Amp recommendations for Audeze LCD-2
Aug 30, 2013 at 9:50 PM Post #6,571 of 9,210
Anyone got any experience using a lake people amp with the LCDs? I'm looking at the g109s as I've heard its less warm compared to the v200

I'm also interested in the pan am if anyone can comment on that pairing
 
Aug 30, 2013 at 9:52 PM Post #6,572 of 9,210
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Anyone got any experience using a lake people amp with the LCDs? I'm looking at the g109s as I've heard its less warm compared to the v200

I'm also interested in the pan am if anyone can comment on that pairing

For the $, I'd go with the Soloist and the LCD-2s. A better match IMO.
 
Aug 30, 2013 at 10:22 PM Post #6,573 of 9,210
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What does the Beta22 sound like? Is it transparent like the M^3 w/ sigma or different? I am so curious! Oh and about the casework, I'd probably be useless when it comes to that sort of thing. Shoot I don't even know how to opamp roll on my M^3
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what pot or stepped attenuator is in your M3?  also, what opamps do you have?  the newer generation opamps sound better than those recommended on the AMB website.  if appropriate, i would get a better pot/attenuator and better opamps.  i don't think a B22 will make you any happier unless you need the extra voltage swing - which you don't driving the LCDs.  while the stock quiescent current bias is more than enough to keep the LCDs in Class A, it can be upped to B22 levels even with the stock heatsinks and a larger transformer if necessary.
 
Aug 30, 2013 at 10:25 PM Post #6,574 of 9,210
what pot or stepped attenuator is in your M3?  also, what opamps do you have?  the newer generation opamps sound better than those recommended on the AMB website.  if appropriate, i would get a better pot/attenuator and better opamps.  i don't think a B22 will make you any happier unless you need the extra voltage swing - which you don't driving the LCDs.  while the stock quiescent current bias is more than enough to keep the LCDs in Class A, it can be upped to B22 levels even with the stock heatsinks and a larger transformer if necessary.


I don't know anything about DIY, in fact I'm looking for a thread on how to change opamps lol. I am good with PC's, I repair them, and build them but when it comes to amplifiers its like rocket science.
 
Aug 30, 2013 at 11:37 PM Post #6,576 of 9,210
lol what? The Soloist is a $900 amp and the G109S is $450.  I've heard that the Lake People amps pair very well with the LCD 2s.  That's what I plan I getting atm.


Just mentioned the Soloist because you we're talking about the V200.
 
Aug 31, 2013 at 12:18 AM Post #6,577 of 9,210
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I agree it really is a matter of preference. But for orthos I much prefer a solid state, especially for EDM. And FYI, Ive never had the schiit STACK, I had a schiit amp, not the gungnir/Mjolnir which would be consider the "schiit stack". Im highly considering a tube amp down the road for my current HD800, Ive parted with the LCDs.

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All Jokes aside, there wasnt anything the HD800 couldnt do what the LCD2 had to offer. I found the lcd lacking too much in dynamics really, had it not been for the mjolnir-even EDM would have put me to sleep. LCD's bass was fun, but do you really believe the HD800 bass is non existent? Dont believe that "HD800 is only good for classical" crap.

Sorry I thought you had the stack.  Didn't realize you just had the amp.  Also I agree that in general solid state is better but there are always exceptions. 
 
The HD800s sound good, very good but I think the LCD's sound better.  Smoother and the base, oh goodness that base.  What the HD800 I think is better at is treble, upper mids, soundstage and imaging but in detail, base, and lower mids the LCD has the edge.  Also on top of that the LCD's aren't as fatiguing and overall has a faster smoother sound.  But again...preference.  
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What made you part with the LCD-2?! I love them for rock music
smily_headphones1.gif
. What music other than classical would the HD800's reproduce better?

Honestly I heard some blues and jazz over the HD800s and I was amazed at how good it sounded but for anything like rock the LCDs are in my opinion better than the HD800s.  
 
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Isn't that an OTL tube amp? Not ideal for orthos or low impedance headphones generally. My WA2 was great with my T1s and HD800s, but not so much with my LCD-2s or any low impedance dynamic headphones. The high output impedance of the amp isn't ideal, nor is the low current output. But the voltage swings are great for high impedance cans.

