HE-6 Loaner Program - Page 54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

 

So the loaner HE6 is sonically different from the release version yeah?

While I don't have the old prototype to compare to the newer version, from memory I would say the new ones sound a lot like the original ones, but for being more efficient.  They still need a lot of power, but with my ZDT amp I can listen at 1 o'clock instead of at 3 o'clock.  In contrast, I listen to the HD800 and LCD-2 with the volume at 10 o'clock, and the HE-5 LE with the volume knob at 11 o'clock.  

I'm hoping to spend more time with them here at RMAF before they leave for NY on Sunday.

I have just heard from Ms T that the new version of HE6 has been improved to more efficient and can be driven by the HiFiman EF5 probably with the

speaker adapter cable box.  So if headphone addict mentioned that the HE5LE can be driven at the volume knob at 11 oclock , the new HE6 should

be around 11-12 oclock of the ZDT which should be OK especially I do have the silver reference transformer installed.

I would also like to ask about solid state amplifier amp that should be able to drive the HE6 effectively, may be comparing that the HE6 use the same power as the HE5 or a little bit

more power than that?

Which solid state amp will be more appropriate for the SQ of the HE6?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFlight 

 

 

Miguel...

It's called BIOBAE....   "burning in of brain and ears"    !!!!!!

 

Ron

Funny stuff there Ron, but I will say that a vintage Marantz 2220 (circa 1973) drove the HE6 superbly and I would say it is a better match than I would have thought possible. I picked it for $20 at a garage sale.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by immtbiker 

The headphones should not be changing at this point although Cassandra Wilson seems to affect me differently every time I listen to her. She is amazing and has a funky way of getting in between the beats and doing her own thing, sort of like Betty Carter. If you haven't already, see if you can listen to "Run the Voodoo Down", from Traveling Miles, or "Go To Mexico", from Thunderbird. They are what music should be in her genre.

Unfortunately, I have to give up my prodo HE-6's back to Fang for RMAF, and I can honestly say, they were one of the hardest "give ups" that I've ever done. I will definitely be on the list for when these become commercially available. These 6's are untouchable in so many ways.

 

I begged Fang to unleash a pair for those who are still in the loaner program, and haven't received theirs yet. He said, if he can get enough, he will make it happen, For Maxvia, and others, I am in your corner, pulling for you. I have nothing bad to say about them and  "satiation" is the word that I can best find to use to describe these. Once in while, a headphone comes along that hits that spot, you know, the one we are all looking for, and these fulfill that spot. I am not shilling for the headphones. Everyone knows that Fang is my friend and if the prodo sounded like sh!t, I would be the first to say so. These are the ones, my Head-Fi friends, and I hope he can keep up with the supply that these will command. That, and the fact that they can be driven with a quality dynamic, makes these a winner. Patience is a virtue, and it's one that I don't have. . I can only hope that I make up for it in other ways to be a good human, who has offered the world other benefits. 

 

Otherwise, maybe Dr. Phil or even Dr Ruth can help this desperate soul. Otherwise I'm doomed to a life of eternal damnation. 

 

Aaron I have 6 of Cassandra's albums and have listened to "Go To Mexico". Will be looking for the Traveling Miles album. Thanks for the suggestions, now I will recommend you get Raya Yarbrough, Tierney Sutton, Jaimee Paul, Sophie Milman, and Roberta Gambarini.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiertijai 

Dear mrarroyo,

    I have recently upgraded my Redwine audio isabella + signature 30.2  with LFPV batteries.  When you posted that the combo can drive the HE6

very well, do you use the speaker post with AKG 1000 adapter or do you use the headphone amplifier section?   With the new adapter cable box

do you think the redwine audio headphone amplifier with the new battery will be able to drive HE6 effectively.   I don't know much about the amplifier

specification but I have got an email from Ms. T today that the new version of HE6 (commercial) has improved and can be driven by the Hifiman EF5,

so that may be a very good news.

I use the speaker posts on the back of the Signature 30.2 to drive the HE-6 (prototype). I tried using an adapter (1/4" to 4-Pin) to drive the HE-6 out of the 1/4" headphone out of the Isabella, I had the gain set at 12 on the back and the volume at Noon. I listened at low volumes and the Isabella can do it for me, although I still prefer the sound out of the 30.2

Dear mrarroyo,

    Thanks for the info.

    Have you tried the new cable adapter box that will come with the new version?   Or this is the result with the adapter cable box?

    I have just heard from  MsT and the HE6 Loaner program (EU version) that the new HE6 has been improved both driver and the cable, monocrystalline?

and she said that it now can be driven by the Hifiman EF5 probably with the cable adapteer box, so if that the case the redwine isabella headphone

amplifier section should be enough to drive the HE6 if we would like to listen it more at a little bit higher volume

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiertijai 

Dear mrarroyo,

    Thanks for the info.

    Have you tried the new cable adapter box that will come with the new version?   Or this is the result with the adapter cable box?

