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Jefferson
2
Jan 30, 2015
One more question (you guys have been awesome for answering my questions so far, thanks!). This is really more of an optimization question of where to throw money, on the headphones vs on the headphone amp. You guys seem really knowledgeable.
So if I buy the WA7d + WA7tp, it will be $1,393.18 shipped for me, definitely not cheap. As I said before, I plan on pairing them with my HD 650s.
Do you guys think I would be better off skipping the WA7 and just buy better headphones, like the LCD-3s? I can get a pair for about $1650, so just $250 more than the WA7 setup I was considering. I would probably keep my same amp then (NuForce Icon HD).
I always hear better headphones make the biggest difference, but I wasn't sure.
I could also just get a vanilla WA7 for $873.98 shipped and an LCD-2 (composite) for about $850, so about $1723.98.
So: WA7d + WA7tp with HD 650s ($1400) LCD-3 with NuForce Icon HD ($1650) WA7 + LCD-2 ($1725)
On a side note, I think the WA7s (and tube power supply) look really awesome and would look great only desk. I also kind of feel that I should go high end on either the headphone or the amp, so I never have to upgrade again.
JeffersonAmp is more important. You won't get the performance you paid for in the headphone if it is not driven properly. Audeze recommends 1-4w or power. The cleaner that power, the better the headphone would sound.
https://www.audeze.com/products/headphones/lcd-3
D3Distracted
16
Jan 30, 2015
JeffersonI would take option 3 as creating best bang for the buck. Important to remember is all diminishing returns from where you. You can get better results but you will never recreated the jump you had going from mass produced crap to the HD650s and adding a good external amp. You will likely find the jump very noticeable but not awe inspiring. But option 3 will improve both amp and cans.
I jumped from HD600 and Schiit Modi/Magni to Burson Conductor SL 9018 and LCD-X a few months back. It definitely is better but when you consider the dollars invested relative to the improvement returns are definitely diminishing.
Mallard
19
Jan 30, 2015
JeffersonI would definitely consider what @D3Distracted said about diminishing returns. I own both the LCD2 and LCD3, while there is absolutely a difference, it isn't double the price good (depends on what you consider to be really important and it might be to your ears).
I would also consider that you can get a deal on Audeze cans on the used market or even new from various retailers. Getting a deal like this on the WA7 & WA7tp isn't going to come around very often. Also, do you have a need for the optical input? You can save some cash by just getting the WA7.
Now on the notion that you wont have to upgrade again... that will only last sooo long until the upgrade bug bites again lol. So when you look at the opportunity cost, Woo Audio deals are very seldom (even used typically goes around the current asking price) vs Audeze deals are quite common.
Jefferson
2
Jan 30, 2015
MallardI guess I was wanting the optical to hook up the Xbox One or PS4 to it. That would probably be my only reason to.
Would you consider 15% off a good discount on the LCD3 (new)? There also seems to be a lot of revisions of the LCD3, so I kind of feel like the longer I wait, the better it will be.
Mallard
19
Jan 30, 2015
JeffersonGotcha, that was one of my original concerns/thoughts as well. However, after thinking about it, I would always be using a simulated surround dac (X7, mixamp, etc). With that being the case, I'm going run my PS4 -> Optical -> X7 -> RCA -> WA7. So I really didn't need the optical, you might have a different setup but personally, I couldn't think of a reason that I needed to spend the extra cash on the WA7d.
As for the discount on the LCD3, I haven't looked in a while but I feel like I've seen more than that. I would do some searching around but it seemed like lots of different places had deals going on. They also seem to be available on the used market pretty often.
Vinn
31
Jan 30, 2015
JeffersonI have seen an Used LCD-3 go for as low as $1,300. One of the main reason I'm joining this drop instead of picking up an LCD-2 is Woo Audio stuff doesn't get discounted all that much if ever. I can make do with my HD650 and K7XX till I save up again.
Still debating on the Tube PSU though....
Mallard
19
Jan 30, 2015
VinnYep, exactly. You can find a deal on an LCD3 pretty often. Getting a deal like this on the WA7 is really rare. Even on the used market.
I'd for sure get what you want here and save up (or sell some of that unused audio gear you've hanging around, we all do...) for the headphone upgrade. You'll likely save more cash in the long run.
money4me247
228
Jan 30, 2015
JeffersonI would personally lean towards getting the LCD-3 or LCD-X. Headphones do make the biggest difference on sound quality from my experience.
Vinn
31
Jan 31, 2015
JeffersonI like that 3rd option. I'm still racking my head over the WA7tp or just get the WA7 and use the saving for new cans.
D3Distracted
16
Jan 31, 2015
Vinn$320 more toward new cans will get you a better return in sound than the tp. Unless you love the aesthetics of having two units (they are beautiful) you will get different but not likely better sound. It is easy to read the 'reviews' and get all jazzed. But just look at the reviews for audiophile power cords where they go on and on about '40% taller sound stage' and improved detail and resolution from a power cord. The is much voodoo out there. In fairness, at least with tp you get a museum quality second piece that looks damn cool rather than a fatter power cord. But in terms of return of performance for $ invested you would be better off accelerating your investment into a better set of cans IMHO.
Haulien
428
Jan 31, 2015
JeffersonI'm having trouble finding the LCD-3 for under $1800, where can yo get them for that price?
Vinn
31
Jan 31, 2015
D3DistractedYour right. I think the only thing making me want to get it, beside being damn cool to look at side by side, is that I won't be able to purchase the WA7tp separately without paying an extra premium if I decide to want it later down the road.
jerseyboy
23
Jan 31, 2015
JeffersonYou'll def upgrade again imho.
money4me247without a proper amp, you're just wasting money on those headphones. Audeze recommends 1-4w of power to drive them. The cleaner the power, the better they would sound.
money4me247
228
Jan 31, 2015
HiFiGuy528That is true. Planar magnetics generally need more power. OP asked whether people thought it is wiser to get expensive headphones + amplifier or expensive amplifier + cheap headphones. From my personal experience, I believe it is always better to invest more money into your headphones first as they have a bigger impact on your sound quality and sound signature. There are many amplifiers out there that can provide that level of power. I will refrain from listing competitor products here.
money4me247
228
Jan 31, 2015
HiFiGuy528Also, in terms of the 1-4W recommendation that you have quoted for Audeze, in order to calculate whether an amplifier's power performance meets that recommendation for a specific pair of headphones, you will require the RMS (not that maximum power) ratings at the headphone's impedance. The Audeze LCD-3's impedance is 110 ohms. I am having difficulty finding that information for this specific amplifier. Only have seen maximum power ratings listed on their spec sheet, which is not an accurate judge of real world performance. If talking from a pure numerical standpoint, it is hard to say whether this amplifier will meet the recommended power requirements without the full specifications.
Regardless, I am sure that the WA7 is a capable & good amplifier, and I am sure that they will still sound lovely with any pair of headphones you choose.
Jefferson
2
Feb 2, 2015
HaulienSorry for the late reply. I get a small discount through my company. I'm assuming the LCD-3s would pair pretty well with the WA-7?
utdeep
40
Feb 2, 2015
JeffersonThe LCD-3 / WA-7 Combination is the most amazing pairing I have ever heard.
JeffersonAll Audeze LCDs and other planar magnetic headphones pairs incredibly well with WA7. We use LCD-3 and LCD-X to demo our amps at trade shows and in marketing materials.
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