Audeze LCD-2 Impressions Thread

[biggbenn74]

@biggbenn74, Is your M1060 stock? or have you done some of the mods like paper towel, new ear pads, foam removal, etc? I tried the M1060 once a few months ago but since it was stock it was far behind the LCD-2f and to me it was almost what I'd considered "veiled" since it sounded worst than the HD650 which is to me is not veiled if properly driven.

Completely stock. The LCD-2's will remain the same (sans Amplifier Surgery cable)

 

[DavidA]

@biggbenn74, is the details/resolution of the LCD-2f the only thing that you consider better than the M1060? What about other aspects like sound stage, imaging, bass extension, mid-range tone, extension in the highs? I actually though that the M1060 would be much better sounding than it did and compare a little closer to my LCD-2f with all the hype that there was in the M1060 thread and my first listen was about as big a disappointment in audio gear as the ODAC/O2 and Jot since these were also so hyped up.

 

[biggbenn74]

@biggbenn74, is the details/resolution of the LCD-2f the only thing that you consider better than the M1060? What about other aspects like sound stage, imaging, bass extension, mid-range tone, extension in the highs? I actually though that the M1060 would be much better sounding than it did and compare a little closer to my LCD-2f with all the hype that there was in the M1060 thread and my first listen was about as big a disappointment in audio gear as the ODAC/O2 and Jot since these were also so hyped up.

Too early for a detailed synopsis, check back next week once I have had more time. But early impressions are good. I will say that I noticed the sub bass more on the LCD2's than I did on the M1060's.

 

[drwlf]

@DavidA isn't it fun to read about the newer lower cost products which achieve the hyped 'giant-killer' status, or at least something comparable. So much noise and filtering required to actually make any sense of it.
In the end, a 300$ product which modded and pad-rolled rises to 400$ or more, compared to the source of imitation - a discounted 650$ product. People will prefer different choices for so many different subjective reasons and rationalizations.
Nonetheless, any comparisons @biggbenn74 are greatly appreciated

 

[KingCharizard]

as big a disappointment in audio gear as the ODAC/O2 and Jot since these were also so hyped up.

If you don't mind me asking, what disappointed you about the Jot? Admittedly I don't have a ton of experience with higher end amps, but I've been very happy with the Jot + LCD2F pairing. I feel like the Jot just wakes the LCD2F up in terms of dynamics compared to my old Magni 2U and the background is noticeably blacker. What beats the Jot at its price, at least for the LCD2F?

 

[DavidA]

If you don't mind me asking, what disappointed you about the Jot? Admittedly I don't have a ton of experience with higher end amps, but I've been very happy with the Jot + LCD2F pairing. I feel like the Jot just wakes the LCD2F up in terms of dynamics compared to my old Magni 2U and the background is noticeably blacker. What beats the Jot at its price, at least for the LCD2F?

The disappointment I had in the Jot was it was a bit bright to me when most keep saying its neutral so I tried my HD800, T1, HE560 and HD700 on a friends Jot and couldn't listen very long since the treble in all 4 headphones was quite harsh and glaring to me, pretty much the same sound I get when I use my Asgard2 to drive these headphones. I did try the HD800 and HE560 balanced also and the sound was pretty much the same bright harsh sound.

The Jot was actually quite good with the HD650, SRH-1840, LCD-2.2 and EL-8 so its a good/great amp, just not for what I wanted to use it with. I usually use a Lyr2 or the headphone jack of my UD-301 with my LCD-2f but these days I don't use my LCD-2f much since I've build a Grado clone using a Ypsilon R1 driver that is more dynamic, better extended with smoother highs, and while it doesn't go as low as the LCD-2 it does have more punch and is nice and detailed. And the 2 best things about it: doesn't need an amp to sound great and its super light so after a few minutes I don't know its there on my head.

@biggbenn74, looking forward to your impressions/comparisons in the future
@drwlf, you are so right about trying to make a lower cost product match a higher price one, its why I love Grado's and the alternative drivers that are being released these days

 

[KingCharizard]

@DavidA thanks for the response! I understand what you mean regarding the treble, I do find the treble timbre on the Jot + LCD-2F to be a little off. I am using the integrated DAC on the Jot too and since I don't have other sources available at the moment, I can't pin down whether it's the DAC, amp, or headphone. Maybe some day I'll figure it out, when I'm not too lazy to swap my gear around

 

[DavidA]

@DavidA thanks for the response! I understand what you mean regarding the treble, I do find the treble timbre on the Jot + LCD-2F to be a little off. I am using the integrated DAC on the Jot too and since I don't have other sources available at the moment, I can't pin down whether it's the DAC, amp, or headphone. Maybe some day I'll figure it out, when I'm not too lazy to swap my gear around

You may be right that its the internal DAC of the Jot that might be making the treble sound "off" but the Jot I tried didn't have the internal DAC, my friend had a Mimby and I had brought over my UD-301 so we could try out the balanced output of my UD-301 to the Jot.

