situated about three ft. to the right of the right speaker, so the LIO is around 8 ft. from the rack.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=139543)
Source : Squeezebox Touch w/Channel Island linear power supply, ethernet connected to an Apple Extreme wireless router.
AIFF files stored on an external HD connected to my Mac Mini in the bedroom
Oppo 93 DVD player (for movies and the occasional CD played)
DAC : Neko Dac
Cables : 3M Grover Huffman Empress balanced IC (DAC to LIO)
DIY VH Audio CheLA speaker cable w/WBT bananas
Pangea AC 14 XL power cord (Squeezebox, DAC)
Pangea AC 9 SE power cord (dedicated line outlet to PS Audio Duet power conditioner)
Lifatec Silflex Toslink glass cable (Squeezebox to DAC)
AudioQuest .75M ethernet cable (between ethernet hub and Squeezebox)
All my CD’s are ripped to AIFF files, with some downloaded hi rez files.
The LIO is driving a pair of Tekton 8 Ohm, 94 dB Lore-S speakers. And the sound is sublime. What’s most striking for me is the tonal balance at any volume level. I listen a lot at lower volumes when I’m not doing critical listening, and the presentation can still make me stop what I’m doing and tell myself “this really sounds good”. My previous amp was the Red Wine Audio Sig 30.2. As nice as that amp was, the LIO excels at letting the music come through in a natural, non fatiguing, robust way. There is a body to the music, a density that is simply addictive. From top to bottom, a cohesiveness. Just a real pleasure to listen to music through the LIO. And of course with the Ultracapacitor power supply, the unit is dead quiet. I couldn’t be happier. And the 25 wpc is more than enough power for my needs. I really don’t get the AVC much beyond 30 on the digital readout.
I hope to replace my DAC and speakers sometime down the road. And the Sonore Signature Rendu may be the next source. But the LIO is here to stay.
Well done Vinnie.
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Not yet ready to post a big formal review, but wanted to provide my initial impressions.
Let's start with ordering, packaging and documentation:
Ordering was simple and straight forward and I liked that I had the option to complete it online. :thumb:
Packaging is excellent and the LIO arrived with zero issues in perfect condition (as expected).
Documentation is printed out and inside the box in a nice folder. It is well written, easy to understand and follow, and guides the user in a very logical manner. My only possible suggestion is to add a trouble shooting section.
Build quality and ergonomics:
The LIO is very well built and will be at home in ANY system. Inside it is immaculately laid out and executed. The inputs/outputs are well labeled and easy to access in the back. The front panel provides basic functionality (on/off, source selector, volume) and is very intuitive. The metal remote provides all the functions you need plus some nice features (balanced control, phase and filters for the DAC module) that others may or may not provide.
Stay tuned for pics and my initial listening impressions from this weekend...
George
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Hi all,
Have had the LIO now for 7 months and could not be happier.
Configuration is AVC/Tubestage, MOSFET & headphone amp + DAC.
The LIO is driving Zu Def mk4's speakers and MrSpeakers Ether C headphones.
The system is in our family room which is roughly 20'x20' in size; listening distance is ~12'.
The LIO has replaced a Bakoon AMP-12R integrated amp, Bakoon DAC-9730 & PS Audio P10 Power Plant + Triode Wire power cables.
The Bakoon is an amplifier of extremely high clarity and natural tone.
The LIO, right out of the box, trumped the Bakoon on clarity - which was amazing - both for speaker and for headphone listening.
However, to my ears, the biggest improvement was how the LIO fleshed out the sound.
With the Bakoon I had to use Dirac room correction through Amarra to avoid hollowed out / flat sounding mids (wasn't flexible to move the speakers around much in the family room).
The LIO now is driven directly from an Aurender X100L music server and does not require any DRC.
With the LIO, the Zu Def mk4's now project music with the right warmth that makes classical music sound natural, yet maintain excellent clarity and impact for all sorts of music.
I experimented with different tubes in the LIO tube stage, including Mullard CV2492, and settled on the Telefunken E88CC/6922.
The Telefunkens provide a beautiful liquidity and naturalness of sound through the entire frequency range.
I felt that the extra mid-range emphasis of the Mullards was not needed in the LIO/Zu Def mk4 system and that the Mullards added some slight opaqueness to the upper mids - which can be a problem area for the Zu's anyway and they can sound a bit muffled there if not driven properly - as if a damper is used on the violin. Violin chamber/solo music actually is great way to bring out this effect.
The Telefunken tubes did not show this upper mid opaqueness and there is a wonderful open sound now from the Zu's through the entire spectrum approaching the crystalline mid clarity of Harbeths yet having better impact. Pretty satisfied right now with the system - but cannot wait for the DHT module :wink:
Thank you, Vinnie!
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All,
I'm very glad to have started this thread and want to thank you all again for posting!
Keep 'em coming! :beer:
Vinnie
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A friend of mine and I recently did a parallel experiment involving a €13'500 R2R DAC with "67-bit FPGA-based digital volume" versus the same DAC in fixed output mode running into Lio as AVC passive preamp (just the Slageformers, no tubes). His speakers are 104dB efficient, mine were 85dB, i.e. a huge difference in how much signal cut/attenuation was required. In his space, adding Lio and one more interconnect was decisively better than running DAC direct. In my setup using 12dB of cut (the DAC maxes out at 1.4V out), digital volume vs. Lio was pretty much a wash but using higher attenuation, Lio was better.
A reasonable conclusion to be drawn from that is that, a/ Lio as autoformer passive is bloody transparent aka invisible and b/ that outside an even very high-resolution digital control's non-lossy window of attenuation, Lio's volume control either is superior per se; or c/ that its drive of longer cables becomes superior to a digital VC as more attenuation is engaged. Hopefully this is useful to some who consider Lio as a purist preamp with comprehensive remote control :thumb:
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LIO = RVC/Tube stage, DSD/PCM Dac, Mosfet Amp and headphone Amp. Headphones = LCD2, Senn 650
and Grado HF2. Speakers are Vandersteen 3A Signature.
I am retired so I have plenty of time to listen to music. I would say average time is 8 hours a day 7 days a
week except for football season then its only 4 hours on Sunday.
I still cannot believe how great my system sounds with the 25 wpc of the Mosfet Amp. I must admit that at
my age the music that I listen to is not very demanding. If you wish to reproduce a rocket launch or a
thunderstorm in your basement you may need a little more power. I listen to mostly Vocals, solo instruments, small jazz groups, blues and some big band. I do listen to the speakers most of the time.
When I do listen to my headphones, I find that the headphone Amp is outstanding. I listen to the headphones at night and find my self just drifting away. If you really want to hear the Senn 650's shine,
come off the output of the mosfet amp and connect it to a balanced plug then run the 650 in a balanced
mode. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I prefer it to the LCD2. My LCD2 is a Rev 1. A comfort
factor may also be a reason for the 650 choice. Another reason is the Impedence factor. The 650 is
300 ohm and the LCD 2 is 70 ohms.
It wont be long now and the DHT tube board should be ready to ship. I cant wait. Hey Vinnie, do you
think that will make them headphones SING? I know my Sig 3's will like it.
Thanks Vinnie, you done good.
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The LIO is landed! I'd discuss packaging and manual, but George already covered that, so all I can do is agree.
