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NMPacella
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Questions/Comments:
SE pass-thru - Will the LCX feed the headphone out and SE pass-through simultaneously? Or is the SE pass-thru shut off when headphones are plugged in?
SE pass-thru - Will the LCX pass-thru signal from the balanced input? Or only signal from the SE input? I am currently feeding the LCX balanced input from the NAD and trying to feed a CTH hooked up to the SE pass-thru. The CTH does not appear to be getting any signal (ie., is silent) in this configuration. Headphones are not plugged into LCX when testing this config.
SE pass-thru - Will the LCX pass-thru signal when it is turned off? Or does the LCX have to be powered on to pass-thru a signal?
Break-in - I realize the manual states break-in is not necessary, but then recommends 100 hrs of CONTINUOUS break-in. On a solid state amp? Really?
LED - I appreciate the LED's not lighting up a dark room, but perhaps the LCX swings the pendulum too far in other direction. I didn't even know the LCX had an LED until I noticed a comment about it here (and re-read the manual). I have to put the LED at eye-level to even see a hint of the LED thru the pin-prick hole in the chassis (I assume it is an alignment issue on my particular unit because my CTH has somewhat better visibility).
Manual - Really needs a section describing the SE pass-thru
Manual - warns against placement with "low vertical clearance". CTH states not to stack on something generating "signficant heat". Since the various product pictures show the CTH stacked on the LCX, I assume this is not a problem for either unit? Please consider providing real guidance (ie., min clearance requirements and max temp in a stack), rather than subjective information. My idea of "low" and "significant" might be completely different than yours.
Chassis - While I love the look of the matte black, it really marks up much more than I ever expected (ie., scuffs from stacking, finger prints, etc). I never thought I'd say it, but I think I'd rather have piano black that is easily cleaned.
------------Edit-----------
Manual - Consider adding a statement about using both XLR and SE jacks at the same time. I realize the question was asked a long time ago and the answer is buried somewhere below, but guidance should be in the manual (the CTH manual needs this info as well).
I’m currently looking into buying either the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic Plus or the NAD D 1050. These are the only two DAC’s with XLR outputs that I’m now considering for purchase.
Also, could you confirm the balanced output level for the NAD D 1050? I could find the specs for the DAC Magic Plus (4.2V rms - 2.1V per phase), but seems like I cannot find this info for the NAD... unless I’m just not searching properly on the web!
Thanks a lot for any additional impressions you would like to share about the NAD D 1050.
Chain as follows: WASPI FLAC -> Schiit EITR -> Schiit Mimby -> MD Liquid Carbon X -> MD Cavalli Tube Hybrid. Cables are all BlueJeans Cable Coax/RCA and Straightwire USB. Headphone is ZMF Eikon with Ursine Audio custom cable (XLR). I did my best to level match the two amps using pink noise (admittedly, by ear).
Comment on SE pass-through on the LCx. It appears that it will only pass through the SE signal. I tried passing a balanced signal from my NAD D1050 thru the SE to the CTH and was met with silence. The SE pass-thru is very distorted unless you turn the LCx on, so always turn the LCx on if you're using the pass-thru.
Classical playlist (Artist – Album – Piece – Primary Instrument): Andres Segovia – Art of Segovia – Recuerdos de la Alhambra – Classical Guitar John Williams – Virtuoso Music for Guitar – Paganini, Grand Sonata for Guitar & Violin in A Major – Classical Guitar Anner Bylsma – Suites for Violoncello – Bach Suite #1 in G Minor – Cello Anne Akiko Myers – Air, the Bach Album – Bach Violin Concerto #2 in E Major – Violin Nobuko Imai – Berlioz Harold en Italie, Symphony for Viola & Orchestra – Viola Heinz Hollinger – Mozart Oboe Concerto in C Major – Oboe Viktoria Postnikova – Tchaikovsky The Complete Piano Works – Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Hapsal for Piano - Piano Daniel Chorzempa – Liszt Prelude & Fugue on the name Bach – Pipe Organ I Musici – Vivaldi The Four Seasons Alban Berg Quartet – Beethoven The Complete String Quartets – String Quartet #1 in F Major Gewandhausorchester/Kurt Masur – Brahms Symphony #2 in D Major Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Josef Krips – Mozart Symphony #39 in E Flat Major Jose Carreras – Verdi I Lombardi, La Mia Letizianfondere Andrea Bochelli – Sacred Arias - Ave Maria Jessye Norman – Ravel Shererazade
My comparisons of the two amps is to find my preferred pairing to live at my office with the ZMF Eikons (listen 4-6 hrs/day). The loser will either go to my daughter or get sold. I will be the first to admit that I don’t do a great job describing what I hear (but I’m trying to get better at it). Also, I am biased towards tube amps vs solid state (my main headamp at home is a tricked out Bottlehead Crack… which is still a long way from TOTL).
LCx (using balanced out) I used the High Gain setting. I started on Low Gain and found the low end slow and lacking. Switching to High Gain cleared up the problem (Eikons are 300ohm).
Tonally I hear the pairing as a slightly laid back/dull. Personally, I find the Eikons very hard on SS amps and they typically become a little bright for my taste. No problem in that regard on the LCx. I do find the pairing lacking in the lower midrange – this was particularly evident in the classical guitar pieces (Segovia and Williams). They just didn’t sound quite right. Bass on the organ piece isn’t that impressive, maybe a little muddy. High end is fine, but then nothing in my classical playlist is really challenging the high end (maybe the oboe piece, which can get a little strident on some amps).
The biggest fault I have with the pairing is sound-stage. With the LCx I am definitely listening to a recording, there is no sense of space… the sound-stage is flat and in my head.
CTH (using XLR out) Tonally seems spot on, very full sound compared to the LCx pairing. Mid-range is much improved and much better width/depth in sound-stage. To use the much used cliché, with some pieces I feel like I am in the room, rather than listening to a recording. Reverb/decay gives a very natural sound vs what I hear on the LCx.
The CTH is the keeper for the office (until I can afford a TOTL amp for home and move the Crack to the office).
FWIW, my rock and jazz playlists come up with the same result, although with rock the LCx was much closer as the mid-range deficiencies weren’t as obvious. The CTH sound-stage is still superior to LCx, and I found the cymbals ever so slightly recessed on the LCx. I can post the rock/jazz playlist if there is any interest… I only listed the classical since that was what you were interested in.
Finally, the above comments are purely my personal opinion comparing the two amps paired with a specific chain feeding a specific set of headphones. YMMV.
----------Edit---------
I just wanted to add that I don't hear nearly the difference between the two amps when using a stock HD6xx. Does the CTH sound better? Yes, but the difference isn't as stark as when driving the Eikons. I will also note that while the Eikons and HD6xx are both 300ohm cans, the Eikons are more efficient.
The Eikons typically don't get past 8-9oclock (LCx at 9) and the HD6xx are at 10-11 oclock for the same listening level (LCx at 11).