HifiMAN HE-6 Planar Magnetic Headphone - Page 74

Just because the HE-6 doesn't clip does not mean they are getting optimum power. I think something like Parasound's 45wpc Zamp v.3 for $349 might represent the best price/performance for the HE-6. Some other outside-the-box options could include something like the all-in-one NAD L54 for $400, which includes 50 wpc, a DVD source and auxillary inputs, or one of Bryston's Premium Speaker Switching Boxes for an existing high-end speaker rig. The Peachtree DAC/speaker amps could also be interesting with the HE-6. My Alesis RA100 would be a really good bargain as well if you can find one, but I bet many pro audio NFM amps would work out great.

BTW I find the soundstage of the HE-6 pretty coherent out of the EF5.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grokit 

Just because the HE-6 doesn't clip does not mean they are getting optimum power. I think something like Parasound's 45wpc Zamp v.3 for $349 might represent the best price/performance for the HE-6. Some other outside-the-box options could include something like the all-in-one NAD L54 for $400, which includes 50 wpc, a DVD source and auxillary inputs, or one of Bryston's Premium Speaker Switching Boxes for an existing high-end speaker rig. The Peachtree DAC/speaker amps could also be interesting with the HE-6. My Alesis RA100 would be a really good bargain as well if you can find one, but I bet many pro audio NFM amps would work out great.

 

BTW I find the soundstage of the HE-6 pretty coherent out of the EF5.

I do not own the HE6 and I do agree with you at least on the prototype it needed gobs of power. My Outlaw is a beast and into 4 ohms put out 190W and it drove the HE6 fine. On the other hand the LCD2 which is more efficient works on my OTL Decware CSP-2 and it does drive them well as does the Meir. I do not believe either of my amps would get the most out the HE6 and for me I am more interested in using headphone amps.

IME with the LCD2s...I found connecting them up to a 50 watt integrated via resistors improved the imaging, soundstage size and separation.  I put this down to the extra power.  Has anybody tried the Audio GD ROC SA headamp - on paper they pump out some ridiculously high wattages for headphones.

25 ohm: 9W
60 ohm: 9W
100 ohm: 9W
300 ohm: 3W
600 ohm: 1.5W

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP Wild 

IME with the LCD2s...I found connecting them up to a 50 watt integrated via resistors improved the imaging, soundstage size and separation.  I put this down to the extra power.  Has anybody tried the Audio GD ROC SA headamp - on paper they pump out some ridiculously high wattages for headphones.

 

25 ohm: 9W
60 ohm: 9W
100 ohm: 9W
300 ohm: 3W
600 ohm: 1.5W

I am thinking of adding a tube amp custom designed with my decware CSP-2 to use and it would give me ^W pure triode power to run my whole system. I have to decide if I want to sell the Concerto and I agree the more power the better these LCD2 will sound and open up although man they sound so good on the tubes now better than the Meir but the Meir plays demanding classical better. But my Decware has give them more air and the treble is much better on the OTL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP Wild 

IME with the LCD2s...I found connecting them up to a 50 watt integrated via resistors improved the imaging, soundstage size and separation.  I put this down to the extra power. 

You reportedly don't need resistors unless your amp is over 70 wpc into 8 ohms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grokit 

Just an update on some different amps and sources with the HE-6.

 

The EF5, like the WA22 drives the HE-6 just adequately (hence the EF6 project). The HE-6 gains a bit of an edge while losing some dynamics and becoming more mid-centric than with the WA22 but the basic problem is the same, no headroom.

It seems like not even the EF5 is good enough for the HE-6   Any news on the EF6?

Quote:

Originally Posted by grokit 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP Wild 

IME with the LCD2s...I found connecting them up to a 50 watt integrated via resistors improved the imaging, soundstage size and separation.  I put this down to the extra power. 

 

You reportedly don't need resistors unless your amp is over 70 wpc into 8 ohms.

Surley then, why bother spending more on a dedicated headamp for the HE6 when integrated amps by Rotel / Cambridge / Marantz etc can provide better value and drive your speakers as well (remote controlled too!).  If you ask me thats a plus 1 point for the HE6s.

please do excuse my ignorance, does this hifiman has a company address? do they have a factory like sennheiser? their website looks so cheap, when you run the domain check, it is only showing the hosting provider info, how can you trust a company like that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoide 

Quote:

Originally Posted by grokit 

Just an update on some different amps and sources with the HE-6.

 

The EF5, like the WA22 drives the HE-6 just adequately (hence the EF6 project). The HE-6 gains a bit of an edge while losing some dynamics and becoming more mid-centric than with the WA22 but the basic problem is the same, no headroom.

It seems like not even the EF5 is good enough for the HE-6   Any news on the EF6?

 

The EF5 is starting to grow on me with the HE-6, but I am looking forward to getting some more juice into them. It could be that the HE-6 itself are getting better to my ears, I will have to drag them back down to the WA22 to find out. I want to be blown away like I was with the protos through my speaker amp though, that happened right away during my time with them but it hasn't happened yet with the prodos.

OK, the problem is not as bad as I described it... I might have exaggerated a bit. And yes lol my cables were on the right way! But the imaging is still a bit strange to me. Like the Headphia review says, there is a problem with the center part. The headphonia review of HE6 and LCD2 is great btw, I agree with it all. I know the V100 may not be the ideal am 2200mw into 50 ohms), but it does an adequate job.  There is a lot I like about the HE-6 and a lot it does better than the LCD-2. I'm not slagging it off by any means. I just thought it more important to mention a possible downside when everybody has already covered the upsides.

Quote:

Originally Posted by realaqu 

please do excuse my ignorance, does this hifiman has a company address? do they have a factory like sennheiser? their website looks so cheap, when you run the domain check, it is only showing the hosting provider info, how can you trust a company like that?

Well I've bought 3 high end headphones from them. And met the company founder. They are a real company.

Quote:

Originally Posted by realaqu 

please do excuse my ignorance, does this hifiman has a company address? do they have a factory like sennheiser? their website looks so cheap, when you run the domain check, it is only showing the hosting provider info, how can you trust a company like that?

Head-Direct has many brands under its umbrella and HiFiMAN is one of them. Its manufacturing base and global headquarters are in China and they have a US headquarters set up in New York, the address can be found @ head-direct.com.

i will be curious to see if my headroom balanced home on high gain can drive the HE6 well. if not, then ... that is a problem.

Question to HE-6 owners:

I've owned my HE-6 for little more than a week.  I love the sound, but the headband....the leather right on the outside of the seams seems to be "chipping" does anyone else notice this on their pair?