I recently was asked to review this device, and I looked forward to it. It is very rare that companies ask me to review anything. But I got a bit afraid, as this is an untested and unproven device, and this company is new to the market.
New Challenger on market/ Very competitive Price
And this name, Cattle Pro, is a strange name for an audio device, but I am not a marketing guru, so what do I know?
I mean, it’s awesome that I get to review a pioneering device from a company entering the hi-fi world, but it could be anything. This device could be garbage, or it could be a hidden new gem.
What’s important is perspective: how much this device is able to disrupt the market against the likes of Wiim, Fosi, SMSL, etc. If this device cannot rival them in sonic qualities, it is dead on arrival.
The price of this device is extremely competitive; you get an amp and preamp for 90 dollars. Literally dirt cheap. Get your DAC and passive speakers, or active speakers, and you’re done—boom, hi-fi audio.
But not everything is what it seems, and there is always a reason why something is cheap. I always believe, no matter how good the value of a piece of gear is, you always get what you paid for.
I will try to speak candidly about both the good and the bad, as there are a few of both.
This I like about this Amplifier
I really like the build quality and the light ring around the volume button. It is an aluminum, heavy body, which is awesome; there is no plasticky, loose build. And yes, there is light in the power button and around the volume ring, which is always a welcome change from the boring designs we often see.
It’s also not big—it could fit on your desk or in your system inconspicuously, so I really give them credit for design and quality.
There’s a modest connection of inputs and outputs, nothing special here. Two analog inputs, and believe it or not, a subwoofer in. Which is a great thing indeed.
Like many devices in this price range, how strong the power brick and power cord you buy will dictate its power. I always recommend buying their largest and biggest for a more constant power supply.
Sound-wise, there’s also a lot to like here. This is a class D amplifier, and you get all the perks of a class D amplifier. They are very efficient and usually play well with a lot of different speakers.
One of the peaks is also how well they present things on the table—or should I say soundstage. There’s great clarity and transparency when presenting instruments and vocals. They have enough room for our ears and brains to visualize them. On the soundstage, they have enough room and are neatly rounded to us.
I think the separation and transparency are the best points about this amp. Even though the sound is a bit clinical and dry, we can’t expect a big uniqueness or character in the sound signature. What’s important is how it cleans up the mess, and it does really well.
The second best point of this amp is certainly the treble. While nothing spectacular, it injected a bit of forwardness and energy. Drums were awake, beaming with energy. I think this is helped a lot by the great separation of the amp, extracting information at the top end to become interesting and musical. It gives enough spark there.
While on the subject of detail extraction, I think this amp does fine. It won’t color your mind with a lot of detail in the mids. Vocals are fine—not very charming or present, but separating well enough, which helps distinguish them from other instrumentation. This is a colder, drier approach to mids, as they are more oriented toward doing a job. Which is good—no cons here, just nothing to write poems about. The great thing is that the mass, which usually appears in mids, is not here; it declutters it with ease.
It is with the bass where the LeAudio stuttered a bit. Its presence honestly did nothing for my speakers. It was fine; it helped my speakers extract more air, and it was finely rounded. But the strength of the bass will be dictated more by the speakers you possess than by the amp giving an extra push.
But it’s not for lack of power, as I think this amp has a nice oomph to it. It should, in theory, drive and move many speakers, as it has nice power if you get a proper power supply with it. This power opens versatility and possibilities.
What I dislike about this amplifier
Well, I think this amp is great in some areas, decent in others, and has a few straight lines. But there’s something about this amp that just kills it for me.
I didn’t mention this in the good section because I didn’t want to completely take away from the good points of the amp, but this amp can’t handle Hi-Fi gear. There’s significant distortion when you turn the volume to listenable levels.
And it was so annoying. No matter the good parts of this amp, there is always a fall-off of instruments that was just too much for me.
At first, I thought something was wrong with my speakers, but it turned out that the current isolation from the amp and preamp was not good. There was too much static running through the woofer, which was unbearable for my audiophile ears.
Besides that, while I liked the treble’s response and impulse, it sometimes seemed a bit harsh and not polished enough. There were also some flat moments from the bass and mids, which could be my main issues with this amp.
But the first point—the high noise and distortion levels—was what made me really sad, as this amp had a lot of potential. That issue completely kills the dream, and it’s just something I, as a listener, can’t overlook, despite all the good points.
Comparing this with other established brands in this price range, I originally wanted to go piece by piece, but I’ll take it at face value: products from Fosi, SMSL, etc. are a bit more expensive but are more usable and manageable.
Unless you only plan to use this as a desktop amp for some really near-field listening, its flaws show up really fast.
Conclusion can this amplifier challenge established brands?
The LeAudio can challenge them in a lot of areas, especially in clarity and treble, but noise and distortion kill the dream of choosing LeAudio over established brands, and that’s a shame. I love the looks of this device, and I think competition is always great to bring more innovation at this price level.
I honestly can’t wait to hear the Cattle Pro 2. If they fix the internals more, and even raise the price by 20-30 dollars, you could have an awesome device. But as it stands now, I don’t think it’s a great choice. I think LeAudio should continue innovating and pushing, and in time, it can rival the established kings in this price range. But for now, it is what it is.
To sum it up, I love the clarity, power to drive speakers, and treble in this device. I don’t like that it introduces a lot of noise and distortion at normal listening levels. I love the light rings on the device, but I dislike the somewhat flat mids that are shy and reserved, and the bass.
So, some things to like and some things to dislike. All I can say is I can’t wait for the next iteration of this device.
Pros:
Competitive Price: At $90, it offers both an amp and preamp, making it a cost-effective option for hi-fi audio.
Build Quality: The device features a sturdy aluminum body with an appealing design, including a light ring around the volume control.
Compact Size: Its small footprint allows it to fit easily on a desk or within an audio setup.
Sound Clarity: The amp excels in soundstage, clarity, and transparency, effectively presenting instruments and vocals.
Efficient Power: As a Class D amplifier, it is efficient and versatile, capable of driving various speakers well.
Decent treble: There is clarity and details and treble, and they are very easily rounded and presented to listener
Cons:
Distortion Issues: Significant distortion occurs at normal listening levels, making it unsuitable for high-fidelity gear.
Mediocre Bass and Mids: Bass presence is weak, and mids can feel flat and unengaging, lacking warmth and character.
Noise Problems: High noise levels and static interference can detract from the listening experience, especially at louder volumes.
Limited Compatibility: The amp struggles with high-end audio equipment, which could frustrate more discerning audiophiles.
Comments