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HiFiman HE-500 (HE as in High End) please post your impressions. . loan pair for UK pg. 28. - Page 136

post #2026 of 5088
11/18/12 at 7:21am

Thank you for the kind words ardilla.  All I have time for these days is mini-impressions.  Maybe in the future smile.gif

 

Tubing the HE-500's is something I have been looking into.  The LYR comes up a lot, although its not a hybrid I am interested in.  Judging from your signature, you like your Leben very much.  Great amp I'm sure.  Too bad its so far out of my price range.

 

Can anyone recommend a tube amp they have used or are still using that has great synergy with the HE-500's?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ardilla View Post


Great write-up! Post it as a equipment review smily_headphones1.gif
Really love the HE500 myself, currently using a CS300XS; magical smily_headphones1.gif
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post #2027 of 5088
11/18/12 at 7:22am

Oh..  To close to call.  Is it a split decision or is it unanimous - Who won???

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post #2028 of 5088
11/18/12 at 7:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by preproman View Post

Oh..  To close to call.  Is it a split decision or is it unanimous - Who won???

The review that supposedly had the image in it is at the end of a dead link, so I cannot tell. 

 

There is a DA10 vs DAC1 review here:

DAC Showdown: AQVOX USB 2 D/A vs. Benchmark DAC1 vs. Lavry Black DA10
 

 

 

Further I found another review (translated by google...)

The reviewer think they are pretty close, but prefers the DA10 for it being warmer yet at least as detailed. This is a 2007 review, and the DA10 was the newest product. 

 

Quote:
To the point
To summarize notes from the listening sessions, so
It is particularly a feature which distinguishes itself.
Lavry sounds warmer than the Benchmark. In add
I know where Benchmark may seem a bit mechanical
or cold, so going into Lavry with more fullness
and natural warmth. This is repeated on all tracks,
and although there are small differences we're talking about
they can have an impact on how satisfied you are
with the sound of your system. This warmth and
richness allows the voices experienced further
and more "in the room" with the Lavry.
The degree of detail perceived greater, without
sound analytical or exaggerated. In the case of
bass is almost a dead heat. Benchmark is
better able to distinguish different levels of bass
While Lavry experienced a bit more nuanced and defined. DA10 opens up room in depth, and has
a generally wider soundstage than the Benchmark
DAC 1. The tweeter experienced amazingly enough also
more dissolved, although this is a parade of branches to Benchmark. With Prima Luna Prologue
Two that strengthens the plant, the music flows
easier with Lavry DA10 and it is this
feeling of naturalness that gives it a head start on the Benchmark. At the end of the test period, I got into Unison Research Unico in the listening room. Here it was off, and a new
"Winner" could be chosen. While Prima Luna had
benefit from a more comfortable and warm spring, then drag
Unico good advantage of Benchmarks "unromantic"
right-of sound. Another confirmation that perhaps the most important parameter in our hobby is matching.
 
Conclusion
The more modern DAC draws the longest straw in this round. The DAC 1 and DA10
are very good products, and difference between them
are small. I like that
the converter which is based on the latest
technology, also is perceived as
most musically engaging. If this is a
glimpse of what is ahead, I look forward
to that! Away with the analytical products and
into the equipment that plays the music terms. Benchmark has not been in the least favorable
since last time, and the design, usability and connectivity scoring the highest. Are you
me that the owner of Benchmark DAC-1 and match
is good, then there is no reason to switch. But
warm musical sound IS Lavry DA10 bit
stronger. Maybe there is something in what they say? Once
you go Lavry black, you never go back
 

Edited by ardilla - 11/18/12 at 7:40am
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post #2029 of 5088
11/18/12 at 7:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ardilla View Post

 

The review that supposedly had the image in it is at the end of a dead link, so I cannot tell. 

 

However, I found another review (in norwegian - teanslated by google...)

 

The reviewer think they are pretty close, but prefers the DA10 for it being warmer yet at least as detailed. This is a 2007 review, and the DA10 was the newest product. 

 

 

 

 

Cool.  this is great.  I was just about to pull the trigger on the Master 7.  It's hugh, in China and cost more.  

 

I'm going to be in the Lavry camp now.  Thanks I needed this information. 

 

I also needed a AES / EBU input so this is perfect.

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post #2030 of 5088
11/18/12 at 7:40am

Ears I trust keep telling me that the Project Sunrise Version II is a great match with the HE-500

 

Buy it here: http://store.garage1217.com/project-sunrise-hybrid-class-a--tube-headphone-amplifier.html

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by rezolver View Post

Thank you for the kind words ardilla.  All I have time for these days is mini-impressions.  Maybe in the future smile.gif

 

Tubing the HE-500's is something I have been looking into.  The LYR comes up a lot, although its not a hybrid I am interested in.  Judging from your signature, you like your Leben very much.  Great amp I'm sure.  Too bad its so far out of my price range.

 

Can anyone recommend a tube amp they have used or are still using that has great synergy with the HE-500's?


Edited by ardilla - 11/18/12 at 7:41am
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post #2031 of 5088
11/18/12 at 8:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ardilla View Post
So, Norway - you're saying that since you couldn't hear a difference between da11 and grace and grace sounds like a benchmark and the benchmark sounds like a grace which sounds like a grace, they all sound the same? :P

 

Anyway - if you want to check out warmer, and not warmish dacs - check out the Eastern Electric MinMax

http://eeaudio.com/eeaudio_20102.htm

http://www.stereomojo.com/Eastern%20Electric%20MiniMax%20DAC%20Review/EasternElectricMiniMaxDACReview.ht

 

Is it really a requirement to specify that this is my subjective reasoning? Seriously?

