Did a direct A/B test with of the X-Fi HD headphone out vs Pico DAC + Voyager. The Pico DAC + portable amp combo sounds noticeably better, it has better bass impact and it's a lot less sibilant. I'm pretty sure that it's the amp.
This revived my desire to buy a full-size amp, but I'm still unsure what I should get. I'm planning on buying the LCD-2 rev2, so the Lyr + tubes would be the clear choice well within my budget, however I don't want to damage my Ed. 8. Any suggestions?
I would really like something that can drive the LCD-2 to its full potential and also work with my Ed. 8. Or do I need two separate amps? I would much rather spend $1,000 on one amp that can drive both than two times $500.
I'll ask this question in the LCD-2 amp thread, but not a lot of people there have the Ed. 8. How likely is it that an amp made for the LCD-2 other than the Lyr damages the Ed. 8 if used responsibly?
Then again, maybe if I get the LCD-2 + Lyr I'll only use my Ed. 8 at work. Is this likely if I don't need the isolation? Do movies sound good on the LCD-2? Are they not too heavy to be worn for many hours at a time? However, I do want to hear how the Ed. 8 will scale with a good full-size amp.