New guy here. Looking for recommendations for DAC/amp for Audeze LCD -XC

[jesterspaint]

Hello,
I have been lurking here for some time. I have decided on purchasing the Audeze LCD-XC. I need a closed headphone because of household distractions (reason for getting headphones).
 
I will be using my late 2013 Mac Book Pro as a source using FLAC files, HDtracks, red book Cd's.
 
Questions:
 
1. Will I see a dramatic improvement using an external DAC/amp rather than just the output of the laptop? 20% better? More?
 
2. What recommendations do you guys have for an inexpensive (upgrade down the road) DAC/amp to get me going? Portability is not an issue. I listen to all genres of music.
 
Thank you for your time and I apologize for my ignorance.

 

[billybob_jcv]

The LCD-XC are low impedance (22 Ohms) but not very efficient (95 dB/mW). You will need an amp. If I was buying $1800 headphones, I would call Audeze and ask them for recommendations. I also wouldn't go *really* cheap on the amp - those headphones will need some power and an amp with a very low output impedance and they will probably reveal the weaknesses in a really cheap amp.

 

[jesterspaint]

Thank you very much for your input.
 
I am always concerned that manufacturers will try to sell me on EVERYTHING. I will see what they have to say.

 

[billybob_jcv]

Yeah - there is always that possibility. One way to look at it might be to look at the specs of the amps they show on their website - specifically the HeadAmp Pico. If Audeze says that works well with the LCD-XC, then you can look at the gain & power specs of the Pico and that might tell you what other amps would work. On the other hand, if they say the Pico works OK with the open-back 'phones like the LCD-2, but the XC needs more juice, then that also gives you a data point for reference.

 

[jesterspaint]

Thanks again Billybob. The Pico looks interesting. That would be ideal if it will work for me. I really like its affordability and seems to be reviewed well on this forum.
 
I have emailed them and I will let you know what they say.

 

[GaryWA]

Think of it like this. You buy a nice sports car, you aren't going to put the budget tires on them are you? Don't cheap out on the DAC/AMP, they should really be proportional to which headphones you have.
 
Something like the Audio-GD Compass 2 would be decent (if you're ok with buying overseas). Another option would be the Schiit Bifrost and either the Asgard 2 or Lyr. But I have no experience with the XC so take it with a grain of salt.
 
http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/Compass%202/Compass2EN_Specs.htm

 

[jesterspaint]

I have looked at the Schiit products. Do you have experience with the Bitfrost/Asgard 2 combo? That duo seems reasonably priced. It seems as though there are quite a few Schiit fans on this forum. That might be the way to go?
 
BTW, Audeze has not replied to my email yet.

 

[GaryWA]

  I have looked at the Schiit products. Do you have experience with the Bitfrost/Asgard 2 combo? That duo seems reasonably priced. It seems as though there are quite a few Schiit fans on this forum. That might be the way to go?
 
BTW, Audeze has not replied to my email yet.

You might try posting in the XC thread to see if anybody has paired the XC with that combo or the Bifrost/Lyr combo.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/691151/audeze-lcd-xc/600