askl2000

Classy...! Sure looks good for a banana holder, but once the headphones go on them, they look nothing like banana holders!

I'm using TWag on my LCD-2. Initially the run-in period (about 300 hrs), the soundstaging is just so-so. But once after that, I'm totally impressed!

 

Much better response in both high and low frequency, comparing to both versions of the stock cable. As I mainly listen to vocal and classical music, its mid-range response is simply

Glad to see I'm not alone when it comes to replacing the stock cables...!

It's Kimber 4TC. It's definitely heavier than the both stock (new and old) but not a problem for me. Kind of gotten used to it like i have gotten used to LCD2's weight. I can listen to it for hours.

 

Sonically, everything was a notch or two higher in quality. Better high frequency extension resulting in more space and air. This is without sacrificing midrange body which some cables do. Midrange has greater sense of presence. Now vocals sound even more palpable. This is probably related to better imaging.

 

It has this "live" feel yet maintaining control/focus and refinement.

I've owned the 8TC before a while back as speaker cables, so I'm more or less I'm familiar with the sound characteristics.

The LCD2's weight was initially quite heavy, but now it feels very 'normal' on my head as well.

With my DHC Clones vs the stock, I'm getting smooth, articulate, good details, and just enough bass without excessive bloat (also less muddy-sounding)....the music just flows, making it very relaxing to listen. Much better details get through as well (previously more obscured with the stock cables). Vocals are definitely sweeter vs stock, and imaging is also more defined. If you are familiar with the usual characteristics of occ copper wire, then it will be easy to gather the improvements.

Thanks for the feedback/explanation on your fine custom cables!

Nice... can drive power hungry orthos like he6 or not?

Maybe you can try asking for a loaner set by leaving a deposit? Some stores will even loan eqpt for free if you are a trusted enough regular client.

Since you are probably loaning either amp for just a few hours, even a full sum of the cost of the amp as deposit for a few hours might be okay with either dealer.

Try calling up either dealer and see which one can help you out. Alternatively, if someone in the forums have either amps and is willing to help you out, all the better.

I'm not sure where Monster sources their parts/drivers from, but if they are sourced from China, then who knows, maybe the copies could be using the same exact parts...

Apart from someone risking a purchase, it's going to be pretty hard to tell because even if they look similar, no way tell whether they sound the same without trying them on....though I don't think anyone in this forum will be encouraging you not to buy originals, even when it comes down to Monster!

Good luck with your auditions...considering I might want to pick up the T1 in the near future, any feedback on amp matching preferences etc will help, individually subjective or otherwise!

Well at least at Audio Iconic, you can try out the schiit offerings and the nuforce hdp...

Best to audition and settle for what sounds best to you, as opinions and reviews should not be 100% trusted, since everyone's individual preferences are different...what may sound great to one may not to another.

Nice!...looks well made. What kind of cable was used, and does it weight down the whole headphones a lot more?

What kind of improvements are you getting vs the stock cord with your custom one?

I just checked, looks like it is Exsus Asia Pte Ltd for Beyer consumer products, and for ProAudio Beyer stuff including headphones, headsets and mics, it is still Peak Fusion.

Maybe the spare parts can still buy from Peak Fusion. I can find out more when I collect my grace m903 from them.

Info here: http://asia-pacific-india.beyerdynamic.com...Bsubmit%5D=Find

Maybe you can try asking at Jaben, or the local agent Peak-fusion (I think they are still the agent?).

Wonder why yours flake so badly...mine has been quite a few years still no problem, but I'm having problems with the headband though, peeling badly and need replacement..

You ordered online? Is there a local dealer for those cables?

Yeah, online. The dealer for Double Helix Cables, Peter is great to deal with.

Not sure if the Beats are better than Sony's Xtra Bass offerings, but you might want to try out the XB500, xB700 and the monster-sized XB1000. Crazy bass...!

The already warm-sounding LCD2 sounds even warmer with tubed eqpt, so when pairing them with tubed eqpt, either silver i/cs or silver headphone cables will help balance things out.

Using my LCD2 with Double Helix Clone Premium cables, and they sound even better than either of the stock cables. Has anyone else tried different replacement cables?

Reimyo combo too unrealistic lah unless they're use for Stax.

 

Previously did compare them with Accustic Arts transport/DAC some time back. Most of us prefer Accustic Art. I remember the owner of Reimyo was so upset that he traded in the DAC for AA Tube-DAC. I believe he should have upgrade to full AA with the new transport DRIVE II by now. That's my dream source for cdp but for it's price, it seem so far.

Interesting observation...out of curiosity, may I ask what else is in the rest of that ex-reimyo owner's eqpt chain?

Was that owner also using stock cords (Harmonix X-DC2)? The reimyo combo sounds best with the X-DC studiomaster cords and not the X-DC2 basic cord, while the reimyo dac will also perform at its best with upgraded feet. Perhaps if he had taken these steps, he might not need to change his source...I know because I have the reimyo combo myself, but no longer used together now (tpt now paired with another dac). In a properly tuned setup, the combo does very well. For some reason, the reimyo combo also works better with jap preamps or int amps.

Then again, preferences are subjective. For me, I vastly preferred the reimyo combo over AA's offerings (which influenced my purchase back then) but that's just me.

Just curious, which amps have you tried? I've sold my headamp over a year ago and thinking of buying one again. This amp will be versatile in case I ditch my headphone system; can use it for speakers.

