Why is everyone selling their Audez'e LCD-2?

Because there is a LCD-3 coming.

Just under 2 grand.

Yep ~ their 'apparently' limited sound stage is all a matter of finding the right DAC and connection method

(optical or coax), match it with the right amp and it's a seriously brilliant headphone.

But it needs a source that can throw a big sound stage.

What kind of source produces a large soundstage?  I've tried out many DACs, from DIY to retail that go up to $5000 (incl. ones that have various filter presets).  None have come close to what a proper tube power amp or preamp can do in terms of soundstaging, particularly one that uses 300B tubes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elysian 

What kind of source produces a large soundstage?  I've tried out many DACs, from DIY to retail that go up to $5000 (incl. ones that have various filter presets).  None have come close to what a proper tube power amp or preamp can do in terms of soundstaging, particularly one that uses 300B tubes.

Amp certainly plays a huge role ~ best combo' that I've heard so far is the Rega + Audiophilleo Coax converter

+ Violectric V200. If you have a chance to hear - I recommend it!

We're a bit short for quality tube amps down under ~ might get my hands on a Cayin HA-1A at some stage

but we're waiting on local Woo Audio stock & support too.

Yeah, I definitely sympathize with your guys' import fees down under.  Your statement just stood out to me a bit, as I've been reading a lot of reviews on high-end sources talking about drastically improved soundstage (you'd almost imagine the reviewer went from a cardboard box to Death Valley), but I don't notice nearly as significant a difference.  I do hear some change, but not nearly as much as an awesome tube amp/preamp.

I've only heard a few tube DACs so maybe those change the equation a bit, but tube DACs have always just sounded a bit expanded and fuzzy to me.  I think the general negative sentiment some folks have towards tube DACs is accurate, at least until I hear an amazing implementation.  Maybe that lampizatOr? Anything fanboy infested automatically raises my skeptic flag, though...

Anyway, the LCD2 R2 still doesn't seem to have taken much of a haircut.  The seller market looks like mostly newer acquirers offloading their LCD2s to either get the LCD3, or out of annoyance of not having the best and greatest anymore and wanting to cut their losses before the market price permanently decreases.  I'd like a LCD2 R2 eventually, but I don't think it's worth the current asking price.

Might be our reasonable exchange rate at the moment but down here in Melbourne

Addicted to Audio sell them for $1,188AUD out the door with full warranty which

is something to get excited about over here.

Thing is the second hand market for them down here is zilch, zero, unless you're

prepared to bundle them for next to nothing with a set of cheap steak knives.

Small market and if you wanted one, you'd either buy new or chances are you've

already got one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwarmi 

Amp certainly plays a huge role ~ best combo' that I've heard so far is the Rega + Audiophilleo Coax converter

+ Violectric V200. If you have a chance to hear - I recommend it!

 

We're a bit short for quality tube amps down under ~ might get my hands on a Cayin HA-1A at some stage

but we're waiting on local Woo Audio stock & support too.

i wish i could hear the rega, i've heard very good things about it. its a warmer DAC right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubstep Girl 

i wish i could hear the rega, i've heard very good things about it. its a warmer DAC right?

 

 

It's not bright in the natural sense but with a potentially sibilant headphone it will still sound harsh in

the highs if you play a nasty bad recording.

Best example regarding a modern recording of late ~ Pink Floyd Immersion 30th Anniv. Dark Side of the Moon

If you're familiar with the material, fast forward to 'Great Gig in the Sky' or 'Time' ~ these tracks are excellent

for determining whether anything could be 'warm' or not. It's so loud and nasty in the mastering that it will

sound sibilant with just about anything! Recommend you get a copy ~ even with a benign LCD-2 with most rigs

has you throwing them off your ears!

Best thing about the Rega is that it manages to be pleasantly & lightly colored yet balanced, a very musical DAC that

happens to throw a massive soundstage via Coax. Bigger than the Burson 160D, Violectric V800 or

Metrum. It is not a biased DAC like let's say an Arcam rDAC which is heavily focused on artificial bass texture

that does not exist. Some people though would find that very pleasant nonetheless.

The only catch with the Rega is that like many stellar quality DAC's ~ The USB input is rubbish, that's

why you have to use a decent USB to SPDIF (Coax) converter like the Audiophilleo 2 to run it off

a laptop. Few DAC's today I've heard, considered 'entry level reference' will sound any good out of USB, some

are trickling in now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwarmi 

It's not bright in the natural sense but with a potentially sibilant headphone it will still sound harsh in

the highs if you play a nasty bad recording.

 

Best example regarding a modern recording of late ~ Pink Floyd Immersion 30th Anniv. Dark Side of the Moon

 

If you're familiar with the material, fast forward to 'Great Gig in the Sky' or 'Time' ~ these tracks are excellent

for determining whether anything could be 'warm' or not. It's so loud and nasty in the mastering that it will

sound sibilant with just about anything! Recommend you get a copy ~ even with a benign LCD-2 with most rigs

has you throwing them off your ears!

 

Best thing about the Rega is that it manages to be pleasantly & lightly colored yet balanced, a very musical DAC that

happens to throw a massive soundstage via Coax. Bigger than the Burson 160D, Violectric V800 or

Metrum. It is not a biased DAC like let's say an Arcam rDAC which is heavily focused on artificial bass texture

that does not exist. Some people though would find that very pleasant nonetheless.

 

The only catch with the Rega is that like many stellar quality DAC's ~ The USB input is rubbish, that's

why you have to use a decent USB to SPDIF (Coax) converter like the Audiophilleo 2 to run it off

a laptop. Few DAC's today I've heard, considered 'entry level reference' will sound any good out of USB, some

are trickling in now.

i know most dacs have subpar usb inputs, currently i use a V-link usb spdif for my dac. do u think i would notice an improvementvs the audiophileo which costs more? personnally i think my dac sounds great with the vlink. and thanks for your input on the rega
 

Because 74$ Fostex T50rp has stormed the world by force.