Thanks very much for your explanation, greatly appreciated! Yes I will stick to the +12dB setting as it sounds cleaner and more "in the zone" than the "overdrive" sounding +24dB setting. But I have to admit that albums with lower recorded volumes do benefit from the added gain in the beefier...

I just got an iFi iCan SE headphone amp which has both a +12dB and +24dB gain setting. I'm driving a 20 ohm Audeze LCD-XC and am very happy with the sound quality. One question though, using the +12dB setting I listen at 12 o'clock volume, whereas at +24dB I put the volume at 9 o'clock. I don't...

I have been using my XC with the Cayin C5 for months and found the pairing to be perfect. The XC definitely needed the extra low frequency heft that the C5's bass boost gave, while the added volume and spaciousness from the C5's gain and 3D features were the icing on the cake. I actually...

Strange you find the clamping force too loose, I thot it was perfect and I've got an average sized head. Did you adjust the length of the headband by moving up/down the notches on the metal rod at the earcups? I don't think the earcups are rotatable to the point that they can lay flat on a surface.

Do not under-estimate the closed-back value factor when choosing headphones. I've tried both the EL-8O and LCD-2 before settling on the XC. The LCD-2 has a thicker bassier yet curtailed treble sound signature, whereas the EL-8 has good mid-bass slam but a slightly prominent treble, both of which...

I'm using an Audeze LCD-XC + Hifiman HM650 DAP + Cayin C5 portable amp. I auditioned the Deckard with my setup and it sounded very open, clean and transparent with good instrument separation. What I feel it lacks is grunt, if you listen to mainly vocals and soft jazz quartets maybe it'll shine...

Dadracer, would love to read your article but unfortunately am unable to as it says I "do not have sufficient permission to view the article".

I don't see any issue using the XC outdoors - they isolate well, sounds superb with portable amps and are very comfortable (despite the weight). Turning heads that's inevitable, they are huge(!) but as long as you're minding your own business enjoying the music I don't think there's any issue...

Rynsin, Yes you have nothing to lose, the shops let you try cables, if it doesn't give any improvements just say "Hmm I don't hear any difference", they're problably just chuckle it off knowing that different strokes for different folks. It helps to be fully aware of yr headphone's tonal...

Relic, I totally have to agree with you Relic! It sounds so lush, full-bodied and goose-pimple inducingly gorgeous after 2 months with them now! I never knew headphones can sound so good until now. I used to hate horns and strings which are hard to play nice but on the XCs gosh they sound so...

  For me, Norah Jones Come Away with me album, some of the songs sound 'honky' or scwawky, its like her voice in certain segments of a song just grates on your ears. Not surprisingly, I've read another forummer here say the same thing about her recordings, and its apparent in ALL the headphones...

Please bear in mind that the perceived differences are subjective. If one is intolerant to brightness, any minute amount of improvement in brightness control would be perceivable. I wouldn't say its a night and day difference, which is why I said the treble is still piercing, but in a less rude...

Yes it's all relative, that's the beauty of it. Less headache for headphone manufacturers too lol. I would like to think my previous EL-8s were defective but I don't think they were. As mentioned, its relative, the guy I sold it to found it wonderfully detailed and sparkling (the treble was...