yeah, you do!! You got all the others I don't
I was glad this Head-FIer (gotta look back and check his handle) asked me to try it w/ the LAu!!

WOW - doin a direct comparison w/ my Audeze LCD-X and HD800s via the LAu right now - same source, same cables (@scootermafia's Double Helix Molecule w/ Fusion balanced) and the differences are astounding! I'm finding the LCD-X's bottom end to be far more extended and ripple-like, but controlled - where the HD800 has the usual bass power, but not nearly as textural as usual. Goes to show you any can may sound different with other systems! They both sound terrific - but this has been VERY interesting... 

I know this is off topic but I could not help notice that you have a traveler. How do you like it? Have you compared it to any other TT's out there in it's price range? Ortofon 2m Black? I'm sorry but I'm looking at buying a nice TT and there's soo many options out there it's ridiculous. TTVJ has the platform, dustcover and TT for $1800 and I just got an apex peak/volcano from there so maybe a small disco. Do you think that's a good deal?

Any chance to try and see if it can drive the HE6?

Great review as always, Mike! On another note, I'm looking out for a musical yet sufficiently powerful SS headamp to drive my HD800s. Any recommendation in the $1500-$2000 price range? thanks!

Rossliew, the Questyle CMA800R has been garnering very favourable reviews and retails for $1,500. Here the reviewer talks about it's performance driving the HD800 -  http://headfonics.com/2014/04/cma800r-current-mode-headphone-amp-by-questyle/

Nice review, Mike. I do also own an EAR HP4. IMHO, it's the best I've heard with the HD800. It doens't have the juice to drive orthos, I know (I also own the HE-6 and the LCD-XC).
Which do you prefer to listen to your HD800? The EAR or the LAu? Best, Erico

smial1966 - thanks for the link. Will read up on it. Cheers

@jibzilla  - NO worries! Glad you asked! I LOVE my VPI Traveler - I was actually honored to be the first to review it for Positive Feedback two years ago (I knew Sheila Weisfeld well - the designers wife who passed - and inspired the Traveler). HERE'S A LINK to my original review of the Traveler, and, in addition, HERE'S A LINK to my follow-up review of the Traveler w/ the Gingko Audio Cloud9T base. I also own a VPI Scout - but I actually prefer the Traveler w/ the Cloud9T iso base to my Scout! I can't offer a higher recommendation for a turntable in that price range! I say go for it!! 
 
@joshuachew  - I don't have an HE6 on-hand to try with the LAu - but judging from my experience with it - I'm sure the LAu will drive it with EASE!
 
Thanks @Rossliew!!!! I really appreciate it - in that price range @smial1966 has a GREAT suggestion, from what I hear. I'd also look into Schiit Audio  - their amps always amaze me for the price! I'm sure you can find something suitable in their line for less! Just reach out and tell Jason I sent ya! HeadAmp is also doing some cool stuff these days. I'd look/listen to some Schiit Audio stuff first  - sounds like what you're looking for
 
@ericohgb  - I actually LOVE the E.A.R HP4 w/ my Audeze's! Currently I'm running 2 NOS GE tubes, and 2 NOS RCA's - it kicks ass! Here's a tip for the Audeze's (and it goes against the grain I know) use the Hi Z output! and be SURE the power amp/thru button is pushed IN! You'll notice a slight jump in gain - don't know why! I actually prefer the LAu with the HD800s with electronic, and experimental music - and the HP4 for acoustic/jazz, and that sort of thing.
 
Thanks for the feedback and interaction guys!!

I had the LG for a week and I found it to be the most ultimate headphone listening experience.

Jealous, Jealous!
Great review!

Great review, would be curious to hear which you prefer between this and the Studio Six as they both seem to be world class amps, and similarly priced too. If you could only pick one.....

iIs' certainly turning out to be precisely that @Icenine2!! The more in burns-in the better it gets - and the more addicted I get!!
Thanks @solblack !!
 
and @goldendarko  - TOUGH question, and since I was put to the fire recently on here (somebody in the Studio Six thread posed the same question, and said most reviewers would dodge the question so they don't piss people off - but... I shoot from the gut and this community is important to me):
 
So - if I could only pick one between the LAu and S6?
The Liquid Gold - and believe me, after saving for my E.A.R HP4 and Studio Six - this is NOT goin to be an easy purchase for me!!!!
 
But - with those three - I think I have a helluva reference system (or systems) for my reviews at the various sites I write for!
and that's been a goal of mine for three years - to have a top reference system for personal audio!!

Nice review! Seems like a lot of reference SS amps to choose from now, with more coming later this year (A8, for example). Looking forward to reading more comparisons b/n the likes of the the LAu, Auralic Taurus, GS-X mk.2, etc. 
May I make one suggestion?  Stop using possessives for the headphones (LCD-3s, not "LCD-3's")...minor point, but it actually makes it easier to read when you remove the possessive.

Can anyone compare this to a single or dual-mono Questyle CMA800R setup (assuming either setup is in my price range)

thanks for noticing that @kugino!! My mistake on that. GOOD point

Hi
I would really love to have one of these amps. But I use a Resonessence Labs HD which only has SE RCA analog outputs. Seems to me using an SE input for amp would be detracting from its purpose? 

"I'm moving around in my office chair like I'm sitting on something near a Funktion One speaker stack in a club bangin' away ... It's like being at DC-10 in Ibiza at 9:00AM"
 
As someone who has very fond memories of Funktion One systems, I was going to call shenanigans ... until I received the LCD-Xs to demo yesterday. Analogies like this and the tangible descriptions of your listening experiences make this one of best reviews ever. Good work.

Mike, thank for this great review.
 
1- It seems that you have booth LCD-x and LCD-XC !!  Do you have XC in addition to the X just for when you need better Isolation... of for other SQ reasons ? 
 
And on this matter, I understood that the XC isolate less than the Alpha, but how does it isolate compared to the TH-900 
 
 
thanks

sorry for delay fellas! wifeys very sick...
 
@jmm007  - hey there - yeah in this case, since the LAu is a fully balanced, differential SS amp, the SE input will not give you the full sonic benefits of the amp - BUT - and I think I mentioned this (if not sorry - I will in my formal review for Part-Time Audiophile) I used the SE input for my analog front-end, and it still sounds great! My Unison Research Simply Phono tube stage only has SE outputs - so it is what it is - but it sounds terrific still!!
 
@tvolpe1600  - WOW, thank you bro. You made my month. I put alot into this one - knowing I have to pen two formal reviews at some sites (how I earn my way) because I know no other way! and I'm glad to didn't see it as shenanigans!!    - my wifey and I danced to the Phazon system at Twilo, early years together! We were havin a BLAST with the LAu and our own lil' Silent Rave
 
@bmichels - Thank you sir for the kind words!!
I got both the X and XC because I loved the X so much AND I'd been dying to hear the finished product of the XC as I heard the prototype - and I LOVE my Alphas and Mad Dogs, but the XC, IMO, is on another performance level. But yes the Alpha has better isolation! That will be remedied I'm sure.
 
I would say the, from memory (been a long since I heard a straight-up TH-900) the XC's isolation maybe on-par with the TH-900, perhaps better - but not worse... It's just been a long time so I'm guessing based off memory remember!!  
 
Thanks for reading and the kind words fellas!!!!