HifiMAN HE-6 Planar Magnetic Headphone - Page 543

That would be hard as the Pioneer it is connected to does not support FLAC files.... Yeah I know but its not my system.

320MP3s would have to do

Something like this one, just last year model.

 

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-v371_black__u/?mode=model

 

Has the Burr-Brown DAC so that shouldnt be a problem. Will give it a try definitely.

But more like individual listening than comparison. Will try to compare by memory though :)

Out of Master6 I found HD800 to have better bass definition. HE6 has very tuneful bass but the bass doesn't image so well and overall it didn't sound as fast as HD800 from M6. Maybe even more power is needed to whip it into shape.

It might rabbit..... it might........

The mystery magnets behind the HE-6 and their full potential not readily realized, makes this thread a fantastic read daily/nightly. I'm still engaged, still intrigued. I often log-in with a quest to hear about the latest amp pairings...good stuff!

 

I have often been stunned by the bass speed as well as general speed of the HE6's with the M6. Maybe the HD800's just seem faster because it is leaner and has a lighter/thinner sound?

I mean neither the LCD2 or the T1's sound faster on the M6, even in the bass, so I doubt power is an issue.

Ever consider the HD800 just have faster bass? I've known this for atleast a year now. The HE6 aren't bad at all though, especially with amping taken care of and a silver cable.

I am thinknig about tryinga pair of these, I am a Grado HP2 convert to Hifiman.  Started with the HE5LE which were the first headphones I'd heard that could do live midrange (vocals guitar, brass) with the realism of a Grado yet without the distortion and lack of bass.  However ultimately I found them to highlight the upper octaves of guitar over the rest of the instrument (same with brass and vocals.) 

 

So I bought the HE500,  this headphone seems perfect,  its only fault is it tends to run out of steam or break up on loud compplex passages.  Not really a fault since I shouldn't be listening that loud.  Would an HE6 be a good upgrade for me?  (I can build any amp needed from a Pass F5T to an EL34 P-P, to a 300B SET.)  Or is it tonality too similiar to the HE5LE?  Also curious of Hifiman has a new flagship in the works,  I mean there are like 1500 pages on this website discussion "proper" amplification,  that ought to tell them something.

Catfish i think we both know that posting that question in the he-6 thread can only have one outcome.
These people are fanatical.
I mean, we people. (proud he-6 and he-500 owner)

Been listening to my HE-6 for a few hours through a restored Threshold CAS-2.  The first interesting thing is that while I figured I would need to crank the volume way down from the Mjolnir, it was actually only a couple clicks.  Second, I expected great bass and was not dissappointed, but I feel it is only a subtle overall tightening and improved definition from the Mjolnir.  A slight incremental improvement in my opinion.  What was surprising was the very noticeable mid and trebel improvement.  There was a significantly improved airyness and resolution.  Almost to the point of the HD800.  In fact, I would say that at this point the only thing the HD800 is clearly better at is its well documented spaciousness.  I really think this  is an end of the line system for me.  The only other place to go would be a megabux stats setup, and I'm not prepared to drop $10k+ on that right now.

I bought a McIntosh MC225 integrated vintage tube amp with upgraded MC240 transformer/ new tubes and full clean up.

I initially felt like selling my mjolnir but it's useful to have. The McIntosh simply outperformed my HE-6/HD800/LCD-3's through the gung/mjolni/bha-1, vintage sansui and marantz.

 

Have you had a chance to compare the CAS-2 to any of the 400A versions (original, restored, factory upgraded ...).?

 

Unfortunately no.  I don't know of anyone with a 400 or 800 for that matter and if I did I would be tempted to make an offer for it just for its historical significance.  I'm sure it would sound great just based on the CAS 2 (mine is factory upgraded to the same stasis design - still have the paperwork signed by Nelson himself). I would also like to try Audio Research (VS-115 or Reference 100).  I think in general tubes are not the way to go with the HE-6, but a few might yield outstanding results.

I can report my original CAS 1 sounds very good with the HE-6 phones but there is a striking difference between it and the 400A that I have. (Interestingly, this difference was not as evident when I hooked both amps up to a pair of Mini Maggis.) The 400A, however, was factory upgraded which included the e Series boards (FEB and optocoupler circuit, ...) so some of its electronics are not only different but 15-20 years newer. In general, I agree that solid state seems better here but my old Conrad Johnson M50 ably rescues some otherwise unlistenable CDs. 

I also am using a CAS 1 with my HE 6--What striking difference do you hear with the 400A?

 

Thanks

 

Jack