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HiFiman HE-500 (HE as in High End) Proving to be an enjoyable experience in listening.
Apr 16, 2012 at 1:01 PM Post #1,186 of 20,386


Quote:
llloyd said:
I own both silver and copper and there is no obvious difference that I can tell.  Idk about all this flavor stuff.  I don't think it's worth the cost unless you diy the cable and even then, still probably not worth the money.  Youd be better off tube rolling with a tube amp than paying that much for cables to try to change the sound.
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The original cable is a piece of junk construction wise, so worst case scenario is a pre-emptive strike.  In my main audio system, there are clearly audible differences between copper and silver interconnects so I decided to see what gives with the HE-500's.  I already have loads of tubes to roll.
 
Apr 16, 2012 at 2:31 PM Post #1,187 of 20,386


Quote:
llloyd said:
I own both silver and copper and there is no obvious difference that I can tell.  Idk about all this flavor stuff.  I don't think it's worth the cost unless you diy the cable and even then, still probably not worth the money.  Youd be better off tube rolling with a tube amp than paying that much for cables to try to change the sound.
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What system are you running the HE-500's through, out of curiosity?  I don't have the stock cable, but I do have the HE-6 OCC cable and the sound is very good.  Perhaps sometime I will build a silver cable and compare myself. 
 
I agree about tube rolling, as upgrading from standard JJ's to Telefunken's (my only experience) makes a big difference.  However, with a headphone like the HD-650, there was a (wait for it) night and day difference between the stock cable and a DIY cable I made using SilverDragon V3 cable and a Furutech 1/4" plug.  That comparison was performed using an Opus DAC through some Mogomi RCA interconnects I made, and into a Cavalli Bijou tube amp with the stock JJ tubes. 
 
So, maybe it depends on the headphone and whether your system is revealing enough I'm sure.  Whether it works for the HE-500, no idea.  I'm just glad I have the HE-6 cable because from what I've read about the abysmal stock HE-500 cable, I don't want anything to do with it.
 
Apr 16, 2012 at 2:38 PM Post #1,188 of 20,386
I've yet to hear a night and day difference with any cable on any system. The most I've encountered is a very subtle change that could likely be chalked up to my mind having a go with me. Not to say nice cables aren't good to own, I just don't believe they're going to change the overall sound signature of any setup.
 
Apr 16, 2012 at 2:48 PM Post #1,189 of 20,386


Quote:
wdahm519 said:
What system are you running the HE-500's through, out of curiosity?  I don't have the stock cable, but I do have the HE-6 OCC cable and the sound is very good.  Perhaps sometime I will build a silver cable and compare myself. 
 
I agree about tube rolling, as upgrading from standard JJ's to Telefunken's (my only experience) makes a big difference.  However, with a headphone like the HD-650, there was a (wait for it) night and day difference between the stock cable and a DIY cable I made using SilverDragon V3 cable and a Furutech 1/4" plug.  That comparison was performed using an Opus DAC through some Mogomi RCA interconnects I made, and into a Cavalli Bijou tube amp with the stock JJ tubes. 
 
So, maybe it depends on the headphone and whether your system is revealing enough I'm sure.  Whether it works for the HE-500, no idea.  I'm just glad I have the HE-6 cable because from what I've read about the abysmal stock HE-500 cable, I don't want anything to do with it.
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I also have no idea about how material and geometry changes will work with the HE-500.  The stock cable gives me "the fear" and frustration about how easily it kinks under normal circumstances.  
 
In my main system I have been switching between DL-III/Cullen-IV and Resolution Audio Quantum DAC when going digital.   Amps have been Meier Concerto, Channel Islands VHP-1/VAC-1 and Opera Consonance Cyber 20.  The best sounding amp is gone -- that was a Manley Stingray II that a friend brought back to Japan -- so I know they can do better with more grunt and finesse than my current line-up.  I have been thinking about a recent post that claims they really sing when driven from speaker amp taps, so that may be an option.  I keep coming back to the V200 as a good possibility, but am waiting out the release of the Bryston to see if anything else comes up for sale at a good price in the pre-loved category.
 
Apr 16, 2012 at 2:58 PM Post #1,190 of 20,386


Quote:
il mostro said:
The original cable is a piece of junk construction wise, so worst case scenario is a pre-emptive strike.  In my main audio system, there are clearly audible differences between copper and silver interconnects so I decided to see what gives with the HE-500's.  I already have loads of tubes to roll.
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How did the copper/silver alter the sound you were hearing.  I would also like some impressions of how you think the copper alters the sound on the he500 compared to the silver cable
 
 
Apr 16, 2012 at 2:58 PM Post #1,191 of 20,386


Quote:
il mostro said:
The original cable is a piece of junk construction wise, so worst case scenario is a pre-emptive strike.  In my main audio system, there are clearly audible differences between copper and silver interconnects so I decided to see what gives with the HE-500's.  I already have loads of tubes to roll.
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Yes it is a piece of junk no arguing from me there.  I don't have an amazing system atm, but I'll do another comparison when my taboo arrives in a few months.  Even so, I'd imagine if cables make that big of a difference you'd be able to tell right away regardless of system?  I can't tell any difference at all.  Anyway I guess I dont really want to discuss cables too much.  It's just unfortunate that hifiman has to offer such a bad one stock.
 