No the Crack is an OTL the SEX is definately not OTL otherwise I can't explain the huge transformers that are all over the amp so it works very well with orthos and also the HD800s and T1.  I have the output impedence switches so I can even use it to power efficient speakers.
 
Aug 31, 2013 at 12:27 AM Post #6,579 of 9,210
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I understand why you mentioned the soloist. Its on my list as well and I'm currently leaning towards it

I heard the soloist once and honestly wasn't extremely impressed by it but it definitely can drive the LCD's.  Maybe it was the source but I felt that for $1000 you could do better.  Honestly I liked the Schiit better than the Soloist.  
 
Aug 31, 2013 at 12:31 AM Post #6,580 of 9,210
I understand why you mentioned the soloist. Its on my list as well and I'm currently leaning towards it

I heard the soloist once and honestly wasn't extremely impressed by it but it definitely can drive the LCD's.  Maybe it was the source but I felt that for $1000 you could do better.  Honestly I liked the Schiit better than the Soloist.  
So basically you don't like every amp other than yours.
 
Aug 31, 2013 at 12:32 AM Post #6,581 of 9,210
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So basically you don't like every amp other than yours.

no...I do like mine and I think there are better I just don't think the soloist is worth it.  Like I said I like the Schiit also the V200.  If you want a list I have more.  
 
Edit: I got mine for $500.  For $500 it is very good in my opinion one of the best. But again there are better.  
 
Aug 31, 2013 at 12:34 AM Post #6,582 of 9,210
So basically you don't like every amp other than yours.

no...I do like mine and I think there are better I just don't think the soloist is worth it.  Like I said I like the Schiit also the V200.  If you want a list I have more.  
OHHH I SEE..INTRIGUING
 
Aug 31, 2013 at 12:35 AM Post #6,583 of 9,210
The Sex is the non-OTL version of the Crack (different circuit but voiced with similar goals) which is suited for high Z headphones. The Sex is designed to push power into low Z headphones. Alternatively you can add a choke to the Crack and be able to run low Z headphones properly but how much it changes the sound compared with it I can't say. 
 
The only tube amp I can recommend for the LCD2's or any power hungry headphone is the LD MK VI+ with the appropriate tubes this amp destroys every Woo I've had a play with up to the WA5 levels but yet again Jack Woo prefers aesthetics and quality over circuit implementations and that's where most of his high rise price charges are from.
 
Given that I've built a few B22 and M3 amps both balanced, active and passive ground configurations, the M3 is almost a B22 except a few things, it is OPAMP based and as fishski has mentioned with the appropriate mA tuned with bigger sinks for heat dissipitation, power output levels can be matched to the B22, but a B22 can be pushed for more to suit what ever heavy duty load you will be powering it for.
 
I would describe the M3 as a warm sounding version of the B22, the B22 complements the Audeze orthos very well (bright or flat sounding amp meets laid back warm darkness), the same as the Mjonir. I haven't heard the Bryston BHA-1 but it is often described as too clinical or bright sounding with the HD800's from other users so it may be a good match with the LCD2's.
 
I really liked the Violectric V100/V200/V181 series amplifiers when I heard em few years back with the rev.2's when it came out (enjoyed it with the HD580/600/650's as well). The V100 is pretty much 80-90% of the V200 while costing $200-300 cheaper. I could not discern much differences between the V181 and V200 in SE mode but balanced out the soundstage is incremented by a subtle bit, subjectively enough for some to state it is a whole lot better but not the case IME.
 
From what I've gathered the V181 is a balanced version of the V100 which I use to think it a balanced V200 due to hardly any differences in sound between the V200 SE out and the V181 SE out, but I was corrected on this. Opamp also has no affect on the Violectrics and is a good way to void your warranty. Avoid any of the Violectrics with the rev.1 LCD2's as it get's too romantic and mushy sounding.
 
Although I'm not a fond fan of the Burson line of amps, the only decent sounding (but far from perfect matching) amp with the LCD2's is the Soloist/Conductor (same thing just with a DAC). Detail retrieval is not the biggest point of the Soloist but it is good sounding nonetheless, what I don't like may be something you may.
 
