I'll quote my full comparison below, but the very short version is that the Benchmark stack has a slight edge in sound quality, but I'd recommend the 2/4 on every other metric. I could even see preferring the 2/4 on sound quality too in some use cases.

Well, Benchmark would disagree. They managed to reach pretty damn optimal sound quality with a switching mode PSU in their HPA4.

If I could only pick one, it would be the XC, not the 5. Taking price out of it entirely, the XC is just much easier to drive, more comfortable, more isolating, much easier to listen to in the background, and far, far less prone to making me worry about it getting damaged in transit.

Explain how to objectively quantify my listening experience and I'll get back to you.

I own the XC, used to own the X, and own the 5. The X and XC don't compete against the 5. They're great headphones, don't get me wrong. The XC is still my favorite closedback. But, the 5 is at a whole other level, especially in resolution, imaging, and separation.

It took me a minute to get there, but this post made me realize that a bigger volume knob means turning the knob a greater distance to cover the same degree of rotation, meaning finer control of the volume. It seems so obvious now, I feel dumb for not realizing it earlier. I thought it was...

GLWYS! This DAC/amp is absolutely a killer! I can’t recommend it highly enough. BTW, XLR outs on the back are combo jacks, and you just need a pair of adapters to run RCA out of them. Monoprice sells a pair for 2 bucks. Silly that RME doesn't include those in the box. I hope that helps you...

Perfect transaction! Great communication, fast shipping, secure packing, and tubes exactly as described. No nonsense, no drama. Fantastic seller!

The figuring in that Zebrano is crazy! What a beautiful pair!

The ADI-2/4 Pro Se has a completely redesigned amp section with a lot more power and better resolution. It's a step up from the earlier RME DAC/amps for sure. I haven't heard those earlier iterations specifically with the LCD-5, but I've heard the 2 with many other headphones and doubt it would...

The LCD-5 and RME 2/4 is quickly becoming my favorite combo. Ridiculous resolution in whatever flavor of sound I want makes it my go-to for work and travel.

The closest direct upgrade I've encountered is the JM Audio XTC^2.5. You can get it tuned to taste, within a range, but the general "warm, but detailed" tuning hits exactly the same itch as the NightOwls for me. Not in the same price range, sadly, but it's something.

Is there any way I could keep the tuning, but you officially give it a bad-ass name like Wolf Hawk too? "Hybrid Near Scalpel Tuning With Defined Detail and Bass" is a great tuning, but the name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. I kinda wish it was called Shadowblade or something... :sunglasses:

USAF Mighty 596 for the rectifier, Sylvania Bad Boy 6SN7GTs from 1952 for the drivers, and RCA 6AS7Gs from the '50s for the power tubes. Still burning in the NOS RCAs, which are the weak link, but pretty wonderful sound as a whole so far.

Night shots of my new glass!

Hard to say if the HPA4 would drive that well, given listening levels and all that, but MacedonianHero paired those phones with that amp so maybe search that thread for his take. Good to know that the WA22 handles the 1266 though! I read about some people driving the Tungsten with the WA22 and...

Thanks! I'll be adding a section for tubes next, now that I have a few interesting ones. I'd still probably try to talk you into the RME, but yeah, they're not exactly the same. The most basic way to put it is: the 2/4 is a little richer, the HPA4 is a little clearer. On many things, the...

It does complement the WA22 nicely, definitely no redundancy there. And despite everything I said above, I'd still recommend the RME 2/4 instead. It's so good. I mean, it's literally the size of two medium-sized paperback books stacked up (and smaller than just one Brandon Sanderson novel)...

Here's the official page: https://www.rme-usa.com/adi-2-4-pro-se.html I got mine on a sale, about 10% off, which I have seen recur from time to time. For me, that discount was enough to cover cables and a carrying case for it. I love it. Absolutely my favorite amp. It is clean, controlled, and...

This is great advice across the board. In my own experience, I can hear the difference between the RME and other DACs that I've owned or auditioned, including the Qutest, some Topping DACs, and my Benchmark DAC-3B. Only the Benchmark DAC sounded better, and the difference was small. Given the...

I adjust the output on the ADI-2/4 to better suit the sound I want: lower signal from the DAC means more tubey goodness from the amp, higher signal from the DAC means more clarity and control, which some music/headphones could use. That variable output is nice thing to play around with and...

Great news! How many hours of burn-in got you to this point? I'm at about 12 hours with music and I've just gotten to where I can listen without annoyance.

Excellent seller! Accommodating, communicative, and fast. Everything arrived beautifully packed. Answered my question thoroughly and thoughtfully. Highly recommended!

Superb seller! Fast, communicative, fair-dealing, and friendly! Very smooth and easy transaction with zero drama. Highly recommended.