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Amp for HE5-LE

post #1 of 16
7/17/11 at 6:32pm
Thread Starter 

I recently purchased a pair of Hifiman HE5-L headphones an am looking for an amp to power them. I am currently using a vintige pioneer sx-450 reciver and would like something a bit smaller and newer. I want to spend around 400 bucks and am looking at the woo audio 3 and the schiit valhalla. If anyone could suggest some amps in this price range that would go well with my new cans that would be verry helpful.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

HE-5LE
post #2 of 16
7/18/11 at 7:48am

Around $400 is the EF5 and Lyr..are you using the HPO of the Pioneer?  Have you tried using the speaker taps?

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post #3 of 16
7/18/11 at 1:55pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the reply. I am not using the speaker taps because when i origionally bought the headphones i forgot to grab the connecter the guy had made for speaker taps :( and now im not sure where to get the supplies to make my own. The lyr looks nice but whats the difference going to be like from the valhalla?

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post #4 of 16
7/18/11 at 2:14pm

Power.  The 5LEs need a few watts to get going and the Valhalla won't cut it.  The vintage receiver route is definitely worth if you have the know-how to restore them properly--it's actually a simple thing from what I understand but not for anyone without any technical skills.  As far as the speaker taps adapter, Hi Flight sells them, or you could put a WTB ad up in the appropriate FS subforum, or if you have the skills & tools but not the instructions, ask in the DIY subforum.

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post #5 of 16
7/18/11 at 4:00pm
Thread Starter 

Cool. Thanks for all the info!.

 

If i felt compelled to spend lots of money would the schiit lyr be powerful enough for my cans or is a vintige reciver the best option?

 

What kind of vintige recivers should i be looking at...I currently have a pioneer sx-450 that came with my headphones and a kenwood ka-58.

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post #6 of 16
7/18/11 at 5:50pm

The SX-450 is 15WPC so the headphone out likely has a resistor that will step the power down too much for the HE-5LE. Off the speaker outs you'll have enough power to get a good feel for the phones potential but they do like a little more power in general. I've used a Kenwood KA-7300 which is I believe 65 watts into 8 ohms and that gets the HE-5LE going pretty well. 30-50 WPC rated @ 8 ohms is probably a good range. But just be aware that with vintage pieces each particular unit will be different due to their age. I've tried about 10 different vintage pieces so far and their sound ranges from very very good, to bright and fatiguing to dull and boring and you have to spend some time with each piece to find out its limits. There's often noise and hums and weird things going on even on units that have supposedly been fully restored. But when you get a good one they can be very good for very little money. Whether your particular SX-450 is good or not can only be determined by trying it. 

 

Creating a speaker pigtail is very simple if you have a soldering iron. Should cost about $15 in materials.

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post #7 of 16
7/18/11 at 6:15pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0YeTi0 View Post

Cool. Thanks for all the info!.

 

If i felt compelled to spend lots of money would the schiit lyr be powerful enough for my cans or is a vintige reciver the best option?


Without doubt.  The Lyr gels particularly well with the 5LEs.

 

A couple of 5LE users have Sansui vintage gear and think highly of the pairing.


Edited by sphinxvc - 7/18/11 at 6:17pm
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post #8 of 16
7/18/11 at 6:16pm
Thread Starter 

Awosome thanks for the info ill definetly have to try some other vintige receivers to see what i like.

 

Any idea Where i would find a male 4 pin xlr so i can make speaker pigtail?

 

EDIT: WOW my kenwood sounds great with these phones! didnt even bother to try till now.


Edited by 0YeTi0 - 7/18/11 at 6:21pm
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post #9 of 16
7/18/11 at 6:18pm

Not really, your best bet is to ask in DIY.

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post #10 of 16
7/18/11 at 6:20pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstaken View Post

But just be aware that with vintage pieces each particular unit will be different due to their age. I've tried about 10 different vintage pieces so far and their sound ranges from very very good, to bright and fatiguing to dull and boring and you have to spend some time with each piece to find out its limits. There's often noise and hums and weird things going on even on units that have supposedly been fully restored. But when you get a good one they can be very good for very little money. 


Agreed.  

 

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post #11 of 16
7/18/11 at 6:23pm
Thread Starter 

Yes i just tried my kenwood out it sounds a bit different not as clear as my pioneer but much fuller sound!

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post #12 of 16
7/18/11 at 6:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 0YeTi0 View Post

Awosome thanks for the info ill definetly have to try some other vintige receivers to see what i like.

 

Any idea Where i would find a male 4 pin xlr so i can make speaker pigtail?

 


You can get them from parts express, digikey, mouser and similar places.
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post #13 of 16
7/18/11 at 7:01pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks ill take a look as soon as i get a chance.

 

 

Thanks all for the help!

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post #14 of 16
8/12/11 at 8:21pm

EF-5 is my top pick in this price range, so liquid smooth.

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post #15 of 16
10/26/11 at 11:35am

I ordered a pair of HE-5LE and was wondering if my ASUS Xonar Essence STX with an internal TPA6120A2 Texas Instruments dedicated headphone amplifier ( http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tpa6120a2.pdf ), able to drive up to 600Ohms headphones, is enough to drive well my new HE-5LE and, please, how good will it be in doing so.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

HE-5LE
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