None of the more recent offerings, but for desktop models I've tried grace, sugden (the headmaster which I still own), grado, audio technica, musical fidelity to name a few. Tried many over the years, can't remember them all, but so far the leben is the one I like best, intimate and inviting sound, no lack of details, separation and liquid mids (ymmv). It also responds well to tweaks and sensitive enough to get different sound characteristics with different cables as well as tube rolling (very discernible effect headfi-wise with different brands of tubes, esp signal tubes).

Note that the smaller int amp can only churn out 12-15watts, so non-efficient speakers are out. If you are thinking of building a system with harder to drive speakers or floorstanders, you might have better luck with the cs600 with double the juice.

Best to audition first with your headphones to see if you like how it sounds first.

 

But IIRC they only got Lehman or Leben that can plug headphones?? If that's the case, then maybe not enough juice to power the cans to its full glory.

 

http://www.hifi.com.sg/journal/sview.asp?id=234

I'll only believe this when I hear it for myself. So far, my Leben has not failed to deliver power in spades. Think I'll pop in AN to try out the hd800, maybe closely 'recreate' my rig there for a good idea before committing (my headfi amp/dac/most cables bought from them).

hmm....totally different class imo

oh, what headphone(s) are you using??

Beyer dt990 '05, dt880 pre '05, dt770-32ohms, dt770 pro, denon d7000. The leben can also run the akg k1000; didn't get that because I have the leben hooked up to speakers for background music.

i assume the CX300 is as good as CX300X??

No, the cs300x or cs300xs edge out in slightly more power and ultimate refinement and control when compared to the basic cs300. Quite sure it's because of the internal component differences. Can't remember the price difference though.

See here (near bottom of page link): http://www.hifi.com.sg/products/amplifier/leben/cs300x.htm

I have yet to find the time to directly compare the cs300x to the cs600 in terms of head amp output plus quality (based on same type of tubes). If the headamp on the cs-600 is twice or near twice as good, then I'm keen to upgrade, otherwise the 300x is going to be a long-term keeper for me...cute and small, but big with the sound quality.

Nice price too but then again its good with everything so a good invest which can be reused anywhere.

Was considering this one until I got side tracked by some of the people here and got the Tite35S instead

yes, the tweaks are mostly good with everything and can be reused anywhere (eqpt, speakers, power components, etc) so they can be considered a good investment. Plus side is that they hold their value fairly well in the resale market as well (compared to some other tweaks where one can lose half or more of its initial purchase price).

I have three sets of tite-35s employed in my primary hifi system, but this is nowhere close in terms of musical improvement compared to the Harmonix tweaks. Even with the tite-25mfs, where imho they tried to mimick the harmonix way (metal plus wood), the effects are different. But at 7-8 times the price of 1 set vs combo (tite-35s vs syn100/rf999mt), many harmonix tweaks are shunned by most. But one thing's for sure, they work in the most profound and astounding ways.

It is however, possible to overkill a system with too much harmonix tweaks, especially if care is not taken when setting them up, but when properly set up, the results are jaw-dropping. When set up wrongly, everything sounds bloated and slow, and when set up correctly, you'll hear improvements in clarity, minute details in the background become audible, texturing of bass, and tonally-correct weight and body to instruments and vocals, plus a bump to fluidity and 'analog' naturalness and feel to the music. In short, the sound presentation becomes 'musical'.

the leben's headout is probably one of the best sounding headamps i've heard.

 

even the finest dedicated headamps will find it hard to match the rare combination of purity & power of the leben headout. the switchable circuit makes the integrated amp become a dedicated tube headamp.

 

plus it's got a HUGE advantage over most of the others: BASS CONTOUR control, which can allow any headphone to have tailor-made bass.

 

wonderful musicality!

 

Yes, I fully agree. Jaw dropped when I first had a listen to this gem. Beat out many dedicated head amps I've heard and tried, both ss and tubed.

The Bass controls is very helpful too when used with different headphones.

The best thing of all is that it really also sounds just as good as an int amp driving speakers (upper mid to high efficiency models only).

Thought I would contribute to this tweak thread as I didn't see anyone posting tweaks of this brand.

One of my favourite brand of tweak/footers:

Harmonix Syn-100 and RF-999MT Mkii combo.

Using the Leben CS300X Limited as a headphone amp, which is amazing as a head amp based on sound quality and sheer power (directly tapped from the output trans). This footer combo bumped the relatively average-priced Leben to another level, improvements audible even through headphones.

Only disadvantage/con of this brand is the price, but the end result really justifies the price, imho. Also recommend the TU-666ZX which I'm using to support my dac in my headfi rig.

currently found yamaha rxv359 and 459.. after buying this still got to find funds to buy a whole system for my own room.. sigh..

Well, save up and go slow...it is better to upgrade slowly and get better components one or two at a time than to squeeze your every last cent to buy all at one shot and end up not liking something and needing to upgrade.

Good luck on your upcoming purchases!

Hi yoshiki,

you can just settle for a cheap entry level Marantz or Yamaha AV Receiver. Think should be around your budget. Should have no problems driving your pure acoustics.

Give KEC a call at 65643188 or go on down to Adelphi to have a listen. Alternatively, you can source for 2nd hand ones at echoloft or xtremeplace forums.

Best of luck on your purchase.