Headphone Amp for Audeze LCD3

[Audioholic]

What headphone desktop amp would you recommend to pair with the Audeze LCD3 headphones. I know this question has been asked before, however, the topic I found here was almost five years old.

 

I have just ordered a pair of LCD3; upgrading from LCD1. I have been using a iFi audio ZEN CAN headphone amplifier for the LCD1, however, am advised by Addicted to Audio that I will need something a bit more substantial to drive the LCD3.

 

Open to all suggestions, I am relatively new to the headphones game and therefore wish to draw upon the knowledge and experience of you here at SNA. Particularly interested to read suggestions from owners of LCD3 who may have already put in the hard work of auditioning various amps before finding one they believe paired well with them.

 

In terms of budget, probably looking at comparable to the price of the headphones, so $3000.

 

Thanks

[Bengineer]

Do you have a DAC already?

 

LCD3 is fairly dark. I would aim for a very revealing and neutral amp. Or if you're into the super smooth smokey jazz club vibe, tubes.

 

Also if you're running windows, try the Audeze Reveal Plugin (preset EQ, does wonders for Audeze cans)

[Mightygrey]

On 10/07/2021 at 5:15 PM, Audioholic said:

What headphone desktop amp would you recommend to pair with the Audeze LCD3 headphones. I know this question has been asked before, however, the topic I found here was almost five years old.

 

I have just ordered a pair of LCD3; upgrading from LCD1. I have been using a iFi audio ZEN CAN headphone amplifier for the LCD1, however, am advised by Addicted to Audio that I will need something a bit more substantial to drive the LCD3.

 

Open to all suggestions, I am relatively new to the headphones game and therefore wish to draw upon the knowledge and experience of you here at SNA. Particularly interested to read suggestions from owners of LCD3 who may have already put in the hard work of auditioning various amps before finding one they believe paired well with them.

 

In terms of budget, probably looking at comparable to the price of the headphones, so $3000.

 

Thanks

If I had $3K to splash on a brand new amp with someone else's money, I'd probably get a HeadAmp GSX-mini. 

 

If I were looking for something that's both made locally and probably just as good sounding, I'd get the Burson Soloist and save quite a few bucks. 

 

Personally, I can't really see myself needing a new SS amp beyond the Jotunheim 2 for a while. It sounds really, really good and powers anything. You'll have around $2K+ to spend on beer + music, which is a far better upgrade. 

 

 

[Bengineer]

Nonense.

 

Buy the amp then out the beer and music on credit.

 

Check out the Violectric V550 maybe. Powerhouse

[Kaynin]

A2A used to recommend Auralic Taurus with the LCD3’s.  They said the Auralic was built for the LCD3’s.  They certainly paired well for me when I listened to them.

[Audioholic]

Thank you Kaynin. I had posted in the WTB section seeing if there was a SNA member with a Taurus that they wanted to sell. I didn't get any responses and things have moved on since then.

 

After waiting three weeks for LCD3's to arrive from Sydney, I decided to go all in and purchased a pair of LCD4's. I am now waiting for a Pass Labs HPA-1 to arrive from the US, apparently there is no stock in Australia.  

 

The HPA-1 should pair nicely with the LCD4's.

[Kaynin]

2 hours ago, Audioholic said:

Thank you Kaynin. I had posted in the WTB section seeing if there was a SNA member with a Taurus that they wanted to sell. I didn't get any responses and things have moved on since then.

 

After waiting three weeks for LCD3's to arrive from Sydney, I decided to go all in and purchased a pair of LCD4's. I am now waiting for a Pass Labs HPA-1 to arrive from the US, apparently there is no stock in Australia.  

 

The HPA-1 should pair nicely with the LCD4's.

A very nice set-up.