Amp recommendations for Audeze LCD-2 - Page 52

^^ **facepalm**

Will never understand this craze with going balanced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dallan 

Glad that you are enjoying the v181 but I am a bit confused.  Unless you are stuck on balanced systems, why did you get the V181 which is based on a lower model(v100) instead of the reference model V200?  I read earlier in this thread that the LCD2 is more dependent on the actual amp than whether or not that it is balanced.  Many people who ordered the V100 upgraded because of the significant difference between models.  In addition, I have heard that there is a V200 balanced model that will eventually(key word) be released too.  

 

Violectric did surprise me and i understand from your posts that  the v181 is a good amp as well.  The only reason i bring it up is because I was going to get the v100 originally and did extensive research on it.  The specs put the two amps(100/200) close but the actual sound difference is supposed to be dramatic.  When i saw the v181 considered it until i found out that it was just a balanced version of the lower tier amp that I had just decided against.

 

When i saw you got this i bit my tongue but maybe i missed something and there was an upgrade in the v181 or you just really wanted balance, which is good too.

 

If i go balanced I intend on doing the Violectric route with the next release, i really love the sound signature- not as stark as my Zana Duex with higher impedance phones but more tolerable and sweet, some would call it more musical and it works well with all headphones.

Just to add my thoughts into the mix. I owned the V100 and though it was a decent amp, it was clearly inferior to the M^3+Sigma-11 and the GS-1. I thought it played at around the same level as the Sheer Audio HA-006++, which BTW, can be had for only $450.

To be honest there was very little difference between XLR and ACSS....and to my ears ACSS was the winner by a very small fraction....but I can't say it was the winner with absolute confidence.  
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bojamijams 

Well another big difference is that you're also comparing ACSS to XLR with your setup.  You should try XLR Roc vs XLR v181 for a true comparison.  ACSS is more 'neutral' then XLR.
 

 

I was kinda hooked on the 4-pin ouput + the two 1/4"er's (better functionally for my setup, I use the dual 1/4" to output balanced to some active studio monitors when not using headphones).  The balanced thing I am kinda meh about....basically you just get louder volume vs. SE.  I only briefly listened to the v181 single ended before switching it to balanced mode, sounded great that way too.  The v181 has a better/bigger power supply inside vs. the v100, not sure on other design factors, you would have to ask Freid (the designer).  All I do know is I love my v181 and hear no faults in my current rig with it (to my ears).  

Seems like I am the only guy that owns a v181 :)  If you are just looking for SE outputs the v200 is only $100.00 more I think? or maybe more not sure.  So that is probably a good option for you.  I would love to compare a v200 to a v181 some day, I will probably try the v282 when it comes out next year for sure.  
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by dallan 

Glad that you are enjoying the v181 but I am a bit confused.  Unless you are stuck on balanced systems, why did you get the V181 which is based on a lower model(v100) instead of the reference model V200?  I read earlier in this thread that the LCD2 is more dependent on the actual amp than whether or not that it is balanced.  Many people who ordered the V100 upgraded because of the significant difference between models.  In addition, I have heard that there is a V200 balanced model that will eventually(key word) be released too.  

 

Violectric did surprise me and i understand from your posts that  the v181 is a good amp as well.  The only reason i bring it up is because I was going to get the v100 originally and did extensive research on it.  The specs put the two amps(100/200) close but the actual sound difference is supposed to be dramatic.  When i saw the v181 considered it until i found out that it was just a balanced version of the lower tier amp that I had just decided against.

 

When i saw you got this i bit my tongue but maybe i missed something and there was an upgrade in the v181 or you just really wanted balance, which is good too.

 

If i go balanced I intend on doing the Violectric route with the next release, i really love the sound signature- not as stark as my Zana Duex with higher impedance phones but more tolerable and sweet, some would call it more musical and it works well with all headphones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose 

Just to add my thoughts into the mix. I owned the V100 and though it was a decent amp, it was clearly inferior to the M^3+Sigma-11 and the GS-1. I thought it played at around the same level as the Sheer Audio HA-006++, which BTW, can be had for only $450.

The V181 must be two whole leagues ahead of the V100 according to this review.  He preferred the V181 over GS1 and HA006++ and specifically praised it as a giant killer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigzStudio 
 

 So that is probably a good option for you.  I would love to compare a v200 to a v181 some day, I will probably try the v282 when it comes out next year for sure.  

 

 

I have the v200 after reviewing the v100 and knowing that the v181 is based on the v100.  Already did it.  You can try mine but you are a five hour drive away.....sorry
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP Wild 

The V181 must be two whole leagues ahead of the V100 according to this review.  He preferred the V181 over GS1 and HA006++ and specifically praised it as a giant killer.

My assessment of amps is based mainly on transparency/accuracy, neutrality, and resolution. In these areas, the 2 amps I mentioned significantly outclass the Violectric. That reviewer probably likes his sound to be warmed and smoothed by the amp. I don't. Nothing wrong with either preference, but it's important to be aware of such things.