One minor ergonomic "issue" is that Alex (Wywires) uses the large Cardas spade lugs, and guess what doesn't fit that well on the Cardas binding posts.
Otherwise, the power cord (wall to xformer) is a dinky 18g thang. Now I know that it's fine, but I have spare 14g cords, so what the hey!
Besides that, I may have to reposition things.....
I'm charging the caps now.
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こにちわ{Konichiwa}- Hi all! Lio took up residence in my home last October: AVC/Tubestage, MOSFET & headphone> { OPPO 3 } amps, DSD/PCM DAC, RCA Input Selector and the absolutely awesome external "VR" module - more on that in a moment.
My speakers are rather rare & esoteric 1993 Linaeum Model 3 {very few pairs were produced with piano grade black lacquer finish}. And I also swap out for nearer field (I'm in Japan housing) listening a pair of 1992/3 Linaeum LFX/C Corian speakers; often referred to when they were released as as "bookshelves" that think they are "high end" speakers...well with LIO they truly are!! :thumb:
As others have more eloquently preceded my exact thoughts and many far exceed my hi-fi jargon vocabulary, I'll just say that anyone reading this who is considering a LIO system can read most previous posts which cover my general experiences. For one at random, a few posts up by 'annica': Been listening to LIO about the same time, live in small dwellings and love internet Radio Paradise.
I'd rather share how LIO has positively effected my life. My wife ( like my mother before her ) often tells me to turn down the music, even when I'm playing her favorites. Shortly after setting up LIO, she asked me to play Tears For Fears, Duran Duran & Art Pepper. I set the AVC to what I understood was her upper limit...for the first time EVER, she asked me to crank it up. Said that Art was playing sax in our living room - this is the finest testimonial for LIO I can offer right now. When she goes to sleep before me, I can set the volume way down 1{yes sometimes}<15 and still enjoy. The HPA for when I want louder is wonderful..a few days ago listening to Floyd there was a sound effect of a door opening/closing loudly - I ripped off the OPPO's to find out what was wrong... bedroom door was closed, she was asleep... it was only LIO realism in my head :duh:
And about that awesome "VR" external module I mentioned: The would be Vinnie Rossi. When you buy a LIO you gain access to a man/business of the utmost integrity and blazing intelligence who can clearly explain his system (designed for demanding audiophiles) to a non-hobbyist, freely gives non-sponsored unbiased advice on components/peripherals when asked, goes out of his way to build modifications...I could keep going on. And while the LIO has Ultra-Caps as it's heart, the "VR" module has Alexis!
And I love the hefty satiny feel & simplistic power of the remote control...but this is probably best suited for a different forum :wink:
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Ordered my LIO 3-4 weeks
line-level INPUTS
Autoformer Volume Control and Tubestage)
front panel color: black
top panel color: black
knobs color: black
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Can anyone tell me what the LIO headphone module brings to the table ? I use a modded WA22 now but would add the hp module if it is in the same league. Am I asking to much
Source Totaldac Twelve
line-level INPUTS
Autoformer Volume Control and Tubestage)
front panel color: black
top panel color: black
knobs color: black
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I've purchased my LIO last summer. I have searched for an comfortable solution for my audio demands. First I have choosen the PSI AUDIO A21-M active monitor as my favorite loudspeakers in a custom finish. I have choosen this speakers, because my living room is acoustically not ideal, so I could configure a „nearfield“ zone. So I needed a preamp for my active speakers.
I decided for the LIO because of the possibility to change things later and my space is very limited, my LIO is in a sideboard. I prefered a „real“ preamp with the option of a dac instead of a DAC with preamp-function.
My LIO configuration:
- AVC with Tubestage
- DAC
- analog Inputs
- balanced Output Module
- headphone amplifier
I have an auralic aries mini as source for my digital Audio (NAS-Library and Tidal, Quobuz) on USB, TV with Bluerayplayer on the analog inputs.
Recently I'm testing headphone listening. I have now the balanced headphone connection. It pleases me extraordinarily – I'm too often all night on for my listening sessions. I've have had a chance to try the Audeze LCD-3. - Puuhhhh – That was the top matching headphone – I'm saving on and hope to be able to buy one in the future.
My LIO works always perfectly, although there are small inconveniences: the switch of the capacitor banks is heard, when you listen on quiet volumes. The LIO is always little warm, I don't know how much power it needs in standby (ecologically concerns).
The remote is very high quality and a joy to use, it would be great to use an app as am addon control point, especially when you use apps for the control of your playback.
Sound is outstanding and he customer support of Vinnie is unparalleled.
Sonically the LIO is for me the ULTIMATE SOLUTION!!! I've had never before a comparable unit. I'm impressed and Vinnie thank you very very much.
I'm curious, what extensions for the LIO woud be available in the future.
Hubert
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My turn-
I received my LIO in the summer of 2015 and have been quite pleased from the start. I initially had intended to be an early adopter for LIO at the end of 2014, but as soon as I heard rumblings of a then-future option of getting the AVC + Tubestage, I waited it out in the background for a bit. I believe I was one of the first to get on-board with this combo option when it became available. In addition to AVC + Tubestage, my LIO came with Phono Stage with Remote Cartridge Loading, Input Select Stage, and MOSFET Amp (which currently is mainly used as a back-up amp; more on that later). So I mainly use this LIO as a preamp, and it was replacing a Modwright LS100 with built-in phonostage. The sources I use include primarily an Acoustic Solid Wood MPX turntable (Benz Micro Ace H and Ace M, Soundsmith Carmen), as well as a Logitech Squeezebox and Arcam CD Player. The amp I have been using most with the LIO is a Music Reference RM200II-T with 4 KT88 tubes, and my speakers are Daedalus DA1.1 floorstanders with sensitivity of 97db. I’ve also briefly used a Modwright KWA100SE amp together with LIO with great results.
I have been exceedingly happy with the performance of the LIO with all of the equipment I have used with it. I was more than happy with the equipment I was using prior to LIO as well, to be honest. While the Modwright LS100 preamp worked very well with the other 2 amps I own and has fantastic sound as well, it has a slightly different sound signature to the LIO. I think it may be the choice of 6SN7 tubes in the LS100, but I’d say the sound is a bit on the warmer side. LIO on the other hand, offers a blacker background and a lower noise floor. There is no tube hiss whatsoever from the LIOs 6922 tubes; this is one of the only components I’ve owned that I would characterize as sounding truly ‘transparent’.
My favored choice right now is to use my LIO with the Music Reference RM200IIT amp. This is the only tube amp I’ve ever owned, and I would say this current configuration is the best sound I’ve ever gotten out of this system. However, for some time I did use the LIO MOSFET module while my RM200II was waiting on new tubes, which made me realize that the sound difference between the tube amp and the LIOs own MOSFET module is fairly subtle. I was pleased once again (maybe even shocked!) that the sound from my system when using LIO in a fully integrated mode was fantastic on it’s own. I now know that some day if/when I decide to downsize my equipment somewhat, I already have one of the best integrated amps around that I can be really happy with for the long-term.
Additionally, although I realize it’s only an accessory, as others have mentioned, the remote that comes with LIO is leaps and bounds above any of the others I have owned. However, I have been another one that has been continually bugging Vinnie about the mobile app for LIO that we were initially expecting. As much as I love the remote, there are times when I just wish I could control things with the device that is in my hands at the time. Still hoping this will finally become a reality.
