HE-500, LCD2, D5000, DT770, SR80, on a speaker amp (Emotiva mini-X A-100) Project - Page 46

When I started getting into headphones, I was somewhat surprised to see that basically all amps are in effect integrateds with a weak pre-amp section and that stand alone amps driven by linestage/preamps are almost unused.

Digging up my backup preamp, a Rogue 99 with Sylvania 6sn7's, and plopping in the middle did wonders for the V200 SS amp, and to my surprise it can drive the T1's and DT990's extremely well.

KP

what size do those bananna plugs need to be to for the emotiva?
 

thanks

the emotiva has taken my he400 to the next level. 

its a step above my marantz amp (which I found on par with my old schiit lyr in A-B tests) in terms of powering the he400

This was unexpected because I thought the he400 was supposed to be easier to drive, so I wasn't expecting such a nice improvement, but this speaker amp really has made them shine.  

I used to have an HE-500.   A-B tested HE-500 with LYR and marantz PM-325.  they both drove the he500 equally well.  couldn't distinguish any improvement between the two (aside from the lyr just being slightly warmer b/c tubes). 
 

The emotiva drives my he400 better than my marantz.  given that my marantz was on par with the lyr in terms of driving the he500, I'm concluding that the emotiva is also a step above the LYR.  I believe Malveaux found this to be the case in his impressions with he400/500.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by snip3r77 


What are the improvements that you're talking about?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac336 

The emotiva drives my he400 better than my marantz. 

Question answered?   

improved soundstage.  slightly wider and there was better separation.  Everything was more distinct.  Vocals in particular came forward and had more presence.  bass was tighter and slightly stronger.

I only compared the marantz and emotiva for 20 minutes before strictly listening to the emotiva.  These impressions are based on listening to a couple of adele songs that I typically use in comparisons and some electronic music.  

I would listen to 30 seconds of song on marantz, then swap to the emotiva (1 second turnover)  and the improvement was obvious and large.    

mac336,

Thanks for the follow-up.  

I've been following this thread for a few months now, and impressions like yours are pushing me closer to buying not only an Emotiva, but a HE-500, too.  

Thanks!

Mike

(Listening to Sweet Child O' Mine from Guns N' Roses Appetite for Destruction)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac336 

its a step above my marantz amp (which I found on par with my old schiit lyr in A-B tests) in terms of powering the he400

Which Marantz model are you talking about?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anda 

 

Which Marantz model are you talking about?

It looks like the PM-325, from an earlier post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilch0md 

mac336,

 

Thanks for the follow-up.  

 

I've been following this thread for a few months now, and impressions like yours are pushing me closer to buying not only an Emotiva, but a HE-500, too.  

 

Thanks!

 

Mike

 

(Listening to Sweet Child O' Mine from Guns N' Roses Appetite for Destruction)

I highly recommend it. 

an amp for less than $200 that can power orthos to their potential.  incredible bargain.