Wedge, what amp do you use for your LCD2s? Couldnt tell from your profile.

If this is the case, my opinion I don't believe you'll go wrong with the LCD-2.  As far as amps go, I'm not sure but in the price range your looking at the Lyr is a very good amp with the right tubes, also my opinion

I use, Leben CS300XS, Apex P/V, Woo Audio WA-5, and used to have  Woo Audio WA-22.

 
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franklyshankly said:

 
How would the LCDs compare to the 650s? I love the 650s from my stereo receiver, but I want a DESKTOP system, and the KICAS is just too weak. Are the LCDs a true step up, or are the just different? Are the LCDs more forgiving of a lesser quality amp than the 650s? I'm looking at the Lyr and it seems like a good deal, and with the possibility of further tube upgrades.
 
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!
 
btw, the LCD sound sig sounds perfect for me from what I've read. They almost seem like an upgraded 650, with better detail, speed, midrange, and clarity, with similar full body and bass. Also, I LOOOOVE the looks of the LCDs. This is why I'm considering them.

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Frankly, franklyshankly, I would think there's very little doubt from a sound quality point-of-view that you should move up to the LCD-2. Many of us graduated from the HD650 and would have expressed similar sentiments of vague dissatisfaction before doing so. The question is not a sound quality one really, but rather one of comfort and hardiness--both your own and the headphone's. I resisted getting the LCD-2 for several months (and wouldn't have got it at all had it not come up on Ebay), mainly due to concerns about the weight and issues arising in the forums about long-term durability. Now I have the LCD-2 and am perfectly satisfied--with the sound; issues with comfort and durability remain. I don't know that these phones will ever be comfortable in the HD650 sense. They're just too heavy, and for that reason the clamping can only relax so much before they start to become unstable on one's head. As for durability, or resilience, how do you safeguard a half kilo block of wood, thin metal and delicate connecting wires? Will it ever be safe from even a short drop onto carpet?
 
I'm not trying to turn you off the LCD-2--far from it. But these are pertinent issues, rather more so in fact than whether a $500 amp will satisfactorily drive them (it will). Worst of all maybe would be to buy the LCD-2, love the sound but find them too heavy or tight and, having now heard better sound, have to return forlornly to your 650s.  

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franklyshankly said:

I figured if I'm going to have to spend $1000 to make the 650s sound good, I might as well at least look at other headphone options since that is significant money. I actually love the 650 signature, I like the slight warm, full bodied, and bass-y sound a lot. I felt like the 650s are pretty detailed while also being smooth, and overall I feel like these cans are good for music appreciation (opposed to reproduction analysis). But I wouldn't mind more detail, and since I'm pretty much ALL about mids, the LCD sounds appealing for those reasons. If i can get more improvement for the money getting new cans instead of new amp, I'd rather go the LCD route, and then when I have enough money to save up for a $3000 amp (in like 10 years!) then I'll have phones that deserve it!

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You don't need a $3k amp to drive the LCDs. The Lyr with upgraded tubes is a very good match for them. There will be a noticeable difference as you move up the chain but take note of diminishing returns.
 

The left driver for my LCD-2's just failed Gentle use, hung on headphone stand, noticed a severe volume imbalance at first, thought it was a cable half plugged, then the left driver straight up failed. Emailed Audez'e and hopefully this will get handled.

I've been taken to task for saying this before, but, though it is not really the most technically best suggestion (as it says nothing else about the design and capabilities of an amp), an arbitrary way to get an idea if an amp is going to do well with the LCD-2s is see if it can give out at least 1.5-2W into 50 Ohms. Though such power would be enough to destroy your ears, anecdotal experience suggests that amps with that degree of capability will have enough power in reserve for even loud listening with quite complex music without the soundstage falling apart.

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tonyjin said:

The left driver for my LCD-2's just failed Gentle use, hung on headphone stand, noticed a severe volume imbalance at first, thought it was a cable half plugged, then the left driver straight up failed. Emailed Audez'e and hopefully this will get handled.

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What's the date on your FR graph, tonytigerjin?
 
 

tonyjin said:

Emailed Audez'e and hopefully this will get handled.

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It will and they will do it very well!
If you read my post a few posts back our headphones were in a very small batch of defective material for the drivers which has now been sorted. I have found Audeze very responsive and proactive in sorting this out for me!

hmmmmmm, i'm not too worried about comfort (although, the 650s are ridiculously comfortable!), I'm a big guy and have yet to be bothered by any headphone except the IAIAIAI because it was too *loose* ... I prefer a tight clamp.
 
