Just connected my LCD-2 and they sound terrible - ?

[BusinessEvolution]

Explains why I haven't seen external linear transformers for a while.

[dingostolemyipod]

The power supply you got. Is it fairly small, compact and light or big, chunky and heavy?

I'd say it's the first as linear power supplies are banned in Australia, yet not plupack transformers (go figure). So light and small is switchmode.

Given its probably a cheap and nasty piece of crap, that could definitely explain some if not all of your symptoms. Without being familiar with the original power supply, I'd say it is either supposed to have a linear PS, perhaps even regulated or a good quality switchmode, although I doubt it as they're frowned upon for audio use.

If Im right it will be that essentially the circuitry is not designed to handle the noisy/dirty power from a switchmode PS and that is the result.

The dacmagic uses an AC wallwart, not DC. The newer dm+ has a dc input.

[dion]

Well if that's the case it would rule out the power supply...

[Drubbing]

My DM wallwart has fallen apart. Marcus, am I outside warranty?

[grevillea]

So many variables here - the first thing I would have done would be rule out the headphones as the cause of the problem before titling my thread 'LCD-2 sound terrible'. I would then have eliminated the amp as suggested earlier before spending time on the most complicated part of the equation - the DAC and its interaction with your computer. All I know is that 64-bit Win7 has given me problems that simply dont exist with Linux. I can run voyage-mpd from a USB stick and my MSII is recognised and lets me play music without issue. Something fundamentally screwed in 64-bit Win7, IMO.

[Benno1988]

So many variables here - the first thing I would have done would be rule out the headphones as the cause of the problem before titling my thread 'LCD-2 sound terrible'. I would then have eliminated the amp as suggested earlier before spending time on the most complicated part of the equation - the DAC and its interaction with your computer. All I know is that 64-bit Win7 has given me problems that simply dont exist with Linux. I can run voyage-mpd from a USB stick and my MSII is recognised and lets me play music without issue. Something fundamentally screwed in 64-bit Win7, IMO.

Took me 30 minutes to get my first ever usb DAC running flawlessly, and sounding awesome, in Foobar with WASAPI. In that time I set it up in Media Monkey too to compare. Sounds the same btw.

Little elbow grease Grev and Windows works for you

Disclaimer: Nothing ever just works in Windows, nor will it do so in the future.

[beachgardener]

i remember listening to some LCD's via an Eddie Current Balancing Act, they sounded great

[galactic soap]

So many variables here - the first thing I would have done would be rule out the headphones as the cause of the problem before titling my thread 'LCD-2 sound terrible'.

I did that mate, and qualified my statement in my original post. However I do see your point.

Hi Everyone,

Problem solved. Turns out it was the power supply. The unit I purchased was shipped from the US, and given the wall wasn't compatible with the AUS spec version the seller advised me to pick-up an aftermarket one from Jaycar.

I duly obliged, however it turns out that the Jaycar one had the right voltage specs, however provided the power in a way slightly different way to the stock cambridge audio version.

I popped down to my local hi-fi store: LifeStyle Store in North Parramatta Sydney and the boys were brilliant. Despite the knowledge that I had purchased the item second hand they searched high and low for a replaceable power-supply.

We had no luck with the DacMagic+ as it's a 2 Amp unit vs the DacMagic's 1.5 Amps. They then found an old display unit tucked away in the corner of the store, moved all the display stock, climbed behind the speakers to get it and then tested my DacMagic with the new power-supply. This was after testing it with my Jaycar power supply earlier.

We quickly solved the problem, they then gave me the new powersupply to take home advising me that they'd call me today with the price so I could pay via credit card over the phone while enjoying my new equipment last night. This is the second time these guys have come to the rescue after a similar issue with my HT Klipsh Sub.

I purchased a fair bit of car audio of these guys many years ago and they still treat me like a valued customer every time I go to their store. When the day roles around that I can purchase high end gear brand new I won't forget their support and service.

Lastly thanks everyone for your help - two pages of responses is pretty impressive given Head-Fi could only muster two replies in total.

I'm running the M:Stage @ 0db Independence for the LCD-2's and to my ears that sounds the best. Is that a recommended setting i.e. will it damage the cans?

I'm considering picking up a USB>SPDIF converter to boost the DAC Magic to true 24/192. Would this have much of an impact?

Cheers again,
Asiri

[grev]

^ Don't think it will have much of an impact.

And just how many people here have LCD-2s?

I have the same desktop setup along with too many portable amps... :s

[BusinessEvolution]

I'm considering picking up a USB>SPDIF converter to boost the DAC Magic to true 24/192. Would this have much of an impact?