 

[bildar]

i have been using a wadia di122 as my headphone amp with my 2.1's. I like it better than the Deckard I had for awhile. Deckard is quite good but seems less open and roomy than the di122. I used a McIntosh C38 preamp for many years with the 2.1's as well. C38 a little warmer sounding with just a touch more high end compared to wadia.

 

[Tompo88]

You may be right that its the internal DAC of the Jot that might be making the treble sound "off" but the Jot I tried didn't have the internal DAC, my friend had a Mimby and I had brought over my UD-301 so we could try out the balanced output of my UD-301 to the Jot.

Treble issue is definitely with the jot dac. I have a jot/dac, Gumby, dragonfly red and Deckard. I've found the jot dac's treble to be fatiguing with a couple of my headphones. No problems with other sources.

 

[KingCharizard]

Treble issue is definitely with the jot dac. I have a jot/dac, Gumby, dragonfly red and Deckard. I've found the jot dac's treble to be fatiguing with a couple of my headphones. No problems with other sources.

Good to know. I'll have to try a different DAC at some point (maybe a Mimby), although that's going to be on the back-burner for now since I've been spending less time with my desktop setup because of work.

 

[Makiah S]

The disappointment I had in the Jot was it was a bit bright to me when most keep saying its neutral so I tried my HD800, T1, HE560 and HD700 on a friends Jot and couldn't listen very long since the treble in all 4 headphones was quite harsh and glaring to me, pretty much the same sound I get when I use my Asgard2 to drive these headphones. I did try the HD800 and HE560 balanced also and the sound was pretty much the same bright harsh sound.

The Jot was actually quite good with the HD650, SRH-1840, LCD-2.2 and EL-8 so its a good/great amp, just not for what I wanted to use it with. I usually use a Lyr2 or the headphone jack of my UD-301 with my LCD-2f but these days I don't use my LCD-2f much since I've build a Grado clone using a Ypsilon R1 driver that is more dynamic, better extended with smoother highs, and while it doesn't go as low as the LCD-2 it does have more punch and is nice and detailed. And the 2 best things about it: doesn't need an amp to sound great and its super light so after a few minutes I don't know its there on my head.

@biggbenn74, looking forward to your impressions/comparisons in the future
@drwlf, you are so right about trying to make a lower cost product match a higher price one, its why I love Grado's and the alternative drivers that are being released these days

I've also got a Ylipson G1 from @DavidA in my collection now, I'm curious to see how it compares the the PreFazor LCD 2.2 I have as well.

As for amps, my Ember II hybrid tube is the best I've tired so far in the $400, it drives almost EVERYTHING I own phenomenally well! I even rigged up a phase reversal chain with the help of another member here and the Ember II still did better with the LCD 2.2 than my NFB10ES2 did, so don't be afraid of the more modest powered hybrid tube out there. My HE 4 and AKG K240 Sextett are the only two headphones I have that really benefit from the power of my High Output Balanced Solid State WITH Phase Reversal implementation, other wise 2W into 60ish ohms has been more than enough for the LCD 2.2 I have

 

[Here2rock]

Just wondering whether LCD-2 come on sale that often? What is the cheapest price for the new ones? I remember reading a post that these going at $499 on BF last year.

 

[phthora]

Just wondering whether LCD-2 come on sale that often? What is the cheapest price for the new ones? I remember reading a post that these going at $499 on BF last year.

Well, they are currently on sale for $650 through Adorama. They have both the aluminum and the shedua versions. I bought one for myself, in fact.

EDIT: This link should work: https://www.adorama.com/aulcd2latc.html?sdtid=10657236&emailprice=t&utm_medium=

 

[Here2rock]

Well, they are currently on sale for $650 through Adorama. They have both the aluminum and the shedua versions. I bought one for myself, in fact.

EDIT: This link should work: https://www.adorama.com/aulcd2latc.html?sdtid=10657236&emailprice=t&utm_medium=

Are they authorized dealer? I don't want warranty issues. Shedua version is still $999.