[pdrm360]

it depends on the PC's sound card, It's not very fine straight from my laptop.

 

[revolutionz]

Very true.  I didn't even like mine much from the dragonfly, unless I put the dac on line-out and ran it to another amp.  The Fiio E11 sounded a bit better than the built in amp in the dragonfly.  I just received my centrance dacmini today, and boy did that make a difference with these things.  Brought them right to life.  I suspect that similar to the HD800s, these scale very well depending on source quality and amp quality.  Maybe not quite as evident as the HD800s, but I noticed substantial differences running the HD700's between my laptop, rsa shadow (which is quite underpowered for the HD700's), Fiio E11, Dragonfly, and now the DacMini.  I am looking forward to the next head-fi meet (but my wallet's not...) to try various DAC's and amps with these cans. 

 

[pdrm360]

I do like mine much more from the Bifrost/Lyr combo than the DragonFly. 

 

[pdrm360]

So far I have experienced that the HD700 likes tube smoothing so pairing with a good tube amp is necessary

 
I agree, but sometimes I pair them with “Bifrost Uber > FiiO E12”, they’re magic too.

 

[Flisker]

   
I agree, but sometimes I pair them with “Bifrost Uber > FiiO E12”, they’re magic too.

 
Damn, that's what I wanted to hear ! My E12 should arrive this week. Sooo looking forward on sound difference.

 

[pdrm360]

   
Damn, that's what I wanted to hear ! My E12 should arrive this week. Sooo looking forward on sound difference.

 
Let us know.  They also have a good bass boost!   

 

[Flisker]

   
Let us know.  They also have a good bass boost!   

 
Sure I will, hope it's going to arrive tomorrow

 

[Gilly87]

That's pretty much what I wanted to know, lol.
 
I'm not upgrading from my uS until there is something similar sized under $400 that can come close to my favorite combo I've heard yet, my Asgaard and the Music Streamer HD, so I guess the HD700 is a ways off for me yet.
 
Quote:

  I do like mine much more from the Bifrost/Lyr combo than the DragonFly. 

 

[Gilly87]

Wow really? Maybe I should look into a portable amp to pair with the microstreamer...something with a bass boost would be nice, the uS is kinda wimpy.
 
Quote:

   
I agree, but sometimes I pair them with “Bifrost Uber > FiiO E12”, they’re magic too.

 

   
Sure I will, hope it's going to arrive tomorrow

 

[pdrm360]

   

 
Yes really, but I prefer to drive my HD700 by DragonFly alone than "DragonFly > E12".

 

[pdrm360]

If I want to rank my DAC/Amps for the HD700, I would say:
1- Bifrost Uber > Lyr with orange globes
2- Bifrost Uber > FiiO E12
3- DragonFly
4- DragonFly > FiiO E12 

 

[Soundwave76]

Finally got my pair. Oh boy these are great!

 

[jono454]

Man these are $649 right now.
 
I have the Bifrost + Lyr combo with HE-500s.
 
Trying to give myself reason not to buy these.
 
I know there are comparisons between the two but does anyone have an updated opinion between the HD700s and HE-500s.

 

[JeffA]

  Man these are $649 right now.
 
I have the Bifrost + Lyr combo with HE-500s.
 
Trying to give myself reason not to buy these.
 
I know there are comparisons between the two but does anyone have an updated opinion between the HD700s and HE-500s.

FWIW:  I started out with the HE-500, but decided I wanted to move up the ladder. So I got an HD-800. From the first moment I heard the HD800, I knew I would never listen to the HE-500 again. Now, I am looking for another phone for a secondary system and am auditioning the HD700 (as well as the Audeze X). The 700 comes pretty darn close to the clarity and soundstage I love in the HD800. And it is more comfortable. The HD700 is even giving the X a very strong challenge, and the X is much better than my memory of the 500. I almost didn't even bother with the HD700 because of all the bad noise out there. I'm glad I actually listened to it. Very pleasantly surprised.

 

[jono454]

  FWIW:  I started out with the HE-500, but decided I wanted to move up the ladder. So I got an HD-800. From the first moment I heard the HD800, I knew I would never listen to the HE-500 again. Now, I am looking for another phone for a secondary system and am auditioning the HD700 (as well as the Audeze X). The 700 comes pretty darn close to the clarity and soundstage I love in the HD800. And it is more comfortable. The HD700 is even giving the X a very strong challenge, and the X is much better than my memory of the 500. I almost didn't even bother with the HD700 because of all the bad noise out there. I'm glad I actually listened to it. Very pleasantly surprised.

Thank you for your impressions.
 
I just picked up the HD700 for a total of $733 CAD brand new.
 
Is on sale at razordog for $649 but I would have to pay for shipping and customs.
 
Price matched at NCIX to avoid shipping costs and will pick up in store.