It starts becoming a somewhat expensive exercise to get a usb>spdif converter that isn't degrading the signal, as you are adding more to the chain ($100-$500). The boost from 24/96 to 24/192 is hard to notice unless you are using lots of filters.

*bit unrelated below*

O.O holy batman, on a slightly related note, I was looking at some of the M2tech products, they have an external dedicated clock for digital audio connections ($500). Thats either for professional recording only or for the seriously paranoid, for epic jitter protection o.O. They take the standalone is better than integrated approach a bit too far maybe, having a full set requiring five units @ $500 dollars each. ($1500-2500 depending on whether you use their power supplies or AC from wall). Hmm not sure what to make of that package, the dac is the weakest link, but is good for $500, but you are paying a huge amount for the whole setup .

Never seen an external dedicated clock before except, I saw an adjustable integrated clock on an extremely high end system o.O

[grev]

^ And on that note of your note, my girlfriend's cousin's studio's (works for Sony music) single microphone costs $4000, horses for courses, I guess.

[dion]

Problem solved. Turns out it was the power supply. The unit I purchased was shipped from the US, and given the wall wasn't compatible with the AUS spec version the seller advised me to pick-up an aftermarket one from Jaycar.

I duly obliged, however it turns out that the Jaycar one had the right voltage specs, however provided the power in a way slightly different way to the stock cambridge audio version.

Well glad for you it was something so simple.

However the explanation as you've stated it doesn't prove an answer, AC is AC, unlike things like switchmode power suplies or modified sine wave inverters which can and do cause all sort of problems, a transformer is a transformer. The only possible reason then could be the voltage going a bit high or low, such as being too high when lightly loaded or sagging when heavily loaded, aka voltage regulation.

If that is the case though, to be honest it's pretty piss poor design from Cambridge to rely on a specific power supply with good regulation... really piss poor to be honest.

Unless I'm mistaken, but it is the only reason I can think of...

Then again it's all too common, how about a fiber optic card that accepts a wide range of AC and DC voltages, yet has no over voltage protection in the case of power supply failure... seems like a smart idea.

[BusinessEvolution]

If that is the case though, to be honest it's pretty piss poor design from Cambridge to rely on a specific power supply with good regulation... really piss poor to be honest.

They probably supply a high quality external power supply with all units. Maximising audio quality doesn't always follow all traditional design rules, they might wanted to keep the power supply external and have less regulation components to reduce distortion/interference (THD+N).

The only problem I've read about with the dacmagic+ is if you are connecting via usb to a laptop with very dirty USB power. Theres been some audio problems as a result with cheap laptops when they are plugged into the wall, that significantly decreases when running of the internal batteries.

So as long as you are using the supplied power supply and not connecting it to anything with bad power regulation, then its great .

[dion]

If that is the case though, to be honest it's pretty piss poor design from Cambridge to rely on a specific power supply with good regulation... really piss poor to be honest.

They probably supply a high quality external power supply with all units. Maximising audio quality doesn't always follow all traditional design rules, they might wanted to keep the power supply external and have less regulation components to reduce distortion/interference (THD+N).

Even then though a transformer is a transformer, which is all an AC plugpack is. Granted there can be varying levels of quality in transformer construction and differing voltage regulation, ultimately though there is very little to go wrong or otherwise improve. If it is voltage regulation that is the problem, it should have been considered during the design phase and allowed for, you cannot rely on a customer having the factory power supply, it could be lost, broken, they travel or move. Then it reflects badly on the company when it doesn't work or performs poorly and impacts on their reputation. If the factory power supply had some additional components or circuity in the plugpack, say filtering of some sort etc. then I would question why they didn't try and incorporate that in the unit rather than the power supply, which again, can be lost or damaged.

The only problem I've read about with the dacmagic+ is if you are connecting via usb to a laptop with very dirty USB power. Theres been some audio problems as a result with cheap laptops when they are plugged into the wall, that significantly decreases when running of the internal batteries.

So as long as you are using the supplied power supply and not connecting it to anything with bad power regulation, then its great .

Well as an example a friend was trying to use a GPS over usb to his laptop, which was charging off an inverter at the time. Refused to work... the GPS had it's own battery power so must have been a serious amount of crap on the data lines

That is an extreme case...

[dion]

Just thought I'd follow up as reading back I seem a bit overly harsh... I mean they do make great sounding stuff. I think it's just bad practice and poor form, I know they state to use only their power supply and in this case it sounds as if it is a grey import, so out of their control. Still though it is extremely annoying and frustrating for consumers to have to deal with such issues and I stand by it reflecting badly on them.

Anyway I'd actually be interested to know exactly what the cause is.