Audeze LCD-X

[TwoEars]

It's funny. Audeze say that an iPod can drive them, but you'll get the best from them amped.. I think more clean, quality power at 50 ohms. All companies will show what power is delivered at specific impedances, so look at amps which deliver their peak power at lower impedances. I'm happy to be corrected by some clever folk here, but that's how I read it!

 
So a wall plugged DAC or small tube amp should definitely be able to drive them then.... interesting....

 

[George Chronis]

Lots of positive feedback in here.

Anyone care to comment on how easy these are to drive? I've heard that they're easier to drive than the LCD 3's.

Easy enough to drive (and sound good) straight from a wallplugged DAC? Or is that still a no-no?

How about a smaller tube amp like the DNA sonett? Think that will work or is something beefier required?

Anyone who actually has tested this?

I've tested them straight out of a Marantz NA7004. I have to go to 12+ o' clock and the music is at a good volume, but instruments are too compacted. Not happy. I ordered a Mjolnir and will test on WA6 today as well. Depending on what I find I may go to better Woo's or another SS.

 

[TwoEars]

I've tested them straight out of a Marantz NA7004. I have to go to 12+ o' clock and the music is at a good volume, but instruments are too compacted. Not happy. I ordered a Mjolnir and will test on WA6 today as well. Depending on what I find I may go to better Woo's or another SS.

 
Roger that, please report your findings

 
Has anyone tried powering the LCD-X or LCD-2/3 from a speaker amp? It's fairly common with the HE-6...

 

[Barry S]

   
Roger that, please report your findings

 
Has anyone tried powering the LCD-X or LCD-2/3 from a speaker amp? It's fairly common with the HE-6...

I've tried the LCD-X with the Odyssey Cyclops--basically a custom built "heavy iron" amplifier. It sounded extremely good, super neutral, detailed, beautiful dynamics, and an expansive soundstage. Also tried the TBI Millenia, + resistor box, which has a warm solid state signature--I don't think it was a good match for the LCD-X.

 

[George Chronis]

Sounds WAY better on the WA6 compared to the NA7004. I wouldn't think much of the NA7004 headphone section anyway. To give you an idea for reference: The HD650 on the WA6, which I thought was a terrific match so far, sounds muffled, I have to go higher on the pot, soundstage is smaller, less detail, less clear, less separation, less extension. Man, I tell you, these X's were worth the money VERY happy on the WA6. I'm sure they sound even better on better amps from what I read; I just don't have the luxury to go there (yet). As for power, the WA6 is not a particularly powerful amp (at least compared to the likes of the Mjolnir and such SS's). I usually go to 11-12+ with the HD650 on the WA6. With the X's, it's unbearable at 12, and I can listen quite loud
 
I tried the WA6 on the higher imp. and lower imp. setting. I like the higher imp. setting, because it's just more open. I switched back and forth a few times to see if it was just a louder sound that gave me the impression. But I don't believe so. The vocals are just more transparent. I don't know why. The settings on the amp say "1-99" for the low and the X's are certainly in this range. However, I like the 100-600 setting. I liked the 1-99 for the HD650's. Supposedly, they're 300 Ohm. I'm starting to think Jack has the switch reversed. I had the hitch when using the HD650 as well, but the X's confirm it.
 
Anyway, there you have it as far as the WA6 goes, quick and dirty. I listened to Diana Krall Temptation, 40th Aniv. Linn Records in ALAC, and some ALAC Mozart Sonatas. All great. I love these headphones!
 
I think the Mjolnir is coming in today, so I'll be posting on it over the weekend. I'm listening on the Central Station now to get a taste of SS sound. It's not as melodic or sweet as in the WA6, but as far as power goes, no problems. there's a pick bass in the beginning of Temptation for example. I can hear the fingers on striking the chords much better on the WA6 and I have to look around the room every now and then to see if someone just walked in with an upright bass. The snares are still very quick and clear. Definitely not a dark sound overall. Very live. That's all on the WA6. On the Central Station, not so warm sound. More crisp and not as detailed. Again, as far as power though, no problem. I have their stepped resistor at 10ish and it's pretty loud. Same as with the HD650 pretty much.
 
One thing, though: They ARE heavy! I've been used to the HD650 Very worth the headache though  - ok, not that bad, but pretty heavy. I'll probably get used to it.
 
Hope this helps for now...

 

[YtseJamer]

Did someone try the LCD-X with the Mjolnir and a copper cable like the Q or the Black Dragon ?

 

[Feynman]

Hi! I'm probably going to buy the LCD X in the near future but I have a question regarding amp/dac. What is the best to start with, LCD X + new amp ( for example Violectric V200) and my old DAC (HRT Music Streamer 2011) or going for a cheaper amp (Schiit Vali for example) and buy a new better dac, and in the near future invest in a new amp? 
 