The durability issues DO have me worried, and seem like a significant concern for a $1000 headphone. I'll have to do more thread research to see how prevalent this issue really is. Having bought the KICAS amp used on here, I can say that it sucks to have a company (Purity Audio in this case) go out of business, though they continue to support their products and have been wonderful about helping me even though I bought my amp used. Other small start ups might not be as good about this, though.
 
Other than that, it seems pretty unanimous (based on a handful full of well informed headfiers) that the LCD-2 represents a true and logical upgrade from the 650, which is awesome news! And the fact the the Lyr sounds good with them is even better news! I'll probably read through the amp thread, just to make things more complicated (isnt that half the fun?) but the Lyr is the most realistic choice.
 
I also need to do some learnin about voltage vs. current, and watts per channel ... I'm clueless about the technical side. Can anyone recommend a good place to learn the basics? That way I can find an amp without posting a new thread on here every time I find something interesting.

franklyshankly said:

hmmmmmm, i'm not too worried about comfort (although, the 650s are ridiculously comfortable!), I'm a big guy and have yet to be bothered by any headphone except the IAIAIAI because it was too *loose* ... I prefer a tight clamp.
 
The durability issues DO have me worried, and seem like a significant concern for a $1000 headphone. I'll have to do more thread research to see how prevalent this issue really is. Having bought the KICAS amp used on here, I can say that it sucks to have a company (Purity Audio in this case) go out of business, though they continue to support their products and have been wonderful about helping me even though I bought my amp used. Other small start ups might not be as good about this, though.
 
Other than that, it seems pretty unanimous (based on a handful full of well informed headfiers) that the LCD-2 represents a true and logical upgrade from the 650, which is awesome news! And the fact the the Lyr sounds good with them is even better news! I'll probably read through the amp thread, just to make things more complicated (isnt that half the fun?) but the Lyr is the most realistic choice.
 
I also need to do some learnin about voltage vs. current, and watts per channel ... I'm clueless about the technical side. Can anyone recommend a good place to learn the basics? That way I can find an amp without posting a new thread on here every time I find something interesting.

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Please read the latest update from Audeze I posted a few posts ago, they have now eradicated the problem and have in fact installed some of the most rigorous testing out there. You can buy with safety from the company as I have recently found out!

Quote:

franklyshankly said:

The durability issues DO have me worried, and seem like a significant concern for a $1000 headphone. 
 
I also need to do some learnin about voltage vs. current, and watts per channel ... I'm clueless about the technical side. Can anyone recommend a good place to learn the basics? 

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I wouldn't worry too much about durability re the LCD-2. I've followed this thread and actually waded through the 12,000+ responses, and the only nagging issue with these headphones is the recent production run having some driver failures due to a defective roll of material-- Audez'e has aggressively addressed the issue and their customer support seems stellar. Other than that, breakage incidents seem few and far between.
 
As for amp requirements, I'm not an electrical engineer either but I've found the amp recommendations thread informative.

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tonyjin said:

The left driver for my LCD-2's just failed Gentle use, hung on headphone stand, noticed a severe volume imbalance at first, thought it was a cable half plugged, then the left driver straight up failed. Emailed Audez'e and hopefully this will get handled.

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When did you purchase your set?

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n3rdling said:

The LCD2 goes as deep as you can hear.

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Maybe.
 
I have MD5000s and LCD-2s and play test tracks that start off at 10Hz and go up in 1Hz increments.  I can hear(?) something going on at 12-13Hz with MD5000s, and at 15-16Hz with LCD-2s.
 
I can't promise the test tracks don't have distortion which means harmonics which means higher frequencies - so that could explain it.  But I'd expect harmonics for (say) a 12Hz signal to be in the traditional 20-20kHz "audible range", and thus they should be heard on both sets of phones.  I can't promise I'm really hearing rather than feeling a vibration either.  

That said, "hearing" something down that low on either phone should be plenty for just about all scenarios of interest

Quote:

tonyjin said:

The left driver for my LCD-2's just failed Gentle use, hung on headphone stand, noticed a severe volume imbalance at first, thought it was a cable half plugged, then the left driver straight up failed. Emailed Audez'e and hopefully this will get handled.

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what is the serial number of your LCD?