Hi there, I'm new to Decware and new to tube amps. Am thinking about upgrading headphone amp which is used mainly for Audeze LCD-2. (I will work on speakers later, so having full amp makes sense.) I'm mainly interested in which would be better amp for Audeze - the Mini Torii or Taboo. Web pages for each claim to be excellent amp for LCD-2, but which is better? One thing I am particuclarly interested in is bringing out the base that is inherently available with the LCD-2's.

Also, I guess if it is a draw for sound quality relative to the LCD-2's the next question would be which is the better amp for sound quality through speakers.

The web site for the Taboo implies that it is better for Planer Magnetic phones (aka the Audeze) than the CSPD:

Quote:


Plus, I will need a speaker amp in the near future too...

As between the Mini and the Taboo, for me, it is a hands down no-brainer, even though I have never heard the Mini (though I know the Torii sound well). The differentiator is Lucid Mode, only available on the Taboo.

I can also attest the Taboo can drive my LCD-2s just fine on its own, but with something in front of it—e.g., a ZSTAGE or an Ultra, both of which I have—the Taboo steps up several levels, especially in dynamics (read Steve's article on "Riding the Gain").

Note also that LM is defeatable, making the Taboo also perfectly suitable for driving efficient speakers. In fact, remember that the headphone jack is an extra-cost option, so the Taboo should not necessarily be thought of as a headphone amp first. It is an amp, with a gain control, and with a headphone jack option.

Don, Burson stuff is pretty good, though I am not as enthusiastic about it as others. Always seemed a bit thin to me. Anyway, Lucid Mode is a very effective form of cross-feed. I think Steve has a discussion about it on the amp page. There are several good cross-feed headphone amps out there (Meier, I think?), but none that sound like this. Lucid Mode seems to completely separate the soundstage from the headphones in all three dimensions. Only other headphone amp I have heard that approaches it without cross-feed is the Cavalli LF. My previous Apache couldn't touch it. The Zana Deux has a nice soundstage as well, but again, not as effective to my ears. I have heard good things about the Leben, but have not heard any of them. The LF has a bit more speed in the lower registers, but it is not a speaker smp, and it does cost 3 times as much.

Speaking only from my experience with other cross-feed software, you aren't hearing Lucid Mode with those simulations. I have several plug-ins with a variety of cross-feed implementations, and they border on the intolerable. Part of the problem may be that I generally find digital procesing unappealing, but trust me, you need to hear the real thing.

I think CSP2 would be the best option..

Great news about he Leben JA.

Before I comment  on the CSP2 reference, I should make it clear that I have never heard the CSP2. However, I have used my LCD-2s with both my Taboo, the Taboo with the ZSTAGE, Taboo with Ultra, the Cavalli Liquid Fire, and the RSA Apache. Just considering the specs of the CSP2, I cannot imagine how it could drive the LCD-2s satisfactorily. It certainly isn't billed that way by Decware. And considering that, while the Taboo is quite good with the planar cans, it is significantly better with the ZSTAGE, and even better with the Ultra, I think it wolud be a mistake to expect the CSP2 to fill the bill. Obviously, the CSP2 plus Taboo would be a great combo.

Right now, I am loving the LCD-2s with the Ultra/Taboo combo. They are also quite impressive on the LF. In fact, I have to confess I have never heard better mid-to-low speed, control and dynamics than the LF. And its soundstage is extremely close to Lucid Mode. I have had many great discussions with the designer, and Alex confirms there is no cross-feed in the circuitry, so it is easily the best non-cross-feed headphone soundstage I have heard. But it is not Lucid Mode. So, when all I want to do is listen, the overall presentation of the Taboo is my hands down choice.

Hi Don,

Taboo - should ideally have the CSP2 as a preamp driving it.  The two together combine to be the ultimate headphone amp platform with the CSP2 driving  32 ~ 600 ohm headphones and the Taboo driving 10~250 ohms phones.  Basically ALL headphones including planar are covered with this combination as as you can see there is a substantial overlap where a given set of phones can be plugged into either piece.

The Mini Torii - has tons of gain, no preamp is recommended, will drive phones between 10 and 250 ohms, has tube voltage regulation/filtering which fixes dirty power - similar effect to using the Taboo with a PS Audio Power Generator.  The Mini also has nearly infinite tube rolling combinations allowing you to create the signature you're looking for on any given set of phones.

Steve

hi guys
This question might have been asked and aswered in other threads but couldt find any clear answers. The mini torii (2014 build) should do pretty good with LCD-2s right? of course there might be better option available (thinking new taboo) but even if on my wishlist im not in a postion to buy one at the moment. so i guess I am hoping for more than just good, but im not expecting the combo to be the ultimate
Q: 2  
Should speakers be connected aswell, as in all the time? Asking because i have heard those cans can leak a little sound, and I might want to pick the amp up and go to another room  sometimes, but my speakers isnt exactly just a pick up and move object. will the amp be damaged if not hooked up to a set of speakers?

Q.3; in your experience is a upgraded cable (for the cans) close to necessary? if so, any recommondations?
Have a nice day all of you

Hi Dom and thanks a lot for your answers.
Yes I'm using digital source and will check out JRiverJRiver and VST. I'm currently on the lookout for a pair of used LCD2 cans, will get a pair this or the next week. They are pretty expensive  here in Europe so I need to be sure they will be a good fit with the MT
Any alternative to match quality of sound?

Hi all
Got me a pair of LCD 2 today and first of all; wow!!!  Not to the cans but to my wife who bought them to me! Then wow again for the sound even just out of the box. Just wow. Then third; the MT with omega speakers  is really good. Even though a totally experience with speakers vs cans, I just know and feel how much I enjoy my music when reproduced with gear like this!

But of a question, and I feel kind of stupid right now.. I thought that when connecting headphones there would not be any sound from the speakers.. so if this is correct, I feel stupid for not knowing this, or if there is something I need to do I feel stupid for not knowing this.... In case speakers and cans works at the same time what can I do, do you guys just disconnect speaker wires if you just want to listen to headphones? Just to be certain, that would be completely safe?

It is normal for the speakers to play at the same time as the headphones. That is a design feature! Just unhook the speakers. That is what Steve told me to do.