Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

[headfirocks]

I had them checked at Costco and everything came out OK.  I always keep the volume very low.

 

[Badas]

I had them checked at Costco and everything came out OK.  I always keep the volume very low.

I'm the same. It is normalish. Audeze is the only headphone I can tolerate. Everything else is way too bright. I use the Woo WA22 with mellow tubes. So the same story.

 

[KmanChu]

  All headphones I've tried sound sharp and harsh to me.  Something is wrong with my ears I guess.  I went through several pairs until landing on my current pair of LCD-3 Non-Fazor.  I'm using a Red Wine Audio Bellina HPA with the most mellow tubes I can find.  The problem was worse with other electronics I've tried.  Cymbals, snares, and the like can still be difficult.  Could a headphone cable help?

 
Which headphone stage does your Bellina have, balanced or SE? I'm just curious as I am using the amp-only RWA Cassabria and find the balanced stage from it to rival just about any amp I've heard with the LCD-3. There aren't too many other RWA users on head-fi that I've come across.
 
I actually like the LCD-3F and Cassabria with smooth but more bright tubes like Amprex and Telefunken. I have a Mullard which is great but probably a bit too laid back for my taste with the Audezes (with an HD800, however, it's really superb.)

 

[IronLung]

My audeze lcd-3's right driver is dead. anyone know how good audeze is with warranties with used headphones/no receipt? Its purchased aboUT  06/2014 from Whiplash AUDio

 

[headfirocks]

I'm the same. It is normalish. Audeze is the only headphone I can tolerate. Everything else is way too bright. I use the Woo WA22 with mellow tubes. So the same story.

 
Cool.    Have you tried Non-Fazor?  Which small signal tubes do you like?  I just got a Mullard 7308 from Upscale Audio and I'm tolerating it really well.

 

[headfirocks]

   
Which headphone stage does your Bellina have, balanced or SE? I'm just curious as I am using the amp-only RWA Cassabria and find the balanced stage from it to rival just about any amp I've heard with the LCD-3. There aren't too many other RWA users on head-fi that I've come across.
 
I actually like the LCD-3F and Cassabria with smooth but more bright tubes like Amprex and Telefunken. I have a Mullard which is great but probably a bit too laid back for my taste with the Audezes (with an HD800, however, it's really superb.)

 
My Bellina has both and I use the balanced.  It's really not an RWA problem though.  I tried a lot of other gear and settled on the Bellina.
 
Is a headphone cable a waste of time for this?

 

[Androb]

   
My Bellina has both and I use the balanced.  It's really not an RWA problem though.  I tried a lot of other gear and settled on the Bellina.
 
Is a headphone cable a waste of time for this?

I doubt the cable would make THAT much of a difference as taming treble etc.

 

[headfirocks]

I'm the same. It is normalish. Audeze is the only headphone I can tolerate. Everything else is way too bright. I use the Woo WA22 with mellow tubes. So the same story.

 
Have you tried tube dampers?  They are making the rolled-off stuff sound truly rolled-off (7308s).  This is definitely the most mellow sound I've heard through headphones.

 

[headfirocks]

Has anyone heard a headphone cable they really like with the LCD-3?

 

[Combat Audio]

I had one of the old pairs of LCD-2s with the foam head band...well before any of the fazors came in to focus. I enjoyed them for many years without any issues. Driver failure finally caught up to me and occurred well past the warranty and were repaired and returned within a month without issue. I liked the cans so I wanted them around. The newer fazor addition is quite nice, i can understand why many perhaps did not enjoy the earlier version of the LCD-2 but with certain genres of music is did have its magic. 
 
While the LCD-2  was out, I decided to move up to the  LCD-3f latest version. From the hundreds of pages on this forum I found a couple references that the LCD-3fs really up scaled well so I started looking at amps. I threw my name in the hat for a GSX-MkII but not being a long time patient man continued to look for a solution that I could find a bit sooner. 
 
