Just compared the LCD-X's from the Gustard H10 + X12 stack to the Matrix M-Stage amp and M-Stage DAC stack (note this is not the built-in DAC on the M-Stage amp, but the separate, more expensive DAC unit).
I used seven test tracks:
Enya - Caribbean Blue
Radiohead - Subterranean Homesick Alien
How to Destroy Angels - Ice Age (deadmau5 Remix)
Green Day - Uptight
Knife Party - Boss Mode
Michael Jackson - Rock With You
ODESZA - All We Need
I wrote down my thoughts as I listened to each track on each setup. They were mostly the same across all tracks, with some songs excelling even more in particular areas because of how they were mixed/mastered. I volume-matched both stacks BY EAR, not with any measurements. All of the following thoughts are RELATIVE to the other stack that I am comparing the songs on.
SOUND COMPARISON:
It was pretty consistent that the
M-Stage stack sounded smoother and more forgiving. There was less micro-detail on each sound. The soundstage wasn't as well defined - it felt smaller and less 3D/holographic. There was some depth to the soundstage, but not much.
Imaging was blurrier relative to the Gustard stack - sounds were less separated and didn't have as much space in the soundstage. Bass was not as deep, as punchy, as tight or as textured compared to the Gustard stack.
Voices are a little more forward and are smoother. The M-Stage stack makes music sound more musical - you don't hear much of the micro-detail that can potentially expose flaws in the recordings.
It has this smooth, organic feel. The Green Day track in particular really sounded natural and musical on the M-Stages.
The
Gustard stack is a step up in terms of imaging/soundstage, overall resolution, frequency extension and "impact" (this thing hits very hard - you can really hear and feel the power and dynamics of elements in songs).
It feels like the song is projected out in a holographic soundstage, with excellent imaging as sounds are placed coherently around your head. There is excellent width and depth to the soundstage. I always found tracks were very engaging listening to the H10 and X12, they had a lot of energy as well as space. There is a great sense of listening to music in a room, with it being played live and in person.
Bass had excellent power and texture. Vocals sounded very well positioned in the mix, sounding like they were being projected from out in center stage in front of you.
Not everything was completely a step up from the M-Stage stack, though. The level of detail at some points edged on harsh. The vocals in Rock With You, when Michael is really intensely singing, can have this almost-harsh feel. It's not so bad that I would quite call it harsh, but it's definitely not as smooth as I would like for pure enjoyment.
This is simply relative to the M-Stage stack, though, so I still absolutely love listening to ANY song on this setup
. This may be something that will be mitigated with more time using the X12 as well, as I've only had it for about 2 weeks now.
I also compared the stacks to the
Xonar Essence STX with its built-in headphone amp. It sounded OK - to a listener that was not aware of what good imaging, good soundstage and proper bass extension/texture sounds like, it would even do very well. The soundstage was quite 2D and flat, with decent width but no depth. The sound was clean and clear, with instruments sounding good and tonally accurate.
Bass was looser and less textured than with the M-Stages and significantly looser than with the Gustards, which meant that it had less presence as well. The Xonar was also not as edgy as the H10 + X12 right now, but not as smooth as the M-Stage stack. The Essence STX would be a pretty decent choice for non-critical listening, as hearing those other aspects of sound requires the user to have a lot more focus and/or experience. Listening to music on the Xonar while playing a game or doing other activities would be fine for me.
I've also got the Gustard U12 coming in, so if the X12 doesn't smooth out with more use then hopefully the U12 helps it a bit there.
Having said that, I hope that little bit of extra glare/edginess isn't part of certain recordings that the LCD-X's + Gustard stack is now revealing.