[milosz]

I like the LCD-2 with a balanced cable on the Audio-GD NFB-10es.  The NFB-10ES adds a little sparkle to the LCD-2 which I like, while maintaining very high resolution, bass control, etc.
 
Oh wait, the NFB-10es is a DAC/AMP not a dedicated source.  And besides that, I think the Sabre version has been discontinued / suspended.
 
So, it sounds good, but never mind.  

 

[adamaley]

Quote:

I must of misunderstood the ordering section I was looking at it had a box to check to add USB for $500


 

The USB feature is optional on the Red Wine Audio Isabellina. I had the non-USb configuration in the stand-alone DAC for a while before including it during it's upgrade to Isabellina HPA status.
 

 

[kalkain]

Hi guys
 
I really could do with some advice. I have a meier audio concerto currently and intend to purchase a lcd-2 soon. I was wondering if there is a relatively cheap (about 500) DAC that i should get? Or can i run it off the ipod/computer and use my rsa predator as a DAC?
 
Thank you!

 

[Ooztuncer]

Hello,
 
My system consists of "foobar with wasabi (nowadays hd track stuff) > stello da100 via optical input > schiit lyr > lcd-2". Even tough the sound can be classified as good to great and it is definitely the best system I have ever built, it is not up there yet. 
 
I would like to change something to get more transparency and detail. I probably would like to make my music sound little bit more sterile, definitely not warmer. Any recommendations for a replacement dac? Thanks in advance....
 
EDIT: I prefer to get a dac which naturally accepts 24bit/192hz data without upsampling (i.e. input = output).

 

[Permagrin]

Hello,

My system is consists of "foobar with wasabi (nowadays hd track stuff) > stello da100 via optical input > schiit lyr > lcd-2". Even tough the sound can be classified as good to great and it is definitely the best system I have ever built, it is not up there yet. 

I would like to change something to get more transparency and detail. I probably would like to make my music sound little bit more sterile, definitely not warmer. Any recommendations for a replacement dac? Thanks in advance....

EDIT: I prefer to get a dac which naturally accepts 24bit/192hz data without upsampling (i.e. input = output).

It's not available yet as it sold out so fast and now they're revising it for 192 USB, but the Anedio D1 is considered a very transparent and accurate DAC. Here is the review that sold me and a whole bunch of people on it: link

 

[SP Wild]

Quote:

Hello,
 
My system consists of "foobar with wasabi (nowadays hd track stuff) > stello da100 via optical input > schiit lyr > lcd-2". Even tough the sound can be classified as good to great and it is definitely the best system I have ever built, it is not up there yet. 
 
I would like to change something to get more transparency and detail. I probably would like to make my music sound little bit more sterile, definitely not warmer. Any recommendations for a replacement dac? Thanks in advance....
 
EDIT: I prefer to get a dac which naturally accepts 24bit/192hz data without upsampling (i.e. input = output).

I think the best option for you is not a source upgrade, but an amp sidegrade...to an all solid state amp.  I like tube amps heaps and cannot do without one, but I "think" all tubes no matter how well implemented, as a buffer or as an output device will impact noticeably on the LCD2s transparency and detail retrieval. 
 

 

[K3cT]

For some reason, tube amplifiers (the non-hybrid designs at least) seems to fare very poorly with this particular headphone. The other day I took a listen to a friend's WooAudio WA5 and it doesn't really do the LCD2 justice. Same reason with the Eddie Current Zana Deux and the lower-end WA6. The hybrid designs such as the Schiit Lyr, Cavalli EHHA and Apex Peak/Volcano seem to do pretty OK though. 

 

[Skylab]

For sure IMO the majority of OTL tube amps will not cut it.  But the three transformer-coupled tube amps I use, the Leben CS-300, the Decware Mini-Torii, and the Trafomatic Head One all do very well.  But the key is the transformer-coupling IMO.

 

[K3cT]

Hi Skylab since you are the biggest fan of tube amps I know around here, the Balancing Act is a transformer-coupled design am I correct? What do you think of that pairing with the LCD2? 
 
