[yangian]

The Grace m9xx does a very good job with the X2s, but something with more current is better. My old recapped and upgraded NAD 3020a hits the mark and really makes them shine. I think just about every serious head-fier needs an old integrated amp or receiver (from back when they had serious headphone outs), they can perform as well as any of the high-end HP amps sold today.

Did you try some budgeted DAC/amp.? Did you compared them? Is there any serious difference? I tried some and I think little difference for difference gears.

 

[KG Jag]

Day 6 of 12 free albums from True North is "Snowbird - The Songs of Gene Maclellan" by Various Artists:
 
http://www.truenorthrecords.com/

 

[Magick Man]

They sound and look like $400 headphones. Not, $1,000 bf headphones.

They're much nicer than the usual $400 headphone, in build quality and sound. I'm not sure what you're on about. However, even if they weren't, why would you expect so much more? That doesn't make much sense.

 

[Magick Man]

I have a different experience.  My (1987, also recapped or at least factory cleaned up in 2003 NAD 3130 does not work well with low impedance headphones. Placebo effects may be at work, but it seems clear to me that the high impedance headphone out of the 3130 works badly with some headphones, e.g. the HD598.  On the other hand, the Beyer DT250-250 sounds very good with the NAD 3130. I like the Q701 (bass modded) with the Pioneer Elite A35.  I had bought the A35 to stand in for the 3130 when it was being factory cleaned; it did not work well for that purpose, because it is unable to power my 2003 Magnepan MMGs as well as the 3130, but it works better with most headphones.  In my opinion, and again there may be placebo effects at work, all of my headphones sound as well or better with the Dragonfly->O2 combination than with the 3130 or the A35.

I can't agree there. The O2 is too harsh and edgy to my ears, even the Schiit Magni is a considerable upgrade, IMO. As for your NAD, not all measure the same output impedance via the HP out, there's variance between models, so it's not a bad idea to research them. My 3020a averages ~2.5 Ohms, which provides a sufficient damping factor for all but the lowest resistance (sub-20 Ohm) cans. After the rebuild, it's practically as good as my Accuphase E-560.

 

[Evshrug]

Day 6 of 12 free albums from True North is "Snowbird - The Songs of Gene Maclellan" by Various Artists:

http://www.truenorthrecords.com/

Thank you for the deal!

 

[MarcoGV]

 

I have a different experience.  My (1987, also recapped or at least factory cleaned up in 2003) NAD 3130 does not work well with low impedance headphones. Placebo effects may be at work, but it seems clear to me that the high impedance headphone out of the 3130 works badly with some headphones, e.g. the HD598.  On the other hand, the Beyer DT250-250 sounds very good with the NAD 3130. I like the Q701 (bass modded) with the Pioneer Elite A35.  I had bought the A35 to stand in for the 3130 when it was being factory cleaned; it did not work well for that purpose, because it is unable to power my 2003 Magnepan MMGs as well as the 3130, but it works better with most headphones.  In my opinion, and again there may be placebo effects at work, all of my headphones sound as well or better with the Dragonfly->O2 combination than with the 3130 or the A35.

I can't agree there. The O2 is too harsh and edgy to my ears, even the Schiit Magni is a considerable upgrade, IMO. As for your NAD, not all measure the same output impedance via the HP out, there's variance between models, so it's not a bad idea to research them. My 3020a averages ~2.5 Ohms, which provides a sufficient damping factor for all but the lowest resistance (sub-20 Ohm) cans. After the rebuild, it's practically as good as my Accuphase E-560.

Thank you for your followup.  My experience with headphone amplifiers is very limited.  In particular, I do not have any experience with the Shiit Magni. The output impedance of the NAD 3130 headphone socket is 220 Ohm, according to http://www.head-fi.org/t/624407/nad-3130-headphone-section.  I have no reason to doubt that, but I have not measured it myself. I am surprised that the output impedance of the NAD 3020a is so much lower, but of course that is consistent with your comments about differences between models.  I also noticed that the NAD D 3020 (the new digital amplifier) has an headphone output impedance of 200 Ohm, according to  http://www.stereophile.com/content/nad-d-3020-integrated-amplifier-measurements#dwQpZK5ZqACjRot1.97

 

[Magick Man]

