[bmichels]

Gentlemen, 
 
- With the LCD-3 is there a real sound advantage using a Ballanced headphone output ?  What is the main sound signature difference ? 
 
- If there is a sound quality advantage, then what "balanced headphone amp" can you recommend that has a good synergy with the LCD-3  (tube amp if possible ) ? 
 
thanks in advance

 

[DarknightDK]

Gentlemen, 
 
- With the LCD-3 is there a real sound advantage using a Ballanced headphone output ?  What is the main sound signature difference ? 
 
- If there is a sound quality advantage, then what "balanced headphone amp" can you recommend that has a good synergy with the LCD-3  (tube amp if possible ) ? 
 
thanks in advance

If you want a tube amp go for the woo audio WA22. I'm using the WA22 with my LCD3 and they sound fantastic together and make for a great pairing depending on your tube choices.

If you want a hybrid tube amp then I would recommend either the Cavalli Audio Liquid Fire or the Apex Peak / Volcano amp. Not personally heard these amps but from user impressions, they seem to pair very well with the LCD3 as well.

 

[MorbidToaster]

No. You can get just as good a sound from a well designed single ended amp. In theory balanced vs unbalanced differences should just be +6db gain, if I'm not mistaken.
 
As far as synergy goes though I'd recommend the Cavalli Liquid Fire. Not a balanced amp but pretty much as good as it gets synergy wise.
 
Quote:

Gentlemen, 
 
- With the LCD-3 is there a real sound advantage using a Ballanced headphone output ?  What is the main sound signature difference ? 
 
- If there is a sound quality advantage, then what "balanced headphone amp" can you recommend that has a good synergy with the LCD-3  (tube amp if possible ) ? 
 
thanks in advance

 

[Icenine2]

X2
Quote:

No. You can get just as good a sound from a well designed single ended amp. In theory balanced vs unbalanced differences should just be +6db gain, if I'm not mistaken.
 
As far as synergy goes though I'd recommend the Cavalli Liquid Fire. Not a balanced amp but pretty much as good as it gets synergy wise.
 

 

[Icenine2]

If you absolutely have to have tubes I'd check out the Cavalli Liquid Glass.  I did own a WA22 and just own my Liquid Fire now.  An incredibly beautiful sounding amp...........

 

[beaver316]

Probably off topic, but is there any word on the LCD4 and any guesses when we might see it/release?

 

[MorbidToaster]

There have been whispers of something new from Audeze at work right now, but I don't think we'll see it for awhile. Between their speaker projects and still prefecting both the LCD2 and LCD3 I can't imagine them jumping any deeper right now.
 
Quote:

Probably off topic, but is there any word on the LCD4 and any guesses when we might see it/release?

 

[Steve Eddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorbidToaster /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Between their speaker projects and still prefecting both the LCD2 and LCD3 I can't imagine them jumping any deeper right now.
 

 
I recall similar things said right before the LCD-3 was released.

 
se

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

No. You can get just as good a sound from a well designed single ended amp. In theory balanced vs unbalanced differences should just be +6db gain, if I'm not mistaken.
 
As far as synergy goes though I'd recommend the Cavalli Liquid Fire. Not a balanced amp but pretty much as good as it gets synergy wise.
 

The gain going from single ended to balqance is 3db due to doubling the power with signal in the positive lead and the inverted signal in the negative lead.

 

[Steve Eddy]

Quote:

The gain going from single ended to balqance is 3db due to doubling the power with signal in the positive lead and the inverted signal in the negative lead.

 
It's 6dB.
 
A doubling of voltage is 6dB. Doubling the voltage quadruples the power, which again is 6dB.
 
se

 

[MorbidToaster]

Like Steve said. Pretty sure it's 6db. Every spec sheet I've read for sources cite 6db increase from their Balanced outs.
 
Quote:

The gain going from single ended to balqance is 3db due to doubling the power with signal in the positive lead and the inverted signal in the negative lead.

 

[QuadralSx]

Im actually going to order my LCD3s tomorrow, where's the best place to get them? Preferably the newer stock

 

[Radio_head]

Everyone is selling at the same price, and all have the same warranty.  So whoever.

 

[justin w.]

All the LCD-2 and LCD-3 that I have in stock came in a couple weeks ago (posted about it here: Headphones at HeadAmp - Starting Next Week (Audeze, HIFIMAN)).  I'm thinking of having a feature where I upload all the frequency response graphs that come with the phones, and then let people choose exactly which pair they're buying.  Unless of course, the graphs look identical anyway.

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

 
It's 6dB.
 
A doubling of voltage is 6dB. Doubling the voltage quadruples the power, which again is 6dB.
 
se

 
Sorry, you are right. I got comfused with Sensitivity (SPL) where every 3db difference is either half or double the power depending which direction the variation goes.