Collecting and listening to music (mostly LPs) is about the only hobby I have that I am passionate about, so I use my LIO quite a bit every day. Right now as I’m writing this, I am 5 lps into a listening session, and I hope it doesn’t have to end any time soon. That’s what I love most about LIO as a component. Others have described the sound better than I could perhaps, but I just like that LIO gets out of the way completely, letting me enjoy the music with phenomenal sound and no listener fatigue. I also tend to listen to music very late at night. Oftentimes, I listen at very low volumes. It has been a joy to listen to, even with LIOs volume set to 1. I was initially a little concerned with the sound of the switching capacitor banks as well. But this turned out to be a non-issue. I’d describe it as the typical sound of a relay switch (like the sound you hear from your thermostat when your furnace or air-conditioning unit comes on). Although much/most of my listening is in a very quiet dedicated room, I just don’t really hear it unless I am trying to.
The other thing I want to mention about my experience with LIO is regarding Vinnie Rossi’s service. Frankly, I couldn’t ask for better. Every question I had prior to purchase (and there were dozens, including a few rather long phone calls) were answered with patience and with an ear obviously bent towards really trying to help me. I would say he is among the top 2 or 3 most courteous and responsive people I’ve worked with in audio.
I’d be happy to answer anyone’s questions concerning my experience with LIO as well.
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I've purchased my LIO last summer. I have searched for an comfortable solution for my audio demands. First I have choosen the PSI AUDIO A21-M active monitor as my favorite loudspeakers in a custom finish. I have choosen this speakers, because my living room is acoustically not ideal, so I could configure a „nearfield“ zone. So I needed a preamp for my active speakers.
I decided for the LIO because of the possibility to change things later and my space is very limited, my LIO is in a sideboard. I prefered a „real“ preamp with the option of a dac instead of a DAC with preamp-function.
My LIO configuration:
- AVC with Tubestage
- DAC
- analog Inputs
- balanced Output Module
- headphone amplifier
I have an auralic aries mini as source for my digital Audio (NAS-Library and Tidal, Quobuz) on USB, TV with Bluerayplayer on the analog inputs.
Recently I'm testing headphone listening. I have now the balanced headphone connection. It pleases me extraordinarily – I'm too often all night on for my listening sessions. I've have had a chance to try the Audeze LCD-3. - Puuhhhh – That was the top matching headphone – I'm saving on and hope to be able to buy one in the future.
My LIO works always perfectly, although there are small inconveniences: the switch of the capacitor banks is heard, when you listen on quiet volumes. The LIO is always little warm, I don't know how much power it needs in standby (ecologically concerns).
The remote is very high quality and a joy to use, it would be great to use an app as am addon control point, especially when you use apps for the control of your playback.
Sound is outstanding and he customer support of Vinnie is unparalleled.
Sonically the LIO is for me the ULTIMATE SOLUTION!!! I've had never before a comparable unit. I'm impressed and Vinnie thank you very very much.
I'm curious, what extensions for the LIO woud be available in the future.
Hubert
" the switch of the capacitor banks is heard, when you listen on quiet volumes " how often do the banks switch ? also whats considered quiet volume
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Life with LIO
Before life with LIO I started life with Vinnie by sending my Astell & Kern AK 120 for his modification. Then LIO came along followed by the VR120. Parts of my audio system date back to the 1960s My amplifier was one of the early solid state amplifiers the Marantz model 250. It still works very well but a little power supply noise has shown up in one of the channels. My speakers are high efficiency Electro Voice units based on the Patrician 800 and Stereon 850 systems. I drive 13 speakers including one 30-inch subwoofer in a Patrician cabinet (a large corner horn where frequencies below 100 Hz are combined from both channels). Because of this I ordered the VR 120 first. No amplifier noise in the speakers now.
I followed this with the LIO preamp. This replaces my very fine Adcom GTP-550 tuner/preamp.
First thing you notice is the remote which is a thing of beauty. Solid metal with real switches. I pair these Rossie units with a Cary CD 303/300 cd player and of course my Astell & Kern. I look forward to adding the phonostage since I have a rather large vinyl collection.
I am a 95% classical music listener the other 5% being classic jazz (Ramsey Lewis Et. Al.). I haven’t had my LIO very long but I am very pleased so far.
My music preferences include all areas of classical music composed before the 1950s with some exceptions. Grand opera is lowest on my list, but liturgical choral music such as that by "The Sixteen" in England is some of my favorite.
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Thank you all for your recent posts and sharing your LIO experience here! :notworthy:
This thread is hoppin'! :singing:
It wont be long now and the DHT tube board should be ready to ship. I cant wait. Hey Vinnie, do you
think that will make them headphones SING? I know my Sig 3's will like it.
Hi coldfogey,
LIO DHT PRE is on schedule to make a pre-production showing at AXPONA in a few weeks, and I believe we'll be in production
early May. YES - it makes the speaker output, headphone output, and preamp outputs SING like they have never sung before! :wink:
Otherwise, the power cord (wall to xformer) is a dinky 18g thang. Now I know that it's fine, but I have spare 14g cords, so what the hey!
Hi Bobrex,
Yes, it is a basic 18awg power cable. Feel free to use a beefy one if you wish - but it does not / cannot make a difference with LIO's fully isolated ultracapacitor power supply.
Power conditioners, power cords, power outlets, etc. make no difference with LIO or VR120 (which was a very intentional design goal!) 8)
Can anyone tell me what the LIO headphone module brings to the table ? I use a modded WA22 now but would add the hp module if it is in the same league.
Hi ddark65,
LIO HPA is awesome and has been mentioned in quite a few reviews and feedback from the headfi shows I've been to, and by LIO customers who love listening to headphones (as well as loudspeakers). It is a no-brainer to try.
The thing with LIO is once you pay for the LIO base unit ($2495), ALL of the modules are no-brainers and really punch miles above their price points. So if you are looking for a dac, phonostage, HPA, etc. - you really should give them a try (30-day refund policy applies to any and all modules) and compare to what you are currently using. They were all individually designed for serious performance and their factory-direct pricing makes them too good for what they cost!
I'll post more soon - thanks again to everyone who has posted their LIO experience so far!
Vinnie
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" the switch of the capacitor banks is heard, when you listen on quiet volumes " how often do the banks switch ? also whats considered quiet volume
Hi ddark65
In my configuration the switch of the powerbanks occurs between 20 - 30 minutes. It's no really issue, the switch is clearly hearable, it's just there. In the meantime I got used to it and don't
consciously perceive it. The switch is hearable till normal speech volume. But I've a nearfield setup an so I'm relative close to lio for listening (max 2 m), with headphone I don't hear it.
I use my lio almost daily (nightly :D :nono:) with great satisfaction.
with kind regards,
Hubert
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I've had my LIO since summer 2015 in my main system, originally as a DAC/Phono Preamp, and recently added the AVC/tubestage. I like doing some light tinkering with electronics (building my own computers, etc.) and was sold on the mix and match concept Vinnie brought to the table.
I'm a former Signature 30.2 owner and having dealt with Vinnie on both upgrades and repairs, had complete confidence in being an early-ish adopter of a new concept. Although we're ultimately in this hobby for the music, knowing that the manufacturer has your back is immensely comforting. Even among some stiff competition, I've had hands down the best customer service experiences for my Sig 30 and LIO. Thanks again!
