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From Lyr & LCD2 to ...?

post #1 of 33
10/5/12 at 8:43pm
Thread Starter 

I'm considering swapping my LCD2 for something new.  I have a Lyr (and Bifrost) powering it, and it seems okay.  I'm not convinced that it was all worth what I paid for it.

 

In the past, I've had and enjoyed Beyer DT990, DT770, and AKG K701.  I had a LittleDot MKV running the K701, and it seemed okay as well.

 

I'm really looking to be wowed.  I can't afford a Stax setup, but if I sell what I have, I can probably get one of the other sorta high end setups people always cheer about...

 

So, given all that, what do you all think would be a good upgrade path?  I'm thinking about a T1, but I'm a bit discouraged because a lot of people say it's not as "good" as the LCD2 and doesn't have good synergy with my amp.  Same with the HD800.  Not sure about the HE-6 with the Lyr... people say that one needs a speaker amp.  I don't have one of those; I just an old Onkyo receiver.  I imagine there would be some recabling necessary for that, too.  What else is there?  LCD3 is just a tiny bit out of my price range unless I can get a really good deal.  

 

It's a big step to sell my LCD2 and buy one of those others just to try it out.  Unfortunately there's only one shop in the area that carries high end cans and they almost never have anything decent in stock... plus they don't carry decent amps at all, so I'd have to cart my Lyr up there.

 

I don't think swapping amp or dac before headphones would be a good idea, would it?

 

What I want is someone to hold my hand and tell me that my next purchase will be the best one I've ever made.  Can someone do that for me, please? ;)

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post #2 of 33
10/5/12 at 10:22pm
It would be to your advantage to go to a few meets and do some investigating.
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post #3 of 33
10/5/12 at 10:45pm
Thread Starter 

Yeah, I've been waiting for a Boston meet to come together, but it's like herding... things that don't herd well.

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post #4 of 33
10/5/12 at 10:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cizx View Post

 

What I want is someone to hold my hand and tell me that my next purchase will be the best one I've ever made.  Can someone do that for me, please? ;)

No-one can.  And if someone does, remember it is simply their subjective opinion and may not be your headphone Holy Grail.  From the LCD2 there is no "night and day" "improvement", simply preference.  Follow Happy Campers advice and listen to other rigs if you can, as no-one else apart from you can tell you which flavors you will prefer.  Maybe your expectations are too high and the pursuit of the "wow" factor may need to shift to speakers. 

 

My journey has me with the LCD2, T1 and W3000, all great headphones and they have their slight differences from each other but they are similar on my "wow" factor, all of which deliver satisfyingly well IMO.  

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post #5 of 33
10/5/12 at 10:54pm
Thread Starter 

Yeah, I hear what you're saying.  Are you using the same amp for the T1 and the LCD2?  I'm thinking about getting a T1 but I think I'll have to get an amp that has good synergy with it and hope the LCD2 stays true to its "works with anything" reputation so I can use both without needing a second amp as well.

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post #6 of 33
10/5/12 at 11:03pm

I use a Violectric V200 and it is superb with all three headphones.  The T1 and LCD2 at similar volume levels for the same output volume and the ATH Woody at lower volume as it is more efficient.  Sound floor is black with all three.

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post #7 of 33
10/6/12 at 10:15am
Thread Starter 

Okay, I'll have to try one of those out then.  Thanks!

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post #8 of 33
10/6/12 at 12:57pm
Before spending, give a HE-6 and quality speaker amp a listen. A lot of the guys have/had some, if not all of the headphones mentioned.

If you want to stay out of that rig, the B22 sounds very good with all the hps mentioned. The LCDs also impressed me out of the Bryston hp amp. The mids and highs are brought out more without the loss of the LCD bass.
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post #9 of 33
10/6/12 at 1:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy Camper View Post

Before spending, give a HE-6 and quality speaker amp a listen. A lot of the guys have/had some, if not all of the headphones mentioned.
If you want to stay out of that rig, the B22 sounds very good with all the hps mentioned. The LCDs also impressed me out of the Bryston hp amp. The mids and highs are brought out more without the loss of the LCD bass.

The HE-6 upgrade would be my pick as well. However I'd also swap that Lyr out for something else. You need to evaluate the LCD-2 sound,

do you like the intimate/laid back nature, or would you prefer a more detailed presentation....

 

You also didn't mention what tubes you had rolled in the Lyr, so it's hard to give a meaningful answer here. Not that even with all the info provided,

any one of us would be able to hold your hand. You could have wonky taste, or shot ears, etc. Try to visit a hifi store or get to a meet. Maybe

find some local buddies and throw a mini meet together.

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post #10 of 33
10/6/12 at 3:23pm
Thread Starter 

I only have the stock tubes with the Lyr.  

 

The LCD2s sound good, but I think a little more detail is what I'm after.

 

I have some Mackie Mr8Mk2 monitors which I used to think were amazing before I got the LCD2.  Now the Mackies sound far less engaging.  I used to have a K701 which I thought was great before I got the LCD2.  Now they seem a little cold and analytical.  I miss some of that analytical-ness, I just want it with the LCD2's quality.

 

Magic that up for me, someone. :)

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post #11 of 33
10/6/12 at 3:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cizx View Post

I only have the stock tubes with the Lyr.  

 

The LCD2s sound good, but I think a little more detail is what I'm after.

 

I have some Mackie Mr8Mk2 monitors which I used to think were amazing before I got the LCD2.  Now the Mackies sound far less engaging.  I used to have a K701 which I thought was great before I got the LCD2.  Now they seem a little cold and analytical.  I miss some of that analytical-ness, I just want it with the LCD2's quality.

 

Magic that up for me, someone. :)

You may just want to check out the T1 then. I'd steer you straight for the HD800 personally. But this is just one opinion.

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post #12 of 33
10/6/12 at 5:45pm
Thread Starter 

Okay, so if I narrow my upgrades / additions to HD800, T1, or HE-6, then I'm going to have to replace my amp.  What's the best price to performance ratio amp that pairs well with the LCD2 and (which) one of those?

 

Thanks for all your help so far! :)

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post #13 of 33
10/7/12 at 8:28am

Your answer could be closer than you think. The Lyr responds very well to different tubes, an upgrade here may move you in the direction you want, however, I’m not sure you’ll achieve the wow factor you’re looking for. For me the Miniwatt E188CC and Siemens were a great improvement over the stock units.

 

As Happy Camper mentioned earlier, the B22 is a magnificent piece of equipment that would seem to fit what it is you’re after. It would be irresponsible of me to tell you that it would be your end game amp, but I will say, don’t ever pass up the opportunity to hear this amp with your LCD-2’s .

 

Good luck.

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post #14 of 33
10/7/12 at 9:31am

You don't necessarily have to replace your amp, The Lyr with Siemens or Lorenz are really quite good.

However if you're going to upgrade the amp, bypass the B22, it's overpriced, comparatively to stuff from Schiit or Bryston.  (I mean in performance and price.)

The Burson is also looking very nice among a ton of others. 

 

Again it depends on many things: Budget, preference, size, etc.

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post #15 of 33
10/7/12 at 9:51am

The Decware Taboo is phenomenal with the LCD-2, but is rather limited with most other headphones, particularly high impedance. I should add that the Taboo is currently the best amp I've heard with the Grado RS1i. I have a Beta 22 also, but with the Taboo and the near limitless tube combinations I never felt compelled to try the Beta. If you wind up with the Taboo you can add a CSP2+ as preamp in the future, which would cover the bases on nearly any headphone you throw at it (sans the HE6). Plenty of very happy users with this setup.

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