What do you think? From what I gather I think the Vali will do fine in the meantime, while saving up a bit more money for a amp.

 

[midnightwalker]

  Hi! I'm probably going to buy the LCD X in the near future but I have a question regarding amp/dac. What is the best to start with, LCD X + new amp ( for example Violectric V200) and my old DAC (HRT Music Streamer 2011) or going for a cheaper amp (Schiit Vali for example) and buy a new better dac, and in the near future invest in a new amp? 
 
What do you think? From what I gather I think the Vali will do fine in the meantime, while saving up a bit more money for a amp.

The LCD-X is very easy to drive. You do not need a killer amp to drive it. You can try it with your current amps. If you are not happy with the outcome then you can do an upgrade later.

 

[George Chronis]

  The LCD-X is very easy to drive. You do not need a killer amp to drive it. You can try it with your current amps. If you are not happy with the outcome then you can do an upgrade later.

I agree with this statement and I'm not so sure that buying the Mjolnir was worth it. I should have tried with the WA6 first. I'll have to wait and see. I just wasn't happy with the NA7004 (which would be comparable to most standard mass market receivers I suppose), read here that the Mjolnir works well and it was affordable. That said, I can't carry the WA6 in all different rooms I can carry the X's, so the Mjolnir will find its place. I would do as midnightwalker suggests: try it with what you've got; you'll probably be fine. If you don't like it, then try something else. If I don't like the Mjolnir or if I think it's not worth the expense, I'll return it as well.
 
That said, it seems from your post that you do not currently own an amp and you are asking what combo you should buy. I'd go for the better amp. In my experience, amps make more difference than DAC's (for set price ranges). I would go for the better amp, not because another amp wouldn't be able to drive the X, but it would probably sound better than an inferior amp (even with a better DAC).

 

[Steve Eddy]

.... you might also consider a sex-change...:confused_face(1):

Naaah. Costs too much. Just being gay is free.

se

 

[Steve Eddy]

is there something you want to tell us, Steve? 

Nope. Though I am curious why lately I can't get seem to get enough of Liza Minnelli.

se

 

[musikaladin]

I've tested them straight out of a Marantz NA7004. I have to go to 12+ o' clock and the music is at a good volume, but instruments are too compacted. Not happy. I ordered a Mjolnir and will test on WA6 today as well. Depending on what I find I may go to better Woo's or another SS.

Roger that, please report your findings

Has anyone tried powering the LCD-X or LCD-2/3 from a speaker amp? It's fairly common with the HE-6...

Yes, for example here

 
Hi! I'm probably going to buy the LCD X in the near future but I have a question regarding amp/dac. What is the best to start with, LCD X + new amp ( for example Violectric V200) and my old DAC (HRT Music Streamer 2011) or going for a cheaper amp (Schiit Vali for example) and buy a new better dac, and in the near future invest in a new amp? 

What do you think? From what I gather I think the Vali will do fine in the meantime, while saving up a bit more money for a amp.

The LCD-X is very easy to drive. You do not need a killer amp to drive it. You can try it with your current amps. If you are not happy with the outcome then you can do an upgrade later.

No, the X is not exactly easy to drive. Also check the above link and other posts here. There is no issue with "not enough power" or whatsoever, it is about the X's mid-range if the amp doesn't match well. So you might need to play around a little before you really unleash it's full potential. But isn't that the fun part of it anyway?
Surely you are right in so far, that Feynman should first try the amps he already owns (if any). Maybe he is lucky and doesn't have to invest more...

 

[groovyd]

LCD-X is easy to amp.  Sounds good off an iPod even.  I recommend the WA7 for a minimalistic ultra audiophile experience across the board.

 

[Barry S]

It's not that hard to find an amp that will make the LCD-X sound very good, but it takes some effort to find the amps that give TOTL performance and highlight the real capabilities of the LCD-X. While the Mjolnir is TOTL performance for the LCD-2 and LCD-3, I think the signature is too lean for the LCD-X. Just my personal preference, since the Mjolnir is technically first-rate, if you discount the signature.
 
The best combined DAC/Amp I've heard with the LCD-X is the Dangerous Source. The DS has a high performance DAC (equivalent to the DAC2, M51, DA8, Gungnir) and a super clean, neutral, and powerful amp. The only thing missing from the amp is the huge soundstage the LCD-X is capable of creating.  I love the DA8 as a DAC, but thought its amp was disappointing with the LCD-X- a bit grainy and closed-in.

 

[Red Jacket Mike]

The LCD-X made the cover. (March 2014 issue).  Good review by John Atkinson, a Sennheiser fan for many years.