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

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

  1. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    might be time for you to buy a 3D printer :)
     
  2. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    I will be interesting to see how the 3d printed parts work out... I'm not used to them being able to do the inside of a tube all that cleanly (but then, the 3d printers I've used are all pretty inexpensive/low end)
     
  3. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Another update

    I got larger sizes of the tubes in finally. They got lost in the mail and the company had to print a new batch so it took a long time. These are all too big, whereas the next sizes down were all too small. So I've got consistency problems with the printer I'm having print these.

    I would probably get more consistent results with a larger commercial 3D printing company, but when I reached out to a bunch, the quotes were ridiculous. Shapeways, for example wanted so much, it would cost me $80 for the tubes for 1 headphone, which I would have to add on to the cost of each mod and I don't want to have to raise the price that much.

    So I've been using printing companies on Craftcloud, which are much smaller outfits but the prices are like 5% of Shapeways prices. Which I guess I'm finding out gets me inconsistent results.

    I'm having another batch made by the same company, and by another company. If I can just get one batch that is the right size, I can make this one LCD-X mod with them and then figure out consistent results for the future. But it looks like it will take another week for another round of prototypes, and if I get the right size I'l then have to implement them and listen to the LCD-X to scrutinize the sound and make sure it sounds the same, which might take another week.

    I wish I thought of having these 3D printed before posting this thread so you wouldn't be waiting but in the meantime thanks of your patience, I hope if will be more than worth it. I'm listening to them now and very happy :)
     
  4. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear hassles around printing tubes.
    No rush. Take your time to sort out all the manufacturing issues and get things done. It must be fine (to me surely or others hopefully) to wait until you feel confident with the final quality.
     
  5. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Since I bumped the thread I thought I'd post something fun too. Here's one of the many things I tried with Audeze headphones. I did a lot of work trying to open up the soundstage and imaging because Audeze's can be kind of claustrophobic. It did open them up a bit, but interestingly, it made the sound soft, dull and slow. It turns out that Audeze drives are designed to be in a semi open enclosure, which the stock grill kind of is, it's about half open. This restricts air pressure from escaping from the movement of the driver, and damps the driver. So when I put these new girlls on, the diver became underdamped and lost speed, clarity and transient response.

    I might still play around with this, I have some ideas for how to make it work. It sure looks cool! The grills are from an LCD-2C but the headphones are LCD-X's.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Good news!

    I found a nice strong temporary replacement for the 3D printed venting tubes. So I’ve got the modded LCD-X all set with them and they’re ready to go out on tour.

    The tubes sound the same the only downside to these tubes is aesthetic. They are bright white, so they clash with the all black LCD-X. Just know that if you have me mod an LCD-X for you, I will be using black or very dark gray 3D printed venting tubes, not the white ones in this loaner pair. And they’ll sound the same.

    In the time I spent waiting for 3D printed tubes to work, I also had some new ideas and so they sound better as well. I made my open grill mod work. This also will likely be different in the production mod because the black paint on these grills chips very easily so I will probably use plain unpainted aluminum grills of the same type to avoid paint chipping (unless I can get the manufacturer to figure out how to get the paint to stick better…we’re discussing it, but I think silver will look good too)

    So to be clear, the production mod will sound the same, just look better. :)

    Pictures of the loaner LCD-X:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I also used the time to have the Liquid Gold X loaner shipped back to me and I put some sexy speaker spikes on it that really makes the amp look nice. Comes with round bases with a layer of rubber glued to the bottom so it won’t scratch your gear.

    [​IMG]

    Thanks for your patience! These will go out asap. I’m looking forward to you hearing them!
     
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  7. jaker782

    jaker782 Friend

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    If it isn't too late, I'd like to participate in the LCD X loaner (without the amp). MD, USA. Thanks!
     
  8. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    It's never too late! I'm happy to add anyone to the list, or send these out as a demo after the loaner is done, just send me a pm. :)

    Added you to the LCD-X only list.
     
  9. deafenears

    deafenears Almost "Made"

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    That grill mod looks awesome! Similar to the grilles available for the HE6's. There's a guy in Malaysia selling custom Audeze grilles, NTRAX MOD Design, I wonder if he could create a one-piece honeycomb grill.

    Also, for the venting, perhaps something like this - https://forum.doctorhead.ru/forums/...-lcd-3-i-lcd-2/?do=findComment&comment=739068. In addition to venting, also some kind of mod to easily allow pad swapping.

    post-7150-0-78588400-1433350546.jpg
    post-7150-0-40828400-1433350498.jpg
    post-7150-0-73141500-1433350413.jpg
     
  10. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    new loaner rec'd
     
  11. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    While looking for the impression thread, I realized I never updated here... updated RD mod LCD-x rec'd by Marv on 3/17
     
  12. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    so the modded LCD-X is stuck with Marv who had an audio breakdown and banned himself... :)

    I seem to be having some bad luck with this loaner.

    I do have another pair of LCD-X here. I have a few options:

    1. mod my other LCD-X and send them out as soon as I can
    2. Send a modded LCD-4 or LCD-4z instead.

    I was going to send one of the 4's in a separate loaner, but I'm not sure what you all would rather hear. Something more affordable or something more impressive. The 4's are more resolving, but the X gives you a good idea of the sound I'm going for and are within more budget's reach.

    Anyone have a preference for X or 4 or 4z? I'm more interested in sharing something with you all that would make you smile than selling mods.
     
  13. Ksorota

    Ksorota Friend

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    My preference. would be to hear the X as it is more likely something I would purchase in the future over the 4Z...that being said, I would not say no to either!
     
  14. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Thanks for the feedback! It's also cool because SBAF has a stock LCD-X which will go on loan when Marv resurfaces, so you can hear how I'm changing them rather than just the modded pair.
     
  15. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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    I'd be keen to hear both and am perfectly happy to wait. Having the two to compare directly would be very cool.

    I'm with @Ksorota about the X being more appealing because it's more accessible.

    I'm also interested in hearing the modded LCD-4 as well, though. Now that they go for ca $2K used, the value proposition might be more appealing for some.
     
  16. jaker782

    jaker782 Friend

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    I'm cool with either headphone. I am interested in hearing the mod, but the reality is unless we have a stock unit available, most won't be able to make a direct comparison to get a feel for what the mod is actually doing, we will just have to judge the modded headphone on its own merits. This can be done with either model, so I guess it comes down to preference. Is the more resolving sound worth the added cost, including the extra insurance for shipping a headphone with a much higher value?

    Back to the original issue, is taking the time and effort to mod another LCD-X really the easiest way to get this back on tour? I mean, I understand Marv banned himself, but is it out of the question to contact him outside of SBAF and kindly ask him to pass the headphone along to the next recipient instead of letting him keep it while on his self-imposed exile?
     
  17. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    I'm most interested in the "X", but I too would love to hear any of your mods.
     
  18. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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  19. roshambo123

    roshambo123 Friend

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    I can be removed from this loaner. It's questionable how much time I will have for loaners review and my house is a mess so I am removing myself from all loaners.

    Thank you!
     
  20. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Personally, 4/4z will be more awesome to me. I'm more and more interested in pulling the most information from compressed or masked signals. That's why I was so into estat and sus recently. No doubt 4 or 4z (maybe 5 too but IDK) can do it better than X for that purpose. Indeed unmodded 4 was already decent to me even factoring in price. I'm very curious how much they got better with your touches.

    Also as you (and others) already know I am an idiot to love to spend orfas money with non-orfas disposable incomes hahaha.
     

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