HE-6 Loaner Program - Page 15

baka

I will bring a Merdian pre amp and VTL 100 watt mono blocks.

Also a NAD 50 watt receiver.

This meet is really shaping up. Gonna be lot of great stuff to get a handle now all I have to figure out what I have to sell to get some more. LOL Just kidding I am set for the future I believe anyway.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank I  
" This meet is really shaping up. Gonna be lot of great stuff to get a handle now all I have to figure out what I have to sell to get some more. LOL Just kidding I am set for the future I believe anyway."

Right! Sure! Uh huh! :)

I'm so close to getting that Marantz I don't need. The Rockhopper beta22 I shouldn't get and who knows what new shiny tube thingie I can't stop staring at.

The HD900 and T2 are around the corner Frank! Lmao. See you Saturday. I'll make coffee if you want some.

Has Tyll measured the HE-6?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachu 

Has Tyll measured the HE-6?

His amp wasn't powerful enough to test them fairly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwkarth 

His amp wasn't powerful enough to test them fairly.

You mean that he didn't have the chance to measure all of the other headphones using a more powerful amp.  Using a more powerful amp for just one headphone doesn't sound that fair to me :P.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jageur272 

You mean that he didn't have the chance to measure all of the other headphones using a more powerful amp.  Using a more powerful amp for just one headphone doesn't sound that fair to me :P.

Of course that's true too, but you have to understand we're not talking about just a little more power.  Fang had them hooked up to the speaker terminals of a 100WPC Threshold amp.  You COULDN'T do that with other headphones!  You'd smoke them!
 

MMmmm.. makes me look forward even more to using them with my 125Wpc Pioneer.

Any thoughts from the mini meet today guys?

I'm starting to think then that only my two tube integrated amps will have enough juice for the HE-6 when my turn for the loaner pair comes...
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

I'm starting to think then that only my two tube integrated amps will have enough juice for the HE-6 when my turn for the loaner pair comes...
 

I heard them with Dared mono block tube amps yesterday and the 40 watt Nad 316BB. To be honest they were congested with the Dared amps. I thought the sound stage shrunk and sounded better on the NAD IMO. The Leben is 18W and should be a good match. I will say this on the NAD I liked the sound of the HE6 and look forward to my loaner audition

Thanks Frank.  I will also try them on my new Decware (the Mini Torii) if it arrives in time - it should also have plenty of power.
 

your welcome. they are very nice cans from the short time i did hear them and will be curious to see the pricing.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylab  
" I'm starting to think then that only my two tube integrated amps will have enough juice for the HE-6 when my turn for the loaner pair comes..."

Even the HE-5LE really benefits from a speaker amp. At the NJ meet this was becoming apparent. The difference between even a powerful headamp and a speaker amp was substantial. I had the 5LE connected to several headamps and integrated amps including mono blocks. The 5LE just works better through speaker terminals. In my opinion the HE-6 just can't be driven with a headamp and it get even close to it's potential.

My time with the HE-6 has ended and they are now in the capable hands of El_Doug. There isn't much I can add to what I've already said. Except... I did get a chance to listen to the LCD-2 on two different systems including my own.

The HE-6, LCD-2, T1, HD-800 and to a smaller degree the Edition 8 are all chasing the same thing. I've now had the opportunity to listen to all but the Edition 8. What I can reliably say is they're all excellent top-tier headphones. I believe they all are worthy candidates for anyone wanting to get closer to chasing the elusive perfect sound. The four I've heard are very balanced and neutral. None are perfect. I guess they're waiting for the HE-7, T2, HD900 and LCD-3 to get even closer.

For my taste the HD800 is the one I have chosen. I was fully prepared to purchase the HE-6 if I liked it over the HD800. Had I not had the HD800 to compare it to I most likely would have. I suppose if the LCD-2 would have blown me away I'd order them too.

My suggestion would be if you're in the market for a $1k+ headphone find a way to listen to each one for yourself. As informative as is all that has been written about all these headphones, only hearing them is how you'll know where to invest. And at this level, it's an investment to be sure.

Quote: Originally Posted by Frank I  

" I heard them with Dared mono block tube amps yesterday and the 40 watt Nad 316BB. To be honest they were congested with the Dared amps. I thought the sound stage shrunk and sounded better on the NAD IMO. The Leben is 18W and should be a good match. I will say this on the NAD I liked the sound of the HE6 and look forward to my loaner audition"


I also preferred the NAD over the tube mono blocks (but those mono blocks had a badass rat bike jive going though. In a good way). Maybe the HE-6 works better with SS than with tubes?

Quote:

Originally Posted by baka1969 

...

My suggestion would be if you're in the market for a $1k+ headphone find a way to listen to each one for yourself. As informative as is all that has been written about all these headphones, only hearing them is how you'll know where to invest. And at this level, it's an investment to be sure.

Good advice, and well said!