Both the DAC and phono preamp are the best I've heard, with a special shout out to the phono section, which blew away what I thought to be a best in class/value Ray Samuels number. I need more time with the AVC (comparing with/without tubes and getting more listening time in general), but compared to the Decware preamp that I had been using before the upgrade, the two words to best describe the upgrade are transparency and granularity, which it has in spades. My main system now consists of the following:
VPI Prime with Zu Denon DL-103 and upgraded Soundsmith Ruby cantilever
FLAC rips served through a MS Surface Pro
LIO for DAC, Phono and Preamp
First Watt J2 amplifier
Zu Essence with upgraded drivers
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=140058)
I switch amps between the J2 and a Decware Torii Jr., which adds a healthy serving of tube warmth when the mood strikes. This system is pretty much a keeper now. I may eventually trade up for a newer flavor of Zu, but with the driver upgrade I think the Essence is holding up its end.
Here's the thing about the LIO. My personal hierarchy of importance in the chain has always gone speaker->amp->preamp->DAC. I've tried a couple pricier DACs/phonos/preamps and have always been disappointed by the relatively marginal gains, reinforcing my prior biases. Now the LIO sits in that exact area, is the single most expensive component I have, and I'm HAPPY with it.
My upgrade path will likely head in the HPA and, possibly, the remote control loading modules. I'm pretty happy with my current amplification options, but may add the amp module in the future if I reconfigure things to have the LIO drive my desktop speakers with the line out also feeding the main system amplification.
I'm a huge fan of the optionality the LIO provides, as well as the opportunity to grow it as my budget allows.
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While I am not quite ready to talk about the LIO's sonic virtues, I do want to provide yet another example of Vinnie's great customer service.
I had a challenge with the XLR input and because I live close by to Vinnie, he made a house call!!
He resolved the issue quickly and did a great job explaining what he was doing as well as how the LIO works.
On top of all that, he noticed a small background noise as we were listening to the system and once that was taken care (not related to the LIO), the msuic got even better!!
Thanks again for such great support Vinnie!! :thumb: :thumb:
George
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April 2015, we got our LIO we pre-ordered the previous November, it is a min-maxed LIO--DAC, phono, headphone amp (balanced out), power amp but none of the bells and whistles (no input module, just RVC, no RCL, tubes, etc). I'm happy to know that we can still get those extras when the time/budget comes.
The system it replaced was very modest. An upgraded by NSMT Lepai 2020 feeding some in-wall speakers with a source of Thorens TD-160S with Ortofon Bronze and an Oppo-103 doing DAC duties. A bit earlier we had an Oppo HA-1 as our preamp for the Lepai, and used Oppo-PM2 cans but the HA-1 had some issues so I sent it back and waited on the LIO and having to manual switch cables between phono pre-amp and oppo player.
Since getting the LIO, we've upgraded the Audience One speakers and my comments will be about them and the PM2. We use the LIO as our home theater (the speaker sit on a console) as well as our music listening. Everything has sounded really great in our system, we have both commented how enjoyable all the music we listen to has been--mostly jazz and orchestral with a smattering of 60s folk and rock. The happiest moment I've had was with the PM2s while listening to Mahler's 4th by Fisher (DSD Channel Classics). I'm not much of a foot tapper, but I noticed I was really moving while listening to the first section of that piece.
The One speakers have a max input of 25W so I feel like LIO's internal amp was made for them. In our 20x11 (feet) room (speakers on long wall about 8 feet from listening) they get plenty loud and we are not even pushing the amp that hard (maybe).
For the PM-2s when I got the LIO, I heard a hiss and called Vinnie to talk it over. He suggested the PM-2s were too sensitive for the balanced output jack and sent me a jumper to install that reduced the gain by 10db or something and that was the perfect solution. So if you have efficent headphones and the balanced out, then consider consulting with Vinnie on the proper settings.
I'm uncertain why no one talks about the simple beauy of the LIO. My spouse is pretty much an unofficial interior decorator. So the ability to customize the color was really important to me--she detests matte black components. When we get the LIO (white with silver knobs), she said we didn't even have to put it in the console but could leave it out. I was floored.
Besides the outstanding service/support, another super advantage that is not mentioned is the 10 (TEN!) year warranty. Who does that? I guess Bryston has 20 years, but are there any other integrated amp makers giving that length of time?
One other initial issue I had was my 2012 mac mini had trouble connecting to the DAC sometimes (wouldn't show up as an output device in OS X). Vinnie even sent me a new USB cable to try AND a new DAC lower-board (the thing to with the inputs connections). So much amazing support from Vinnie. The board replacement was easy to install and I really appreciated not having my system out of commision by having to send parts back. Unfortunately, nothing worked until I got a Schiit Wyrd and since then I've had zero connection issues. So if you have any issues with USB connections, I recommend a Wyrd.
My biggest drawback is I'm not a fan of the remote control. It is heavy and bulky and a bit confusing. Thankfully, there is no need that I've found to use it and so it sits in a drawer. Hopefully, one day the bluetooth remote control app will come out.
If I had to list my favorite parts of LIO in order it would be:
1) The knowledge that Vinnie is awesome--I hope to make an audio show when day and shake his hand.
2) The form factor and upgradability so that as I and LIO grow, I don't have to lost my initial investment.
3) That headphone AMP with the internal DAC is so magical.
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I have been enjoying my LIO for about a month now. Configured as an integrated amp with MOSFET and RVC. This is my city apartment system where I use a NAS for my digital content and Tidal with an Auralic Aires for streaming. I use a Unico CD Primo as an external DAC vis USB. My speakers are Thiel CS1- yes I have owned them and moved from apartment to apartment since 1986. I highly value low level detail given this is my city system and the LIO is the best I have experienced in this category. Listening to Sibelius' Symphony no. 5 right now and I hear all the detail without losing any dynamics. Very very happy. The LIO replaced a Musical Fidelity Integrated amp which had a lot more WPC and was fine but not close to the musicality of the LIO.
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Thank you Vinnie for the opportunity to share my experience with the LIO.
I have been very impressed with the LIO. I was looking for a relatively simple and integrated system for superior stereo music listening in my bedroom, with the capability to drive both speakers and headphones. The LIO solved these needs and much more! The MOSFET amp turned out to be plenty powerful enough to power my speakers (Sony NA-5ES bookshelf speakers), so it precluded the need to buy an additional amp. Additionally, I loved the ability to add only the necessary modules and to upgrade to new modules in the future (I am very interested in the DHT Pre Vinnie has been developing). And of course having clean power was a major plus.
As many others have already mentioned, Vinnie was extremely helpful throughout the entire process, which became another reason to buy - supporting an independent business and a gentleman who stands behind his product. Vinnie took the time to answer the many questions I had, always polite and never condescending. He helped me realize that the DAC module paired with a laptop w/ Audirvana would serve my needs quite well, which meant more savings in not purchasing an additional source.
I have been most impressed with the midrange, in particular hi-res jazz (e.g., Miles Davis) and vocals (e.g., Ella Fitzgerald) sound incredible to me.
