Which AMP/DAC should I get for AUDEZE LCD-X (2021)?

[Zanza-Dia-Phos]

Hi,

I have recently bought an Audeze LCD-X (2021) headphones. I wanted to know what amp/DAC would be best to pair them with.

I have a budget of around USD 1,500 - 2,000.

Can go lower or slightly higher.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Turambar]

What's your source?

 

[Zanza-Dia-Phos]

What's your source?

Sorry I'm new to this but are you asking where I listen to music?

I listen to music on Apple Music and Tidal on my iPhone or MacBook.

 

[staticV3]

Here's how much power the LCD-X needs according to Amir's measurements:


Quite frankly, it's peanuts. You couldn't even reasonably spend $1.5-2k without sliding into snake oil territory.
Something like the E30II+ L30II ($300 total) would already be decidedly overkill for your headphone. No extra dollar would make sense from a sound quality standpoint.

 

[Turambar]

Sorry I'm new to this but are you asking where I listen to music?

I listen to music on Apple Music and Tidal on my iPhone or MacBook.

Exactly.

In the case of Tidal, are you interested in MQA (Master), or not?.

 

[Zanza-Dia-Phos]

Exactly.

In the case of Tidal, are you interested in MQA (Master), or not?.

I am interested but if there is a good product that does not do MQA then that is okay too.

 

[Zanza-Dia-Phos]

Here's how much power the LCD-X needs according to Amir's measurements:
View attachment 237412

Quite frankly, it's peanuts. You couldn't even reasonably spend $1.5-2k without sliding into snake oil territory.
Something like the E30II+ L30II ($300 total) would already be decidedly overkill for your headphone. No extra dollar would make sense from a sound quality standpoint.

Thank you for the measurements of the LCD-X and for letting me know about the E30II + L30II.

I’ll check some reviews as well but how’s the build quality of the E30II + L30II?

I’ve had some USB audio interfaces from popular brands break down on me and they were more expensive than $300 on their own.

 

[charleski]

While @staticV3 is quite right, if you’re using an iPhone as a source it may be worth looking at the RME Adi-2 its built-in EQ. It costs quite a bit more than the Topping combo, but is still well within your budget. It may be worth thinking about getting a Wiim Mini as an airplay receiver (using the toslink out to the dac) so you don’t need to plug the phone into a cable each time.

 

[Turambar]

If you are not interested in MQA, the recommendations so far (Topping 30 II combo, RME Adi-2) are solid.

If you want to go the MQA route, then an SMSL M500 MKIII or similar will be fine.

 

[Zanza-Dia-Phos]

While @staticV3 is quite right, if you’re using an iPhone as a source it may be worth looking at the RME Adi-2 its built-in EQ. It costs quite a bit more than the Topping combo, but is still well within your budget. It may be worth thinking about getting a Wiim Mini as an airplay receiver (using the toslink out to the dac) so you don’t need to plug the phone into a cable each time.

The RME Adi-2's built-in EQ is interesting as I have usually left everything flat because of "it's what the artist intended" mindset but may be fun to experiment with long term.

Dongles and adapters are annoying.

 

[Zanza-Dia-Phos]

If you are not interested in MQA, the recommendations so far (Topping 30 II combo, RME Adi-2) are solid.

If you want to go the MQA route, then an SMSL M500 MKIII or similar will be fine.

The SMSL M500 MKIII looks slick.

 

[metalist]

curious what you ended up going with? I have LCD-X that is now my primary monitor for music production/mixing/mastering. Looking at DAC and headphone amp combo that will pair nicely.

 

[Zanza-Dia-Phos]

curious what you ended up going with? I have LCD-X that is now my primary monitor for music production/mixing/mastering. Looking at DAC and headphone amp combo that will pair nicely.

I am currently waiting for the stores I usually go to to get new stock of amps/DAC’s to A/B before buying one.

The staff at the stores I go to generally discouraged me from purchasing audiophile gear for music production as audiophile gear tends to colour the sound. It’s great for listening and enjoying music but maybe not so great for making decisions.

At the moment I am using my Presonus Quantum 2626 audio interface for any music production. The LCD X is also easy to drive and the volume on the Quantum is around 10 O’ Clock so there’s plenty of room for more volume.