LFF Code-X love/impressions

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by gbeast, Sep 3, 2016.

  1. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    My LFF modded HE-6 sounds great out of the Black Widow. It holds up surprisingly well to my main rig with AF and Vidar.
     
  2. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    I think it boils down to personal preference. I always preferred the Code-X out of the Mjolnir2 than the Black Widow. The BW just felt too warm, organic and bloomy sounding for me in the long run and I ended up selling it. I think for people that want that sound it's a great option. For me it took a good thing and gave me too much of it. I ended up opting for the Mjolnir2 given its relatively modest price and pretty impactful sound. I popped in some WE396a tubes with adapters and never thought about it again. It can sound a bit bright with some material (also your dac probably matters here) but it didn't happen often enough to bother me much. The Code-X isn't a tonally fucked headphone so you don't need to "fix" any tonal aberrations by going too far away from neutral unless your personal goals push you in that direction. What I mean is you don't need to "make it warmer / make it less bright" like you would a hd800.

    People considering a BW and willing to pay its price should also consider the Ragnarok. On clean power, it is a very good amp. For the Code-X I think it's a great choice since it is more neutral than the Mjolnir2 and surprisingly has less of the bright hot spots that the Mjolnir2 sometimes reveals.
     
  3. Jozurr

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    People considering the Ragnarok/BW should consider the Taurus MKII too - I preferred it over the Ragnarok as it has a cleaner, full bodied sound which was never harsh (The Rag seemed to gloss over details for me) and can be had for at least $400 cheaper. Has tons of clean power to drive most headphones and pairs well with the Code-x. It's one of the best SS amps I've heard.
     
  4. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    BW2 is great for Senns and the paradox. I prefer the code-x with other amps.

    Used Vidars are going cheap already. Great amp for the thing.
     
  5. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    In my experience, headphones like Code-X/HE-6 requires a powerful SS amp to get the most out them. Tube amps simply don't have enough power, not even the most powerful transformer-coupled tube amps like EC Studio or DNA Stratus/Stellaris.

    In your experience, how well does Saga or Freya + Vidar(s) combo fare against, say, Mjolnir 2 or Ragnarok as an amp to drive Code-X or HE-6?
     
  6. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    Is the code-sex one of the two new headphones @LFF was talking about a couple months ago?
     
  7. GanGreinke

    GanGreinke Friend

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    No. The Code Sex is an HE-6 that has been modded by @LFF.

    So now we have the Code-X (HE-5), Code-Sex (HE-6). Does anyone have a better name for the modded HE-5 LE? It just doesn't seem like Code-X LE cuts it.
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2017
  8. MarcusV123

    MarcusV123 Friend

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    Code-LEX?
     
  9. Jozurr

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    [​IMG]

    Here's my flower. I've been doing unit comparisons between my three Code-x (Two brown, one black - Left of picture) and three HE-6 (Two 4-screw and One 6-screw, right of picture).

    Just wanted to post my impressions that between my Black Code-X and the Brown Code-x: there are some small differences due to there being bigger magnets in the black Code-X - the Black ones are slightly brighter/airier sounding with a tad better resolution. The Brown Code-X both sound similar and are slightly warmer. I can see how some would prefer the former or latter. The differences are minimal. I can only compliment Luis for coming up with these terrific phones!

    Also wanted to mention that pad rolling has an impact on the sound signature - I like the standard pads the most (the ones the Code-X come with), then the alpha pads (seem to restrict sound stage a little, but I like the mids on these more), and then the Dekoni (the mids are slightly sucked out but otherwise these are good).

    I've also been comparing the HE-6 pairs too - It's surprising how I've never noticed any unit variations in any Hifimans - Both 4 Screws sound the same - and I compared my six screws to other six screws and they too have always sounded similar.

    I'd be very interested to get a measurement rig (maybe the minidsp one) and measure all the cans. Maybe @cskippy you can lend me yours once you get it and see if it's reliable/accurate?

    Very honestly, I could live with a pair of Code-X if I had to choose one single pair of headphones, and that says a lot about Luis' work. I've been listening to so much more music lately; I have been staying up late/looking forward to come home from work to listen to more music.

    With regards to amping the Code-X, they're not hard to amp, which is a very good thing. They do scale up. Any decent transparent amp should work great - their signature/tuning is spot on and does not need tweaking with warm amps etc. They sound great out of the Liquid Glass/WA5-LE MKII and the The Taurus MKII works very well too (is also a great SS preamp into a power amp for HE-6 and I sold the freya after I got this). I would think a cleaner solid state like magni3 would be better sounding amp for the Code-x than a warm sounding amp.
     
  10. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    I don't care that you have 3 he6s and 3 codexs until you put 2 of each in the FS thread. Post that and holla back fam!:D
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2017
  11. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    @Jozurr is your black Code-X a 5LE or 6 derivative?
     
  12. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    An HE-5 derivative. The HE-5 was the only wooden headphone in the early Hifiman lineup.
     
