Amp recommendations for HiFiMAN HE-500 - Page 3

Yes... that's correct... it sounds like it doesn't control the HE500's well, and clips. 

The NX03 specs do look ideal... if... it produces all the current output they may need.  Perhaps... Rudistor has tried the amp with the HE500's - I'll inquire.  Thanks for the suggestion.  Though, I guess at 38 ohms of the HE500's, its power output would be something like 700 mW, which likely is a bit less than they really need (1.5 W at 16 ohms). 
 

Also dont forget the Vioelectric HPA 181 and 200. Powerful with good reviews. http://www.violectric.de/Pages/en/products/index.php

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingStyles 

Also dont forget the Vioelectric HPA 181 and 200. Powerful with good reviews. http://www.violectric.de/Pages/en/products/index.php

A good suggestion, except that they're both well over $1,000.  But, thanks.

It says $714 euro on the sale page which is $1024 dollars. It was close.

Does anyone have experience wtih the HE-500 on a GS-1? I'll be auditioning together them with a T1, HD800, RS1 and GS1000 in a week or two but im curious what to expect.

Quote:Originally Posted by Gradofan2 




"No... the source provides 2V output, amplified by the Line Stage to several times that output - which is why the Millett MiniMax drives the HE500's so well. 
It's something else with the WA6 SEm - it appears to be insufficient current output to drive somewhat low impedance, inefficient phones."


This wasn't my experience as I found the WA6SE a very nice pairing with the HE500. Also I thought the WA2 was even better. Actually, I thought the WA2 was an excellent tube amp with the planar. And that was with the stock tube compliment.

With the WA6SE I believe I used the Sylvania rectifier and I don't recall the driver tubes I used but I do recall them having a higher gain than others.

All said I thought the beta22 amp was my favorite with the HE500 but the two Woo amps did very well IMHO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baka1969 

Quote:Originally Posted by Gradofan2 

"No... the source provides 2V output, amplified by the Line Stage to several times that output - which is why the Millett MiniMax drives the HE500's so well. 
It's something else with the WA6 SEm - it appears to be insufficient current output to drive somewhat low impedance, inefficient phones."

 

 

This wasn't my experience as I found the WA6SE a very nice pairing with the HE500. Also I thought the WA2 was even better. Actually, I thought the WA2 was an excellent tube amp with the planar. And that was with the stock tube compliment.

With the WA6SE I believe I used the Sylvania rectifier and I don't recall the driver tubes I used but I do recall them having a higher gain than others.

All said I thought the beta22 amp was my favorite with the HE500 but the two Woo amps did very well IMHO.

Yes... I would guess the B22 is a very good option. 

Did you try the Vioelectric V200 with the HE500's?   It's specs look like they meet all my specs "to a T!"  And the price is not too bad to get a quality amp "that does it all." 

I don't know why my WA6 SEm doesn't drive them well, but it doesn't.  Though, I'm using the Sylvania 6FD7 fat bottles as the driver tubes, and the Sylvania rectifier that you use.  Perhaps I should try some other driver tubes.  But... in the end... I suspect no tube amplifier is going to drive the orthos as well as a SS or Hybrid amplifier will - perhaps, except for a "very high-end" tube amp.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingStyles 

It says $714 euro on the sale page which is $1024 dollars. It was close.

Yes... I don't know where I got the idea it was much more expensive.  I did see that amp in my research, but somehow was misguided on the price - though, lower would be better, of course.  But... if it can do it all, then "the price is right."

And... after reviewing the specs and the reviews - the Vioelectric V200 (or V181) is a "no-brainer" - it fits the specs I outlined EXACTLY!  And gets great reviews with all phones. 

AND THE WINNER IS... the Vioelectic V200 - I'm thinking I may give it a try!

Thanks to you and others who have persistently recommended the V200! 
 

I have absolutely no distortion with my Woo6se with the HE-6's at my maximum listening level which ranges from 12 to 3 o'clock depending on recording level.

My source has an output voltage of 2.1volts

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigeljames 

I have absolutely no distortion with my Woo6se with the HE-6's at my maximum listening level which ranges from 12 to 3 o'clock depending on recording level.

 

My source has an output voltage of 2.1volts

 

Other's report the same. 

I don't understand why mine doesn't drive my HE500's well... but... it doesn't. 

Though, perhaps its tube selection.  I'm using the Sylvania 5U4G ST rectifier, and the Sylvania 6FD7 Fast Bottle drivers. 

What tubes are you using?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 

 

Other's report the same. 

 

I don't understand why mine doesn't drive my HE500's well... but... it doesn't. 

 

Though, perhaps its tube selection.  I'm using the Sylvania 5U4G ST rectifier, and the Sylvania 6FD7 Fast Bottle drivers. 

 

What tubes are you using?
 

 

I am just using the stock 6EW7 tubes and a tung sol 4U4GB(I think,have to have a look to be sure). Nothing fancy.

Well... I got a HiFiMan EF-5 to see what it does for the HE-500's. 

As, you might guess, it drives them very well... and... does elevate their performance a bit - perhaps a bit better than my Monarchy M24 Tube DAC + Line Stage > Millett MiniMax combo.  Though, I'm still not sure they're really a lot better than my other phones. 

It also drives my other phones well, with the exception of of my MD5000's - their sound becomes just too hard and strident.

Overall, the CE version (EU compliant) with the Full Music 12AU7, rather than the RCA 12AU7, sounds good with the HE-500's, though it may be a wee bit hard in the upper mids, lower highs - with only about 2 hrs on it. 

Wondering if I should try the V200 to see if it drives the HE-500's any better.

The EF5 just doesn't do a lot for the HE500's.  It gives them a little more powerful sound.  But... with the stock tube and opamp... it doesn't clear the bass and lowe mids up as I'd hoped it would - they still have a bit too much of a warm, thick, syrupy sound for my preferences. 

And... I don't have the patience to "roll" cables, amps, tubes and opamps to see if they will clear up. 

If you're a fan of the "old version" of the HD650's, you will like the HE500's with the EF5... but... if you're a Stax, AD2000, RS-1 fan you may not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baka1969 

beta22

Maybe... but... I think the HE-500's are likely beyond even the B22 - I'm skeptical that even the B22 could clear them up sufficiently... and... I don't have the patience to experiment a lot more, when my other phones and set ups sound better.  I'm guessing the HiFiMan sound signature is towards a thick, rich, warm sound in the bass and lower mids, which is difficult to "tune out," via rolling amps, cables, tubes, opamps, etc.  Perhaps... but... I don't have the patience, and am too skeptical.