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A friend of mine and I recently did a parallel experiment involving a €13'500 R2R DAC with "67-bit FPGA-based digital volume" versus the same DAC in fixed output mode running into Lio as AVC passive preamp (just the Slageformers, no tubes). His speakers are 104dB efficient, mine were 85dB, i.e. a huge difference in how much signal cut/attenuation was required. In his space, adding Lio and one more interconnect was decisively better than running DAC direct. In my setup using 12dB of cut (the DAC maxes out at 1.4V out), digital volume vs. Lio was pretty much a wash but using higher attenuation, Lio was better.
A reasonable conclusion to be drawn from that is that, a/ Lio as autoformer passive is bloody transparent aka invisible and b/ that outside an even very high-resolution digital control's non-lossy window of attenuation, Lio's volume control either is superior per se; or c/ that its drive of longer cables becomes superior to a digital VC as more attenuation is engaged. Hopefully this is useful to some who consider Lio as a purist preamp with comprehensive remote control :thumb:
I am also trying the lio with my totaldac twelve vs direct , AVC/Tubstage upgrade . My current preamp is very transparent also but has no remote option .
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I am also trying the lio with my totaldac twelve vs direct , AVC/Tubstage upgrade . My current preamp is very transparent also but has no remote option .
Do you also have the DAC module in your LIO? I'd be interested in your comparison of the totaldac and the lio as complete DAC/PRE units.
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No DAC module just HP module
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My LIO Configuration:
Basically everything except the headphone module and the remote cartridge loading. I have all the other modules and have the AVC/Tube Stage. I experimented with a separate AVC but decided the AVC Tube Stage was for me (and that from a person who had never used a tube). Changing out modules was not difficult but I was deliberate.
I have had my LIO since August 2015. The LIO of course is the heart of the system with the remainder being a custom built Music Server (based on a Computer Audiophile design), Spendor FL 9 speakers, Underwood modded Denon 2900 Universal Disc Player, and a vingtage Technics Sl-M3 linear tracking turntable with a Ortofon - X1 MCP moving coil cartridge, Cardas Hexlink interconnect, and Audioquest Gibralter speaker cable (holdover).
The LIO replaced (allowed me to sell) a pair of Parasound JC 1 monoblocks; Placette Passive Linestage, Bryston BDA - 1 DAC, 2 Shunyata Power Conditioners, Vincent Audio Phono Stage, 4 Shunyata Python Zitron power cords, 1 Shunyata Anaconda CX Power Cord, 2 Sets of Python Zitron Interconnects and a few less expensive items. To put it mildly I have been released from upgrade hell. The sense of relief from not having to buy add on equipment in an effort to get my amplification to perform to its potential is (audiophile) life changing. I earned about $14,000 from these sales so after purchasing the LIO (before the price increase) I had about $7000 left plus a amplification system that runs circles around the initial system.
When I first purchased the LIO I listened to my music server 95% of the time, and that sound was much more satisfying through the LIO DAC, than the impressive Bryston BDA. However, the LIO phono stage is equally if not more impressive. In the last three months the pattern has been reversed - I am listening to my LP collection probably 95% of the time. Nothing more needs to be said.
If I was to try to sum up my LIO experience: The LIO has gotten my where I want to be .... enjoying my music at the highest level and not wondering whether there is something else out there that can do that for me more convincingly.
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I have been using my Lio I'm guessing close to 2 weeks now , today I put back my original Preamp and to honest I'm having a hard time deciding which way to go . The things I do like about the Lio is it does have a bit better detail and vocals are clearer , I also like the option to add modules if needed . I did get the HP module but my modded Woo Audio WA22 HP amp does out perform this module . I'm not saying the Lio module does a bad job because that's not the case . I was very happy with the lio HP module until today when I went back to the Woo . Again we are talking 5x the cost with mods and tubes . I'm going to listen another week to my old preamp and then switch back to the lio and decide .
I also have some new speakers coming in the next week sensitivity 99db Id love to try the lio module with but I dont know if I would have enough time . My current speakers are around 84db Joseph Audio Perspectives and require a bit more power .
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As an early adopter and having posted elsewhere, I suppose now I’m overdue, but here’s my story:
After a move a couple years ago and becoming empty nesters, we’ve gradually been simplifying as much as possible, in a lot of ways. Before the move, my system sounded sublime but was crazy complex to manage with a vinyl and digital setup using multiple power supplies, adapters, many tweaks, special cables, power conditioning, all anchored by Geddes Abbeys with 4 well tuned subs, digital XO, 6 amp channels, plus a room filled with treatments. I packed it all up to sell the house, which proved a wise move, and eventually sold many of the parts.
Determined to go with full range speakers, I was fortunate to find a pair of demo TAD Evolution Ones at a great price and they took up residence in the new room, making me quite happy. I still had a Bent balanced TAP-X, Atsah 1200’s, Auralic Vega/Aries, PI Uberbuss, and my Trans-Fi vinyl setup, so this shaped up to be a very nice system, a bit simpler, so I could have stopped there.
Fast forward to 2014 RMAF when I met Vinnie and first laid eyes on the LIO. So beautifully executed, it appealed to both my sense of order and engineering elegance. I also loved the Supercap idea much better than batteries, which have their own issues. Having sold my Zesto Andros I was using a couple very good DIY phono stages, though not great. I configured a LIO at the entry price, with just the phono and remote loading. It seemed like a reasonable price, even if just a phono stage, so I decided to take the leap. Of course, at a show it’s impossible to assess the sonics, so that would be a gamble, but with a 30 day trial, what’s to lose. This qualified me as an early adopter :)
The LIO arrived last April and was everything I could have asked for in a phono stage, plenty of gain, dead quiet, and very satisfying. It didn’t take long for me to also add the RVC and Tubestage to use it as a preamp. The promise of modularity rang true here, as it was easy to ship, and a 5 minute install, good to go, another 30 day trial. Adding the Telefunkens really made this a sonic win, eliminating more cables and a power cord along the way. Not quite as transparent as a TAP-X but with a slightly rounded edge, and some pleasant midrange bloom. Success again!
Next I added the DAC, Mosfet amp, and the just announced big hitter (at the time) AVC/Tubestage combo. Now we were cookin’, more cables gone, transparency was back to TAP-X level and the refinement was off the charts. And oh, yes, just a 5 minute upgrade again!
The last addition was balanced I/O which works very well with the Atsah 1200’s, since the NCore architecture suggests balanced (floating) inputs for lowest noise. Despite having a tube stage and 25’ XLR cables to the amps, 65db gain on phono, my system is absolutely dead quiet and sounds fantastic. Quite often I just use the Mosfet amp now, leaving one power cord for the LIO, one for the Aries, zero interconnects in the system, and two Curious USB cables with a Regen/wall wart. Next, the Sonore uRendu integration promises to eliminate the Regen/wall wart, one USB cable, Aries with power cord, and the UberBuss. I’m completely off the grid at that point, Supercap powered.
Final configuration will be
- LIO base chassis
- Phono stage with remote loading
- AVC/Tube Stage with Telefunkens
- Balanced inputs and outputs
- Mosfet amp (internal)
- PCM/DSD DAC
- Sonore uRendu, LIO powered
During this time I had many questions, made quite a few changes, had some special requests, and encountered a couple issues. This is what tells the story of a customer relationship. Despite being in the midst of launching a new company and product line, with reviewers chomping at the bit to get one, I was always treated as if my question or order was the only one that mattered, complete patience on the other end of the phone. Changes and re-shipments arrived in a few days. Responses were all pretty much real time, even during shows. I honestly don’t know how they do it.
