+1 for W4S DAC2.  I have the DSD version and it works very well with the three 3's (Taboo MKIII, CSP3+, and LCD-3).  It could be prettier but it works.

Great shots.  Been lurking here a bit while trying to decide on these.  These pics help.  They're really good looking.   BTW, you should be a headphone model  

LOL

  Don't feel too bad for us.  My Orange Globes (w/O getters) sound very sweet.

I've listened to my HD25s out of a couple different amps I have and though I'd agree there's an improvement, I didn't think it was enough to justify adding another unit to carry. I'd consider a cable upgrade but only to reduce noise.

Do people who have a portable rig (amp/DAC + HD25's) also have home/desktop setups?  I don't think I'd want to give up any portability by adding an amp/DAC to carry with my mobile phone and headphones.  I think these Sennheisers sound wonderful right out of my mobile phone.

  Looks great.  Seeing this makes me think Zebrawood would be a great option for (my) Decwares.

  I have a 1.5m brown cable.  I don't know if length makes a sound difference or not.     Grats, screwdriver.  Bet it sounds nice.

  What color did you get?  I've had my Q for a while now, but there are days that I still wonder if I should have got red.   But yeah, you hear the difference instantly.  It surprised me too.

  "I came to the conclusion that the bass in the LCD-3 was slightly more articulate and textured..."   I think this is why I like the bass in my LCD-3's better than from my LCD-2's.

Q-Audio

After years of lusting after these, I finally ordered a pair that just arrived today.  They're pretty much exactly what I wanted/expected.    It seems like some people are able to find these for a steal of a price, but even for what they're going for at online retailers I think these are a...

I still have my LCD-2's but hadn't really listened to them since I got the 3's, until a few days ago.  On my setup the LCD-2's sound very good, but the 3's are another level in every regard (I care about).   When evaluating bass, I like to listen to something that has bass created from a...

  Wellll, I wouldn't count the phono pre, but touche   To my ears the Taboo + CSP3 gives most setups I've heard a run for their money.  I have to admit though, I am curious about how the CSP3 would sound with something like the GSX 2, which I found to be very good (but pricey).  That would...

I wouldn't call it significant but I thought the difference between the stock cable and Q was more than minor, on my system anyway.  I didn't expect it (I bought the Q for ergo reasons), but I could instantly hear the difference.

This thread has been lively lately.  To chime in, my Taboo 3 hums when I crank it up all the way.  I don't know if it's tubes, crappy wiring in my 80 year old building, or something with the Taboo, but I'm not really bothered because I keep it around 15 clicks, or so, and use the CSP3 for volume...

I tend to keep my Taboo around 15 clicks, and use the CSP3 for volume adjustments...  But I'm kinda like thegrobe, and will fiddle to get stuff sounding the way I like, depending on recording.

Agreed.   I ended up getting the ZP3 a few months back, BTW.

Brilliant!  Thanks, Craig.

Wow.  That's a very well written review.  I only listened to the AD briefly, but I liked it a lot.  They're really good.

  Sweet.  Some stuff works really well with New Lucid.  Also, I'll have to give Agnes Obel a listen.

It's also a speaker amp. LCD's have more weight and texture with preamp added.

+1 or 2 (Negura was first), I guess.   I wish more people could hear the Taboo/CSP3 setup with their LCD3's.  The pre-amp / amp combo starts getting a bit pricey, but there is a lot of value there.

  Enjoy the Q.  The Q is good.   Big band usually isn't my cup of tea, but it might be just what I need to change things up a bit.

Anyone know of any particularly good classical works for (brass) horns?  I've recently become enamored by the way horns sound through LCD-3's.  I'd been too busy focusing on strings, when one night I realized there's something pretty sweet going on up in the brass section.