AMP & DAC recommendation for Audeze LCD-2C

[Rhamnetin]

The ZMF Ori's amp needs are the same as the LCD-2 really, so all the suggestions here are good. I personally will be using mine with a Schiit Lyr 3.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

No I mean the R2R ones. Like Denafrips ares and Audio-GD R2R1. what tried to ask was the sound quality difference between Questyle CMA400i & NFB-28.38's built in DAC vs R2R1 & Ares?

I wouldn't really overthink the DAC stage differences since barring comparing two DACs where one has a limitation in performance (noise, lower voltage output followed by an amp with weak gain, etc) the differences are very subtle.

 

[Suppa92]

The ZMF Ori's amp needs are the same as the LCD-2 really, so all the suggestions here are good. I personally will be using mine with a Schiit Lyr 3.

Thanks. It seems Questyle cma400i is the best option considering the budget and quality. Still has plenty of time for the selections.

 

[Suppa92]

I wouldn't really overthink the DAC stage differences since barring comparing two DACs where one has a limitation in performance (noise, lower voltage output followed by an amp with weak gain, etc) the differences are very subtle.

It seems that I definitely overthink about the DAC and Amp. Then I should go with something basic without many fancy options and specs. In that case I can save some money from Dac&Amp and spend it on better headphone I guess, are there any headphones which are better in bass reproduction than LCD2Cs under $1400?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

It seems that I definitely overthink about the DAC and Amp. Then I should go with something basic without many fancy options and specs. In that case I can save some money from Dac&Amp and spend it on better headphone I guess, are there any headphones which are better in bass reproduction than LCD2Cs under $1400?

Maybe the LCD-3? Although initial impressions will have the LCD-2C seemingly having more bass but that's really more of how it rolls off everything above ~800hz.

 

[Eylrik]

I recently purchased the Questyle CMA400i for my LCD2C and I have to say that it works really really well. I would not say that it is the most dynamic association but the tonality, the balance and the precision are fantastic. It is actually a great pairing for long hours listening sessions. From my opinion, it is also mandatory to use it with a balanced cable though (balanced is roughly 4x more powerful on the questyle). And the Questyle drives other headphones with super ease as well, for instance great pairing with Fostex th x00 or th900 series.
The other amp I own and I like very much with the Lcd2c is the Ifi idsd micro black label. Used in turbo mode, it delivers an impressive dynamic with also the useful bass boost option that I particularly love with the lcd2c, which I find a bit shy of bass for some tracks.

 

[BunnyNamedCraig]

Now that's very very good suggestion. I definitely consider ZMF Oris. I didn't know that they're planars. What are good HeadAmp & DAC or AmpDac combo good with Oris?

A used Cavalli liquid carbon, and go balanced. Excellent combo

 

[endlesswaves]

A used Cavalli liquid carbon, and go balanced. Excellent combo

Ordered this. Wondering if there is any difference between this and the original Cavalli liquid carbon. TIA.

 

[jambaj0e]

I just got my LCD-2C and have been comparing it to my Fostex TH-X00 Mahogany powered by the Mojo Chord running USB-Dac from my computer. I have to say... I'm kinda disappointed w/ the Audeze. I'm getting better bass prescence and power from the Fostex, and even though the mids are a bit more forward, it's also more engaging on the Fostexs.

Am I doing this wrong? Do I need to upgrade the amp in order to get more out of the LCD-2Cs. I almost want to say because it's a bit more rolled-off than the Fostex, I'm not getting as much clarity and resolution compared to the Fostex.

Listened to following FLAC:

Mariah Carey - Underneath the Stars
Mariah Carey - Fourth of July
Ariana Grande - Thank U, Next,
Blackpink - Boombayah
Childish Gambino - Redbone
Kendrick Lamar - Redbone
Daft Punk - Get Lucky
Bruno Mars - 24K Magic
Blackpink - Kill this Love

 

[blackdragon87]

I recently purchased the Questyle CMA400i for my LCD2C and I have to say that it works really really well. I would not say that it is the most dynamic association but the tonality, the balance and the precision are fantastic. It is actually a great pairing for long hours listening sessions. From my opinion, it is also mandatory to use it with a balanced cable though (balanced is roughly 4x more powerful on the questyle). And the Questyle drives other headphones with super ease as well, for instance great pairing with Fostex th x00 or th900 series.
The other amp I own and I like very much with the Lcd2c is the Ifi idsd micro black label. Used in turbo mode, it delivers an impressive dynamic with also the useful bass boost option that I particularly love with the lcd2c, which I find a bit shy of bass for some tracks.

Yes I really enjoy the pairing of the black label with my 2c as well

 

[jambaj0e]

With my Mojo being a bit lacking to drive my LCD-2C, what amp do you recommend me pairing with for under $300 that can boost the impact and depth of the bass on the 2Cs?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I just got my LCD-2C and have been comparing it to my Fostex TH-X00 Mahogany powered by the Mojo Chord running USB-Dac from my computer. I have to say... I'm kinda disappointed w/ the Audeze. I'm getting better bass prescence and power from the Fostex, and even though the mids are a bit more forward, it's also more engaging on the Fostexs.

The LCD-2C has a much weaker response from around 2000hz to 8000hz. Everywhere along the audible range they would mostly be comparable, so you don't get trade offs on that weakness on the LCD-2C. The Fostex is a newer design than the LCD-2C which is practically a resurrected old product that was replaced already by a technically superior iteration (two actually, the LCD-2.2 and the current LCD-2F) that was resurrected because there's always the painful combination of badly mastered music by sound engineers that are probably too old their hearing has lost some at the top end while at the consumer end some people have hyperacusis. That's how you're getting a more engaging midrange on the Fostex - the upper midrange and lower treble just isn't there on the LCD-2C by comparison.

At the same time the Fostex is 94dB/1mW and 25ohms, and the Audeze are AFAIK lower sensitivity, with the listed site probably supposed to be 101dB/1V. If it is indeed lower sensitivity, and with higher impedance, you're putting less power from out of the Mojo into something that needs more, which tends to make that midrange-treble valley worse.

Am I doing this wrong? Do I need to upgrade the amp in order to get more out of the LCD-2Cs. I almost want to say because it's a bit more rolled-off than the Fostex, I'm not getting as much clarity and resolution compared to the Fostex.

You can get an amp with more power but honestly you have the Fostex, why do you need another one much less one that technically has an almost similar response while superior where they aren't similar? I mean I personally would keep the LCD-2C, but I'm one of those people with hyperacusis and I already have an amp that can drive it, but as it is I haven't upgraded my HD600 since 2010 (I just have it on thick angled pads and I use EQ to flatten that 3500hz peak while boosting everything below 60hz, basically making it an HD650). I've bought more IEMs since then thanks to breaking most of them, and for the most part I'm still on my ASG-1.3 as my reference easy to drive IEMs that I also haven't bought a DAP (I almost did though thanks to the terrible sound out of my T-Mobile SGS3).