Obviously this product exceeds my (high) expectations by a huge margin, and this product and company deliver more value than any audio purchase I’ve ever made, among many. It truly meets my needs now, and for the future, perfectly.
Many thanks and kudos to Vinnie Rossie (and of course Alexis!) :thumb:
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I have to concur with those final comments regarding what Vinnie does and the service he provides. I live in the UK and it feels like I am dealing with the corner shop at the end of my road - local and personable. I truly don't know how he does it however two things I do know for sure - I respect it and value it. On top of that his products are great and as an original LIO owner he is breaking new ground. Wonderful product.
Respect to Vinnie is all I can say.
Regards,
Chris McGolpin.
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TomS's testament is strongly persuasive given his past system(s) and acute understanding of the advantages of S-I-M-P-L-I-C-I-T-Y :o
Best,
Anand.
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TomS's testament is strongly persuasive given his past system(s) and acute understanding of the advantages of S-I-M-P-L-I-C-I-T-Y :o
Best,
Anand.
It is indeed!
Tom's great experience was one of the big reasons I tried the LIO.
As I sit listening to some live Wilco from this past summer, I am sooooo happy that did.
:) :banana piano: :guitar:
George
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I have been using my Lio I'm guessing close to 2 weeks now , today I put back my original Preamp and to honest I'm having a hard time deciding which way to go . The things I do like about the Lio is it does have a bit better detail and vocals are clearer , I also like the option to add modules if needed . I did get the HP module but my modded Woo Audio WA22 HP amp does out perform this module . I'm not saying the Lio module does a bad job because that's not the case . I was very happy with the lio HP module until today when I went back to the Woo . Again we are talking 5x the cost with mods and tubes . I'm going to listen another week to my old preamp and then switch back to the lio and decide .
I also have some new speakers coming in the next week sensitivity 99db Id love to try the lio module with but I dont know if I would have enough time . My current speakers are around 84db Joseph Audio Perspectives and require a bit more power .
Hi ddark65
Unfortunately you didn't list your LIO's configuration so I have a few questions.
1. Do you have AVC/Tubestage module in your unit? Since you have so high end Woo tube amp I will assume the answer is Yes. Based on that my next question is do you use stock JJ tubes? If answer is Yes try some other tubes, which will cost you way less than tubes for the Woo, before you decide which way to go
2. Which headphones do you use?
Having experience with tube amp you should know well that you need to make sure you have tubes which are good match for your headphones for each amp to make fair comparison
Oleg
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Hi ddark65
Unfortunately you didn't list your LIO's configuration so I have a few questions.
1. Do you have AVC/Tubestage module in your unit? Since you have so high end Woo tube amp I will assume the answer is Yes. Based on that my next question is do you use stock JJ tubes? If answer is Yes try some other tubes, which will cost you way less than tubes for the Woo, before you decide which way to go
2. Which headphones do you use?
Having experience with tube amp you should know well that you need to make sure you have tubes which are good match for your headphones for each amp to make fair comparison
Oleg
Yes I have the AVC/Tubestage module , I'm am currently using the HD800S . Im am also using the stock JJ tubes reason being I am considering upgrading to the DHT so it makes no sense to spend money on tubes I will not have a use for after the upgrade . Before upgrading to the totaldac twelve I was using the the totaldac monobloc and could connect my headphones direct which at that time I had the HD800 / LCD X LCD 3 I also have other tube gear so I am well aware that tube rolling sometimes helps . The difference to me is huge enough that I doubt adding a pair of upgrded tubes to the AVC/Tubestage is going to make that big of a difference to the Headphone portion . It is not the end of the world I have no problem running an external headphone amp .
I also use a pair of tube monoblocks with the Lio so its nice to have a separate headphone amp since I can just leave the headphone cable in and power the hp amp on or off instead of always having to pull the hp cable out of the lio . I'm not using the Lio amp module .
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I bought my LIO (AVC/ Tube, DAC, MOSEF) to substitute my Devialet 200.
I think the Devialet is a great machine: very transparent, very low distortion (at any volume), great dynamics and the SAM did benefit my little Boenicke W5se.
However, I felt something was missing - I did not feel engaged, not falling into the music; I would mostly appreciate how well music was being reproduced - in a very conscious way. With the LIO I get that engagement; I can easily appreciate and get emotionally connected to the music.
John Darko did a great job (as always) comparing the LIO with the Devialet and it's very much aligned with my opinion. The most important aspects behind my decision were the LIO's "tonal density" and more "romantic" flavor. Leonard Cohen's voice became even more seductive and addictive, drier recordings gained body and my all time 90’s rock / grunge favorite albums gained a mixed of punch and presence (Layne Staley’s voice became so much more expressive).
In terms of clarity and transparency I think both are excellent and for my listening routine I never felt LIO's 25w were inferior to Devialet's 200 (my living room is ~55 square meters).
Nevertheless, there are a couple of small features I miss from the Devialet:
- I miss the Devialet’s simple app - it enabled me to control the volume and source. In the morning I really valued using my iphone to fire-up the LIO and the Aries for a musical breakfast.
- I miss the range of Devialet’s remote control; I don’t exactly what technology approach they use but it would always work even if not pointing directly to the equipment. With the LIO, because I have it 90 degrees from my listening position, I have to stand-up to adjust the volume control. I must say nevertheless that LIO’s remote is way above average in terms of built quality and looks – it would make Naim owners jealous.
Overall I feel that I found my amp/dac for the long run:
- It perfectly fits my musical taste and can even be further adjusted with some tube rolling (not dependent of firmware updates).
- It fits my daily life and home restrictions: I use it for some serious listening (2-3 times/ week in the evenings alone) but mostly I use it while I'm with my family in the living room. LIO's (and Boenicke's) compact size is perfect for me as I can integrate it in the room without much negotiation with my wife and, because is just ONE box, it can be easily operated.
- It enables significant upgrades and you know Vinnie will be on top of the most recent buzz (e.g. MQA) and it's customer wishes (e.g. app! 8) ).
- Finally, you get the feeling of a "around the corner shop" dealing with Vinnie Rossi. This gives you peace of mind that any potential issue will be resolved rapidly and that he's in "this" for the long run, also.
Lutry
System:
- Synology NAS / Tidal
- Auralic Aries
- Curious cable > Uptone Regen> JitterBug
- LIO
- Bluejeans cable
- Boenicke W5SE
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Hi lutry and thanks for your comments from a Devialet 200 owner. The LIO looks like a super product.
Could you tell us about your Boenicke W5SE speakers too? What size room do you use them in and how far away from the speakers do you listen? Are these like a bookshelf monitor size?
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Hi mt_bill,
A short description of the Boenicke W5 would be: very small monitors that play big with wonderful tone. Visually they are so unique that I would recommend you to google it.
I came across the Boenicke's through a 6moons' review. I was so intrigued by the review that I sent an email to Srajan's asking a couple of questions and kindly invited me to his home - at that time we both lived in Switzerland 30km apart.
When I arrived he had them hooked with his LIO (which he also reviewed). We spend 45 mts listening from Turkish tunes to Pavarotti. Beautiful sound and beautiful view of the lake Leman. Srajan had nothing but positive things to say about his white LIO.
