[PiNa.cz]

IYAshike,
 
it'd be interesting to hear how you like LCDs 2 because FWIW they were somehow too dark for me. It was probably caused by slightly darker Reference's DAC. Maybe that is why Reference matches quite well with HD800.

 

[IYAshike]

  IYAshike,
 
it'd be interesting to hear how you like LCDs 2 because FWIW they were somehow too dark for me. It was probably caused by slightly darker Reference's DAC. Maybe that is why Reference matches quite well with HD800.

 
Hello PiNa.cz,
 
l don't know which version of LCD-2 you listened to. As far as l have understood, the last LCD-2, the 'fazor' version, is not as dark as previous models. This model is supposed to have a slightly more extended high frequency, like it sounds a bit brighter than previous versions (still, always within a dark sound signature, l believe). 
 
l wish l could give you my impressions today but, unfortunately, l can't! The LCD-2s are my wife's Christmas present (as l said in my previous post), so l can't listen to them until Christmas day 

 (amm... which doesn't mean l strictly stick to that 'rule'... l have had an initial listening and... today, l took them again for an hour... but keep the secret! 

).
 
l also got the HD-700, which is supposed to be a very bright HP so... that might help me determine how dark the LCD-2s are... Again, l haven't listened to them, either (this time, not at all

). 
 
l will get back to you when l have had enough listening time with them, ok?  

 

[IYAshike]

Hello 

 
Just happened to find this video (click here) about the Sennheiser factory in Wedemark (Germany), and thought of sharing it with you all (especially having in mind HD-800 owners).  
 
l hope you enjoy it! 

 

[roskodan]

@IYAshike how are the lcd2 and hd700 coming along with the ref 10.32?

 

[IYAshike]

  @IYAshike how are the lcd2 and hd700 coming along with the ref 10.32?

 
Hello,
 
lt's a bit difficult to answer at the moment 

 
My LCDs had a manufacturer defect (fazor misaligned) so l shipped them back, and l'm still waiting for my new pair... l was happy with them, but l was missing that 'amazing bass' everyone seems to love about them. As it was a defective pair, l better don't speak about the sound until l get the new one. 
 
When it comes to the HD-700, l was really enjoying them. l said "l was", because l sent the cable to have it reterminated to XLR last Friday. lt's been a week already without them and l really feel their absence. l really enjoy their sound. From time to time, you come to a song that has a 'weirdly' recorded treble, and the 700s will let you know. ln any case, most of the times, it does not bother me, at all. l really enjoy their sound.
 
By the way, the 700s are really good for movies. They provide a very good soundstage and imaging, and enough bass to feel explosions, etc. in movies.
 
Given the circumstances, l had to recover my Fidelio X1 and HE-400. l don't enjoy any more the former, whereas l'm (positively) rediscovering the latter. 
 
lf you have a specific question, let me know 

 

 

[roskodan]

i'm enjoying the 10.32, but the instructions on audio-gd.com are really gibberish
 
does someone know what the default DSP settings are, and what the heck does this mean (what's the debug switch on the back for?):
 
Quote: http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/Reference10/RE10EN_Use.htm

 How to choose the settings in Reference 10.32 :
Select  the "Debug" switch on rear to setting with / without memory function .

 
is there a manual in actual english?
 
i emailed audio-gd a couple of days ago but had no response yet, guess i'll have to learn to write in chinese
 
@IYAshike thx for the feedback, hope you get the lcds soon, and drop some impressions, especially since you have the hd700 which is  quite complementary to the lcds, cheers!

 

[roskodan]

got an answare, nothing mindblowing tho
 
when restarting the device (i guess unplugging?) if 'debug' switch is 'on' it will remember the volume settings for each input
 
another thing i would like to know is what is the extra green firmware IC for? i read there are two, one black(inside the 10.32?) and one green(supplied in the package?) ?

 

[roskodan]

seems it's just an extra firmware ic
 
funny it has 32/384 usb while it only support up to 192kHz playback?
 
anyway, sound is very refined as an dac/amp, seems it never gets out of balance

 

[roskodan]

how come this bargain of reference audiophile piece of gear has such poor coverage... everyone must be just listening speechless !!! happy owner here being happy !!!

 

[IYAshike]

l don't know. The thread is almost dead 

 

[roskodan]

yeah better keep quiet, else prices may change

 

[oculus]

I think most of us who bought this are done to be honest.   There are no great improvement past this point.  You got one of the best dac/amp combos going.  Any differences are going to be very small past this point.   
If you a person who  buys amp/dac combo you are probably  willing to compromise a little  on sound for the convenience (in reality you are probably not compromising)  so if you are sensible you are done.
 
Unless they suddenly come out with a codec that improves the interpretation of  the sound, changing amps/dacs might alter the sound a fraction.
 
 
Only my opinion, probably got ****ty hearing.   

 

[kugino]

there's one in the FS forum for sale...thinking about it. been wanting to listen to a good implementation of the 1704UK chip...i imagine it'll mate well with my hd800 and th900?
 
only concern is i'm set on using USB out from my computer and i hear that the 10.32's USB implementation isn't very good. problem or not?

 

[IYAshike]

  there's one in the FS forum for sale...thinking about it. been wanting to listen to a good implementation of the 1704UK chip...i imagine it'll mate well with my hd800 and th900?
 
only concern is i'm set on using USB out from my computer and i hear that the 10.32's USB implementation isn't very good. problem or not?

 
l have used both SPDI/F and USB inputs. Currently, l am on USB. l do not notice any difference between both inputs. However, l admit l haven't done an exhaustive A/B comparison but, the little one l did revealed USB input sounding a bit louder than SPDI/F. 
 
Now, USB used to cause BSOD on my PC (that's why l swope to SPDI/F). However, wanting to fix the problem, all l had to do was to plug the USB cable on a USB 3.0 port of my PC (instead of 2.0, obviously). l have never again had a BSOD. l don't know if what made sorted the problem was simply 'swapping USB ports' or 'using a 3.0 port'.  
 
When l used the SPDI/F input, it was via the sound card Asus Xonar Phoebus.
 
....
 
l have no experience listening to any of those HPs you mentioned. l am tempted to buy the HD-800 but, at the moment, l am trying to get familiar with my HD-700 before l buy the other ones. So far, l am truly enjoying the 700s (balanced). ln any case, if you 'search the thread' you'll see how many people love the pairing between the Reference 10.32 and the HD-800s. Even Mr. Kingwa, when l asked about a HP recommendation, suggested the HD-800. As far as l know, you would want to use the 'balanced out', instead of the SE.
 
l don't have great experience with other DAC/amps (other than my Fiio X3, sound card or a Maverick Audio 'combo' l had in the past) but, l can't be happier with this unit. The more a develop my listening skill, the more l appreciate this great device.
 
Hope you manage to get it! Best of luck!

  

 

[roskodan]

i believe that was the reference 10, with issues, while the 10.32 added 384kHz/32bit usb (but max input supported is still 192kHz, go figure) and firmware chip upgrade with new drivers, windows works for me, no problems, and mac os x also (os x doesn't need agd drivers), tho i have the latest ref 10.32 with all the upgrades applied