Loaner: RD-X (rhythmdevils modded Audeze LCD-X)

Discussion in 'Loaner Programs' started by rhythmdevils, Nov 16, 2021.

  1. ckhirnigs

    ckhirnigs Friend

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    if possible, I’d really like to get on the tour for the LCD-X and LauX. I’m very interested in your modded headphones and the amp.

    P.S. I’m in Birmingham, AL.
     
  2. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Awesome!
     
  3. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Want to let RD and tour participants know I'm still interested to check them out. Yeah, shamelessly going back on my declination (prol posted a few pages back).
     
  4. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    no problem! I never actually removed you I just added a note by your name which I’ll remove :)
     
  5. deafenears

    deafenears Almost "Made"

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    It's like Hotel California, you can check-out anytime, but you can never leave.
     
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  6. Souldriver

    Souldriver Almost "Made"

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    A few things have changed and work is going to keep me busy for a while.

    If possible please remove me from the loaner list for the X only. Sorry if this caused extra work.
     
  7. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Sad to take you off the list that’s all. If anything changes feel free to opt back in. No problem.
     
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  8. Souldriver

    Souldriver Almost "Made"

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    If the list dwindles down at the same time work calms ill let you know.

    Ive had a decware taboo in for a week and havnt gotten it out of the box. Just too fried at the end of work days.

    I am extremely appreciative of these loaners either way. And i am excited to see more reviews as they kick around.
     
  9. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I've got two pairs now, so one will go to the headphone only list and the other to the LCD-X plus LauX list. I'm just working on the feasibility of a possible upgrade to them but it doesn't look like it will work with the LCD-X, only the 4 and 4z.

    thanks so much for the interest in my headphones!
     
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  10. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    Realized I should have updated earlier as RD cannot post at the moment:

    - LCD-X was returned to RD 2 or 3 weeks ago for additional modding and touch-ups at his request.
    - I have one of the LAuX still in my possession - this will be sent out to the next LCD-X recipient once the loaner tour starts back up again.
     
  11. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I've got 2 pairs of these ready and will send them out to continue this loaner tour. I'm sorry about the delay.

    I have decided to rename all my modded headphones with the letters "RD" ahead of the model number to make it easier to refer to them so you don't have to write out "rhythmdevils modded". So my modded LCD-X will now be simply called the "RD-X"

    I'll first send one to TX where my Liquid Gold X has been held kindly by @Joshvar then that one will continue the RD-X + Liquid Gold X loaner

    My other pair is currently touring with some locals from Discord, and then will go on to the RD-X only list.

    Thanks everyone for signing up to listen to my creation!
     
  12. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    I’m going to pass on the tour. Thanks.
     
  13. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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  14. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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  15. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Both RDX loaner pair and LGX loaner amp were received from @Azimuth
    I also confirmed they functioned well.

    Will give them serious listens this weekend.
     
  16. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I extended the loaner window to

    1 week to 10 days ish per person

    it was always like that but I made it official. Note the ish. I’m not worried about it, take the time you need/want, just enjoy.
     
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    Last edited: Jan 21, 2023
  17. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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  18. Ksorota

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    Package received in great looking shape.
     
  19. chesebert

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    Please put me down for RD-X only. I’m in Chicago, IL.

    Thanks a bunch and looking forward.
     
  20. Ksorota

    Ksorota Friend

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    Thank you to @rhythmdevils for putting this mod (and set of mods) out there. I am glad to be able to hear the RD-X and share my thoughts.

    Ill start with a note about the Liquid Gold X. While a fine amp, I did not spend much time with it with the RD-X. The amp itself is a great match, but the faults of the amp outweigh the synergy in my mind so I continued using my Black Widow instead for the majority of listening. The Black Widow seem to present some of the same magic that the LAux has.

    My DAC is the ECP Walnut x.3, amp of choice was the Black Widow and source for most of the listneing was Qobuz. The other headphones I have around for comparison are the Ether Flow 1.1 and JAR580. I did not do much back and forth with the 580, but did quite a bit with the Ether.

    One other note is that I have not heard a stock LCD-X, and the last Audeze I owned was the LCD-2Classic multiple years ago.

    The RD-X is a lust worthy headphone and has many positive attributes, and not really anything negative worth calling out.

    I am impressed by the technicalities and tightness most, but also find myself getting lost in the layering capabilities. The entire FR is tight and focused to the point where you can follow specific instruments with relative ease, but not to the detriment of enjoyment; I believe this is how I keep getting lost in the layering (staging depth).


    General Thoughts:
    Great staging, its deep and wide and haunting at times
    Tight and clean bass
    Vocals are nicely pulled forward
    Best to use high quality recordings with these but not going to kill you with bad ones.
    Weight, its high, but not going to ruin you
    Precision – Notes have fast starts and stops and clear delineation
    Cymbals and snare hits are crisp
    Loses out on some of the sub bass rumble but its CLEAN and delineated
    Quite Comfortable
    Love the left to right panning of tracks
    Spacious sounding, outside of head
    Presents all those lovely spatial cues fluidly and naturally


    Compared to Ether Flow 1.1

    RD-X more resolving and forward
    RD-X more precise
    RD-X is more impactful and seems more dynamic driver based in comparison
    RD-X more expansive/wider stage
    RD-X Faster
    RD-X much easier to drive
    Ether more sub-bass
    Ether bass is more diffuse
    Ether smoother overall
    Ether Lighter, more comfortable

    As another check of its abilities, I brought home my Nitsch Piety to drive the RD-X and I find it a great pairing. Its simply enjoyable. Spatial cues pop out from the background…it retains all of the same goodness of the BW. The only complaint would be the efficiency of the RD-X means that the volume knob only moves a small amount for full range of volume that I can handle. In high gain, Piety 0 is at 7 o’clock and by 8 o’clock its way too loud for comfortable listening, and on low gain I can only get to around 9.

    Other note: I really like the Forza cable. It sounds great, looks good and has good ergonomics

    For at least a year now I have had Planar headphones as low on my list of headphones I wanted to listen to. I picked up the Ethers recently to give them another shot and now I am thinking about a RD-X as something that would take over a lot of listening at least in the home environment.

    A completely random last thought My 8 year old likes the RD-X more than the Ethers. I asked him for his reasons, and he said “not sure…I just like them more”
     

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