Thank you for your followup.  My experience with headphone amplifiers is very limited.  In particular, I do not have any experience with the Shiit Magni. The output impedance of the NAD 3130 headphone socket is 220 Ohm, according to http://www.head-fi.org/t/624407/nad-3130-headphone-section.  I have no reason to doubt that, but I have not measured it myself. I am surprised that the output impedance of the NAD 3020a is so much lower, but of course that is consistent with your comments about differences between models.  I also noticed that the NAD D 3020 (the new digital amplifier) has an headphone output impedance of 200 Ohm, according to  http://www.stereophile.com/content/nad-d-3020-integrated-amplifier-measurements#dwQpZK5ZqACjRot1.97

That is interesting. We didn't test the HP out on my 3020a before the rebuild because, well, it didn't work (the jack was loose from the board). In fact I was going to just donate it to my stereo repair guy but he pitched a complete rebuild. I'm not a technician, but I do know the resistance test he ran averaged 2.5 Ohms after it was rebuilt. My 3400 had pretty sloppy, bloated bass in comparison, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if its HP out had a high resistance.

 

[Allanmarcus]

 

Thank you for your followup.  My experience with headphone amplifiers is very limited.  In particular, I do not have any experience with the Shiit Magni. The output impedance of the NAD 3130 headphone socket is 220 Ohm, according to http://www.head-fi.org/t/624407/nad-3130-headphone-section.  I have no reason to doubt that, but I have not measured it myself. I am surprised that the output impedance of the NAD 3020a is so much lower, but of course that is consistent with your comments about differences between models.  I also noticed that the NAD D 3020 (the new digital amplifier) has an headphone output impedance of 200 Ohm, according to  http://www.stereophile.com/content/nad-d-3020-integrated-amplifier-measurements#dwQpZK5ZqACjRot1.97

That is interesting. We didn't test the HP out on my 3020a before the rebuild because, well, it didn't work (the jack was loose from the board). In fact I was going to just donate it to my stereo repair guy but he pitched a complete rebuild. I'm not a technician, but I do know the resistance test he ran averaged 2.5 Ohms after it was rebuilt. My 3400 had pretty sloppy, bloated bass in comparison, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if its HP out had a high resistance.

my original 7020 (same as the 3020, but with a tuner) has headphone impedance of 2 ohm on one channel and 140 ohm on the other. You might want to check both channels. Of course, that could also be an indication that I have an issue, but I don't use the 7020 for headphones 

 

[Happytalk]

I know I fanned the flames a little on the tangent but razordog has the he400i for $345-350 on eBay. Just do a search. Sorry no link. Back to deals

 

[willywill]

Yes back to deals, 15% off PlusSound with code HOLIDAY15
http://www.plussoundaudio.com/

 

[BassInMyFace]

Out of curiosity, what is the best deal that you guys have seen the LCD-2 sold new for in the somewhat recent past?

Ive been shopping around for a pair for some time now and am just curious to know if there has been a better deal than that recent LCD-2 plus AK Jr. DAP deal.

I remember that Audeze had them on sale a few holiday seasons ago for $700 new...

 

[KG Jag]

Day 7 of 12 free albums from True North is "Frostbite - Music For the Holidays" BY Pavlo:
 
http://www.truenorthrecords.com/

 

[heliosphann]

Out of curiosity, what is the best deal that you guys have seen the LCD-2 sold new for in the somewhat recent past?

Ive been shopping around for a pair for some time now and am just curious to know if there has been a better deal than that recent LCD-2 plus AK Jr. DAP deal.

I remember that Audeze had them on sale a few holiday seasons ago for $700 new...

They were $750 a few weeks ago from Adorama.

 

[yangian]

Lighting deal:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017UVR8PG/ref=gbps_img_s-3_0842_31fa7481?smid=A17THH3N1EWG5&pf_rd_p=2338600842&pf_rd_s=slot-3&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_main&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=03RVRMJ7B0JWNC9SV8WP
 
Havn't seem any comment on this model.

 

[Raketen]

  Yes back to deals, 15% off PlusSound with code HOLIDAY15
http://www.plussoundaudio.com/

thanks! though it took me about 5 minutes of staring blankly at the page before I figured out how to find the actual store part of the website