Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

[mscott58]

Super-short summary from someone who has heard the LCD-3C & LCD-X and owns the LCD-3F: (as usual, all of this is IMHO - personal experience can and will vary!)
 
1. Treble - Addition of the Fazor's very nearly closes the gap on the high-end that the LCD-X's had over the LCD-3C's. The Fazors give the LCD-3F's additional resolution in the upper frequencies, although with the LCD-X's it's hard to tell if this is due to them being different in construction/voicing or just the fact that they also have the Fazors! (Please realized that the increased treble is a relative thing, these are still Audeze cans and not HD-800s). WINNER = TIE
2. Bass - The LCD-X's still have a very slight edge over the LCD-3's (C or F variant) in the low end. Their is more bass, although this is truly an incremental thing - all the Audeze's kill in this area. It's not bass-head "boom-boom-boom" but it is very present, controlled and accurate. WINNER = LCD-X's
3. Mids - Here's where the LCD-3's pull away from the pack, both the C and F versions. While the X's have a very solid mid-range, I found they lacked the "magic" of the LCD-3's. This is harder to describe fully, you just have to experience it. They presence of the music, the duration of the notes, the fine detail - it's all amazing. WINNER = LCD-3's
 
OVERALL WINNER (again IMO) = LCD-3F's!!! I really liked the LCD-X's all around, but with the LCD-3F's it was true love (and still is). 
 
Note 1 = I actually didn't know I was getting the LCD-3F's - when I ordered they had not announced the Fazor roll-out. I just got lucky and was one of the first to get them. They really are awesome. 
 
Note 2 = All of these cans were driven by the same Burson Conductor, which I found did them justice all around. Amp-headphone synergy can make a real difference. 
 
Hope that's useful! 

 

[bigfatpaulie]

Agreed.  When I was looking to add a complimentary set of head phones to my collection I auditioned the X's and the HE-6s and was pre-sold on the HiFiMan's because of what I had read about both cans.  
 
Just for fun I tried on the 3(f)'s and to me, the differences were significant and one was clearly superior in nearly every way.  It was a quick and easy decision on which pair to leave with.  I have never heard the non-fazored Audeze's.
 
[Albeit, I don't feel that the HE-6s were given a fair shot given the amps available, but I am still extremely pleased with my choice.]

 

[headfirocks]

Is the non-Fazor LCD-3 as warm and rolled-off as the non-Fazor LCD-2?

 

[kothganesh]

I just came back from local HI Fi shop in San Francisco and was blown away by how good the LCD 3 sound.
They are very detailed, clear, and  smooth. I'm not good at describing sound but these headphones are truly special.
Every song I listen to was an awesome experience.

Questions for all?

What amp have you pared with your LCD3 if you have them?
What are the chances of AUDEZE offering a black Friday special or a discount at the upcoming CA Audio show? Have they ever done BF specials? If not, I might have to sell an organ! LoL!

I purchased the ALO International as I read it pairs nicely with the LCD3s.

Any comments would be appreciated!

Thanks!

I used the Mjolnir and the Soloist as amps for my Audez'e HPs. Liked the Mjolnir a tad more because I was able to get into the music some more than the Soloist which seemed a little more laid back.

 

[Bigsecret]

  I just came back from local HI Fi shop in San Francisco and was blown away by how good the LCD 3 sound.
They are very detailed, clear, and  smooth. I'm not good at describing sound but these headphones are truly special.
Every song I listen to was an awesome experience.
 
Questions for all?
 
What amp have you pared with your LCD3 if you have them?
What are the chances of AUDEZE offering a black Friday special or a discount at the upcoming CA Audio show? Have they ever done BF specials? If not, I might have to sell an organ! LoL!
 
I purchased the ALO International as I read it pairs nicely with the LCD3s.
 
Any comments would be appreciated!
 
Thanks!

I currently have a DNA Stratus tube amp that sounds incredible with the LCD3 (classic w/fazor upgrade). Prior to that I was using a more affordable Graham Slee Ultralinear Diamond and it too sounded truly exceptional with the LCD3s. I don't hear much mention of the Graham Slee on this site but I found it to be a very fine solid state amp that was smooth and natural sounding even with my T1 phones that are quite a bit brighter than the LCD3s. Used, the Graham Slee is quite a bargain IMO.

 

[dukeskd]

I own both LCD-X and LCD-3C, there is absolutely no way there is more bass with the LCD-X. There is more impact with the 3s and they have a lot more quality sub-bass which is very important with headphones of this caliber. LCD-X has a diminished sub-bass presence but a lot of mid-bass emphasis, which may be great for some but definitely not for me and my taste in music (electronica, etc).

 

[Badas]

Is anyone using the LCD-3's with a tube amp?
 
If so what are they?

 

[bigfatpaulie]

  Is anyone using the LCD-3's with a tube amp?
 
If so what are they?

 
Yes.  DNA Stratus.

 

[Badas]

   
Yes.  DNA Stratus.

Beautiful amp. Out of my price range.
 
Do you like the tube sound on the Audeze? Not too dark?

 

[froger]

Yes.  DNA Stratus.

+1

 

[KmanChu]

  Is anyone using the LCD-3's with a tube amp?
 
If so what are they?

 
It's a hybrid, but I'm using a Red Wine Audio Cassabria. It is a smooth but transparent amp, especially with the right tube. I don't find it too dark at all. Used they can be had for under $1k.

