Amp recommendations for Audeze LCD-2

[BobMonkhouse]

Stock tubes on Ember 2 ?

I haven`t heard better sound than a dual Visseaux 6J5G setup from the Ember. Other than that, Sylvania 6SN7 are my favourite, the JAN CHS 6SN7GT in particular. My experience with 6SN7 is limited to a few brands and versions though. I have quite a few mini 9 pin tubes; among them, I prefer the Raytheon JAN-CRP-5814A. Amperex 7062 and Triotron ECC189 are two not very popular tubes which I like a lot.

 

[thegen]

Have anyone paired the LCD-2/C with something like JDS Labs EL Amp? Would this have enough to drive the LCD’s as intended?

 

[Amish]

Sure it will power them but I wouldn't bother myself. Doesn't seem to be a good match looking at the power output.

• Max Continuous Power, 600 Ω 165 mW (9.9 VRMS)
• Max Continuous Power, 150 Ω 656 mW (9.9 VRMS)
• Max Continuous Power, 32 Ω 1.3 W (6.53 VRMS)

But of course it will power the headphones....just not to my standards.

 

[thegen]

Thats to bad, I thought it would be a good match for the LCD’s. It is somewhat bothersome to find amplifiers matching what I seek in Sweden, even in europe for that matter. I dislike everything made in China and all real powerhouses like Violectric cost a fortune.

Those that might not cost a small fortune, look like garbage instead.

What would you recommend Amish?

I like your beard by the way

 

[Amish]

Have you considered the Garage1217 Polaris? That has a fair price, and is a killer little amp with plenty of power for the LCD2. You can find them used as well.

/edit: The LCD2C doesn't require a lot of power so maybe that JDS amp will do the trick. I really believe that these headphones perform better with more power but if you are limited on what is available to you at a fair price, try the JDS out. Return it if you are not happy.

 

[marcan]

Audeze (LCD at least) always loves more powa. It's not a question of loudness, it's a question of authority and bottom end.
While the LCD2 family is now more sensitive, those rules still apply.

 

[LightBlue77]

I've been using ifi micro idsd for a few years and it's very good in both power and sound. it drives any headphone. Should be cheap enough if you could find an used unit or turn to black label version if you want a new one.

 

[thegen]

Just got my LCD-2C after waiting for about a month. Meanwhile I had the LCD-X's on loan. Where the hell is the low-end?! There is almost no bass, or atleast not nearly as much as there was with the LCD-X's. They had a ton of low-end candy. Is 20Ohms really that much easier to drive than 70Ohms? I really hope this is just because I'm using my onboard audio card. Supposedly, it should drive HP's up to 600Ohms but maybe this is not true?

Would the Asgard 3 be better suited than the EL AMP? It has more power atleast

 

[marcan]

I wouldn't make a definitive judgement without a good amp. Low end is a power sucker.

 

[Lohb]

Just got my LCD-2C after waiting for about a month. Meanwhile I had the LCD-X's on loan. Where the hell is the low-end?! There is almost no bass, or atleast not nearly as much as there was with the LCD-X's. They had a ton of low-end candy. Is 20Ohms really that much easier to drive than 70Ohms? I really hope this is just because I'm using my onboard audio card. Supposedly, it should drive HP's up to 600Ohms but maybe this is not true?

Would the Asgard 3 be better suited than the EL AMP? It has more power atleast

Yes, it can be the difference in Ohms rating. I have a 70-ohm 2CB and 18-ohm other planar and my small low-gain amp powers the 18-ohm one just fine but the 2CB really needs high gain jumper setting as its anemic out the low gain setting. You're O/B card is obviously below its threshold. 2C/2CB are rated >250mWatts (recommended) and upwards for a baseline level of decent sound and your O/B will be 100mWatts or less probably into 70-Ohms.

 

[Rattle]

Just got my LCD-2C after waiting for about a month. Meanwhile I had the LCD-X's on loan. Where the hell is the low-end?! There is almost no bass, or atleast not nearly as much as there was with the LCD-X's. They had a ton of low-end candy. Is 20Ohms really that much easier to drive than 70Ohms? I really hope this is just because I'm using my onboard audio card. Supposedly, it should drive HP's up to 600Ohms but maybe this is not true?

Would the Asgard 3 be better suited than the EL AMP? It has more power atleast

I have a liquid platinum already and I picked up an asgard 3 to mess with. LCD2 is great out of it. Excellent pairing IMO, I figure @ 70ohm the asgard 3 does about 2 watts. Nice low end control and bass.

 

[Amish]

I really hope this is just because I'm using my onboard audio card

Get an amplifier and your bass will return.

 

[thegen]

Get an amplifier and your bass will return.

I figured I'll have to wait for the amp before doing anymore listening, they sound so damn flat and bad out of my onboard output, even though it is supposed to have a "good" amplifier.The LCD-X however, sounded damn good, lots of low end power. Unfortunately the wait will extend to after christmast as I can't afford the Asgard 3 atm.

 

[441879]

Just got my LCD-2C after waiting for about a month. Meanwhile I had the LCD-X's on loan. Where the hell is the low-end?! There is almost no bass, or atleast not nearly as much as there was with the LCD-X's. They had a ton of low-end candy. Is 20Ohms really that much easier to drive than 70Ohms? I really hope this is just because I'm using my onboard audio card. Supposedly, it should drive HP's up to 600Ohms but maybe this is not true?

Would the Asgard 3 be better suited than the EL AMP? It has more power atleast

sounds like you’re short on power. My experience with the LCD2CB is plenty of gorgeous bass. Asgard 3 should definitely do it. Personally I prefer the Lyr 3, but the A3 is a good bit cheaper and won’t have any problems.

 

[thegen]

sounds like you’re short on power. My experience with the LCD2C is plenty of gorgeous bass. Asgard 3 should definitely do it. Personally I prefer the Lyr 3, but the A3 is a good bit cheaper and won’t have any problems. Depending on your computer sound card, I’d get a DAC too. Either one added to the A3 or a separate DAC. I found the Topping D50 to be an exceptional DAC for the price.

Yes, seems like it. I'll most likely end up with the Asgard 3, though I haven't decided for a DAC just yet. I'll be needing S/PDIF so the 4490 module won't do it. The Bifrost 2 seems nice and would fit like a gloove with the A3 but prices here in europe are nuts. The Bifrost 2 is $960. Perhaps something like the Meridian Direct. I really liked how the Explorer 2 sounded, though it was with a pair of Grados but still, great sounding DAC so the Direct should be even better.