I seriously doubt the V181 sounds that much different from the V100, if at all. It's just a balanced version of the same amp. WRT the GS-1, the reviewer doesn't explain the difference between it and the V100. (I also have a DACT attenuator on mine, not sure if he does). The GS-1 (and M^3) changed a lot when I switched DACs/transports, but the HA-006++ and V100 coloured the sound to the point that little difference could be distinguished among sources. Also, the V100 had a more up-front and 2D soundstage, and less air and detail compared to the M^3 / GS-1.

I enjoyed that amp with lower-end sources though, where it did actually sound better than the other 2 amps because it was always smooth, warm, bassy (good quality bass too), and forgiving. I also preferred the V100 over the HA-006++, though the difference in SQ wasn't huge.

I also don't really agree with his comments on the Violectric build quality. It's not bad at all, but I would stop short of calling it amazing. Once again, Rockhopper, Sheer Audio, Meier, and especially Headamp's offerings all have noticeably better finish and build quality. The external body of the Violectric amps is made of a thin plastic-like material (not sure what it is) that bends and warps when pressed lightly.

Anyways, I've said all I wanted to on this comparison here. Anyone wanting to discuss this further can PM me.

Until you guys hear the v181, I am not sure you can jump to the conclusion as it being identical to the v100, as I said many times it has a beefier power supply....and probably accounts for why it sounds great with the LCD-2's.  Maybe Freid (the designer) can chime in here on v100 vs. v181.  I think he has an account on head-fi, you out there Freid!?!?

The v181 took the place of my Stacker II (which I sold to a well respected head-fier recently)....I feel the Stacker II of course still beat the v181 a bit, but not by a huge margin.  That should tell you something about how I feel on the Violectric v181.  I ended up keeping the Violectric over the Stacker II for getting pretty darn close to it, as well as providing me with more functionality in my rig (inputs/outputs).  

Actually I´m pretty sure Fried Reim told me in an email that the V181 is a new design, NOT based on the V100... As for the V200, it´s a completely different design than either of those. As far as I know (what I´ve read), it´s a spiritual successor to a cult-classic Nakamichi amp from the 1970´s... Once I get my new DAC soon I can write more about it :) As for the topic, can´t comment as I don´t own the LCD-2´s (yet!), but from what I´ve read the Violectric amp range excells at being fantastic all-rounders using very different headphones (ie, can drive both a pair of Grado´s and your 600-ohm Beyerdynamics). Personally due to budget reasons that´s exactly what I´m looking for, but it all depends on many things of course :)

Here's what Fried had to say:

it is compareable to V100 and 200.

In unbalanced mode the output voltage swing is only 50 % of the voltage swing of the balanced mode.
So - for my opinion - it is not as good suited of high impedance cans like V100 or V200.

From the sonic aspects V100 and V181 are quite similar.
Compared with V200, V181 gives more room or open sound in balanced mode.
V200 on the other hand seems to be more "musical"."

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigzStudio 

Until you guys hear the v181, I am not sure you can jump to the conclusion as it being identical to the v100, as I said many times it has a beefier power supply....and probably accounts for why it sounds great with the LCD-2's.  Maybe Freid (the designer) can chime in here on v100 vs. v181.  I think he has an account on head-fi, you out there Freid!?!?

 

The v181 took the place of my Stacker II (which I sold to a well respected head-fier recently)....I feel the Stacker II of course still beat the v181 a bit, but not by a huge margin.  That should tell you something about how I feel on the Violectric v181.  I ended up keeping the Violectric over the Stacker II for getting pretty darn close to it, as well as providing me with more functionality in my rig (inputs/outputs).  

Hi,

What is the pre-gain setting you have on your V181, waiting on your V181 vs. Goldpoint Headphone Pro comparisons.

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oqvist 

 

Sorry missed this. No I have never been into warmness by tradition. LCD-2 is just about the warmest headphone I have ever been able to get into. Maybe that is something new in older days...

Voices is not the only thing it´s just one thing I have focused on. But it´s quite important to get this right because I watch a lot of movies, play games on top of my music listening. And I do listen to quite a bit of music with male and female vocalists.

cheers :)
 

Hi,

Which DAC are you using with Goldpoint Headphone Pro? Do you still prefer GHP over V181/Trafomatic?

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oqvist 

Audio GD DAC19 DSP always. Keces 131 mk 2 on the side but doesn´t get much use. GHP is my choice for solid state. The Head One is my one and only tube and is more or less enjoyable then the GHP depending on what I listen to and mood. Sent back the V200 earlier this week.

V181 I haven´t heard.

Thanks for your reply. I believe you must have connected V200 with your DAC 19 using RCA, wonder if would make any difference if you would have had an option connecting it balanced, e.g. using Ref 5 balanced out to V200. Also would be interesting if volume pot on V200 can be changed to something like Goldpoint Stepped Attenuator.

Thanks anyway.