Amp recommendations for Audeze LCD-2 - Page 111

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seld 

 

Hi all, headfiers.

 

I would like to have an advice before breaking all my toys.

 

I'm actually enjoying my LCD2 with the Wa6... But I would like to try it out with a speaker amp.

The only amp I have is a Musical Fidelity XT100 (with a XRay-V8 combo cd drive as source).

The amp technical details are these:

power: 50w into 8 Ohm ...... or ..... 80w into 4 Ohm

voltage, RMS ...... >20 volts 20Hz to 20kHz

voltage, peak-to-peak ....... 67 volts

current, peak-to-peak ....... 30 Amps

pre-out impedance ........ 47 Ohm

 

Do you think I could drive the LCD2 directly from this amp? or may I damage it?

And building the cable, can I use the original cable of the LCD2 cutting the jack or do I need a power cable o something else?

 

Thanks a lot for your attention and you suggestions!

F

I actually tried what you are talking about with my Musical Fidelity A3.2 amp and I can tell you to use caution if you do it! The reason; with the sound pot all the way down (at 7 o’clock if you will) the sound was freakingly loud and with channel imbalance. You would not damage your phones if you don’t crank the volume to much though... But the danger is there.

And yes, cutting the wire near the jack and striping it allows you to plug the 4 wires to the speaker binding posts of your amp (using the red and pink wires as positives and the clear and white as the negatives - to verify which goes where and with who, you can unscrew the mini xlr plug and see what’s wired with what).

You would probably be better off with an adapter though... Maybe with something like that:

http://www.divertech.com/asluhcsignature.html

What gain level do people use with the Concerto, Mode 1/2 Low, Mode 1/2 High?  Cant seem to find the proper post in the main meier thread.

I'm having quite a bit of success powering the LCD2s with a 45 tube amp. I posted a bit here. Can't recommend DHT SETs for the LCD2s enough!

Low gain was loud enough for me on the Concerto.  As for HA-160D... mine is in transit from PartsConnexion though doubtful I have it this weekend.  The idea of an amp/dac/pre than can feed my LCD-2 or nearfields is just awesome.  Hoping it can compete with the stello/b22.  Will see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjikiran 

What gain level do people use with the Concerto, Mode 1/2 Low, Mode 1/2 High?  Cant seem to find the proper post in the main meier thread.

I use the middle gain; I opened up the amp and removed the jumpers, as described in the manual.  This allows all the volume I need at around 10-11 o'clock.  

Low gain was between noon and 1 for me; high was around 9 .

Thank you very much Francoy!

So I'll take care when I'll try. I really want to know how it sounds directly from the amp.

My "luck" is that the XT100 is less powerful than your A3.2 so maybe it will be a little more controllable on volume...

By the way, and whatever happens really really thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francoy 

I actually tried what you are talking about with my Musical Fidelity A3.2 amp and I can tell you to use caution if you do it! The reason; with the sound pot all the way down (at 7 o’clock if you will) the sound was freakingly loud and with channel imbalance. You would not damage your phones if you don’t crank the volume to much though... But the danger is there.

 

And yes, cutting the wire near the jack and striping it allows you to plug the 4 wires to the speaker binding posts of your amp (using the red and pink wires as positives and the clear and white as the negatives - to verify which goes where and with who, you can unscrew the mini xlr plug and see what’s wired with what).

 

You would probably be better off with an adapter though... Maybe with something like that:

http://www.divertech.com/asluhcsignature.html

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptrok 

Has anyone here spent some serious time with the Burson HA-160D with the LCD-2's and can give an impression. I read the article in 6moons and it got a blue moon award and all but I have been wondering if anyone else who has had some experience with this combo can add their opinions.

I have for the last 5 months or so, love it, especially after I got a SACD player. I think what you need to decide is how much you are willing to spend and go from there (if you haven't already).

Also, the search this thread feature beneath the title of this thread is pretty effective at finding impressions on the Burson (here and the main LCD-2 thread).

Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Permagrin 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptrok 

Has anyone here spent some serious time with the Burson HA-160D with the LCD-2's and can give an impression. I read the article in 6moons and it got a blue moon award and all but I have been wondering if anyone else who has had some experience with this combo can add their opinions.

 

I have for the last 5 months or so, love it, especially after I got a SACD player. I think what you need to decide is how much you are willing to spend and go from there (if you haven't already).

 

Also, the search this thread feature beneath the title of this thread is pretty effective at finding impressions on the Burson (here and the main LCD-2 thread).

 

Cheers!

 

Holy crap I never realized that was there. Thank you kind sir, you've just made this a hell of a lot easier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

The idea of an amp/dac/pre than can feed my LCD-2 or nearfields is just awesome.  Hoping it can compete with the stello/b22.  Will see.

I second that, although doubtful the DAC in the 160D will be any good compared to something like the Stello.

I'd kill for the 160 to have pre outs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Permagrin 

I have for the last 5 months or so, love it, especially after I got a SACD player. I think what you need to decide is how much you are willing to spend and go from there (if you haven't already).

 

Also, the search this thread feature beneath the title of this thread is pretty effective at finding impressions on the Burson (here and the main LCD-2 thread).

 

Cheers!

 

You have made my Head-fi experience that much better and I must thank you. I was unaware of this feature and have been forced to read each page of a thread to find information. You're the man Permagrin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIGF 

 

I second that, although doubtful the DAC in the 160D will be any good compared to something like the Stello.

 

I'd kill for the 160 to have pre outs.

So would you recommend a separate DAC and Amp combo rather than the Burson? Since I live in Korea, I can get Stello products for about $200 cheaper than in the States with free Shipping. So, in your opinion what do you like about the Stello that makes it a good DAC? BTW are you referring to the DA100 Signature or the Ai500? Most reviews that I have read say that they are very forward DAC's but that may benefit the LCD-2's. Thanks for your opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptrok 

Has anyone here spent some serious time with the Burson HA-160D with the LCD-2's and can give an impression. I read the article in 6moons and it got a blue moon award and all but I have been wondering if anyone else who has had some experience with this combo can add their opinions.

The Burson HA-160D shows up quite often in our local gatherings so I'm quite familiar with its sound. To sum it up, it provides a thick, meaty, PRaT-y, bassy and warm-ish sound. I thought I quite like the combination with the LCD2.

Its only weakness is the DAC inside that unit, it's probably just on par with a HRT Music Streamer II. That's right, II not II+. Any decent dedicated DAC will easily outperform it. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT 

The Burson HA-160D shows up quite often in our local gatherings so I'm quite familiar with its sound. To sum it up, it provides a thick, meaty, PRaT-y, bassy and warm-ish sound. I thought I quite like the combination with the LCD2.

 

Its only weakness is the DAC inside that unit, it's probably just on par with a HRT Music Streamer II. That's right, II not II+. Any decent dedicated DAC will easily outperform it.

Hmm, I currently have the HA-160 and using an Audio-GD FUN as a DAC. I was looking to upgrade my DAC, and the 160D was one of my options. Judging by this comment it most likely won't be so much of an upgrade. Have you heard the NFB10? How does this compare against the Burson as an all-in-one? Especially with the LCD-2.

I haven't heard the NFB10 so I can't comment on that but perhaps getting a separate DAC will serve you better. NFB10 is a combo unit similar to the Burson so it wouldn't make sense for me to get it solely for the DAC unless you're after the preamp. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT 

I haven't heard the NFB10 so I can't comment on that but perhaps getting a separate DAC will serve you better. NFB10 is a combo unit similar to the Burson so it wouldn't make sense for me to get it solely for the DAC unless you're after the preamp. 

Sorry for not being clear, if I were to get the NFB10 it would be to use both the headphone amplifier AND DAC, as well as this, to run balanced my RP6 powered monitors through preamp. I'd be really interested to hear how the NFB10 and the Burson HA-160D compare with the LCD-2, but I doubt many would have heard both.