Audeze LCD-3 and $1K amp or Audeze LCD-2 and $2K, where is the sweet spot?

[mwilson]

IMO, you're a very opinionated chap. Adding to opinions, and respectfully disagreeing with Regis, I still think that the LF (Siemens) / LCD-3 is a phenomenal match. Of course, a $3k budget won't accommodate it, and IMO the WA22 (w/ Sophia, Treasures, Syl 7236) and LCD-2 rev. 2 is a very strong contender.
 
Quote:

Edit: Changing my post in order to meet nigeljames's thread post specifications, as dictated in the below post.
 
 
IMO, If it's an LCD-3 you're after, IMO you won't find a better amp than the Cavalli Liquid Fire to drive it, IMO.  IMO, the rub is, MSRP is over $3k.  IMO, If you can find both the headphones and the amp used, you might be able to scrape by for just under $4k, IMO.
 
IMO, I'm with Currawong IMO.  IMO, I'd extend the budget a bit IMO.  IMO, it's worth it IMO.

 

[Happy Camper]

Get the better driver every time. If the 3s are the best and your desire, then do the 3s and find a well received used amp. That's one upgrade you won't worry about. I'd then go to the best source I could afford. Last get the amp of stature that completes your rig (cables aside). I certainly did it backward sideways out of technology changes. I was well on my way to a mid hi fi dynamic system when the latest orthos just jumped in it. Now I hear why the desire for balanced/mono chain built rigs. Oh so many things to learn in this hobby.

IMO
on this date, at this hour

Now if I go to a meet next week and hear something that changes my view, I reserve the right to grow in experience and completely contradict myself.

I have noticed that this site is better educated so the level of snarky has to be a step above.

 

[nigeljames]

Quote:

 
Good to know I'm not entitled to an opinion.  Opinions don't need to backed by facts, that's why they're opinions.
 
That said, I assessed that the CLF was the best headphone amplifier that I've personally heard in combination with the LCD-3 (note that this encompasses only the headphone amps that I've heard the headphones with).  I've heard the LCD-3 through EC 2A3, WA22, Apex Pinnacle, RWA Audez'e Edition, CEntrance DACmini, CLAS/Rx MkIII-B, and probably a few others.
 
Fixed my old post, so maybe it'll meet your standards now: http://www.head-fi.org/t/618984/audeze-lcd-3-and-1k-amp-or-audeze-lcd-2-and-2k-where-is-the-sweet-spot/30#post_8553453.  But it probably still won't.  I'm sure you'll find something else to complain about.

 
Noticed your post edit and I appreciate it.
Without stating that's it's just your opinion it becomes a statement of fact.
Obviously people who have been around a bit will take your original statement in the context that it was originally intended but some people won't.
I have had friends buy phones and other equipment, because they were told it's the best bar none at any price and they have regretted it so I do take a greivence, maybe more so than I should, with comments like that.

 

[nattonrice]

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Should we bring back the obligatory IMO after every statement?

 
I thought this was implicit in anything written on the intertubes?

 

[Solude]

Quote:

Adding to opinions, and respectfully disagreeing with Regis, I still think that the LF (Siemens) / LCD-3 is a phenomenal match.

 
People who had to endure ants in their Stax get a free pass  In all fairness I only listened to the LF with Gold Lion tubes and didn't hear anything that would have gotten me to roll tubes to really lock in on 'that sound'.  The Peak on the other, using the TungSol did and now with a Sylvania Bad Boy is simply a bargain.  Except the microphonic enclosure, that part still sucks.

 

[sridhar3]

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I thought this was implicit in anything written on the intertubes?

 
I thought so too.  Apparently that's not the case anymore.  IMO.

 

[sridhar3]

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Without stating that's it's just your opinion it becomes a statement of fact.
Obviously people who have been around a bit will take your original statement in the context that it was originally intended but some people won't.

 
Because clearly everything one reads on the internet is fact.
 
If one cannot tell the difference between fact and opinion on an *online forum*, the entire existence of which is predicated on personal enjoyment derived from subjective sensorineural experiences and individual interpretations thereof, then that more likely than not signifies inexplicable gullibility at best, or indelible willful ignorance at worst.  The internet is no place for such people.

Edit: IMO.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

 
IMO, If it's an LCD-3 you're after, IMO you won't find a better amp than the Cavalli Liquid Fire to drive it, IMO.  IMO, the rub is, MSRP is over $3k.  IMO, If you can find both the headphones and the amp used, you might be able to scrape by for just under $4k, IMO.
 
IMO, I'm with Currawong IMO.  IMO, I'd extend the budget a bit IMO.  IMO, it's worth it IMO.

Totally agreed here. With all the amps I've heard/owned with my LCD-3s, the LF was definitely a cut above (especially with the quad of Siemens E88CC tubes). That said, it ain't cheap.

 

[sridhar3]

Quote:

Totally agreed here. With all the amps I've heard/owned with my LCD-3s, the LF was definitely a cut above (especially with the quad of Siemens E88CC tubes). That said, it ain't cheap.

 
You didn't say "IMO"!  Quick, make a run for it, before somebody accuses you of trying to pass off opinion as fact!

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

 
You didn't say "IMO"!  Quick, make a run for it, before somebody accuses you of trying to pass off opinion as fact!

LOL, let's go with IME then. 

 

[LCfiner]

Only IMHO will do.

 

[SoupRKnowva]

i prefer IMHBNSOE, aka In My Humble But Not So Objective Experience

 

[silversurfer616]

IMO is the only thing I am interested in.I want to know people's opinions,which are usually based on experience,research etc.
Did I hurt anybody????

 

[LCfiner]

I might as well give my opinion on the LCD3 and Burson Soloist. I've been talking about this combo in the soloist thread and I really think this is a great example of how the LCD3 and a 1K amp is the better option vs the LCD2 and an amp that costs twice as much.

The soloist has plenty of power for the audeze, is well built and has just a hint of treble emphasis which works fine with the darker lcd3. The combination has excellent soundstage, clarity and tone.

It's might be possible to get the lcd3 sounding better on more expensive amps, but those amps won't be able to transform the lcd2 into something better than the lcd3 on the soloist. So I say get the better headphone first and then upgrade the amp later on.

 

[Solude]

I'd actually say the Soloist and B22 for that matter are more suited to the punchier LCD-2.  Though overall I prefer the LCD-3 it does give up some punch for resolution and extension.  Likely also why the LCD-2 is less finicky of amp selection.  Make no mistake the LCD-2 still scales to great amps it just tends to not fall flat on those not ideal for it.  The LCD-3 scales higher but its not like the LCD-2 caps out at the $1000 mark.  With the LCD-2 my favourite hands down was the balanced B22.  Now I don't have the LCD-2 any more so this is anecdotal but when the LCD-2 was everywhere the Peak was 'bright' but on my LCD-3 its simply not.  If anything its the best bass machine to pass through.  So I think the added drive simply put it over the top with the already lively LCD-2 into what was more likely fatigue.  But for me that is just what the Dr ordered for the LCD-3.
 
Or more to the point of the OP... just because you can spend $3K, you don't have to.  Heck a butt ton of people love the Lyr and LCD-2 combo and thats under $1500 all in, much less used and generally available all day, every day.