Mainline - Audeze LCD, anyone?

[znerken]

I am looking for a second pair to have with my Mainline. I currently use HD800s and it sound like heaven, but would be nice to have a second pair to also listen to once in a while. Always liked how LCDs look, but how do they pair with a Mainline?

[MisterM]

I have used an Anaxilus modded HD800 with the Mainline and they are a great sounding match. I blew my stimulus money on a pair of LCD 3's which noticeably outperformed the HD800's with better sealing around the ears, deeper and more solid bass, more detailed mids and highs and they have become my go to cans for Mainline. The LCD's are nicely constructed of metal and wood with very little plastic and are heavier than the all plastic HD800's which may or may not be a problem. They make the HD800's look and feel chintzy which they are definitely not. The HD 800's have since become the main cans of my upgraded Crack and make a wonderful sounding pair. By the way the LCD's low impedance (110 ohm) doesn't sound as good with the Crack.

[Phippers]

Hi - and greetings from Melbourne Australia,

I'm new to Bottlehead and to the forum - I'm looking to get a headphone amp to put in between my Cambridge Audio CXN V2 streamer / DAC  and Audeze LCD3 cans.

I'm considering the Mainline and would be grateful for any feedback / review from any of you who have used it with either the Cambridge or the LCD3.

Is the Mainline / LCD3 pairing a good one?  I see that Frank is a fan!  Any other feedback / experiences / comments from anyone?

I know the LCD3 are pretty power hungry - does the Mainline have sufficient grunt to drive them?

Thanks,

Paul.

[Larpy]

I used Audeze LCD2s with a Mainline for a year or so. It's a good combination: enough power to drive the Audezes plus a less "tubey" sound signature (than the Crack or Crackatwoa), which I think complements the Audeze's sonics.  My LCD2s (pre-fazor) already sound kinda tubey on their own.

[Phippers]

Hi everyone,

Well I went ahead and ordered a Mainline, finished the build today and I'm pleased to report that it plays very nicely with the LCD3. Plenty of ooph (sorry to get all technical on ya) 

It also looks terrific in Midnight Blue Cast powder coat,    courtesy of PB. Thanks Paul.

[Paul Birkeland]

Let's see some pics!

[Phippers]

My pleasure!

[Thermioniclife]

Looks sweet, love the switched pem and the led. Great idea. Enjoy.

[Doc B.]

Lovely!

[Karl5150]

Very nice. BH power cord too?
Karl

[Phippers]

Thanks Lee, Doc & Karl for the kind words.

No, not a BH power cord, I'm in Australia where we have grown-up electricity (240v) and oddly shaped plugs. No, it's just a bog standard IEC cord.

[Thermioniclife]

Sorry but I had to copycat!

[Paul Birkeland]

Hopefully there's still a fuse in there somewhere.

[Thermioniclife]

Fuses, I don't use no stinking fuses!
Just kidding. fuse holder and anti phase diodes.

[Phippers]

Hey Lee,

"Sorry" ?   mate - they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - I'll take it 

Hi Paul,

Yep still have a fuse. I used an inline one.

And the Green/Yellow is just sleeving over the supplied black wire - old habits die hard!  Similarly the IEC boot - comes from having grown up with 240V !