Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

[Uncle00Jesse]

Yeah I read in this thread and others that the Moljnir was more aggressive with them, and aggression scares me One problem I have with my current phones (GS1K) is that they can get too bright and fatiguing, so I wanted to move away from that.

 
Don't grab the schitt then. If you're averse to the idea of aggression at all, stay far away. I like mine a lot though. YMMV

 

[Chikolad]

   
Don't grab the schitt then. If you're averse to the idea of aggression at all, stay far away. I like mine a lot though. YMMV

 
In your case, when you say "aggressive", what exactly do you mean? Is it in terms of imaging and dynamics, brightness?

 

[Uncle00Jesse]

It's hard for me to explain perfectly but I'll try. With the Schiit stack, the sound kind of projectiles into your ear. It doesn't cozy up, exchange pleasantries, and softly seep into your ears. It takes the music with amazing clarity and dynamics, and shoots it out of cannon into your skull. For instance I like to listen before I go to bed. This is not a good idea with the schiit, as they'll keep you up til 3am with adrenaline to spare. For me, I love this quality for 20-30 mins or so, but once you start changes songs/genres it starts to add up and becomes very fatiguing.
 
Another thing to note is that I'm making these assumptions based on the Gungnir AND Mjolnir. I've heard various accounts that its the Gungnir that brings out the brightness/aggression of the MJ, not the MJ calling the shots. Not sure how much I believe that though..

 

[Jones Bob]

^ Ditto. The Mjolnir is like having a meth tweaker as a roommate. Always on edge. Always. No chance to relax.

 

[Solude]

  I've heard various accounts that its the Gungnir that brings out the brightness/aggression of the MJ, not the MJ calling the shots. Not sure how much I believe that though..

 
Other way around.  For example the GS-X/PWD2 combo is what I consider the sweet spot.  Take that same PWD2  and put it on the Mjolnir and it's aggressive.  Take the Gungnir and put it with the GS-X and it is full, warm not quite laid back but forgiving.  Put that same Gungnir on the Mjolnir and the tonal balance shifts up, fullness drops and balance is restored.  Which is why the pair is very complementary.  Alone they have issues in my rig but together, magic.  That said, they aren't at the same level as the GS-X/PWD2 combo but then who would expect them to be given the vast gap in price?

 

[Saraugie]

^ Ditto. The Mjolnir is like having a meth tweaker as a roommate. Always on edge. Always. No chance to relax.

 

   
Other way around.  For example the GS-X/PWD2 combo is what I consider the sweet spot.  Take that same PWD2  and put it on the Mjolnir and it's aggressive.  Take the Gungnir and put it with the GS-X and it is full, warm not quite laid back but forgiving.  Put that same Gungnir on the Mjolnir and the tonal balance shifts up, fullness drops and balance is restored.  Which is why the pair is very complementary.  Alone they have issues in my rig but together, magic.  That said, they aren't at the same level as the GS-X/PWD2 combo but then who would expect them to be given the vast gap in price?

I have the PWD2 with the mojo and it is not like living with a tweaker, maybe because I'm anxious most of the time (naturally LOL) The combo is fantastic, not aggressive so much as powerful, revealing, the depth of what I'm hearing ALWAYS has the wow factor for me. PWD2 uses Wolfson, maybe it's a good synergy for the mojo, thick chip and SS amp.

 

[Jones Bob]

I have the PWD2 with the mojo and it is not like living with a tweaker, maybe because I'm anxious most of the time (naturally LOL) The combo is fantastic, not aggressive so much as powerful, revealing, the depth of what I'm hearing ALWAYS has the wow factor for me. PWD2 uses Wolfson, maybe it's a good synergy for the mojo, thick chip and SS amp.

Hehe... Glad you found a synergistic match with the MJ. Enjoy!

 

[Uncle00Jesse]

   
I have the PWD2 with the mojo and it is not like living with a tweaker, maybe because I'm anxious most of the time (naturally LOL) The combo is fantastic, not aggressive so much as powerful, revealing, the depth of what I'm hearing ALWAYS has the wow factor for me. PWD2 uses Wolfson, maybe it's a good synergy for the mojo, thick chip and SS amp.

 
I haven't really been around here since last February when I bought my 3s and the stack. Right when I dropped off I remember you anticipating that RWA amp/dac. How did that turn out?

 

[Saraugie]

   
I haven't really been around here since last February when I bought my 3s and the stack. Right when I dropped off I remember you anticipating that RWA amp/dac. How did that turn out?

Howzit Uncle......Disclaimer: This is my opinion. RWA makes some very fine products and it's owner is well respected in the audio world.
 
I did not think the Bellina HPA was worth 12 times the Audio~gd 11.32 which I have, and compared to.
11.32 = $375 and Bellina $4450 w a Mullard upgrade tube.  In fact for the 30 songs I tested, most were equal to my ears and the others, the 11.32 bested the Bellina in SQ.
 
You see what I use now, and boy o boy it is way superior than the two, and 25% cheaper than the bellina.

 

[Chikolad]

  It's hard for me to explain perfectly but I'll try. With the Schiit stack, the sound kind of projectiles into your ear. It doesn't cozy up, exchange pleasantries, and softly seep into your ears. It takes the music with amazing clarity and dynamics, and shoots it out of cannon into your skull. For instance I like to listen before I go to bed. This is not a good idea with the schiit, as they'll keep you up til 3am with adrenaline to spare. For me, I love this quality for 20-30 mins or so, but once you start changes songs/genres it starts to add up and becomes very fatiguing.
 
Another thing to note is that I'm making these assumptions based on the Gungnir AND Mjolnir. I've heard various accounts that its the Gungnir that brings out the brightness/aggression of the MJ, not the MJ calling the shots. Not sure how much I believe that though..
 

 
Not being able to use the rig for more than 30 mins due to fatigue is a huge no-no for me
I see other people have a different experience with the MJ though, but since I don't have the option to audition it before buying, I won't take my chances. Plus I'm expecting the Soloist to have a great synergy with the LCDs, reading posts by Solude and others.
Kinda worried that my source wouldn't be up to the task though... Schiit Modi. Anyone compared it with other sources going into the LCDs?

 

[Solude]

My experience is the Soloist is a little laid back, GS-X just right and the Mjolnir a little forward.  A lot of which you prefer comes down to source and preference.  All three are very clean and clear though.  No mud, no veil to be found.

 

[Cavcalade]

I would really love to get your input on the following setup:
 
Source: Denon DNP720 AE Network Audio Player ( FLAC HD, 24/192, gapless support http://usa.denon.com/us/product/pages/productdetail.aspx?catalog=denonna_us&pcatid=avsolutions%28denonna%29&catid=streamingmedia%28denonna%29&pid=dnp720ae%28denonna%29
 
Amp: Woo Audio WA6-SE
 
What do you think about the Denon Network Audio Player? The only thing it's missing is a SACD player. Maybe you have some recommendations.
 
Cheers!
 

 

[BEASTly]

Has anyone here heard the Auralic Vega to Auralic Tarus to LCD 3 suppose to be really good but have yet to hear it.

 

[Chikolad]

  My experience is the Soloist is a little laid back, GS-X just right and the Mjolnir a little forward.  A lot of which you prefer comes down to source and preference.  All three are very clean and clear though.  No mud, no veil to be found.

 
What is your prediction of the performance of the Modi with the Soloist+LCD-3?

 

[Solude]

No idea... not a one.