Audeze LCD-2 Orthos - Page 71  

Remember Rob! What your hearing now?....get's even better... or "Moar Bettah". 

Quote:

Originally Posted by achristilaw 
 You might kick the 800 to the curb as I have! 

I am pretty surprised, as probably are many, that you have made such a decisive cut from a pair of headphones that you were praising so highly not too long ago. It speaks volumes about the LCD-2s... or maybe you are just a fickle lover who can't stay tied down too long. I have never been completely won over by the HD800s, but when everything works just right, I find them sublime. It is hard to imagine that the LCD-2s would surpass the HD800s in all areas in which they excel, but I would love to find that they do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dBel84 

one word = HYBRID 

 

the best of both worlds  ..dB

 

ps - glad this favourable opinion is being shared by more than "orthoheads"

Aye..This is going from over 2 years of experience with orthos..SS and Hybrids are the weapon of choice for all orthoheads..not that some tube amps won't mate well, but the chances are slim compared to high powered SS and hybrid (please not ones that use an opamp output stage like some hybrids..discrete people..MOSFET even better!!) headphone amplifiers.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gu Sensei 

I am pretty surprised, as probably are many, that you have made such a decisive cut from a pair of headphones that you were praising so highly not too long ago. It speaks volumes about the LCD-2s... or maybe you are just a fickle lover who can't stay tied down too long. I have never been completely won over by the HD800s, but when everything works just right, I find them sublime. It is hard to imagine that the LCD-2s would surpass the HD800s in all areas in which they excel, but I would love to find that they do.

 

I was actually going to post something similar.  

I love my HD800 with my ZDT, and even though my Stax O2, HE60 or HE-5 LE might do some things better, they don't do everything better.  Particularly, none of them can match the sound stage and imaging that I get from the HD800, although the HE60 get closer via WES amp.  The HE-5 LE remind me more of my O2 with it's smaller but more focussed pinpoint soundstage, but with more treble presence at the expense of a little less weight in the bass vs the O2 (WES amp).  

I don't see how I could part with my HD800 unless I found a phone that could not only do everything better but also imitate the HD800's vast soundstage.  Even though my K1000 can do the soundstage and mids, they can't do the bass and treble as well as my HD800, and therefore become less convincing.

Still, I think I'd be somewhat interested in buying an LCD-2 someday because I did like the demo at RMAF, although I thought the HE-5 at RMAF were a little more transparent, open and less colored (especially in the midbass region).  I'd like to know if anyone has heard both the demo LCD-2 vintage Oct 2009 and the final production LCD-2, who could comment on the changes in sound made between revisions?

Is the LCD-2 an O2 beater, or a poor man's O2?

Too early to tell?

you will have to define O2 beater? They don't share the same sound signature. The LCD-2 is a lot more natural and neutral. 

It always comes down to preference and what you define as "beating" or "winning" over the other.

To me the LCD-2 hits all the right spots..the areas that I deem as paramount it does superlatively. Never was quite taken by the O2 with the short auditions I have had with Frank Cooter's amp, the BHSE or the eXStatA. It was really nice sounding just not exceptional.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

Right - MINI XLR.

 

Tim these would be right up your alley I think, given you found the HE-5 to have too much treble energy.

I was right in my guesstimate it sounds like :).

Is the treble rolled as much as on the DX 1000?

Quote:

Originally Posted by achristilaw 

 
 

Let the break-in transpire (and I would recommend a re-cable later), and let your thoughts coalesce.

Can you post a pic of that re-cable, or if not describe the cable, is it spades going direct to a speaker amp or what kind of terminations and which is your favorite amp for them so far?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gu Sensei 

I am pretty surprised, as probably are many, that you have made such a decisive cut from a pair of headphones that you were praising so highly not too long ago. It speaks volumes about the LCD-2s... or maybe you are just a fickle lover who can't stay tied down too long. I have never been completely won over by the HD800s, but when everything works just right, I find them sublime. It is hard to imagine that the LCD-2s would surpass the HD800s in all areas in which they excel, but I would love to find that they do.

 

They do from where I'm sitting! When they have a weeks burn-in do some AB'ing and I think that you may like what you find. My association with the 800 has had benefits...I have a great well of gear to draw upon!

I had sublime connotation's regarding the 800, and was a Chief promoter (among other's). But when I do my AB'ing now (just concluded another test with Muddy Waters "folk singer" MCA/Chess CHD12027) and the space, layering in the space (with all the spatial cues) the organization of the players in studio, was no contest.

 With the "low-level" information and detail washed over by the 800 (some are falsely actuated), stuff I had never heard before was open for my interpretation with the Audez'e. I have heard this recording 10's, if not a hundred times, on many systems over the years (Loudspeaker and Headphone).

You think you know some of your "pet" recordings well do you? Betcha don't...not yet! 

 AND NO! You won't enjoy much benefit with a brief audition at a meet. Not your gear...not your Music (most likely)!  Good luck with that!

(edit): I had my first pair of 800's (I have two) on May 30th of last year...a good run as I see it!  
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by perrew 

Can you post a pic of that re-cable, or if not describe the cable, is it spades going direct to a speaker amp or what kind of terminations and which is your favorite amp for them so far?
 

www.aloaudio.com and Ken has pictures up with an explanation of the wire being used.

Sounds great right now out of the Dynamid (balanced Dynalo). I will try later some of my various other balanced affairs. I have pig-tail's (both female XLR to bare-wire and XLR to banana terminations) to try later with the Moth si2A3/45 output or the First Watt F3.

I prefer solid-state as a rule, BUT every rule there is an exception!  You can't confuse this with the HE-5 or LE. I took the HE-5 as far as it would go...and it came up wanting (good for the price..couldn't touch the 800). This is different....much different and I haven't released the big-bores yet! I'm in no hurry.... 
 

