Minimalist design looks more Swiss than it is German.
The Black Cube was not only about speed though, because when I try to formulate a definition of the sound signature, I would be using adjectives that is normally associated with an electrostatic headphone. On top of the speed, it was all about clarity, detail, and precision. How do I describe precision? I think it’s similar to the word clinical and analytical, except that I really want to avoid all the negative connotation often associated with clinical and analytical. For example, while the Grace m902 and the SPL Phonitor/Auditor are all very detailed amplifiers, I never had the impression of clarity portrayed so well than with the Black Cube Linear.
Despite the clarity of the Black Cube Linear, its sound didn’t promote sibilance, even when I played Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me. Also, unlike a typical electrostatic set ups, the BCL was able to present fast transients while maintaining a good decay length. The frequency curve balance is very flat without a bump anywhere. Being a master in clarity, makes it leaner than some full bodied amp like the Beta22 and the Burson HA160, but it definitely was not thin sounding. While listening through the HD800, I found myself finding all the great strengths of the Lambda set up, while perfecting it even more. Bass was perfect. It was punchy and had great extension down to the lowest low. Bass attack was very sharp and focused. And there was this clarity on the bass that I haven’t found on any other amps. On this set up, bass notes were the exact antithesis of the adjective “muddy”.
Of course that though this set up is very fast, it didn’t have the unique electrostatic sound, which is actually a big reason that people like electrostatics for. But the Lambdas do still have their weaknesses, and if you’re looking for speedy dynamic system, this is a really speedy system that I’m hearing with the Lehmann and the HD800.
The Black Cube Linear is quite intuitive to operate, with an RCA in and RCA out on the back panel, and adjustable gain settings through the means of switches on the bottom side of the amplifier. Although this shot doesn’t show the Red and Black markings on the RCA connectors, they’re actually there. What I don’t remember seeing is the label that indicates Line in and Line out, but the Line in is through the outer pair of RCAs.
Line in is the pair of RCAs to the most left.
Gain settings for individual channels. Notice that plugging the headphone to the different phone jacks will activate or mute the Line Out.
I played a wide range of music during the auditioning, and I found it to work best with classical and electronica. Of course, slow jazz, audiophile jazz, and vocal lovers would prefer a warmer, more analog sounding amplifier. But if you’re into classical, metal, and electronica, this amp is quite superb. It also does rock pretty well, though I do think that the Burson HA-160 is better suited for that due to the raw and brute bass punch offered by the Burson.
I was listening to the Hotel Costes Vol.1 by Stéphane Pompougnac, and every bass note is very clear and has an amazing focus and punch to it. It sort of reminded me of the Ultrasone Edition 8, as it was quite superb in the clarity and focus of the bass. But now the HD800 seems to be better in this area, compared to the last Edition 8 set up I was using for the review (Lavry DA11 and WooAudio6). Overall, I was really amazed by how different the HD800 sounded out of the Lehmann Black Cube Linear. Its sound signature is not for everyone, but again, we all listen to different music, and if you’re looking for clarity and speed in your music, the Lehmann Black Cube is the amplifier.
Equipment used for review:
Headphones: Sennheiser HD800
Amplifier: Lehmann Black Cube Linear
Source: Blacknote CDP300, Ipod Classic
Mike
I've been reading a bit on the Matrix M-Stage, which is claimed to be a Lehmann clone. The impressions (from people that I trust very much) seem to indicate that the M-Stage has a midramge and bottom end oriented sound. If that's the case, then it's quite different than the Lehmann Black Cube Linear, which strength lies in clarity and speed, and definitely no emphasis on the mid and bottom end.
Midrange and bottom end emphasis often makes a more musical sound. But the question becomes, can the M-Stage keep up with the Lehmann in terms of clarity and speed?
Vlad
I will compare Matrix M-Stage with Lehmann this week. Got BCL ordered.
Mike
Thanks, Vlad! I will look forward to your comparison.
I should be able to do the same once the Linear USB arrives.
Vlad
Mike,
Would be nice to hear your opinion on Linear USB dac as well!
Mike
Sure thing, Vlad. I'll definitely write about it. 🙂
Vlad
Got Lehmann BCL today. It fell in love with my Sen HD800 right away.
