[Lebber67]

Balanced vs single ended makes also a Hugh difference.
I.m lucky to own a pair of the original LCD 4 balanced cables.
On my Questyle CMA 600i the load more then doubles when using balanced.

220mW@300ohm/ 950mW@32ohm 6.3mm headphone jack.
630mW@300ohm/1900mW@32ohm balanced.

i use both cables and the lcd 4 cable wins hands down.

 

[iFi audio]

just how good the 800’s are in some areas.

Yes, HD800 is one spacious monster. 'Old' but gold.

 

[greenkiwi]

Hi, has anyone compared the XC (2016 drivers) with the LCD-MX4? I was considering to buy the MX4 to complement the XC with an HP that could provide a more wider and deeper sound stage. I already have LCD-2 Non Fazor but don't think they're fulfill that aspect I'm looking for. The Hd800s might be the answer but I like a lot the aesthetics of the MX4 and of the Audeze brand overall.

You could also consider the Mr Speakers Ether Flow or Ether 2 (or used Utopia)

 

[mixman]

Yes, HD800 is one spacious monster. 'Old' but gold.

Yeah if the HD800 actually had real bass I might buy one!

 

[abvolt]

Balanced vs single ended makes also a Hugh difference.
I.m lucky to own a pair of the original LCD 4 balanced cables.
On my Questyle CMA 600i the load more then doubles when using balanced.

220mW@300ohm/ 950mW@32ohm 6.3mm headphone jack.
630mW@300ohm/1900mW@32ohm balanced.

i use both cables and the lcd 4 cable wins hands down.

Very nice cable audeze sure don't make them like that any more they've really cheapened their balanced cables I've owned 2 they last maybe a year if your lucky..

 

[iFi audio]

Yeah if the HD800 actually had real bass I might buy one!

They have, but it takes an extra mile to have it sufficiently present. It's actually good that there are headphones which don't emphasize this FR.

 

[nephilim32]

Hi, what do you mean by a "more refined amp"? What should I be looking for? I have a v280 and I believe it's a good amp.

I mean an amp that can sufficiently match a diverse range of impedance loads for any headphone. If the impedance is matched correctly the amp won’t alter the headphone’s Sound signature at all and you’ll get cleaner bass.

 

[leo5111]

best portable amp with the lcd-xc,s?? and by portable i mean cayin c5 size

 

[seedubchris]

best portable amp with the lcd-xc,s?? and by portable i mean cayin c5 size

Had good luck powering the xc with the AK 380 amp. If you have the dough I would stretch to the Chord Hugo 2. A little bigger than you want but much more robust better power stage .

 

[iFi audio]

I mean an amp that can sufficiently match a diverse range of impedance loads for any headphone. If the impedance is matched correctly the amp won’t alter the headphone’s Sound signature at all and you’ll get cleaner bass.

Yup, something along those lines.

 

[lhydavid]

Hi, what do you mean by a "more refined amp"? What should I be looking for? I have a v280 and I believe it's a good amp.

Hey, I'm also using a V280 to drive my LCD XC (creator's edition). Even though the amp is more than sufficient for the LCD XC single-ended, I find I enjoy the output from balanced more. If you haven't tried it, give it a shot!
Apart from the V280 that I use as my desktop rig, I also use a Ray Samuels F35 Lightning balanced amp for the LCD XC with my LGV30+ as the source when I'm on the go. The impedance of the XC is <50ohm, which means it doesn't trigger the high gain mode on my LGV30+, making the XC sound rather underwhelming. With the Ray Samuels amp, I'm getting close to 90% of what I get out of the V280, which is remarkable for something so small. My RSA amp is about 3 years old now, and quite a number of hours on it as I use it quite frequently when I'm travelling. This amp can also drive the HE560 to enable a sufficient level of enjoyment when on the go, though without doubt, the V280 does a better job by quite a margin (on balanced) and really shows what the HE560 is capable of.

V280 is pretty neutral to me, with at best only a shade/sliver of warmth (if you're focusing hard) and goes well with not only the LCD XC but many other HP as well.
Enjoy it!

 

[lhydavid]

By the way, does any one here own both the LCD XC and HE560?
I'm quite keen to compare your listening impressions with my own.
I've both and run them out of an RME ADI-2 DAC into a V280.

Let me know.
Thanks!

 

[nrbatista]

Hey, I'm also using a V280 to drive my LCD XC (creator's edition). Even though the amp is more than sufficient for the LCD XC single-ended, I find I enjoy the output from balanced more. If you haven't tried it, give it a shot!

Hi, I’m also running it from the v280 balanced output. It’s really a great amp. Portable I have an ALO Audio The International, original version, also balanced. Shouldn’t be much different from your Ray Samuels.

 

[lhydavid]

Hi, I’m also running it from the v280 balanced output. It’s really a great amp. Portable I have an ALO Audio The International, original version, also balanced. Shouldn’t be much different from your Ray Samuels.

Cool!
Did you reduce the pre-gain on the V280 to get more adjustable headroom with the XC?
I've mine currently at 0dB and find that when listening to non-dsd material, I am using no more than 10am on the dial, and with DSD, I go up to about 12pm or 1pm.

 

[nrbatista]

Same here, I’m using it at 0dB. It might make sense to reduce the pre-gain if using the XC alone. I also have an Aeon Flow Closed that requires much more power than the XC.