So you use pure money to govern your upgrade purchase decisions? Regardless of whether or not you can distinguish the components in a blind test?

 

Good for you.

 

 

LOL. Shots fired sphinx!

 

Well... If it can somewhat drive the He4 which is harder to drive than the HE5LE, it can certainly drive them to somewhat decent potential. HOWEVER, it is definitely lacking when compared against something like the Lyr, and it MAY at times distort during certain songs (most likely during some intense bassy passages, which I can reproduce pretty much everytime on certain songs). I would advise on using something else to drive the power hungry orthos. I currently enjoy the HE4 off my E9, but don't mistake it for being a replacement to the Lyr I sold recently. It's a CLEAR difference, and I have deep regrets in selling said Lyr. DEEP REGRETS.

I love my E9, but seriously, it's not a match for the Hifiman Orthos, except maybe the HE500 which is a lot easier to drive than the rest.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 6/18/11 at 10:45pm

Quote:

Lol.   

 

Should I bother?  

maybe you should bother. Because if you truly can't distinguish the and expensive component from a cheap one in a blind test what is the point in paying more?

 

It's no secret that there's a lot of snake oil in this business...

Quote:

Blind test?  What are you on about?   

 

No one's talking about anything subjective in this thread.  It's not about soundstage, or tonal balance, or PRAT or any of that.  It's just about power.  Basic stuff.  If you're lacking power you're going to hear distortion at some point, simple as that.  

 

 

Edited by sphinxvc - 6/19/11 at 4:33pm