 

[kkcc]

  Is anyone using the LCD-3's with a tube amp?
 
If so what are they?

 
LCD3(c) on WA22 with TS5998+VT231+USAF596.  Great combo imho.  Very transparent and holographic presentation that open up the LCD3 soudnstage a bit.  Work best with my NFB28 DAC (or other ess9018 based DAC I'd imagine).  Not dark at all (and in fact LCD3 isn't dark to start with, unlike the LCD2).  Tho the WA22 didn't add too much when using the Hugo as DAC compared to driving it direct with the Hugo.

 

[bigfatpaulie]

 
Beautiful amp. Out of my price range.
 
Do you like the tube sound on the Audeze? Not too dark?

 
Definitely not dark.  The Stratus is not a dark syrupy amp at all.  It is very full figured (with the right tubes) and has nice meat on it, but dark is one of the last adjectives I would use to describe it.  I also run it with a Lampizator DAC which is again, a very rich full sounding DAC.  I prefer the combo with the HD800's vs the LCD3's, but I think that if I had a DAC like a BDA2 or Berkeley Alpha I would pair extremely well with the LCD's.  I guess what I am trying to say is that the Stratus is an outstanding amp that is pretty faithful to the source while presenting a full (rather than dark) sound.  
I don't know if that helps at all...  Sorry

 

[dynavit]

Could hear the LCD 3 with a Malvalve Headamp 3 , which can drive dynamic headphones and Staxs. Both, the LCD 3 and a Stax009 where mindblowing!!! But even better was VIVA Soloist with Audeze. Ok , it cost 9000! But never heard music in such a rich way.
What I want to say, is that is no question of which kind of amp, is a question of quality.

 

[Badas]

   
It's a hybrid, but I'm using a Red Wine Audio Cassabria. It is a smooth but transparent amp, especially with the right tube. I don't find it too dark at all. Used they can be had for under $1k.

 
Just looked it up. What a great amp. Beautiful. You must be proud.

   
LCD3(c) on WA22 with TS5998+VT231+USAF596.  Great combo imho.  Very transparent and holographic presentation that open up the LCD3 soudnstage a bit.  Work best with my NFB28 DAC (or other ess9018 based DAC I'd imagine).  Not dark at all (and in fact LCD3 isn't dark to start with, unlike the LCD2).  Tho the WA22 didn't add too much when using the Hugo as DAC compared to driving it direct with the Hugo.

 
Interesting. I've been hovering around the Woo site for a while. So close to pushing go.
 
I would love to get the WA 22 however it is outside my price range. Just to much right now. The balance outputs would be fun to play with.
I am newish to this and I don't want to offend anyone, however does the balance outputs not make any difference unless the whole chain source to HP is also balanced?
I have the Oppo HA-1 and LCD-3 and tried the balance output from that. Other than a loudness gain I didn't notice much.
 
I am very close to pushing go on the WA2. I know there are comments that it is underpowered. I can't understand that myself. Why has Woo made something so big and not have power???

It has a 120W transformer so there must be some power in the unit somewhere.
The reasons why I'm looking at the WA2 is that I took a WA7 for a overnight trial (Thanks Computer Lounge. Very generous). I was very disappointed with the whole thing. Nearly threw away the whole getting a tube amp idea. It sounded like a solid state amp. I gave the edge to the Oppo. Better soundstage and mid-range. If I am going to buy a tube amp I want it to sound like a tube amp. Not accurate at all.
 
From what I have read the WA2 and 22 are the right type of amps. The WA6SE is the same price and a lot more powerful however the comments of brighter and not as smooth as the WA2 has put me off.

 
Being a Woo owner do you think I will be okay with the WA2?
 

   
Definitely not dark.  The Stratus is not a dark syrupy amp at all.  It is very full figured (with the right tubes) and has nice meat on it, but dark is one of the last adjectives I would use to describe it.  I also run it with a Lampizator DAC which is again, a very rich full sounding DAC.  I prefer the combo with the HD800's vs the LCD3's, but I think that if I had a DAC like a BDA2 or Berkeley Alpha I would pair extremely well with the LCD's.  I guess what I am trying to say is that the Stratus is an outstanding amp that is pretty faithful to the source while presenting a full (rather than dark) sound.  
I don't know if that helps at all...  Sorry

 
Yes it does help a lot. So tubes don't dark up the LCD-3 too much.
 
I started with the Senny HD700. Gosh they were too bright. I then hunted down the LCD-3. Boom. I love the sound signature. I had all sorts of EQ on the HD700. Now I have turned it all off. Just enjoying the LCD-3 warmth. Guess my question came from fear that tubes might just push the LCD-3 into the too warm / dark area.

Could hear the LCD 3 with a Malvalve Headamp 3 , which can drive dynamic headphones and Staxs. Both, the LCD 3 and a Stax009 where mindblowing!!! But even better was VIVA Soloist with Audeze. Ok , it cost 9000! But never heard music in such a rich way.
What I want to say, is that is no question of which kind of amp, is a question of quality.

 
Thanks. Whatever tube amp I go for I will experiment with the tubes to get that quality.
 
I plan to send all my sources to the Oppo HA-1 (iPod, CD, SACD and DVD Audio), let the DAC decode then send on to a tube amp. Then I could pick and choose what amp to use depending on the music.