Amp recommendations for HiFiMAN HE-500 - Page 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 

 

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.
 

 

This got me worried a bit. The B22 will probably be as far as i want to go with SS amps. With tubes it will be something like the woo 6 maxed or raptor, maybe a Zana.

How much i love cans; once funds and space allow it(within a year i hope) i know i will be getting speakers. 

And like you i dont feel much for rolling components for ages.

Makes me think i should reconsider the RS1 above the ortho's as option next to the T1.

Unless you like a "very rich" sound, and slower bass, you may prefer the "new version" HD650's, AD2000's, or RS-1's to the HE-500's - I do.  But, I prefer the clarity, PRAT, and treble of those phones, which do not sound as rich (more of a Stax sound). 

The caveat is... that I did not try them with a really powerful SS amp, like the B22, or V200, nor the Lyr, or a speaker amp, since I didn't have the patience to try them... and... I didn't complete their burn-in.   All of that will, no doubt, make a difference... but... how much of a difference. 

I can not explain how several have tried them with the WA6 and WA6 SE and found them to sound great - whereas, they sounded terrible out of my WA6 SEm (rough bass and rough treble).   But, I would not pair them with a tube amp, of any kind.  I think they require a SS amp (or SS/tube hybrid amp) to come close to the sound of my phones, which I prefer. 

Or... I suppose... I could have had an "exceptional" pair - which sound nothing like the reviews I've read.

But... you may like their sound... many do, with much lesser setups. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 

Unless you like a "very rich" sound, and slower bass, you may prefer the "new version" HD650's, AD2000's, or RS-1's to the HE-500's - I do.  But, I prefer the clarity, PRAT, and treble of those phones, which do not sound as rich (more of a Stax sound). 

 

The caveat is... that I did not try them with a really powerful SS amp, like the B22, or V200, nor the Lyr, or a speaker amp, since I didn't have the patience to try them... and... I didn't complete their burn-in.   All of that will, no doubt, make a difference... but... how much of a difference. 

 

I can not explain how several have tried them with the WA6 and WA6 SE and found them to sound great - whereas, they sounded terrible out of my WA6 SEm (rough bass and rough treble).   But, I would not pair them with a tube amp, of any kind.  I think they require a SS amp to come close to the sound of my phones, which I prefer. 

 

Or... I suppose... I could have had an "exceptional" pair - which sound nothing like the reviews I've read.

 

But... you may like their sound... many do, with much lesser setups. 
 

 

I prefer clarity, PRaT, strong mids and some brighness. Thats the reason i prefer the GS-1 to the LD MKIII with all my phones. At first i thought i was a tube guy, but so far it seems SS gets my vote.

Wanted to ask Gradofan2 above if he got round to getting hold of a Vioelectric V200 to use with his HE500's. I have an EF5 driving mine at the moment and am intrigued as to the difference in sound. Remain still a little unconvinced with the EF-5 in terms of drive and hear the V200 has much punch and clarity.

 Any thoughts from anybody on this ?