    I have just heard from  MsT and the HE6 Loaner program (EU version) that the new HE6 has been improved both driver and the cable, monocrystalline?

and she said that it now can be driven by the Hifiman EF5 probably with the cable adapteer box, so if that the case the redwine isabella headphone

amplifier section should be enough to drive the HE6 if we would like to listen it more at a little bit higher volume

I have the original prototype so no I do not have the new cable nor the adapter box, sorry.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict 

The HE-6 is now easily driven by the EF5 amp, no doubt about it. I was very pleased with it at RMAF this morning.

Good to hear of the change/improvements Larry, thanks.

I just sent a PM to ishcabible asking for his address and phone so I can ship him the prototype HE-6. According to the participants list the next one would have been sambones but he has opted out. He suggested I keep it for his week but I feel that I have listened to it enough to have an idea of its sound and besides others want to listen to it to. 

I am currently listening to Charles Mingus - This Is Jazz 6 with the Isabella/30.2 combo. Now I would love to listen to the latest/production model to hear the differences specially since those who have listened to it are so happy with the results. The prototype HE-6 had a great synergy with a vintage Marantz 2220 receiver and considering how little these can be bought for it would be my first recommendation to a prospective buyer, just make sure the unit's dc-offset is checked to prevent damaging your speakers or ...

I do not recall if I mentioned this but the bass out of the HE-6 prototype is very good. It goes deep, it has lots of impact, and it is clean. Cheers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo 

I just sent a PM to ishcabible asking for his address and phone so I can ship him the prototype HE-6. According to the participants list the next one would have been sambones but he has opted out. He suggested I keep it for his week but I feel that I have listened to it enough to have an idea of its sound and besides others want to listen to it to. 

 

very nice of you Miguel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

I'm not sure I would call them "clinical", but I understand the use of the term - the HE-6 protos did have a little bit of a treble elevation.  No doubt about it, but the treble is so clean it's rarely an issue, and often a real bonus. 

Yeah I liked the treble a lot too that was my favorite part about them even though I usually prefer more subdued treble.  But thats not what made me use the word "clinical".  Grados, for example have a lot of treble, but also sound very warm.  I don't need that much warmth, but I do need a little for things to sound right to me.  I mean all instruments and sounds have some degree of natural warmth to them, and despite it's strengths, I felt that the HE6 failed to capture this, which made all it's strengths kind of irrelevant to me.  I kept thinking "it sounds very good, but..." 

But that may just be my personal taste, I also thought the HD800 sounded cold or dry, and many people don't.  Or maybe I didn't spend enough time with them or use the right amp (but I did use a few amps with them) The HE6 still sounded very lifelike to me, moreso than most headphones.  And a friend who is a classically trained violinist thought they sounded really good even though she doesn't like headphones.  She's old enough that her ears aren't what they once were, but she owns a nice B&W speaker rig, and is discerning enough that she thought the RS1 was too treble heavy and made violins sound off.  When she was listening to the HE6, she started conducting the orchestra, but pointing towards her head.    She said she could hear every single instrument separately, and liked how easy it was to follow the first and second violin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhythmdevils 

She said she could hear every single instrument separately, and liked how easy it was to follow the first and second violin.

*grasps hands with fingertips tapping, an evil grin*

Excellent

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo 

I just sent a PM to ishcabible asking for his address and phone so I can ship him the prototype HE-6. According to the participants list the next one would have been sambones but he has opted out. He suggested I keep it for his week but I feel that I have listened to it enough to have an idea of its sound and besides others want to listen to it to. 

 

I am currently listening to Charles Mingus - This Is Jazz 6 with the Isabella/30.2 combo. Now I would love to listen to the latest/production model to hear the differences specially since those who have listened to it are so happy with the results. The prototype HE-6 had a great synergy with a vintage Marantz 2220 receiver and considering how little these can be bought for it would be my first recommendation to a prospective buyer, just make sure the unit's dc-offset is checked to prevent damaging your speakers or ...

 

I do not recall if I mentioned this but the bass out of the HE-6 prototype is very good. It goes deep, it has lots of impact, and it is clean. Cheers.

Tomorrow is the one week anniversary since I received the HE-6. I will wait till tomorrow for ishcabible to respond, if he does not I will go to the next in line.

From the CanJam 2010 New Products thread - in case you missed it like I did until just now:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audio Addict 

 

For existing HE-5 / HE-5LE, Fang quoted me an $899 price.  The retail price of the HE-6 will be $1,199 so I guess the discount for existing owners is 25% and not 30%.  I would guess it is because the retail price dropped on the HE-6.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxvla 

So $1199 is the official full price? Not as competitive with the LCD-2 as I expected, and the loss of the leather on top of that...

--

Comments on $1199?

ps. LCD-2 is $945

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo 

 

Tomorrow is the one week anniversary since I received the HE-6. I will wait till tomorrow for ishcabible to respond, if he does not I will go to the next in line.

Iscabible responded and he is during final exams, I feel bad this would be the 2nd member who can not listen to the unit. I have sent iscabible a 2nd PM indicating I can wait a 2nd week so he can listen to the HE6 (prototype). Will keep you all posted.