budx3385
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2005
- Posts
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- 34
GORGEOUS !!!
It was just a freak chance. The AMR DP-777 DAC has a Pre amp built in and a guy on another forum recommended using the DAC output's to run the headphones directly. If he hadn't of told me to try this I never would have thought of it on my own.
I bought some cheap adapters to convert the RCA cables to a headphone socket to test it out. It seemed to work well so I had a cable made up by Trevor at Norne Audio (ex Norse Audio) to run the LCD-3's directly from the balanced output on my DAC.
Without the amp, the LCD-3's sound a bit leaner and quicker, more open and with better lef to right imaging - but they loose a bit of "3D" in the soundstage depth. I am right on the top of the volume dial however, ok with modern music (with dynamic range compression), but only just enough loudness for dynamic classical recordings.
I also tried running a friends HD800 and the UM Miracles directly from the output of the AMR, however neither matched very well - both too aggressive in the upper mid / treble region for my taste and with the miracles missing a lot of bass. I guess as the LCD-3's are a darker more laid-back headphone the extra treble and midrange energy has good synergy.
The Stratus is a great amp. I was tempted to keep it and get some HD800's just for classical as the Stratus - AMR - HD800 - Classical music combo is amazing, but I'm still happy with the Audeze cans.
just bought a WA5... but now I'm thinking of saving up for a Stratus so i have both an endgame 300B amp and a 2A3 amp
just bought a WA5... but now I'm thinking of saving up for a Stratus so i have both an endgame 300B amp and a 2A3 amp
TRAITOR!!
Congrats, DSG.I guess DNA couldn't woo you away from your good 'ole tube days/roots, eh?
Here you go: a picture of one of them, a picture of the inside (yes, it is a 2-stage (DC) amp), and I have replaced the OPT on each with a larger MQ model with more windings in the secondary. My Stratus sits by my bed. The headphone amp is BC SBH with a custom cap pack and also has a pre-amp. I've recently replaced the preamp part with a custom BC preamp that uses the SBH power supply and cap pack, but has 3 output boards for the preamp.
and a picture of them in my Christmas system, taken in 2013.
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Very nice. Can I ask what the audio note box on the bottom shelf is? Thanks
Just tried out Gavtorn's method of connecting the LCD-3 directly to the RCA outputs of my DP-777 DAC. The LCD-3 sounded very much like what he described, so I can understand why he prefers this method than using the Stratus amplifier, especially when the amplifier costs an extra $3000 to $3500 including the upgraded tubes, in the chain. Unfortunately for my case, I still prefer driving the LCD-3 using the Stratus. To me, the Stratus is able to impart the DHT signature to the music, making the music richer with a little more emotions. The music also has more body. Overall, I simply feel more involved with the music with the Stratus in the chain.
By the way, has anyone compared the balanced and SE outputs of the Stratus in driving LCD-3 and find any differences? I wonder if the slightly lower impedance of SE output (can go to 3 ohm) could be a better match to the 45 ohm LCD-3?
It's a Meishu Silver, a Level 3, AN integrated 300B amp. The S denotes HiB dual C-core OPTs. They make a big difference. AN also makes a power amp with the same circuit sans the preamp stage and power supply for the preamp.
Just tried out Gavtorn's method of connecting the LCD-3 directly to the RCA outputs of my DP-777 DAC. The LCD-3 sounded very much like what he described, so I can understand why he prefers this method than using the Stratus amplifier, especially when the amplifier costs an extra $3000 to $3500 including the upgraded tubes, in the chain. Unfortunately for my case, I still prefer driving the LCD-3 using the Stratus. To me, the Stratus is able to impart the DHT signature to the music, making the music richer with a little more emotions. The music also has more body. Overall, I simply feel more involved with the music with the Stratus in the chain.
By the way, has anyone compared the balanced and SE outputs of the Stratus in driving LCD-3 and find any differences? I wonder if the slightly lower impedance of SE output (can go to 3 ohm) could be a better match to the 45 ohm LCD-3?
Did Gavtorn hook his LCD-3s up to the RCAs or the XLRs?
Hi Froger,
Thanks for your impressions I have just sent my 3's back to Audeze for the Fazor upgrade. It will be interesting to see how they pair with the AMR now.
I have a cable for the 3's that has a 4 pin balanced plug and a connector for SE, for me there was only a very slight improvement using the balanced connector.
Look forward to your impression on the Fazor upgrade. I am thinking about the upgrade, but I really enjoy the creamy mid that my non-Fazor LCD-3 is having now.
I compared the stock SE and balanced Audeze cables and I thought the SE cable gave the sound slightly better imaging and sound a little more dynamic. I prefer listening using the SE output overall and thus I just ordered a 4 pins XLR to TRS adaptor/plug from Trevor for my balanced Reign 4 cable.
Look forward to your impression on the Fazor upgrade. I am thinking about the upgrade, but I really enjoy the creamy mid that my non-Fazor LCD-3 is having now.
I compared the stock SE and balanced Audeze cables and I thought the SE cable gave the sound slightly better imaging and sound a little more dynamic. I prefer listening using the SE output overall and thus I just ordered a 4 pins XLR to TRS adaptor/plug from Trevor for my balanced Reign 4 cable.