I just got the Anedio D2 in with my Dark Star and LCD-3, and it sounds amazing.  I was running the DAC stage off the Burson HA-160D, and it did a good job, but the fine details, bass articulation and soundstage all got way better with the D2.  It's definitely one to consider.  The forthcoming...

Yes; the Burson has a bit of a bottom--to-mid-heavy focus.  It is not extremely bright or sparkly in the treble region, which also makes it fairly forgiving (less sibilance, though your phones are still the prime determining factor).  I haven't A-B tested its DAC section against any others, but...

I own DarkStar #12, purchased as an upgrade from a Burson HA-160D.  Owned LCD-2 r.2s, but I sold them and got the LCD-3s, so I wanted a better amp to power them.  Still using the DAC section of the Burson to feed the DS until Anedio ships the D2.  I'm in the Air Force and live in a dorm, so I...

Preordered as well.  There goes my tax check!   I'm willing to bet that all of those subtle improvements, along with the strict build quality Anedio's known for, will add up to a fantastic source component that surpasses not only the D1, but anything else in the price range.  High-res USB...

PM sent.

Quote: Oh look, Anedio just announced the D2.  Hmm...   In all seriousness, anyone considering the Dark Star should at least audition one, if possible; it's fantastic.  Anyone near Osan AB in South Korea, you're welcome to hear mine :)

The Dark Star finally arrived.  The upgrades in detail, impact, imaging, and soundstaging are immediately apparent over the HA-160D, though both sound very good.  The only limiting factor is that I'm using the DAC stage off the same 160D for both units until Anedio or Schiit release their best...

Quote: Same here; partially thanks to you, I have a Dark Star on the way now, and I need a good balanced DAC.  Anedio's revised D1 (if they still call it that) keeps getting delayed, and the value proposition for Schiit's statement seems too good to pass up for around a grand.  Can't wait...

Quote:   Wow; your take was nearly the opposite of mine.  Before mods and with the same equipment, I felt the LCD-2 r.2 was a bit more pronounced and "fleshier," if that makes sense.  The bass had great detail and heft on both phones, but something else had changed ever-so-slightly from...

I was listening to some Pearl Jam with the TP'd LCD-3s and noticed that the sibilance in the poorer recordings came out a bit more than before.  The phones are still far from bright, and obviously the recording is to blame, so I don't mind it...but it is more pronounced than it was before...

Went for the Charmin Ultra Strong...   +1 clarity +1 energy -1...nothing so far?   Why on earth didn't they ship it like this?   At the midway point of the song Hanuman by Rodrigo y Gabriela (off the album 11:11) the difference in the fast high riffs was immediately apparent...

Just got my pair of LCD-3s, and I'm listening to them through the 160D.  Initial impressions:   -Definitely a bit more laid back, less "in your face" or visceral as the LCD-2 r.2 at the same settings -Clearer (not night and day, though noticeable); seems a bit effortless (no added sparkle...

That sounds like a great experiment, actually!  Silk vs. lightweight cotton vs. TP...can't wait to see the results.   "tp rolling" 

Wow, I'm really curious what differences (versus the r.2) will be readily apparent with the HA-160D.  I should have a Dark Star in a month or so, and will be using the 160D as a DAC until Anedio releases their balanced D1 refresh.  Now there are also different fabrics to mod in for flavor...what...

Just a heads-up, here's some info about the D1 refresh (courtesy of Elisabeth in Customer Service):   "Thank you very much for your interest in our product.   We apologize for the delay in the D1 update.  We are doing our best to complete it as soon as possible, and we will be making a...

Maxvla, thank you for your concise and informative reviews.  You've got me drooling for the Dark Star for sure, as the LCD-3s are just around the corner.  (By the way, RSA has a few back in stock this week if you or anyone reading this is interested...dibs on the silver one!)

That's good to hear if it's true.  Hopefully Audeze will send out a mass email to those of us on that list within the next few days to secure payment and such.

Thanks for the in-depth review!  Can't wait until these start to ship out in the next few weeks.   Now what to decide on for an amp upgrade: Dark Star, LF, Leben...decisions...

Quote: You might also consider the brand-new HA-160DS.  Same amp and DAC as the 160D, but:   -it's smaller   -it loses the preamp functions (1 RCA/1 USB/1 COAX)   -it ditches the stepped attenuator for a more traditional volume control   -it combines the high and low gain...

Quote: The topic of this thread:     Solid state headphone amp with very solid bass? rules out the tube hybrid amps, including the amazing LF. For a quick recommendation, I'd say any variation of the Burson HA-160 would be worth considering.  If you have the scratch, the RSA...

    Quote:   According to the tech specs: LCD-3: - Impedance: 50Ohms, nominal - Efficiency: 93dB/1mW   LCD-2: • Impedance: 60 Ohms, nominal • Efficiency: 91 dB/1mW   Both: Maximum output: 133dB, 15W   Seems like the LCD-3 should be slightly more...

Quote: Don't hold your breath if you're expecting Audeze to do anything to undercut their new flagship...it will be a long while, if ever.  The best you'll probably be able to get (without serious modding dedication of your own) are the new headband and earpads.  

I got a reply from Alex at Burson regarding the headphone jack (compared to the high and low gain pair on the HA-160D):     "Thank you for your email and your interest in our HA-160DS.   The output of the DS is somewhere between the high and low outputs on the HA-160D.  And because we...

There's no sense commenting on price increase "because they can" when you have absolutely no clue how much the new manufacturing process and R&D cost (let alone SQ differences only handful of people have even heard yet).   Looking forward to hearing what the Irvine crew has to say about...

Thanks for that info, Huff; I'll add it to the first post.