The sound is clear and transparent. The amp does not colorize , neither adds any emotions to the material. I found the amp amazingly balanced and natural.
Comparing to Matrix m-stage….Well, there’s no comparison (I got modded version with OPA627)
Simply put, Matrix m-stage can’t handle the HD800 no matter what the gain setting are (0db, 10db or 18db). The sound was harsh in trebles and squeezed in mids. My AKG K240 was more forgiving to the Matrix though. So, I guess the Matrix and HD800 just hate each other 🙂
Mike
Thanks for the impressions!
I still haven\’t received the Lehmann unit, but your impression totally mimics mine when I last listened to the Lehmann. The components look similar, but somehow there is a difference in the level of refinement. I cannot enjoy the HD800 with the M-Stage due to the same factors you mentioned. But I was totally impressed by the Lehmann HD800 combo when I heard it the last time. Very clear, very precise, no coloration.
Kelvin Ang
Hmm…seems like one of the comments has gone missing….
Anyhow, any chance for a Rhinelander review as well? It's been said to be like a baby BCL…
Mike
Yep, losing some comments here and there, trying my best not to lose them..
Rhinelander review, huh? That may be fun… 😀
Vlad
I posted my comments M-stage vs Lehmann BCL yesterday but for some reason they've been removed.
Mike
Vlad! I replied to your postings. Sorry for losing the comment as we're in the middle of setting up the discussion platform.
Mike
Here is what Vlad posted yesterday:
Got Lehmann BCL today. It fell in love with my Sen HD800 right away.
The sound is clear and transparent. The amp does not colorize , neither adds any emotions to the material. I found the amp amazingly balanced and natural.
Comparing to Matrix m-stage….Well, there's no comparison (I got modded version with OPA627)
Simply put, Matrix m-stage can't handle the HD800 no matter what the gain setting are (0db, 10db or 18db). The sound was harsh in trebles and squeezed in mids. My AKG K240 was more forgiving to the Matrix though. So, I guess the Matrix and HD800 just hate each other 🙂
Mike
And I replied something like this:
I still hasn't gotten the Lehmann Linear, but from the time that I wrote this impression, I think Vlad's impressions is quite similar to what I had. The Lehmann was very precise and has almost no coloration. The Matrix is less refined and more colored, and through the HD800 all of that shows very clearly. I can never enjoy the HD800 through the Matrix as well.
Thanks, Vlad.
Mike
I was talking to a friend who's going to buy a HD800.. I told him to postpone any amplifier purchases for the headphone until I received the Lehmann. 😀
Mike
Norbert @ Lehmann audio told me that they're delaying the Linear shipping as they're waiting for the new chrome-plated faceplates to arrive. B)
Vlad
chrome-plated faceplate…Sounds interesting…
Mike,
Is there any websites I can go ahead an take a look at those plates?
Thanks!
Mike
I just went to Lehmann's Facebook and found nothing. I sent an email to Norbert asking for a sneak preview photo 🙂
Mike
Ah, no photos from Lehmann 🙁
Greg
I just bought this amp used. If I tilt the amp from side to side I hear something moving inside the amp. Is this normal?
Regards, Greg
Greg
Nevermind, I just read the instructions and it’s a spare fuse.
Joe Coquelle Di Lecce
Hello Mike,
Thank you for your perfect review!
I’m wondering which one is purer:
RCA
http://www.headphone-amplifier.com/images/Black_Cube_Linear_open_600.jpg
XLR
http://www.headphone-amplifier.com/images/BC-Linear-Pro_open_600.jpg
:o)))
taegyun36
hey Mike
As you have recommended me last time, i thinking of buying hd800 (although im going to try to hear hd700 before i actually buy it XD) and so im looking for an amplifier that can go with hd800. Currently im thinking of graham slee ultra linear and lehmann audio linear usb. i know you have written a wonderful review on lehmann BCL however, do you think theres going to be a significant difference between them (BCL and USB style)? and how would you compare them to graham slee?
