Most apparent for the Woo transport is a bit of additional separation both vertically and horizontally. Also I think there more energy in the subbass and lower treble, and slightly harder attacks/dynamics. In contrast the CDT-8 has a smoother frequency response and more centralized soundstage...

Well I opened my mouth too soon. All of a sudden the CDT-8 is no longer able to recognize the CD. I did not purchase the extended warranty so I'm screwed. I'm not sure if I will be purchasing another CDT-8 at this point. All day today I've been playing my Woo Audio transport which easily beats...

Hello Mr. alekc glad you like the CDT-8. I am still playing mine every day at my workstation and it's been very reliable. You are right there are a lot of CD players out there but for me it's been tough to find a desktop unit with a quality digital output. Lately I have been using the CDT-8 to...

I don't post much but there is usually a lot of interest on this forum about CD transports. I own 2000 CDs, lots of rare pressings and imports, and to me even a mediocre CD player sounds better than a hi-def streaming service. So I am always on the lookout for a premium-sounding...

Looks like you just missed the warranty, still it doesn't hurt to ask Audeze. They've been using a new tracking system so the last time my LCD3 broke they knew exactly when the previous repair had occurred, Thanks to the new system my LCD3 have continued to fail on a regular basis so no repair...

Just picked up my new BMW 2018 M240i. A true driver's car, rides better than an M2 but just as fast as my 400 HP GTO.

I dunno these current mode amps sound great but none of them have much output, even the mighty Bakoon HPA-21 has only 1 watt @ 50 ohms. I think if you are not a total metal head you won't need to play it that loud. @SomeGuyDude loves his Questyle but he doesn't play it very loud because of his...

Finally a Questyle product that meets Audeze power recommendations for LCD. However I would not expect the full benefits of the current mode amp from the XC due to the LC filter in those headphones.

There is a LCD-XC thread go to: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audeze-lcd-xc.691151/page-206

@SonicTrance : You are right, the 2016 XC impedance is no longer flat, I have not seen it but probably varies 5-10 ohms. However doesn't make a bit of difference as long as you are using a voltage amplifier with 3 ohms or less output impedance. You mentioned you have the pre-2016 version, how...

Sorry I meant 2016 but it was a fairly well-known upgrade. It was mentioned in this article: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audezes-2016-revamp-re-voiced-and-re-engineered-headphones-the-entire-line-except-sine-and-el8-ti-these-have-updates-as-standard.804186/

Wondered if anyone would catch that. The current amp must "see" the headphones driver's native impedance for proper operation. Since 2014 the XC includes frequency compensation, a circuit with capacitors, resistors, and inductors, between the amp and driver. This circuit vastly changes headphone...

The Questyle uses a current amplifier that is nearly an ideal source for the huge, current-hungry voice coil matrix inside every LCD (except XC). Here is a great article about the operation of current amplifiers like the Questyle...

The fallacy of the continuous rating is that music consists of a very dynamic signal that is constantly peaking, for very short periods of time, at 10-100 times the current listening level, which the amplifier must cleanly reproduce. If I seem overconfident, it is mostly me being annoyed I...

This is total crap my friend. There is a big difference between portable amps and high-current desktops like the Soloist. And you don't need a controlled comparison to hear it, especially with the LCD-3. The Soloist sounds better at all volumes.

I believe the new perforated headband is steel not CF. Which means you should be able to gently bend it together to make it tighter.

Audeze recommends 2-4 watts, so you will want to be looking for amps with that output. Mag planars need high current to push their big magnets. I've always been pretty happy with my Burson Soloist.

The HDV 820 is known to be on the warm side, perhaps you should give it a few days break-in time before making a final judgement. You might also try a SPDIF source just for grins. That being said, Audeze are said to respond well to moderate amounts of EQ especially in the bass.

What a great DAC/amp! You won't be sorry (after the initial shock wears off).

Anyone who buys a TOTL headphone like the XC then drives it with a cheap DAC and amp is really doing a disservice to those headphones. They would be better off selling the XC and picking up an HD650 if that is their plan. I'm not saying you can't buy an acceptable DAC/amp for $1000 but it will...

I have found the XC to be extremely sensitive to source quality, she needs the best front end you can afford. An amp is important but not as critical as for LCD-3, for example. It's a bit over your price range (sorry) but have you looked into the semipro models i.e. Benchmark DAC3 HGC, Mytek...

Maybe not, it shows that Audeze has succeeded in getting some consistency in its manufacturing. The biggest change in sound was the adoption of the 110 ohm driver in 2014. There was no confusing it with the previous 50 ohm driver. But the 2016 version didn't sound much different if at all...

I just had mine replaced and the sound was nearly identical to the 2014 version IMO.

It's called the Lohb headband but I've never bought it. Anybody out there know where to buy the Lohb headband?

Contact Audeze to get the pads, they are always available to current LCD owners. I really like the carbon fiber headband but it's kind of pricy at $200. The new headband is $125 I believe both from Audeze. Some guys swear by the 3rd party headband but the CF is just too sexy.