Audeze LCD-2 Source discussion.
Dec 29, 2010 at 10:10 AM Post #76 of 183
That's funny I decided it wasn't worth it to upgrade my amps that much until I got my source sorted out.  Crap in crap out...
 
That said I've never heard the dacmagic to really be able to comment.  I'm certain I prefer my lcd-2 out of the "crappy" headphone amp on my dac to I dunno my beta22 being fed by a mp3 player or phone or some such, which admittedly I only really tried while I was testing the thing initially out of convenience.
 
The LCD-2 is really not that demanding a load...
 
Dec 30, 2010 at 9:32 AM Post #79 of 183
LCD-2 really likes power. It sounded a bit congested in single ended compared to the balanced mode. Now with around 3 W per channel it´s a beauty. Just listened to Depeche Mode last night. It´s like a streamroller, always in control and very precise.
 
Dec 30, 2010 at 6:36 PM Post #80 of 183

 
Quote:
vert said:
Would be interesting to see if anyone on here has used these with a high end source, Bel Canto 3.5, Chord QBD76, or Weiss.
Click to expand...



Sorry to rewind a little...been on vacation and not really checking the forums.  Anyway, I had a chance to listen audition a Weiss DAC 202 for about a week.  I think I have some notes that I took at the time somewhere.  To sum up, I thought it was very precise but I didn't find it as involving as the much cheaper Assemblage 2.7.  Excellent DAC, prohibitive price. 
wink_face.gif

 
Jan 31, 2011 at 2:02 PM Post #82 of 183
Resurrecting the thread because this has some very useful information in it. 
 
Has anyone tried the Eastern Electric MiniMAX DAC with the LCD2? I've heard reports that it's bright-sounding and therefore, it may work well with the LCD2. 
 
Jan 31, 2011 at 8:51 PM Post #83 of 183
So I got my Cary Xciter DAC and I like it very much with my LCD-2s. Listening to it right now with my Concerto amp.
 
Here are some thoughts between the Xciter and PS Audio DLIII (now sold):
 
1.) PS Audio is a warmer DAC...no doubt. Hearing the Cary, the PS Audio seems a bit muddy. The treble too far back and the sound stage is 20% smaller on the DLIII.
2.) Bass impact...well mid-bass goes to the DLIII for impact as it's a warmer DAC, but not as clean.
3.) Mids: more up front on the Cary.
4.) Treble: Better extension....no doubt. Cymbal shots sound like cymbals...not a drum machine (like they did on the PS Audio).

Not a HUGE difference...but audible enough. With the LCD-2s, they seem more open, which is a very good thing IMO.

Music: Brothers in Arms (25 year anniversary), Jazz at the Pawnshop Vol. 1, and DSoTM (30th Anniversary version)

That was using my Marantz CD player as a CD transport going SPDIF into the DAC.

USB: No comparison. The Cary eats the PS Audio for breakfast. When I get a few computer programs working, the PS Audio studders...its not the PS Audio DAC's fault, it's my computer's issue. But no studdering on the Cary. Most likely due to the asyncronous USB with buffering and re-clocking in it's own time domain on the USB signal to effectively take the jitter out of the equation. Very surprised on the difference.

Overall: Worth it! 
360

 
Feb 1, 2011 at 3:59 PM Post #84 of 183
Great comparison. Thanks Peter and congrats on the purchase. A truly high-end setup you've got there...
 
Feb 1, 2011 at 9:07 PM Post #85 of 183


Quote:
shahrose said:
Great comparison. Thanks Peter and congrats on the purchase. A truly high-end setup you've got there...
Click to expand...



LoL...thanks Shahrose. Especially considering it was you who put the bug in my ear.
evil_smiley.gif
tongue_smile.gif

 
Feb 1, 2011 at 10:31 PM Post #86 of 183
Hi all, do you guys think cambridge 840C can match up with LCD2? or would it be a limitation as well as the dacmagic?
 
The 840C is my main source currently, I also use it as dac for my ipod+onkyo nds1, and I'm still waiting for my LCD2 anxiously...
 
Feb 1, 2011 at 10:35 PM Post #87 of 183


Quote:
pigwave said:
Hi all, do you guys think cambridge 840C can match up with LCD2? or would it be a limitation as well as the dacmagic?
 
The 840C is my main source currently, I also use it as dac for my ipod+onkyo nds1, and I'm still waiting for my LCD2 anxiously...
Click to expand...


I think that is a very respectable source. What amp are you using? I would worry about that first considering you are ok with the 840C.
 
Feb 1, 2011 at 10:43 PM Post #88 of 183


Quote:
macedonianhero said:
Quote:
pigwave said:
Hi all, do you guys think cambridge 840C can match up with LCD2? or would it be a limitation as well as the dacmagic?
 
The 840C is my main source currently, I also use it as dac for my ipod+onkyo nds1, and I'm still waiting for my LCD2 anxiously...
Click to expand...


I think that is a very respectable source. What amp are you using? I would worry about that first considering you are ok with the 840C.
Click to expand...


 
Now I'm using little dot MKV as amp for my HD600, it's quite powerful with the HD600, but I'm thinking of an upgrade to the concerto or some else ss amp in the future. That's anther thing  for me to worry about indeed
confused_face.gif

 
Feb 1, 2011 at 10:49 PM Post #89 of 183


Quote:
macedonianhero said:
So I got my Cary Xciter DAC and I like it very much with my LCD-2s. Listening to it right now with my Concerto amp.
 
Here are some thoughts between the Xciter and PS Audio DLIII (now sold):
 
1.) PS Audio is a warmer DAC...no doubt. Hearing the Cary, the PS Audio seems a bit muddy. The treble too far back and the sound stage is 20% smaller on the DLIII.
2.) Bass impact...well mid-bass goes to the DLIII for impact as it's a warmer DAC, but not as clean.
3.) Mids: more up front on the Cary.
4.) Treble: Better extension....no doubt. Cymbal shots sound like cymbals...not a drum machine (like they did on the PS Audio).

Not a HUGE difference...but audible enough. With the LCD-2s, they seem more open, which is a very good thing IMO.

Music: Brothers in Arms (25 year anniversary), Jazz at the Pawnshop Vol. 1, and DSoTM (30th Anniversary version)

That was using my Marantz CD player as a CD transport going SPDIF into the DAC.

USB: No comparison. The Cary eats the PS Audio for breakfast. When I get a few computer programs working, the PS Audio studders...its not the PS Audio DAC's fault, it's my computer's issue. But no studdering on the Cary. Most likely due to the asyncronous USB with buffering and re-clocking in it's own time domain on the USB signal to effectively take the jitter out of the equation. Very surprised on the difference.

Overall: Worth it! 
360
Click to expand...


Hi P
 
You didn't say how the Cary usb compared to the Thingee usb through the Cary.
 
E
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top