I only see a 1/4" terminated version there?

I dont own any balanced amps, but I have a nice SE(Hybrid) coming and two amps with speaker outputs(Hybrid and 300B) which I will try.

Quote:

Originally Posted by achristilaw 

www.aloaudio.com and Ken has pictures up with an explanation of the wire being used.

 

Sounds great right now out of the Dynamid (balanced Dynalo). I will try later some of my various other balanced affairs. I have pig-tail's (both female XLR to bare-wire and XLR to banana terminations) to try later with the Moth si2A3/45 output or the First Watt F3.

 

I prefer solid-state as a rule, BUT every rule there is an exception!  You can't confuse this with the HE-5 or LE. I took the HE-5 as far as it would go...and it came up wanting (good for the price..couldn't touch the 800). This is different....much different and I haven't released the big-bores yet! I'm in no hurry.... 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by perrew 

I only see a 1/4" terminated version there?

 

I dont own any balanced amps, but I have a nice SE(Hybrid) coming and two amps with speaker outputs(Hybrid and 300B) which I will try.

 

 

Ken will make any flavor you wish! A lot of amps are noisy at the output. Loudspeakers (even single-element drivers) are not picky (essentially) about noise levels as much as a Headphone would be. With the element only mm's from the ear you hear everything (inherent noise included).

Yes, these phones gobble up current..BUT they are easier (read:much) to drive than the HE-5.....again not the same animal!!

 TRY IT! You may find a gem in the group!! 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by dBel84 

 

not sure why a 12AX7 - EL84 circuit should cost as much but presuming it has to do with the euro .

 

One of my all time favourite amps is the LEAK ST20 - a 12AX7 - EL84 transformer coupled amp..dB

Nothing to do with the Euro - it's made in Japan

What it DOES have to do with are the output transformers.  Good output transformers cost big $$$ - and the one in the Leben is VERY good.

I listened last night WAAAAAY past my bedtime - that combo, the LCD-2 and the Leben was just amazing me - the soundstage especially was the best I ever recall hearing.  I wish I had the HD800 to compare - I have a feeling the soundstaging capability of the LCD-2 is even better than the HD8000, which formerly is the best I have ever heard.  The LCD-2 as heard through the Leben puts a truly holographic soundscape out a little in front of the listener with a depth and width I do not recall getting before, and in an unbelievable natural way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by achristilaw 

 

Yes, these phones gobble up current..BUT they are easier (read:much) to drive than the HE-5.....again not the same animal!!

 

 

I can confirm that the LCD-2 require less juice from my amps than the HE-5LE do.  The HE-5LE do not seem to have the same issue with being rolled off in the treble by my OTL amps, though. 

As much as I like the HE-5LE, my initial take is that, with the right amp, the LCD-2 is a significant step above the HE-5LE in terms of performance (although not ergonomics - I find the HE-5LE to be more comfortable).

This morning I have spent some time with the LCD-2 on the Meier Concerto - it has plenty of juice to drive them for sure, and no treble roll off for sure (got to love that 0.1 ohm output impedance). 

Edit: The Concerto and the LCD-2 are a good pairing.  The sound is very nearly as good as I described above with the Leben - not quite, as the Leben is the better amp IMO, but for the money, the Concerto is excellent, and the sound from the LCD-2 via the Concerto is open, transparent, and extended as it was on the Leben.  The soundstaging is also excellent on the Concerto, although here again I think the Leben has a slight edge.

But those are the ONLY two amps I have that work well with the LCD-2.  I tried the RSA Stealth, and that doesn't work AT ALL - the sound is actually distorted at any kind of reasonable volume.  The Stealth isn't designed for low-impedance loads, but it has always sounded great with my 70 ohm DX1000.  The LCD-2 sent it whimpering into the corner.

The Singlepower Extreme and the Decware CSP-2 had enough power for the LCD-2, but with rolled off highs (and probably other frequency response aberrations due to the impedance mismatch that were just less obvious).  Just to be clear, all of these amps drive the Beyerdynamic T1 very, very well.  Not so with the LCD-2.  Strong solid-state or a high-quality transformer-coupled tube amp will be needed, or an OTL tube amp that has been designed with a very low output impedance (of which I am not aware of very many...)

Quirky beast the LCD-2.  Pickiest headphone about amplification I have had.  I don't want to overplay this - the LCD-2 still sound good with the Sp Extreme and the Decware CSP-2 - just not as good as they can sound.  But given that they did not work at all with the Stealth, they will not be a "buy them and use them with whatever amp you own" kind of headphone.

Paired with the right amp, though, the sound is remarkably natural and lifelike - very impressively so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

This morning I have spent some time with the LCD-2 on the Meier Concerto - it has plenty of juice to drive them for sure, and no treble roll off for sure (got to love that 0.1 ohm output impedance). 

 

Edit: The Concerto and the LCD-2 are a good pairing.  The sound is very nearly as good as I described above with the Leben - not quite, as the Leben is the better amp IMO, but for the money, the Concerto is excellent, and the sound from the LCD-2 via the Concerto is open, transparent, and extended as it was on the Leben.  The soundstaging is also excellent on the Concerto, although here again I think the Leben has a slight edge.

Awesome.  Thanks for the impressions, Skylab.  Concerto can now remain on my list of amps to buy along with the FET-A.  Both this little snippet and your full review on the Concerto are much appreciated.  I'm sure you'll holler if you hear anything else with the pairing, so I'll just thank ya in advance. 

I actually almost fell asleep with these on my head last night.  They're a little too large to be listening to while lying down for me, but I really wanted to listen more and also really needed to go to bed.  Maybe I need to get a Japanese neck pillow or something.  Hrmmm...