Apr 16, 2012 at 3:21 PM Post #1,192 of 20,386


Quote:
mac336 said:
How did the copper/silver alter the sound you were hearing.  I would also like some impressions of how you think the copper alters the sound on the he500 compared to the silver cable
 
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Silver IC's are more lively, brighter and clear; copper IC's are anything from smoother to duller sounding.  I have played around with these for years on my turntable, pre-amp, and DAC's.   I have not experimented with different materials with my ESL speaker cables, focusing instead on capacitance and resistance.
 
Apr 16, 2012 at 3:21 PM Post #1,193 of 20,386


Quote:
llloyd said:
Yes it is a piece of junk no arguing from me there.  I don't have an amazing system atm, but I'll do another comparison when my taboo arrives in a few months.  Even so, I'd imagine if cables make that big of a difference you'd be able to tell right away regardless of system?  I can't tell any difference at all.  Anyway I guess I dont really want to discuss cables too much.  It's just unfortunate that hifiman has to offer such a bad one stock.
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Seems like such a sweet amp!
 
Apr 16, 2012 at 3:23 PM Post #1,194 of 20,386


Quote:
il mostro said:
Seems like such a sweet amp!
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At least it looks pretty awesome 
tongue_smile.gif

 
Apr 16, 2012 at 3:32 PM Post #1,195 of 20,386
Got a really nice offer from a local dealer, couldnt pass it up. Unfortunately they are in backorder but should arrive in week or two. But now I read about these cables woes and it is worrying me a bit. How sensitive they are really? My HE5 is now year old with constant desktop usage (on head about daily and back on the desk in front of my monitor when not in use) without problems, but then again I guess its the older copper cable. If the worst happens is my HE5 cable compatible with HE500? Though I dont wont to resort into that as that would make selling my HE5 more difficult in case HE500 turnst out to be dramatic improvement and there wouldnt be a point to keep HE5 around.
 
Apr 16, 2012 at 4:00 PM Post #1,196 of 20,386


Quote:
maza said:
Got a really nice offer from a local dealer, couldnt pass it up. Unfortunately they are in backorder but should arrive in week or two. But now I read about these cables woes and it is worrying me a bit. How sensitive they are really? My HE5 is now year old with constant desktop usage (on head about daily and back on the desk in front of my monitor when not in use) without problems, but then again I guess its the older copper cable. If the worst happens is my HE5 cable compatible with HE500? Though I dont wont to resort into that as that would make selling my HE5 more difficult in case HE500 turnst out to be dramatic improvement and there wouldnt be a point to keep HE5 around.
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I have both of those cans and I can say that HE-500 is an improvement over HE-5 but given my love for the HE-5, I wouldn't call it a dramatic improvement. The HE-500 are much smoother and non-fatiguing with better bass and midrange but that being said, they never made me think to sell my HE-5. For Rock music I always put my HE-5 on rather than the HE-500. And yes you all Hifiman cables can be used in different models. I haven't tried yet but you can use your HE-5 cable on HE-500. I never bothered because my silver cable for HE-5 has the same problems that the folks here are talking about. So I used a bit glue and haven't had any problems since. 
 
Apr 16, 2012 at 4:16 PM Post #1,197 of 20,386
Apr 16, 2012 at 7:17 PM Post #1,198 of 20,386


Quote:
il mostro said:
I ordered that exact same cable over the weekend.  I get the feeling that silver may not be the best material match for HE-500's and want to try copper flavor.  Plus, the HFM cables kink like crazy and there is sketchy integrity at the connector stress points as others have pointed out.  
 
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I don't like silver either. It makes them thin sounding and dull.
 
Apr 16, 2012 at 9:35 PM Post #1,199 of 20,386
These are my same experience I encountered. I went to a shop and for 3 hrs tried various cables which I had no idea what materials or brands they were and I ended up getting a silver one.
 
Quote:
il mostro said:
Silver IC's are more lively, brighter and clear; copper IC's are anything from smoother to duller sounding.  I have played around with these for years on my turntable, pre-amp, and DAC's.   I have not experimented with different materials with my ESL speaker cables, focusing instead on capacitance and resistance.
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