 

I didn't say I couldn't hear a difference, I said they were similar. I think A ≈ B, and since B is said to be very similar to C by a lot of people, that implies that A ≈ C.

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post #2032 of 5088
11/18/12 at 8:22am

That's an impressive little amp.  The provided wall-wart PSU is able to provide enough voltage swing?

 

Loevhagen sports a PSII, although I haven't seen any impressions from them on the pairing. I stand corrected.  The impressions precede the Mjolnir/Gungnir purchase.  I'd be curious to hear how the PSII stacks up now in terms of SQ.

 

This has me curious indeed.  Thanks.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ardilla View Post

Ears I trust keep telling me that the Project Sunrise Version II is a great match with the HE-500

 

Buy it here: http://store.garage1217.com/project-sunrise-hybrid-class-a--tube-headphone-amplifier.html

 

 


Edited by rezolver - 11/18/12 at 8:29am
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post #2033 of 5088
11/18/12 at 9:03am
According to Lavry and the 6moons-review, the DA11 is at its greatest when running it via AES/EBU, which probably is fine with you, then smily_headphones1.gif

Quote:
Originally Posted by preproman View Post


Cool.  this is great.  I was just about to pull the trigger on the Master 7.  It's hugh, in China and cost more.  

I'm going to be in the Lavry camp now.  Thanks I needed this information. 

I also needed a AES / EBU input so this is perfect.
Reply
post #2034 of 5088
11/18/12 at 9:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Norway View Post

Is it really a requirement to specify that this is my subjective reasoning? Seriously?

I didn't say I couldn't hear a difference, I said they were similar. I think A ≈ B, and since B is said to be very similar to C by a lot of people, that implies that A ≈ C.

Just teasing. No offense wink.gif

Any reason you want the Havana specifically, and not the Stockholm?
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post #2035 of 5088
11/18/12 at 9:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ardilla View Post


Just teasing. No offense wink.gif
Any reason you want the Havana specifically, and not the Stockholm?

 

 

Right,

 

I'll shoot for the Stockholm..  

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post #2036 of 5088
11/18/12 at 9:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ardilla View Post


Just teasing. No offense wink.gif
Any reason you want the Havana specifically, and not the Stockholm?

 

No offense taken. You know I love you long time.

 

Because you've had me get WA2, sell LCD-2 r2 to get LCD-2 r1, then LCD-3 and HD 650. It's time for this little boy to make his own decisions! I might consider Stockholm since preproman is suggesting it.

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post #2037 of 5088
11/18/12 at 10:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Norway View Post

No offense taken. You know I love you long time.

Because you've had me get WA2, sell LCD-2 r2 to get LCD-2 r1, then LCD-3 and HD 650. It's time for this little boy to make his own decisions! I might consider Stockholm since preproman is suggesting it.
Could I interest you in a pair of jewel encrusted nose hair tweezers(Frank lives)?
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post #2038 of 5088
11/18/12 at 2:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rezolver View Post

I describe the HE-500's with a few -- simple adjectives.  Smooth, Engaging, Clear, Punchy, Detailed, Sparkly, Smooth, Hypnotizing, Seductive, Precise and Groovy.

The SPL Auditor add's a level of precision not found on the Audio-gd ROC SA, giving the ROC a more 'musical' and relaxed sound.  The control Auditor has over the bass is astonishing.  Making it extended, punchy, controlled, detailed.  The ROC on the other hand handles bass with some added 'bloom'.  There's also a veil over the bass, which hampers detail retrieval in the lower octaves.

On the Audio-gd ROC SA, the high's are also not as extended, which adds a level of 'smoothness'.  Once again, the smoothness covers up extension and detail.  Its there, although more difficult to make out.

ROC is at a disadvantage here as well.  I'm running RCA's to it from the DAC and using SE output.  While the SPL Auditor is running Balanced from DAC and using native SE output.
Soon the ROC will be running off of balanced via Auditor passthrough.

Needless to say, HE-500's sound amazing running off of either amp.  There will be times where I will forget which amp I'm currently using.  No hearing adjustment necessary when switching amps, that's for sure.  You can call the Auditor a VERY refined ROC SA.  The Auditor has been with me for around a month and received exclusive and extensive listening time.  No 'new toy syndrome' here folks.

Until next time ... Happy Listening. smily_headphones1.gif

Ps. If someone knows of a deal on a balanced cable for the HE-500, feel free to PM me.

Ur so right..the 500 also sounds heavenly with my 337

Try the darkvoice 337 with the right tubes or the lafigaro 339
Edited by hifimanrookie - 11/19/12 at 9:31am
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post #2039 of 5088
11/18/12 at 5:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rezolver View Post

Thank you for the kind words ardilla.  All I have time for these days is mini-impressions.  Maybe in the future smile.gif

 

Tubing the HE-500's is something I have been looking into.  The LYR comes up a lot, although its not a hybrid I am interested in.  Judging from your signature, you like your Leben very much.  Great amp I'm sure.  Too bad its so far out of my price range.

 

Can anyone recommend a tube amp they have used or are still using that has great synergy with the HE-500's?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ardilla View Post


Great write-up! Post it as a equipment review smily_headphones1.gif
Really love the HE500 myself, currently using a CS300XS; magical smily_headphones1.gif

Opera Consonance Cyber 20.

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post #2040 of 5088
11/18/12 at 6:31pm
How do you find the amp to sound with male or female vocals? I'm looking for something euphoric, where the vocals sound effortless.

Other amps I've considered are; Mapletree Audio Ear HD, or the WA2. Anything in the range of $0 to $1000.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CJG888 View Post

Opera Consonance Cyber 20.
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › HiFiman HE-500 (HE as in High End) please post your impressions. . loan pair for UK pg. 28.