Quote:

wedge said:

The WA-5 is all tube and has plenty of power out of the K1K port to drive these headphones with ease.

Click to expand...

Tubes are too expensive for me at least. I would like to hear one though.

I wonder why many HE-6 owners prefer using it with tube amp or coloring the SQ with tube DAC, or use vintage receiver.  Do some of you feel HE-6's treble needs some added smoothness?
 
For me I don't feel HE-6+NAD is any brighter than T1+Phoenix in general.  I was just curious about its SQ that may not be discovered by my current setup.
 
Thanks!
 
Quote:

happy camper said:

Quote:

grokit said:

I'm using a tube pre stage with a solid state speaker amp, no problems there.

Click to expand...

Tube dac into ss speaker amp for pretty good sound. You could get some really robust tube speaker amps but if you are going for a tube sound with low E drivers, it's cheaper to flavor the source and use the advantages of ss amps. IMO

Click to expand...

 

I, for one, don't like the smoothness of tubes.  I think it takes away detail and that beautiful treble from the HE-6.
 
Although I haven't heard any high end tube amps, it seems like it isn't for me.  The Lyr is a hybrid and I thought it was a tad too smooth, although it was using a different DAC so that could also be why.
 
I hope to go to Denver in October to try out some high end tube amps to see if it will change my mind as tube amps cost so much more than SS.  Although I'm definitely more interested in the EF6 than anything else!!!

Quote:

ohhgourami said:

I, for one, don't like the smoothness of tubes.  I think it takes away detail and that beautiful treble from the HE-6.
 
Although I haven't heard any high end tube amps, it seems like it isn't for me.  The Lyr is a hybrid and I thought it was a tad too smooth, although it was using a different DAC so that could also be why.
 
I hope to go to Denver in October to try out some high end tube amps to see if it will change my mind as tube amps cost so much more than SS.  Although I'm definitely more interested in the EF6 than anything else!!!

Click to expand...

It is really more up to the design. I can make a preamp with very little in the signal path and great detail that sounds natural and extended. A lot of it depended upon the power supply but also the operating points of the tube or tubes. You can make tubes sound SS or for me, too tubey. I like neutral and clean and with a good tube amp you can get that as well as a 3D that tubes are noted for, if the music has it. 
 
 

I agree with John. Tube amps are so transparent  and 3D with great soundstage and portray instruments and music more real IMO. Good designed tube amps are very hard to beat. I will always prefer tube amps for me everyone has their preferences but a great tube design gives me the feeling of live music and I can change the sound of the amps any time by rolling.  I am not a fan of op-amp designed SS amps.

Thanks for the reply.  However, it was not my intention to judge the tube amp or its sound.
 
Therefore, I'd like to try again.  Assuming the required wattage is satisfied, amps with what other characteristics in SQ may be more suitable for HE-6 in your opinion?  For example, why many of you prefer vintage amps?
 
The hope is that by knowing HE-6's SQ in general it may be helpful for people to try out new amps for better synergy.
 
Thanks for your sharing.

 
Quote:

dukja said:

Thanks for the reply.  However, it was not my intention to judge the tube amp or its sound.
 
Therefore, I'd like to try again.  Assuming the required wattage is satisfied, amps with what other characteristics in SQ may be more suitable for HE-6 in your opinion?  For example, why many of you prefer vintage amps?
 
The hope is that by knowing HE-6's SQ in general it may be helpful for people to try out new amps for better synergy.
 
Thanks for your sharing.

Click to expand...

That is allways going to come to personal preferences. i prefer tube amps in sQ all the time over SS others will prefer the opposite. I think you need to listen to both and decide which sounds best to you. I always think tube amps are more true to live intstruments but that my opinion. YMMV
 

Up to now I only tried HE-6 with NAD216 and I start to get better grip on the SQ.  Comparing to T1, HE-6's soundstage is much closer but wider.  And the sonic image of the instrument or singer is larger (broader and wider).  Sometimes, this characteristic make sonic focusing difficult.  Just like people had harder time to see an object when it is too close (or when you get old ).  But most importantly, sometimes this makes the texture of midrange and treble "feel like" less condense or less refine/sweet comparing to T1.  Maybe I can call it a little bit flat or less glowing.  So I still prefer T1 for small scale music, but HE-6 certainly has its charm in the bass tone and the openness.  That was the reason why I am looking for another amp that may address this issue.
 
