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

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

  1. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    2,579
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SF Bay Area Peninsula
    I’ve heard the X and a couple of 4’s and the modded 4 variants are VERY good. Of course budget needs to be taken into account, fortunately the LCD-5 has driven down used prices for the LCD-4. The X is also great just saying the 4’s earn their TOTL status especially once modded by RD.
     
  2. ushanka

    ushanka Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2020
    Likes Received:
    121
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    PNW
    I am curious to hear either, with a bias for “state of the art”, but practically speaking LCD-X is something I am more likely to see myself owning.
     
  3. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,271
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Won’t have any time to listen to gear and write impressions :)rolleyes:) until end of June (life’s too busy), but I would love to hear *any* RD modded headphone! I could see myself parting with the LCD-R if the modded 4 is better ;) (that’s saying something, I LOVE the R).
     
  4. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    12,429
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Home Page:
    @Clemmaster you're better off modding the LCD-R if you have the balls to do it. At this point though I do have enough extra fazors with intact double sided adhesive to reverse a pair if needed. But I can't imagine wanting to.

    It looks like I'll mod another set of LCD-X and send those out as planned and when Marv gets back on his feet, I'll have 2 pairs to send out to get this loaner moving faster. He has a second Liquid Gold X too, so I can send out 2 of both.

    And then I'll do a modded LCD-R + Jottenheim A loaner starting with just the modded LCD-R for current owners then adding on the Jottenhiem A for non owners.

    And anyone who wants to hear the modded LCD-4 or LCD-4z is welcome to, I might make another thread for those. They do sound quite different surprisingly. The LCD-4z has more clarity and is a more obvious upgrade from the sound of the LCD-X. It has faster transients than the LCD-4. But the LCD-4 has something very special and unique to it, a reserved presentation that is more soft. It's equally resolving, but has a kind of HD650 like presentation of detail where it's not shoved in your face. I think it would be a great upgrade for HD650 lovers. Both need a few tweaks and new parts before going out. so I'll work on the LCD-X first.

    Thanks everyone! Like I said I'm more excited to just share what I think are beautiful sounding orthos with you all than selling my mods. So don't feel any commitment to buy or be interested in buying anything from me. I just want to share. :)
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Respectfully Disagree Respectfully Disagree x 1
    • Epic Epic x 1
    • List
  5. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    12,429
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Home Page:
    Done, let me know if you change your mind. You don't' need to write any extensive impressions or anything to be included.
     
  6. roshambo123

    roshambo123 Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    May 26, 2018
    Likes Received:
    2,794
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I've just decided to take a cue from Marv that I also need a break. I'm enjoying my gear. Looking to spend my weekends outside now that the weather is warming up.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Epic Epic x 1
    • List
  7. Vansen

    Vansen Gear Master (retiring)

    Staff Member Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2016
    Likes Received:
    3,897
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Seattle
    Please add me to this one! - Seattle, WA.

    The modded one would be cool to hear. I’ve never heard modded Audeze, and it’s been years since I’ve heard an Audeze headphone, but the Drop x HiFiMan HE5xx was partially based off my personally modified HE-500. (I’ve never actually heard the HE5xx, so I have no clue if it inherited any of my headphone’s qualities.)
     
  8. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2020
    Likes Received:
    941
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Ann Arbor Mi
    Please remove me from this loaner
    best,
    Josh
     
  9. ushanka

    ushanka Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2020
    Likes Received:
    121
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    PNW
    That sounds like my jam. I need to find some place to hear the stock model in the mean time ...
     
  10. TomNC

    TomNC Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2015
    Likes Received:
    305
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Hillsborough, NJ
    Please add me to the list if modded LCD-4 would be on tour. I would use MTCH and Vista Audio Spark amp to drive them. I am interested to see how they perform in comparison with my experience of the LCD-3, 1266-TC, and Susvara. I like Verum 1 a lot for its natural tonality but want more resolution and imaging precision. Hope the modded LCD-4 has a lot to offer.

    Thanks!
     
  11. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2018
    Likes Received:
    3,467
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    SouthernCA
    Just curious - where is the loaner right now?
    edit: may need to get moved to a different spot if I'm up within the next two weeks.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2022
  12. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    12,429
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Home Page:
    The loaner is with Marv right now. I usually send things to him last because of his backlog, but he has the stock LCD-X right now so I sent the to him to compare directly and possibly take measurements.

    I'm going to mod another pair to get this loaner going, just dealing with some health issues. But I'll get'er done soon. Your'e safe for the next couple weeks. I'm still going to send you my modded MX4, I've just had a few new ideas I'm trying on them first. :)

    I'm happy to loan out a modded LCD-4z or LCD-4 separately. This thread is just for the modded LCD-X though.

    By what you describe it sounds like the modded LCD-4 is the one you'd like to hear. I've got an open grill mod for them, and I'm having chrome rings and grills made for them to match the color scheme, which will take a few weeks probably.
     
  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    12,429
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Home Page:
    I finished modding the new pair of LCD-X and will ship them out early this week to @CaptainCope who has the Liquid Gold X. So we're back in action!

    A coupe of items of good news:

    I managed to get enough of the right size of black tuning tubes to use in these, so they look as they will look If you commission a mod from me, it's a final product going out.

    I implemented a change to the mod. Something I figured out while working on the LCD-5 that I applied to the LCD-X and it works really well. The sound is more spacious, airy and more resolving than before. :). This will very likely be the final version I don't see changes to the mod but you never know....

    Here's a teaser picture

    [​IMG]

    Black tuning vents :)

    [​IMG]
     
    • Epic Epic x 7
    • Like Like x 5
    • List
    Last edited: May 16, 2022
  14. wadec22

    wadec22 Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2018
    Likes Received:
    423
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    USA
    No idea how they sound but they look awesome!
     
  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    12,429
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Home Page:
    Shipped to @CaptainCope today! :)

    ps. If the headband rod locks get loose, I put an Allen wrench to tighten them at the bottom of the cable compartment of the pelican case. They probably won't, but just in case.
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Agreed, ditto, +1 Agreed, ditto, +1 x 1
    • List
  16. CaptainCope

    CaptainCope Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2020
    Likes Received:
    79
    Trophy Points:
    45
    Location:
    San Francisco
    Arrived this evening
     
  17. CaptainCope

    CaptainCope Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2020
    Likes Received:
    79
    Trophy Points:
    45
    Location:
    San Francisco
    Pinging @paranoidroid and seeing if this message reaches you, sent a few PMs. Hit me back to let me know if you are still interested or if I should move on to the next.
     
  18. CaptainCope

    CaptainCope Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2020
    Likes Received:
    79
    Trophy Points:
    45
    Location:
    San Francisco
  19. Vansen

    Vansen Gear Master (retiring)

    Staff Member Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2016
    Likes Received:
    3,897
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Seattle
    These arrived today and sound great so far on the EC ZDT. I have not plugged in the amp yet.
     
  20. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,076
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Evanston, IL
    Can I get in on both the amp and headphone?
     

Share This Page