With the Red Wine Audio, love it or hate it, was love for me...the differences in the cans ad me rolling tubes a bit and I ended up with the Amperex Bugle Boy vesus my older Telefunken.
 
But I decided to add my name is on the list for the GSX-MkII and began searching for a balanced DAC. Here and there I read happy words regarding this elusive "Lampi" DAC. Did my research...the company ethos for sound basically was my wish lists....so I am now the proud owner of a Lampizator Head DAC Gen 4 Lvl 4.  I have to say that thing is a bit magical with the LDC lines. Fluid, sweet, detailed, holographic really, resolving.
 
The sound is in the room and then when the music starts it just takes you away...like your own personal concert with you favorite band. The music just floats out there in front of you and you can hear all the details. Everything just sounds right again whether with the 2 or the 3. With the lampi you are going to clearly see the differences between the two cans....is harder to head back to the LCD2 as often now.
 
First thoughts, I have only had the amp for a couple days.  

 

[KmanChu]

   
My Bellina has both and I use the balanced.  It's really not an RWA problem though.  I tried a lot of other gear and settled on the Bellina.
 
Is a headphone cable a waste of time for this?

I wasn't suggesting the RWA is a problem for you, their sound is about the smoothest and most "natural"  around. Your question about cables for the LCD-3 is an interesting one as it seems like most aftermarket cables are aimed at brightening the LCD-3's up a little bit to counterbalance their creamy-smooth tendencies. If you did try any cables I guess just stick with copper. I haven't tried any new cables but may try something relatively inexpensive like the one referenced a few posts ago.
 
I have no idea if it would really work, but the moon-audio Black Dragon is supposed to smooth out the top end while tightening up the low end. It's pricey but I think they do have a trial period.

 

[headfirocks]

That Black Dragon looks like a good choice.  Has anyone heard the Cardas Clear cable with LCD-3?

 

[Badas]

Have you tried tube dampers?  They are making the rolled-off stuff sound truly rolled-off (7308s).  This is definitely the most mellow sound I've heard through headphones.

Yeah I have tried tube dampners. Didn't work for me. I found tube rolling does the trick. I have a sweet sound signature now. Never get those cringe harsh treble moments.
I found the rectifiers to make the biggest differences. Many talk about the Mullard GZ32. It is a great mellow tube so I have 5 of those. I tried the Fivre 5R4GY and that improved over the Mullard. Better dynamics and bass. So I own 4 of those.
I have recently took a risk on the Brimar 5Z4G. This is a sell your soul to the devil sound. It has everything. Deep clean bass, massive mid-range and treble is highish without getting harsh. So silky so tube detail is there. Silkiest sounding tube yet. I have two, however I plan to buy 5 more. They can be had for 12.5 pound. Crazy cheap.

The power tubes don't do much. I have some Brimar 6080's that are treble rolled. However too much for me. RCA 6AS7G are okay. I actually find the Russian 6AS7G really nice and ticks all the right boxes. Dynamic, powerful and not harsh. So I use those. I need to grab more. I have some rare Chatham and Tung-Sol 6AS7G's as well. But they are gold so I won't use until I retire. Also have a lot of Raytheon, Sylvania 6AS7G's as well.

Drivers. No contest. RCA 6SN7GT Greyglass. The perfect tube to just roll of the edge and add a touch of mellow. I have two sets of these and will hunt down many more sets of these next year. The clear glass version from the 50's is close to the greyglass. Just creeps in a little treble harshness. I have some Sylvania 6SN7's as well. Avoid. So damn bright.



If you can't get your signature with tame tubes then you may have to look EQ?

 

[Badas]

Mistake post

 

[tmac7balla]

  Has anyone heard a headphone cable they really like with the LCD-3?

I enjoy WyWires Red headphone cable. I felt it was a good improvement over stock cables for a small investment. They also have a 30 day money back guarantee if you buy them direct. I bought mine from my dealer over here in NC called Night and Day Audio. Great customer service and competitive prices. I also heard a cable during our meet last week that completely blew me away. I can't recall what the name was but I know it cost close to $800 -_-