I was considering one Rotel amp and one Sansui vintage.  The size and weight makes me lean toward to Rotel unless there is strong sonic reason to choose differently.  Thanks for the input!

 
Quote:

dukja said:

Up to now I only tried HE-6 with NAD216 and I start to get better grip on the SQ.  Comparing to T1, HE-6's soundstage is much closer but wider.  And the sonic image of the instrument or singer is larger (broader and wider).  Sometimes, this characteristic make sonic focusing difficult.  Just like people had harder time to see an object when it is too close (or when you get old

).  But most importantly, sometimes this makes the texture of midrange and treble "feel like" less condense or less refine/sweet comparing to T1.  Maybe I can call it a little bit flat or less glowing.  So I still prefer T1 for small scale music, but HE-6 certainly has its charm in the bass tone and the openness.  That was the reason why I am looking for another amp that may address this issue.
 
I was considering one Rotel amp and one Sansui vintage.  The size and weight makes me lean toward to Rotel unless there is strong sonic reason to choose differently.  Thanks for the input!

Click to expand...

I would llok into a Pioneer 950 or 1050 vintage amp. They are discrete and sound amazing. I preferred Pioneer over Sansui and Marantz. Another option is to look for a Nelson Pass Class A amp Forte or threshold or newer but they are pricey but for the bucks Vintage Pioneer work well but you may like Sansui.

Thanks for the note on Pioneer.
 
I am also very interested in balanced power amp such as Forte or threshold offering.  Since my headphone/preamp (Phoenix) is known for much better performance on balanced output, so I am very interested in trying balanced power amp.  Unfortunately, they are not easy to come by as used.  And the new one is over my budget now.  If HE-6 is proven to me, I'll definitely go for balanced power amp later.
 
Quote:

frank i said:

I would llok into a Pioneer 950 or 1050 vintage amp. They are discrete and sound amazing. I preferred Pioneer over Sansui and Marantz. Another option is to look for a Nelson Pass Class A amp Forte or threshold or newer but they are pricey but for the bucks Vintage Pioneer work well but you may like Sansui.

Click to expand...

 

dukja said:

Up to now I only tried HE-6 with NAD216 and I start to get better grip on the SQ.  Comparing to T1, HE-6's soundstage is much closer but wider.  And the sonic image of the instrument or singer is larger (broader and wider).  Sometimes, this characteristic make sonic focusing difficult.  Just like people had harder time to see an object when it is too close (or when you get old

).  But most importantly, sometimes this makes the texture of midrange and treble "feel like" less condense or less refine/sweet comparing to T1.  Maybe I can call it a little bit flat or less glowing.  So I still prefer T1 for small scale music, but HE-6 certainly has its charm in the bass tone and the openness.  That was the reason why I am looking for another amp that may address this issue.
 
I was considering one Rotel amp and one Sansui vintage.  The size and weight makes me lean toward to Rotel unless there is strong sonic reason to choose differently.  Thanks for the input!

Click to expand...

I'm using a pair of RMB-100s and they are great. I really want to try a balanced DAC with them though to see what the fuss is about.

I technically joined the HE-6 club a few weeks ago, when the headphones were shipped to me from TTVJ.  Unfortunately, I was out of town (in Cary, NC) so I wasn't able to crack them out and listen to them.  However, I did get a chance to visit Drew of Moon Audio, as well as Cary Audio Design.  But those adventures are destined for another thread.
 
I got to set everything up today.  Cary Xciter to Virtue TWO.2 to HE-6.  (As a side note, thanks to Skylab and MacedonianHero for the DAC recommendation.)
 