And finally, if you have $600-800 to drop on a new or used Schiit Mjonir, I recommend doing so. I've been a bit wary of Schiits past amps due to the incident of some of there amps killing headphones with no DC relay implemented, the Mjonir is almost the perfect amp for the LCD2's rev.1 or rev.2 if you can dismiss the fact that you'll have to run balanced (so extra cost, but imho very worth it if you're after a bit of refinement). 
 
Powering the orthos off speaker amp's/vintage amplifiers is a another whole story.
 
As always imo.
 
Aug 31, 2013 at 12:40 AM Post #6,584 of 9,210
The Sex is the non-OTL version of the Crack (different circuit but voiced with similar goals) which is suited for high Z headphones. The Sex is designed to push power into low Z headphones. Alternatively you can add a choke to the Crack and be able to run low Z headphones properly but how much it changes the sound compared with it I can't say. 

The only tube amp I can recommend for the LCD2's or any power hungry headphone is the LD MK VI+ with the appropriate tubes this amp destroys every Woo I've had a play with up to the WA5 levels but yet again Jack Woo prefers aesthetics and quality over circuit implementations and that's where most of his high rise price charges are from.

Given that I've built a few B22 and M3 amps both balanced, active and passive ground configurations, the M3 is almost a B22 except a few things, it is OPAMP based and as fishski has mentioned with the appropriate mA tuned with bigger sinks for heat dissipitation, power output levels can be matched to the B22, but a B22 can be pushed for more to suit what ever heavy duty load you will be powering it for.

I would describe the M3 as a warm sounding version of the B22, the B22 complements the Audeze orthos very well (bright or flat sounding amp meets laid back warm darkness), the same as the Mjonir. I haven't heard the Bryston BHA-1 but it is often described as too clinical or bright sounding with the HD800's from other users so it may be a good match with the LCD2's.

I really liked the Violectric V100/V200/V181 series amplifiers when I heard few years back with the rev.2's when it came out (enjoyed it with the HD580/600/650's as well). The V100 is pretty much 80-90% of the V200 while costing $200-300 cheaper. I could not discern much differences between the V181 and V200 in SE mode but balanced out the soundstage is incremented by a subtle bit, subjectively enough for some to state it is a whole lot better but not the case IME.

From what I've gathered the V181 is a balanced version of the V100 which I use to think it a balanced V200 due to hardly any differences in sound between the V200 SE out and the V181 SE out, but I was corrected on this. Opamp also has no affect on the Violectrics and is a good way to void your warranty. Avoid any of the Violectrics with the rev.1 LCD2's as it get's too romantic and mushy sounding.

Although I'm not a fond fan of the Burson line of amps, the only decent sounding (but far perfect matching) amp with the LCD2's is the Soloist/Conductor (same thing just with a DAC). Detail retrieval is not the biggest point of the Soloist but it is a good sounding, what I don't like may be something you may.

And finally, if you have $600-800 to drop on a new or used Schiit Mjonir, I recommend doing so. I've been a bit wary of Schiits past amps due to the incident of some of there amps killing headphones with no DC relay implemented, the Mjonir is almost the perfect amp for the LCD2's rev.1 or rev.2 if you can dismiss the fact that you'll have to run balanced (so extra cost, but imho very worth it if you're after a bit of refinement). 

Powering the orthos off speaker amp's/vintage amplifiers is a another whole story.

Thank you kindly sir, as ive stated, I too found the Mjolnir to be THE amp for the LCD2. Why? Maybe because it was built around the Audeze headphone? Im not saying thats always the case with other amps but for a solid state, look no further.
 
Aug 31, 2013 at 12:44 AM Post #6,585 of 9,210
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Thank you kindly sir, as ive stated, I too found the Mjolnir to be THE amp for the LCD2. Why? Maybe because it was built around the Audeze headphone? Im not saying thats always the case with other amps but for a solid state, look no further.

The only problem I have found with it is it only has balanced outputs.  I don't know if its the amp but it is very good.   
 

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