The Zana Deux has an awesome sound tough with the HD800 and T1, probably my favorite tube amplifier so far. 

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Hi Skylab since you are the biggest fan of tube amps I know around here, the Balancing Act is a transformer-coupled design am I correct? What do you think of that pairing with the LCD2? 
 
The Zana Deux has an awesome sound tough with the HD800 and T1, probably my favorite tube amplifier so far. 

I wish I could say I had heard either of those with the LCD-2, but unfortunately, I have not.  Pity.  I love my Eddie Current phono preamp, but have not ever sprung for any of his amps, which have sounded great to me at shows, but I have stayed away from them due to both the cost and the physical size.
 

 

[Ooztuncer]

many thanks permagrin and spwild!
 
I purchased a pair of lorentz stuttgart pcc88 & will also try my Amperex 6922 PQ white label tubes on the Lyr...
 
And, just for the curiosity (thanks to sp wild and skylab!) I am planning to purchase a Kenwood KR-5150 or Kenwood KA-7100 vintage receiver just to check the solid state goodness! Here in Turkey vintage receivers are really hard to find and very expensive compared to US. I'll report back  
 
 
EDIT: I "remembered" my boss' system (upstairs)... hmm... checked the make/model of his system - Marantz 2275 receiver + Marantz 4140 amp + Marantz HD-88 speakers... Yummy... will try stello with 2275 and lcd2..

 

[Skylab]

The 2275 is an outstanding receiver.

 

[Ooztuncer]

Quote:

The 2275 is an outstanding receiver.

 

what can I say ... ur right my friend.
 
here is my short review for today
 
Gear: Foobar with wasabi > stello da100 via optical, bypass mode > marantz 2275 > audeze lcd-2 rev1 with stock cable.
 
Music: 
i. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: The Snow Maiden - Dance of the Tumblers by Minnesota Orchestra / Eiji Oue - 24bit/96Khz
ii. Misery by Dave's True Story - 24bit/96Khz
iii. Big Bad Girl by Harry 'Big Daddy' Hypolite - 24bit/96Khz
iv. Lucia by Marta Gomez - 24bit/96Khz
v. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Violin Concerto in G major (KV 216) - Allegro by Marianne Thorsen / TrondheimSolistene - 24bit/96Khz
vi. Money by Pink Floyd - 24bit/96Khz
vii. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana - 24bit/96Khz
viii. Eulogy by Tool - 24bit/96Khz
ix. Keith Jarrett - The Köln Concert (first 4 minutes) - 24bit/96Khz
 
I continuously turned the volume down! It drives lcd2's with authority baby... 
 
This is exactly the transparency and detail I am after. Also, soundstage is wider - almost hologramic (made up this word) and the treble knob on the 2275 is just great.
 
2 quick points:
--- This is probably either I am not used to it or the difference between tube/solid state that I got little bit fatique after this short listening session with the 2275. On the other hand, with lyr I can go 1.5 hours straight.
--- Lyr's bass response is better for my taste. Somehow, with Marantz bass sounded with lesser extension compared to Lyr. Perhaps this is again due to tube-ss difference by design - I don't know.
 
After a short day and with very limited listening exp:
For classical music I definitely prefer the 2275. Violins and piano are just unbelievable...
For jazz I think I prefer lyr.
For rock it's a toss up I believe -  based on your taste. But I prefer Lyr for its bass response.
 
One final note, with Marantz, bass-mid-treble balance and distribution is so good.
Now, for some tracks I am biased and want more bass or more detail. Overall, I believe the sound is top notch with Marantz and more intimate with Lyr...
 
Cheers!
 
 
PS: now I want one
 

 

[grokit]

More of an amp than a source commentary but nice impressions nonetheless Ooztuncer, thanks for sharing them.

 

[Raser]

Anyone have any thoughts about the Devilsound Dac? Or the new Hd version? Is it any good with the Lcd's.