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**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 492

post #7366 of 10768
2/15/13 at 2:27am
I compared the Fiio E9K vs the Audio-GD SA-31 which is 5x the price, and about 10 times more powerful, and I didnt feel like I lost a lot with the Fiio. This is a testament as to how good the HE-400 sounds off practically anything.

Not sure about the E9 sounding empty, but at the price range, I personally find it to be quite potent (I'd recommend spending the extra $20 for the E9K aka E09k as it does away with the useless 3.5mm input which was horrible on the E9, and has al full sized RCA input/outputs. I also found it to not have a noisy volume pot, which I had a problem with on the standard E9.) The HE400 doesn't need much. I have used quite a few amps, and sound quality between SS amps doesn't change as much as head-fi in general wants you to believe. Keep an open mind, and be realistic, and you'd probably think the same.

I downgraded from the SA-31 to the Compass 2, and I'm just happy if not happier.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 2/15/13 at 2:52am
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post #7367 of 10768
2/15/13 at 2:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy View Post

I compared the Fiio E9K vs the Audio-GD SA-31 which is 5x the price, and about 10 times more powerful, and I didnt feel like I lost a lot with the Fiio. This is a testament as to how good the HE-400 sounds off practically anything.

Not sure about the E9 sounding empty, but at the price range, I personally find it to be quite potent. The HE400 doesn't need much. I have used quite a few amps, and sound quality between SS amps doesn't change as much as head-fi in general wants you to believe. Keep an open mind, and be realistic, and you'd probably think the same.

I downgraded from the SA-31 to the Compass 2, and I'm just happy if not happier.

 

That Compass 2 looks interesting... Does it run cool and are those 3.5mm Stereo input output Jacks I see? 


Edited by bareyb - 2/15/13 at 2:54am
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post #7368 of 10768
2/15/13 at 3:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by beaver316 View Post

 

There's plenty suggested in this thread. 

 

Schiit Asgard 1 or 2

O2

Matrix M-stage

Fiio E17

Schiit Magni

 

And other's that escape me atm.

Yulong A100

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post #7369 of 10768
2/15/13 at 3:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bareyb View Post

That Compass 2 looks interesting... Does it run cool and are those 3.5mm Stereo input output Jacks I see? 

Its 1/4" / 6.3mm headphone jack.

It runs warm. Certainly not hot.
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post #7370 of 10768
2/15/13 at 3:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bareyb View Post

Just got a pair of these and I love 'em. Anyone using a Solid State (non tube)  Amp you would recommend for the HE400? 

 if you dig vintage in the least I would suggest an accuphase e202 or a sansui au-d11ii. 

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post #7371 of 10768
2/15/13 at 4:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by beaver316 View Post

 

There's plenty suggested in this thread. 

 

Schiit Asgard 1 or 2

O2

Matrix M-stage

Fiio E17

Schiit Magni

 

And other's that escape me atm

Double postblink.gif


Edited by hifimanrookie - 2/15/13 at 4:10am
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post #7372 of 10768
2/15/13 at 4:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hifimanrookie View Post

Double postblink.gif

 

My post?

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post #7373 of 10768
2/15/13 at 5:22am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy View Post

I compared the Fiio E9K vs the Audio-GD SA-31 which is 5x the price, and about 10 times more powerful, and I didnt feel like I lost a lot with the Fiio. This is a testament as to how good the HE-400 sounds off practically anything.

Not sure about the E9 sounding empty, but at the price range, I personally find it to be quite potent (I'd recommend spending the extra $20 for the E9K aka E09k as it does away with the useless 3.5mm input which was horrible on the E9, and has al full sized RCA input/outputs. I also found it to not have a noisy volume pot, which I had a problem with on the standard E9.) The HE400 doesn't need much. I have used quite a few amps, and sound quality between SS amps doesn't change as much as head-fi in general wants you to believe. Keep an open mind, and be realistic, and you'd probably think the same.

I downgraded from the SA-31 to the Compass 2, and I'm just happy if not happier.

 

This is good info and pretty much on spot with what I found. I've ordered the Asgard 2. It would be interesting to put the A2 against the C2 for a head to head!!

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post #7374 of 10768
2/15/13 at 5:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MattTCG View Post

This is good info and pretty much on spot with what I found. I've ordered the Asgard 2. It would be interesting to put the A2 against the C2 for a head to head!!

Do tell us how you like the A2. I have an A1 and it works very well with He400s. I'm curious how much different an A2 will sound. I know you can't really compare them but I'm interested in your impressions. I've actually ordered a Trends TA10.2SE that I will be using in the future with some He6s (when I purchase them) but I will hook up the HE400s to it to compare to the orginal Asgard.
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post #7375 of 10768
2/15/13 at 5:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MattTCG View Post

 

This is good info and pretty much on spot with what I found. I've ordered the Asgard 2. It would be interesting to put the A2 against the C2 for a head to head!!


Oh boy oh boy oh boy :D

 

Just so you know, we expect a 2000+ words review on the asgard 2 >:(

 

No kidding, 1000+ is fine! :D

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post #7376 of 10768
2/15/13 at 5:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bareyb View Post

 
 
 

 

I am currently using an E17 as well, and it sounds pretty good but I'm getting tired of having to charge it all the time. Is their line of Desktop Amps any good? I think my E17 can dock with one of them and create a DAC/AMP combo. So that could come in handy.... I've just always wondered how  FiiO might sound compared to the more expensive units out there.

 

Gives one pause, but it sure would be convenient and I like the small form factor and the fact that it doesn't generate much heat (so says Amazon). It's going Tailgating with us a lot, so I can't get something that gets too hot and I've read the Asgards aren't known for their cool operation... Are any of the others mentioned in this thread small in form factor and run cool? 

You could just leave the E17 plugged in... it works well with iphone wall-warts. I charge mine using the wall-wart from my old Motorola Atrix and my Samsung Note 2. I have an Asgard 2 on order and had thought about returning the E17 if I liked the A2 well enough but I've found the E17 handy in that I can take it around the house hooked to my Note 2. I think I'll keep it. The HE-400s may not be portable but at least I can listen to them in other rooms of my house easily.

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post #7377 of 10768
2/15/13 at 5:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marleybob217 View Post


Oh boy oh boy oh boy :D

 

Just so you know, we expect a 2000+ words review on the asgard 2 >:(

 

No kidding, 1000+ is fine! :D

 

The review is already written. Just waiting on the amp now. blink.gif lol...biggrin.gif

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post #7378 of 10768
2/15/13 at 6:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MattTCG View Post

 

The review is already written. Just waiting on the amp now. blink.gif lol...biggrin.gif


You mean like, written in your head based on biases? Or like an actual review? Cause I want >:(

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post #7379 of 10768
2/15/13 at 7:14am

Picked up a HE-400 last week from HeadAmp (Justin offers superb customer service, and the shipping was darn fast).

 

The HE-400's sound so clear, and the instrument separation is insane.. it makes me wonder if more expensive headphones can possibly offer a better listening experience than the HE-400's.

 

-Brian

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post #7380 of 10768
2/15/13 at 7:41am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marleybob217 View Post


You mean like, written in your head based on biases? Or like an actual review? Cause I want >:(

 

I was just kidding around. Once I have the amp, I will do a full review comparing to the lyr, e09 once I've had a week or so with it. 

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