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Amp recommendations for Audeze LCD-2

Sep 9, 2011 at 1:09 PM Post #3,826 of 9,210
What's a good sub-$500 option for the LCD-2?  I've only investigated the Schiit Lyr and Bottlehead Crack w/ Speedball.  People seem reasonably happy with the Lyr.  I've read criticism that the Bottlehead doesn't pair very well with the LCD-2.  This would be for someone who listens primarily to electronica, indie, progressive, and rock.
 
I don't mind DIY or used, and have a preference for DIY.  Solid state, hybrid, or tube is fine.  Could I get some suggestions of tried-and-true options?  My knowledge of dynamic amps is mostly around $1-2k+ offerings, so I'm unsure what the landscape looks like around $500.
 
Some amps I've seen but have no knowledge of (would search out a used model for anything $500+): Burson HA-160, PS Audio GCHA, and Woo 3 or 6.
 
I'm only interested in full-size amps, preferably class A.
 
Thanks for any help.
 
Sep 9, 2011 at 2:09 PM Post #3,827 of 9,210
WA6 used,Meier Concerto used, or Schiit Lyr.  The Crack is a no go for LCD-2.  And I have tried all of the aforementioned amps with the LCD-2.
 
Sep 9, 2011 at 2:44 PM Post #3,828 of 9,210
Elysian,
 
I have used the Schitt Asgard and Lyr.
Also a Insight + Preamp with a great headphone amp.
Also a SOHAii DIY Alex Cavalli Hybrid amp.
Also a Onkyo 805 AVR.
 
The Lyr is superlative with the LCD2's being driven with bit perfect stuff , flacs and a great DAC.
 
Its close to what the state of the art is today for me at a very low cost point as well.
 
All the best
Alex
 
Sep 9, 2011 at 4:22 PM Post #3,830 of 9,210


Quote:
girls generation said:
Any chance you will be trying a taste of the new Triad Audio L3?
smily_headphones1.gif
Click to expand...



http://www.head-fi.org/t/214588/review-portable-amp-roundup-56-portable-amps-reviewed-and-compared-final-update-12-20-10-added-rsa-sr-71b/2940#post_7116999
 
Sep 9, 2011 at 5:22 PM Post #3,831 of 9,210
skylab said:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/214588/review-portable-amp-roundup-56-portable-amps-reviewed-and-compared-final-update-12-20-10-added-rsa-sr-71b/2940#post_7116999
Click to expand...


WHOA. I think I overlooked that thinking it was the newer Lisa III ....... Sorry ~_~

I am going to compare it to the RSA SR71B next week, and compare the two of them again to the Meier Stepdance, which in a kind of cool way will mean I will end my portable amp review monster with a face-off of true top-tier performers. Lucky me!
Click to expand...


Did you get around to doing that comparison? I do try to use search but it brings me to either HUGE threads (and when I search inside of it, I get no real matching results) or very old threads from years ago which has nothing to do with the topic I'm searching on.... Or sale threads.... Maybe I need to go to school on how to use the search function ~_~


At the moment, I'm trying to look for anything that has to do with a comparison between the L3 or SR71B and Just Audio AHA-120. No one really does portable amp reviews anymore, and so far I've found one review that has no comparisons between the two amps I'm looking to compare the AHA-120 with.
 
Sep 9, 2011 at 5:25 PM Post #3,832 of 9,210
Thanks for the quick responses!  Looks like the Lyr is still the top contender, then.  I'm going to be buying the LCD-2, amp, and DAC for someone to get them into high-end audio, so I want to make sure I put the right system together, and will probably start a separate thread down the line asking about the DAC pairing.
 
I'll read up more on the Meier Concerto and a used WA6, as I have good experience with Woo.
 
Sep 9, 2011 at 5:31 PM Post #3,833 of 9,210

 
Quote:
girls generation said:
WHOA. I think I overlooked that thinking it was the newer Lisa III ....... Sorry ~_~



Did you get around to doing that comparison? I do try to use search but it brings me to either HUGE threads (and when I search inside of it, I get no real matching results) or very old threads from years ago which has nothing to do with the topic I'm searching on.... Or sale threads.... Maybe I need to go to school on how to use the search function ~_~

 
Click to expand...

http://www.head-fi.org/t/214588/review-portable-amp-roundup-56-portable-amps-reviewed-and-compared-final-update-12-20-10-added-rsa-sr-71b/3090#post_7214061
 
 
Sep 9, 2011 at 5:48 PM Post #3,834 of 9,210
skylab said:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/214588/review-portable-amp-roundup-56-portable-amps-reviewed-and-compared-final-update-12-20-10-added-rsa-sr-71b/3090#post_7214061
 
Click to expand...


Oh wow. I'm going to go smack my self with a frying pan.

Balanced makes a big difference huh.... Hmm..... I would've liked for you to try the 15volt stepdance but that's too late :P... I'm still considering Just Audio AHA-120 but that comparison and your bold statement about SR71B in balanced mode has me persuaded 90% :P
 
Sep 9, 2011 at 5:57 PM Post #3,835 of 9,210
iBasso makes a couple of balanced portable amps that could be worth checking out.
 
Sep 9, 2011 at 8:20 PM Post #3,836 of 9,210
Elysian,
 
I had a HRT MSii USB dac that was ok.
 
I just upgraded to the HRT MSii + Asynch USB Dac...with the Lyr and LCD2's its a real AWESOME combination....
 
With only three hours on the new dac everything I played on it was like all new again...its like being able to look inside the music.
 
The big difference is the tonality of instruments and vocals and secondly the velvet dark silence...everything comes from.
 
This dac is only $350 or so....HRT has an upgrade program where they gave me the retail price of the MSii and paid the difference for the MSii +.
 
Awesome customer service and a wonderful DAC that does not break the bank..
 
Good Luck in your choices there are sooo many!
 
Alex
 
Sep 9, 2011 at 10:15 PM Post #3,839 of 9,210
Skylab/Anybody?
 
Im thinking about this baby with LCD2s.. where would it sit in the scale of things? 
 
Edit: Decware Taboo
 

 
 
 
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