Before the Boenicke's I had a pair of Dali Epicon 6. However, I had serious problems with room overload. My room at the time was 60sqm with little furniture. I was extremely frustrated and after talking with Srajan and reading some of his articles posted on the Digital Audio Review site called "Keep It Honest" I was aware of what the solution would be – and it worked.
If you’re interested to know a little more about the Boenicke’s I would advise you to read the 6moons in-depth review. The LIO review is also a great read.
Lutry
PS: I sit 3 meters away from the speakers and my current living room is ~55sqm.
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Thank you Lutry for your great comments. Very very interesting.
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If you have made it this far that you are reading user comments I would like to share my experience as I am stingy and had my own reservations when buying the LIO. Also like me you may live somewhere where an audition is not possible (I live in Estonia).
- Vinyl guy for decades. Found digital unlistenable. Like my tubes and natural timbres.
- I wanted a simpler system and for the first time was finding the progress made in digital was at a point where I could live with it.
- Sold my vinyl rig: Lenco L75 replinthed turntable, CartridgeMan Conductor Air Bearing Arm with Music Maker III MM, Graham Slee Reflex phono stage (also 47 labs phono stage), Cayin KT 88 Integrated Amp, Audes Blues speakers. Tons of interconnects and power cables.
- MacBook Laptop as source, LIO ( DAC and amplifier), Boenicke W5+. Curious USB cable and some vintage GE wire as speaker cables.
- My vinyl was the best sound I had ever heard... when it was working. Cartridge out, change in climate, static, power usage in my building during the day often made it unlistenable. Hours getting the setup just right. It was a high maintenance relationship.
- Off the grid, same consistent sound any time of day. Super clean setup. No need for tons of cables and power treatment. Listening much more.
I went into this wanting to get as close to analog sound as I could get. I had auditioned lots of other DACs and speakers (Heed, Direct Stream, Resonessence Labs, Metrum Acoustics), and I would have been more than happy with the LIO being at that level. Why I am extatic and taking the time to write this is that the LIO got to a place I had never experienced digital in any setup, it was a full being there in the music that I had only ever experienced with analog. Here I was hoping for something to bring musical enjoyment and ease of use, instead I got what for me was a real auditory shift in getting about musical enjoyment. There are now things in my current system that the vinyl just can't do, just as there are things the vinyl can do. But for the first time The LIO put digital on a level playing field with just a different perspective on emphasis.
No regrets.
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All,
I need to chime in here and THANK EVERYONE who has contributed to this thread by sharing their LIO experience! :notworthy:
Your posts have been very informative and will be most helpful to future LIO customers (by your sharing of info such as the equipment you own or have owned, speakers you are using, etc.).
I really appreciate all your praise for LIO and mentioning the great service that you have and continue to receive as a Vinnie Rossi customer. When LIO was still just a concept on paper, one of my main goals was to design it for long-term ownership, maximum enjoyment, and with continuous innovation (new module ideas!) in mind. As posted in this thread, many of you have indeed added modules and upgrades over time (trading-in previous ones), and have mentioned another important goal in LIO's design: Simplicity!
Sometimes, less really does = more. Fewer boxes, fewer interconnects, no power conditioners or any power tweaks needed, optimized/shortest signal paths, clean front panel / ease of use and update / upgrade... simplicity was also built into LIO.
From reading all your posts, it sounds like that you are listening more than ever with LIO. Less complexity, less clutter - more listening! :thumb:
And while I don't think anyone would consider LIO to be 'inexpensive,' I do appreciate your posts about LIO's high value. Once you spend $2495 for the base LIO, the performance/price ratio of LIO modules is through the roof! Why? Because they are all fed from the LIO's isolated, internal ultracapacitor power supply. We don't have to duplicate it and make duplicate enclosures for functions such as Phonostage, dac, headphone, linestage, etc. The enclosure, patent-pending power supply, remote handset, back-plane (motherboard for the modules) are all part of the $2495 factory-direct cost. If you think about the cost of a good power conditioner, power cables, and interconnects - you know that can very easily exceed $2495 alone. So once you get the LIO base unit, every time you add modules, the performance/price ratio climbs rapidly! 8) As you know, all LIO modules were independently and carefully designed to deliver very high performance, value, and a superb listening experience - not just "add on features." It is all designed, assembled and tested here in MA, and I proudly back every LIO (and VR120!) with a 10-year warranty.
Being very passionate about LIO (and future LIO offerings), I can go on and on! :roll: But what I really want to say to everyone is
thank you for all your interest, support, feedback, and enthusiasm for LIO - and love for this hobby and listening to music in a way that invokes your emotions and becomes addictive. I've been hooked since I was a pre-teen! :green:
I look forward your more of your posts here in the future, and if you are not already signed up, please join our mailing list to get the latest news and updates (e.g. a link to LIO DHT PRE pre-ordering when it is ready):
http://vinnierossi.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8732927ed821bd32f5f0fca4b&id=031c47d651 (http://vinnierossi.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8732927ed821bd32f5f0fca4b&id=031c47d651)
Happy listening!
Vinnie
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Some topics to *consider* discussing:
- Your LIO configuration
I have all of the modules apart from the phono stage
- The rest of your system (speakers, source components, etc)
Sources : la Rosita streamer from France, sonos connect, aries mini, Mac Pro, panasonic tv
Speakers and amp: I built my own floor standing speakers with ATC drivers and they are tri-amped using Rotel amplifiers.
I also use a bsg signal completion device.
- What the LIO has replaced, and how does it compare?
It replaced a DEQX which I was using as a pre-amp and dsp room correction system. The LIO is streets ahead in terms of the warmth and pleasure I receive from my system.
- Did you later add more LIO modules or upgrades? How easy were they to install?
I switched to a balanced headphone output and it was trivial to install.
- Do you have any favorite recordings that you like to use to show off your system? Not really, everything sounds great!
- Anything else that you'd like to share about your experience with LIO / Vinnie Rossi
Very easy to deal with. Fantastic product. I am looking forward to trying the new components.
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From reading all your posts, it sounds like that you are listening more than ever with LIO. Less complexity, less clutter - more listening! :thumb:
Vinnie
I feel that I'm in tune with many others here when I say that you are right on; giving us LIO has indeed increased my listening time & enjoyment.
Domo arigato Vinne~chan!
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I have thoroughly enjoyed owning the LIO for 6 months.
Configuration: AVC/Tubestage
MOSFET amplifier
DAC
Line-level Inputs
Headphone amplifier
Previous equipment: Proceed AVP2 preamplifier
Butler amplifier
Anedio D1 DAC
Speakers - Triangle Antals .
Headphones - Oppo PM-2.
Listening room is small (10x14ft)
Source is a Windows laptop running JRiver.
The appeal of the LIO – Simplicity of one unit.
Off the grid power.
I can customize the LIO and replace the modules myself.
Any future improvements are easily added.
Everything about the LIO is high quality .
Ten year warranty.
Vinnie is great to work with and if there are any questions or
problems, he is right there to help you.
Most importantly, all my music sounds really good. The system is now much more engaging.
I’m even enjoying my older music on less than ideal recordings.
I’ll also chime in here to agree with other owners that the noise from the capacitor banks
switching is not an issue. I listen at low levels and the only time I hear it is when the LIO is muted.