Also im looking for a good usb amplifiers if possible. do you know any good products you can suggest me other than lehmann’s? my budget right now is around 1000pounds.
warm regards
Mike
I think the biggest difference is that the Lehmann is mostly going to be straight up and uncolored, where the Graham Slee (I would still go with the Solo 2) is going to be a warmer and sweeter sounding amp.
The Lehmann is great if:
1. You have an excellent source.
2. You listen to great quality recordings, audiophile labels stuff.
The Graham Slee would be good for a wider range of recordings and sources.
Billy Wu
Have you taken a look at the Lovely Cube Premium? It seems a better BCL clone than the M Stage and a few bucks cheaper. How close would it be to the BCL
Mike
Billy,
I’ve heard about it, but haven’t really considered doing a review on it.
Horatiu Mihalache
Hello Mike,
I know this is an old review but I would like to ask if you could make a quick comparison between the Black Cube Linear and the Burson Soloist. From the reviews it looks like the Soloist is a better amp than the HA-160 but I would be interested to see how it stands against the Black Cube especially in terms of clarity.
My DAC is a Tech Young and my current headphones are HD650, but I plan to buy the LCD-3 some day.
Thank you!
Anil Kohli
I sent £650 on this amplifier and it sounds exactly the same as my £300 Meier Corda Jazz. And my Meier Corda Jazz sounds like my M-DAC headphone out. They all sound the same to me…because they are all linear in response, dont add any coloration to the music, and have low distortion. Stop selling snake oil to people.
Landloper
My experience of using headphones with the Lehmann Linear compared to using them with an M-DAC is different to Anil Kohli’s. I have a variety of headphone amps [Lehmann, Myryad, Beresford] and I also own some DACs including an Audiolab M-DAC. I prefer any of my HP amps to the HP out on the M-DAC. Compared to dedicated HPAs the M-DAC HP out seems to lack resolution and power, as well as having a shallower background. As a headphone amp I find it boring. Just my experience – no more or less valid than Anil’s.
dale thorn
Most amps do sound different, and the measurements bear that out. The controversy comes in regarding whether you can hear that difference. The “there’s no difference” guys are telling you that you can’t hear it, but they don’t know. The differences get even more interesting when you try to find the best match to a premium headphone that’s not easy to drive.
Aakshey
How does the Matrix M Stage perform with respect to the BCL? Especially in terms of speed and cleaness? Since matrix is a clone. Is the matrix 90% of it or worse?
Eugen
I recently got one of these and I have to say you forgot the slight midrange warmth it has. It’s not warmth as in tube midrange forwardness, it’s more of a complete lack of etch and hardness in the midrange and upper midrange that’s very appealing. In the highs though it has a kind of extension (emphasis?) that promotes the leading edge of drums and gives the impression of speed. I don’t quite know yet if it adds that or if it’s already there only it’s clearer. I do know a cymbal sounds more like the real thing because of it, and it’s not tinny at all. The bass is perfect for music. It’s has bass definition but it preserves instrument decay like it should.
Mike
I don’t know, I had one on the store for a while and I still think it’s not something I’d associate with warmth.
IF the recording is warm though the Lehmann will communicate that very clearly.
Rogier Schreurs
Tried this unit a couple of times with my KingRex UD384/Upower and a host of headphones from Grado (sr60-sr325, ps500), Beyerdynamic(DT880, 990, CoP, T70, T90), B&W(P3,5,7) and Ultrasone, and I have to say I absolutely loathe the sound coming from it. Maybe it’s because I’m used to my tube and hybrid amps, but I’d actually rather listen to my earpods over my iPhone than even the T90 over the Lehman. Call me crazy, but I think the BCL is nowhere near as transparent, deep or smooth as my Musical Fidelity X-can V8P.
dalethorn
I wonder if that amp is old and has problems. I know someone who said it really made his HD800 come alive with dazzling sparkle (or words to that effect). Be interesting if you could try another sample of a more recent manufacture.
TechnoVolume
Using the Lehmann with my Beyerdynamic T1, and the combo is amazing, I had before the Lehmann an headphone amp I though was a good buy, but after I got the Lehmann I really heard how good the T1 is, everything comes at a cost and many perhaps find the Lehmann costly, but if you can afford it I will higly recomend that you try the Lehmann Black Cube.