Audeze LCD-2 Orthos - Page 72  

So the Phoenix should power them adequately I would think (balanced)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kabeer 

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Skylab, can you try something please? Try the LCD-2 out of your computer/laptop headphone jack :). Tell me if it whimpers or has big roll off like you mentioned with those amps it didnt work great with, or if...it actually works better than those amps ;).

I tried it.  It wasn't awful, but it wasn't good.  The soundstage completely flattened out, and there was no top end air at all.  And the bass was super-flabby.  But my laptop doesn't have the greatest sound card.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim3320070 

So the Phoenix should power them adequately I would think (balanced)?

I would think so, yes.

More musings:

What's fascinating about the LCD-2 is that it actually requires less volume from my CSP-2 than the HE-5LE does, and yet there was a little treble roll-off with the LCD-2.  Again, it's not massive, but it is there.  The LCD-2 also requires more volume from the CSP-2 than the T1, but this does not surprise me.  And I was also a little surprised that the LCD-2 brought the Stealth completely to its knees, even though i know that it isn't meant for super-low impedance cans.  I need to try my impedance-matching transformer and see what that does.

By the way, the bass on the LCD-2 (again via the Concerto and/or the Leben) is really quite something.  It doesn't call attention to itself until required by the recording, but then it is reproduced full measure.  No lack of texture or definition, either - outstanding performance in that regard, in fact.

Sooo... Rob, would you say LCD2, beside different presentation, has overall superior audio qualities compared to HE5-LE?

(this coming from a guy "orthoinitiated" with HE5)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FauDrei 

Sooo... Rob, would you say LCD2, beside different presentation, has overall superior audio qualities compared to HE5-LE?

 

(this coming from a guy "orthoinitiated" with HE5)

Based on my experience so far - yes, definitely.  The HE-5LE are excellent.  The LCD-2, talking just about sonics, are superlative.

Well... thanks Rob... this is going to cost me...

Time for some pics:

Nice pics Skylab.  Do you think the foam on the headband will last?

You were right about the stunning aesthetics Rob...as well as the relatively disappointing memory foam headband.

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanuthead 

Nice pics Skylab.  Do you think the foam on the headband will last?

NOPE.  Worst part about the LCD-2.  I'm already trying to figure out how I will fix this.  Some leather, some snaps, and some trial and error...

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose 

You were right about the stunning aesthetics Rob...as well as the relatively disappointing memory foam headband.

It's such a pity to mar the beautiful looks with the crummy open-cell foam.  Wrap it in some leather, Audez'e!  C'Mon!  I would much rather have a leather headband and a cardboard box than the beautiful wood box they included...

Well, that's good to know.  I hope it will last a long, long time.  I should ask for a spare now, just in case

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

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.........

Rob, what about the Phoenix?  I didn't see you mention that.

Also your comments about the soundstage on the HD800, if I recall you didn't listen to them balanced.  I'd be curious to hear your impressions then.

These sound like phones I'd like to try.  My table was next to Audez'e at CanJam 2009 for the first day so I had a bit of conversation with them (they also needed to borrow a power strip).  I really thought the LCD-1 sounded nice and had potential but could do better with a bigger and more sturdy housing.  I'm glad they finally got this version released.  Hopefully I'll get a chance to listen to a pair soon.

I wonder how well a Beta22 will pair with them, especially if the gain is set lower for highly sensitive phones.  If the gain was high enough the Beta would put out enough power to drive them close to their max handling, but high gain won't work well for most phones on that amp especially with a stepped attenuator that you want to get a lot of travel on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ 

Rob, what about the Phoenix?  I didn't see you mention that.

 

Also your comments about the soundstage on the HD800, if I recall you didn't listen to them balanced.  I'd be curious to hear your impressions then.

 

I did not hear the HD800 balanced, no.  But I no longer have the Phoenix.  I ended up sending the review loaner back to Audio-GD rather than buying it.