Steve
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I've shared my excitement with/love for my LIO in a couple of other threads, but thought I'd re-post and update in this thread.
I bought my LIO a little over a year ago, being intrigued by the LIO concept and early industry buzz. I was a little nervous about ordering my LIO without having heard one, especially since I first needed to sell some components I had been very happy with. In my previous system, I'd gone all out on power conditioning (Bybee Stealth Power Conditioner and Lessloss Reference and Signature cords) to feed an Ayon Orion II and an Ayre QB-9 DSD. Interconnects were Wywires Platinum . . . and I had assembled the system through much trial and error to deliver the sonics I wanted.
In deciding to order the LIO with RVC and tube stage module, I figured I would have a fair amount of flexibility to be able to tailor the sound to my liking through tube rolling. I've been using the LIO, with Telefunken E88CC's to drive Audience 2+2 speakers, and I'm not looking back, which is saying a lot considering my level of satisfaction with the previous system. The LIO/Audience combo rings all the right bells for me: focused, pure, tonally dense, transparent and dynamic. In addition to great sonic performance, the LIO is very attractive . . . from the basic design, to the top cover logo to the Vinnie Rossi insignia, every detail is tastefully executed.
Owning the LIO also helps feed an ongoing process of simplifying my life. It's calming to replace the clutter of multiple power cords, interconnects and component boxes with a single box. And, it didn't hurt at all that, after replacing my other components and cords with the LIO, I walked away with approximately $6,500 in my pocket . . . and a system that I prefer.
I later upgraded to the AVC/tube module, which was another step up from the RVC based module, and continue to use my LIO to drive Audience 2+2 speakers. A few other changes in the past several months have progressively enhanced my listening enjoyment: 1) New V2 drivers from Audience for the 2+2's, 2) Upgraded speaker cables from Au24 SE to SX, and 3) Changed from supporting the speakers on brass cones to using constrained layer damping between the speakers and stand platforms; the stands are heavily damped with lead shot/micro bearing fill in the lower portion of the pillars, and lead shot/sand in the upper portion; I sandwiched a layer of Herbie's Audio Lab dB Neutralizer between the speaker bottoms and the solid birdseye maple platforms (bonded in compression with removable silicone adhesive). Each of these changes brought meaningful improvements and, taken as a whole, the pure, natural music they yield never fails to put a big ole' grin on my face. The purity that results from coupling full-range drivers (no crossover artifacts) to the LIO (clean, natural sound with no power supply hash) is addictive.
As much as I love my system as is though, I recently ordered the DHT Pre module and the microRendu modification for my LIO DAC module. I'm very excited to hear my system with those additions, having read Vinnie's comments about them in the forum and having learned to trust that, when Vinnie promises a significant improvement, he delivers in spades!
In closing, I want to thank Vinnie for sharing his vision, execution and superb customer service. Much appreciated, and much respected!
Charlie
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138865)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138866)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=142574)
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I have been a customer of Vinnie’s since 2008 buying the original versions of the Isabella and Signature 30.2.
Vinnie is a true gentleman and you can’t fake his level of caring. Over the years there have been so many things Vinnie has done to help me out, and it’s clear from the comments on this forum he shares this great rapport with everyone. He once even did a mod to my Sig 30.2 that he really didn’t want to do at all philosophically, and this is just one of many examples of Vinnie going the extra mile. (It was such a worthwhile mod for me that I remain a happy owner of this 30.2 Sig today.)
I upgraded the Isabella through most of its iterations as Vinnie continually improved the battery and DAC technology and cosmetics. However there was one nagging problem especially affecting anyone outside of the US: postage both ways is slow and you’re going to be without your gear for what feels like too long. And if the customs inspectors are in a vigilant mood, which is most of the time, you’re going to have to pay to get your equipment back as well.
Enter the LIO. Problem solved. :thumb:
I will leave the descriptions of how the LIO sounds to those with more writing skills than me. In a nutshell I can only say that I long ago forgot about “listening to the gear” with Vinnie’s offerings. You listen to the music you own never for a minute thinking it should sound any other way, nor wanting it to. It comes from a background of blackness with the artists’ work laid bare.
Keep up the great work Vinnie!
Current: Vinnie Rossi LIO with AVC/Tubestage /Telefunken (1967), DAC, Headphone (BAL); Red Wine Audio Signature 30.2; ALO Sennheiser HD800; Slinkylinks /Epos ES11; Sonicweld Diverter HR /Locus Nucleus.
Former: Naim
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Hi Kitten, Timbana, postman131, PeterJauhal, Larry Kyoto - and anyone I missed,
Many thanks for your posts and keeping this thread up to date with the sharing
of your LIO experience! 8)
Vinnie
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I had an issue with a module, contacted/discussed with Vinnie and mailed it to him. In less time than it took for it to reach him from Japan, it was being returned to me. Someone at USPS mistook Japan and sent on to Jordan - and the USPS agent I spoke with was polite but limited in information... Vinnie & Alexis were on it, provided me with way more accurate update info then I could get from the agent I spoke with... and after an extended trip around the world, my LIO is now back together harmoniously singing.
I don't know how they manage to find the time to create, manufacture and provide awesome & truly caring customer service with such a small {family} staff to do it all... perhaps that is exactly how they are able too & just being the kind of people that they are! どうもありがとう！
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I had an issue with a module, contacted/discussed with Vinnie and mailed it to him. In less time than it took for it to reach him from Japan, it was being returned to me. Someone at USPS mistook Japan and sent on to Jordan - and the USPS agent I spoke with was polite but limited in information... Vinnie & Alexis were on it, provided me with way more accurate update info then I could get from the agent I spoke with... and after an extended trip around the world, my LIO is now back together harmoniously singing.
I don't know how they manage to find the time to create, manufacture and provide awesome & truly caring customer service with such a small {family} staff to do it all... perhaps that is exactly how they are able too & just being the kind of people that they are! どうもありがとう！
Thank you for your post, Larry!
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I'm still relatively new to LIO and haven't even tried out all the options I have yet but thought I should post something. Like most, I've had quite a few amps and head amps etc. But I've had a selection in my house that varied in price by $1-2000 and none of them really did anything more for me than the others (though all were a large step better than what I had using more 'normal' components). Tube rolling really didn't do anything for me either but I still never got to the sound that I wanted. The LIO was a major purchase for me and I was not set on keeping it. So far the only input I've gotten to is USB (with mRendu) and the only output I've used are my LCD-2.2 headphones but the LIO is seriously the best sounding thing I've listened to to date, and I was not expecting that. Everyone saying how much noticeably better the DHT is really boggles my mind.
I do have another headamp that may be at the same level but I've never gotten around to buying a DAC at the appropriate level to give it justice. But I also got tired of having all these different boxes of gear laying around and the LIO solves that too. I've even wondered if I could just replace my 5.1 system with the LIO - I would rather do this - but I still like my movies and surround sound too much at this point.
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So far the only input I've gotten to is USB (with mRendu) and the only output I've used are my LCD-2.2 headphones but the LIO is seriously the best sounding thing I've listened to to date, and I was not expecting that. Everyone saying how much noticeably better the DHT is really boggles my mind.
Thanks for your post, tme110!
Glad you are enjoying your LIO :guitar:
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I replaced my 5.1 with the LIO in an attempt to simplify and have been super happy. :)