Ever get chills down your spine from music?  I'm listening to "Yours Truly, 2095" by Electric Light Orchestra, and that's what's happening.
 
The level of clarity, detail and soundstage is astounding.  Consider my mind blown.  Fang has a winner on his hands.  My wallet is lighter, but my ears are happy.

Quote:

dukja said:

I wonder why many HE-6 owners prefer using it with tube amp or coloring the SQ with tube DAC, or use vintage receiver.  Do some of you feel HE-6's treble needs some added smoothness?
 
For me I don't feel HE-6+NAD is any brighter than T1+Phoenix in general.  I was just curious about its SQ that may not be discovered by my current setup.
 
Thanks!
 


 

Click to expand...

Yes the right tube headphone amp with the right tubes will give you the full range of the HE6, the one problem using a tube headphone amp is that there is only one that can power the HE6's that I know about (WA5/LE). As for the treble, the HE6 has great high ranges with no fatigue what so ever just very silky smooth like highs with very good precision and speed keeping very true to the source material.
As for the DAC I would think you should use a neutral DAC DSP that is well designed. The reason is simple, the HE6 is a neutral headphone so why limit the HE6's sound characteristics  with a AMP or DAC colored.
 
I have tried speaker amps and other headphone amps but there is always something missing, the one amp that I have not tried is the lyr but I read Jude's review of the lyr and comparing the lyr to the WA5LE, there was no contest the WA5LE was the big winner.
Now I am waiting for Fang's new headphone amp for the HE6's, if it comes close to the WA5/LE then that's the way to go, unless you already have the WA5/LE. In my case I still may get the EF6 and therefor save my WA5LE and its very high end 300B tubes for use with only the best sound-tracks.

Some comparison of HE-6 to Beyer T1 and Stax SR-407:
 
Treble and midrange:
T1: right tone (to me); most 3D-like and best sound texture; only sounds enclosed when in comparison to HE-6; high resolution and could cause strain with poor recording
407: right tone; least "immediately" impression but it grows on you quick; most effortless and super smooth; high resolution and well extended but not sparky; absolutely no strain even with poor recording
HE-6: when just switch to it, some part of freq band is not quite right; most open in soundstage but focusing is not as good as T1; may sound dull and plain at midrange (even a little veiled or misty) while the high may sound thin; least clear among three; the stain level with poor recording is at middle.
 
Bass:
T1: tightest and impactful but least amount
407: sheer amount is amazing and is deep, but not as tight and impactful as T1
HE-6: more amount than T1 and more impactful than 407. 
 
As you can see, I need some help on the HE-6 system.   Still, there is certain magic on HE-6 that keep motivate me to discover it.
 
My HE-6 is currently driven by Phoenix + NAD216 (125W/ch).  I can only use 3~6/99 on the volume level with balanced Ref-7 input.
 
Quote:

sillysally said:

As for the treble, the HE6 has great high ranges with no fatigue what so ever just very silky smooth like highs with very good precision and speed keeping very true to the source material.
As for the DAC I would think you should use a neutral DAC DSP that is well designed. The reason is simple, the HE6 is a neutral headphone so why limit the HE6's sound characteristics  with a AMP or DAC colored.
 
I have tried speaker amps and other headphone amps but there is always something missing, the one amp that I have not tried is the lyr but I read Jude's review of the lyr and comparing the lyr to the WA5LE, there was no contest the WA5LE was the big winner.
Now I am waiting for Fang's new headphone amp for the HE6's, if it comes close to the WA5/LE then that's the way to go, unless you already have the WA5/LE. In my case I still may get the EF6 and therefor save my WA5LE and its very high end 300B tubes for use with only the best sound-tracks.

Click to expand...

 

To be honest, its a lot of money the best amp I have heard for the HE-6 is the WA-5.  That is just my opinion.  I think the Apex Peak/Volcano sounds quite good with it, but the WA-5 using the K1K port has something special for it.  Silly Sally has reported he likes the WA-5LE with the HE-6 on more than one occasion.