  13. Jozurr

    Jozurr Facebook Friend

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    All of them are based on the HE-5.
     
  14. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    That is THE best problem to have :) . I agree that LFF does a phenomenal job and each piece is crafted with a little bit of him in it. I am still in awe of his Paradox .. dB
     
  15. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    So I received my code x, and I need to share my experience that I had with LFF.

    Firstly, I want to say that I was really reluctant to speak out about this, I am usually a very tolerant and patient person. However, in this situation, I was pushed too far and I don’t want anyone else to have the experience I had. Hopefully LFF can learn from this negative feedback as I think he needs to realise that service is everything. No matter the industry.

    I bought a Mint HE5 (original wood cup) from HMF in August and had him ship it directly to Luis. I never saw the unit or tested it stock. It was delivered to Luis on Sept 11, 2017. We discussed and he suggested a hebo treatment and asked me to pay an extra 3% for something extra in the box if I wanted – I never questioned this and made it clear that I wanted the extra goody and paid him in full what he was asking.

    He announced on Oct 16th 2017 they were finished and would be shipped in the next week.

    I understand Luis went through some stuff at this point and this may have delayed his shipping.

    November 18th he updates me: They will be shipped soon.

    6 weeks have passed since he announced it was finished.

    Jan 9 he announces still ready to go out on questioning.

    On Jan 13 I snapped. This is not in my character, however at this point I’m sick of being fucked around for nearly 3 months. I basically demand he ship them immediately or I will request refund and complain publicly.

    Jan 18 2018 he ships.

    Jan 29 they land.

    Packaged with almost no thought just a box with air packs on the bottom.
    [​IMG]

    Opening the headphone case and the case is dusty as hell, the headphones are covered in dust and smell kinda bad. Maybe it was the case or the stain/marker but HMF reported no odour on sending.
    [​IMG]


    I would of happily paid for a new case, if I was informed of any of this. I was also told the headphones were thoroughly cleaned during the modification process however they were dust ridden.

    Hebo stain on the wood looks OK, the yolks are also coloured and this looks very tacky, also on the metal inner ring is also stained purple, looks basically like marker pen. Job is not professional at all, looks extremely amateur. Paint is rubbing off when I handle them.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    Nothing else in the box, I paid extra, I assumed I would be supplied with a cable or something. I didn’t even know it didn’t come with a cable, so I have no cable on arrival.. After a 3 month wait..

    Communication was piss poor. I had to remind him to do the wood stain, I was never told that there was no cable on arrival, I had to harass him every 2 weeks for 3 months to get him to ship the cans. When they arrived I was extremely disappointed with his workmanship and attention to detail.

    I don’t really care about the money tied up in these, it was just upsetting to get such terrible service from a member who is so widely respected here. I would encourage those who want a code x or Code 6x, to buy off other owners rather than go through what I had to with Luis.

    Please note.. I’m happy to wait a long time for gear. 3 months is nothing, I waited nearly a year for my studio from ordering date to delivery. But when the item is finished and JUST waiting to be shipped and the customer KNOWS this. It is unacceptable for any business to delay dropping a box off at the Post for this long..

    Shit service, amateur finish and little to no effort to make amends.

    Finally: Luis is yet to bill me for shipping and has not responded about my inquiry RE the missing extra (29.1.18).

    Edit: Screen grabs removed as per mods request.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2018
  16. ald0s

    ald0s Facebook Friend

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    I applaud you for laying this out in a sensible, calm manner without any gaps. It's always difficult to rain on someone respected in any community but youre doing prospective buyers (and Luis himself) a service in the long run.

    Better you than a vitriolic, all caps screaming lunatic which seems to be the trend these days.
     
  17. LFF

    LFF Friend

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    Yeah, I agree.

    I appreciate the feedback and will improve as best as I can.

    The finish is the exact same finish I use on the Enigma's which most people here have seen and handled. I do not know why it's coming off. Moisture, humidity, etc...maybe? I've never had them rub off that bad before.

    The case was NOT dusty when I sent them out.

    I really do strive to make the best sounding and most comfy headphones for all of you. Yeah, it takes me a long time and I try to keep customers in the loop as best as possible but I am a one man shop and I think, most, if not all people here know that.

    I'm truly sorry you're not happy. If I can do anything in the future to make you happy, please PM and let me know what I can do.
     
  18. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    Sounds like the package had a rough journey to Australia. I ordered a power amp once from New York. Had a tracking number. It went through Minneapolis at one point during a really bad snow storm. It must have been left in a snow bank or something. When the box got to California is was dry, but when I unpacked the amp it looked like it had mud smeared on the glass front and when I tipped it sideways a quart of water ran out the side vents onto the floor. What a mess.
     
  19. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    Screen grabs removed as per mods request.
     
  20. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    The wooden cup looks nice but I also do not understand why york was painted like it. It would look better without painting the york since top part that move up & down is still in silver...

    Maybe applying alcohol to wipe the paint on york off?
     

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