Hifiman HE-500 with XIANGSHENG DAC-01A DA ?
Nov 22, 2012 at 5:25 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 7
Beocord

Beocord

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Is xiangsheng dac-01a da good enough to drive HE-500? If I understood correctly, it is the same dac/amp as maverick d1, which is popular hear on head-fi...so maybe someone has tried such a combination? I currently use Sennheiser hd600 and modded fostex t20rp v2(wood cups, better cable) as my main headphones. I've been planning to upgrade and from what I've read it seems like HE-500 is the way to go. But im worried about it being so power hungry. If I'm not going to go for hifimans I was thinking about mad dogs. Afterall I have good experience with modded fostex with my t20rp. :)  Is maddogs much of a upgrade from hd600? I also have a change to get used JVC HA-DX1000 for 500 euro. So...HE-500, maddogs or JVC? Or something else? I gotta make this one right...after this I'm done upgrading my gear. No hd800 or other expensive flagship models for me...atleast for couple of years :) I've gone from superlux hd681 & xonar dg combo to this point in about six months... THIS IS MADNESS! :D
 
I apologize if this subject was better suited on the amp section...but I thought as I'm also asking for headphone suggestions this would be the better place.
 
specs for xiansheng if someone needs them to help me:
 
[size=xx-small]Input Power  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]110V-240V  AVAILABLE [/size]
[size=xx-small]Tube  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]Tube Used 6N3 ( can be replaced with 5670 tube)[/size]
[size=xx-small]Input Impedance  [/size]
[size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]Analog :100 ohm Digital: 75 ohm[/size]
[size=xx-small]Harmonic Distortion[/size][size=xx-small] [/size] [size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]Normal Output: less than 0.001%  Tube Output: less than 0.1%[/size]
[size=xx-small]Headphone Amp[/size][size=xx-small]  [/size]
[size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]Headphone Amplifier Output Output Power: 1000mW-300mW[/size]
[size=xx-small]Frequency [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]Frequency Response 20Hz-30KHz[/size]
[size=xx-small]Signal/Noise Ratio[/size][size=xx-small] [/size] [size=xx-small]  [/size]
[size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]Normal Output: 96dB; Tube Output: 90dB[/size]
[size=xx-small]Impedance[/size][size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]32 ohm -600 ohm[/size]
[size=xx-small]Sampling Frequency[/size][size=xx-small] [/size] [size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]32kHz、44.1kHz、48kHz、88.2kHz、96kHz depending on source.[/size]
[size=xx-small]Resolution Capability[/size][size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]This DAC-01A supports 16bit、20bit and 24bit audio depending on source.[/size]
[size=xx-small]Output Impedance[/size][size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]600 ohm[/size]
[size=xx-small]Output Voltage[/size][size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]> 2000mV[/size]
[size=xx-small]Dynamic Range[/size][size=xx-small] [/size] [size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]117 dB[/size]
[size=xx-small]Digital Input[/size][size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small](2) sets of analog RCA inputs (DVD/CD, AUX),[/size]
[size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small](1) coaxial, (1) optical and (1) USB input.[/size]
[size=xx-small]Analog Output[/size][size=xx-small] [/size] [size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small](2)analog stereo outputs via RCA Left/Right channel:[/size]
[size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]Normal Output and Tube Output. [/size]
[size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size]
[size=xx-small]Size Dimension[/size][size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]260mm (W) x 167mm (D) x 55mm (H)[/size]
[size=xx-small]Colour[/size][size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] Silver Body[/size]
[size=xx-small]Weight[/size][size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]2.5kg[/size]
[size=xx-small]Packing Includes[/size][size=xx-small]  [/size]
 [size=xx-small] [/size][size=xx-small]All Tubes & [/size] [size=xx-small] Standard 1.5m (5 ft) Power Cord[/size]
 
Nov 22, 2012 at 5:34 PM Post #2 of 7
Also if I get a change to get powerfull amp with great price...how would it work in practice? I had a change to get Vincent KHV-111 MK but someone beat me to it. I had gotten it would it have been any good with my xiangsheng? I don't have any other good dac. If I connected vincent (or any other better amp) to xiangsheng, would xiangsheng automatically act as a preamp..as it is originally ment to be. Does preamping work with headphones? Never heard preamping headphones. So if i bought more powerfull amplifier would I need a new dac too, or could I still use xiangsheng?  sorry if this makes no sense. World of amps is still new to me..
 
Nov 22, 2012 at 10:23 PM Post #3 of 7
Quote:
beocord said:
Also if I get a change to get powerfull amp with great price...how would it work in practice? I had a change to get Vincent KHV-111 MK but someone beat me to it. I had gotten it would it have been any good with my xiangsheng? I don't have any other good dac. If I connected vincent (or any other better amp) to xiangsheng, would xiangsheng automatically act as a preamp..as it is originally ment to be. Does preamping work with headphones? Never heard preamping headphones. So if i bought more powerfull amplifier would I need a new dac too, or could I still use xiangsheng?  sorry if this makes no sense. World of amps is still new to me..
Click to expand...

 
Heya,
 
The Xiangsheng will power the HE-500 barely. I will not output 1 watt into 38ohms, it will do just under 1 watt. But you can do ok with that, it's all up to your ears after all.
 
You can use pre-amps with headphones. I do. They're just little speakers. No reason you can't pre-amp. I use a pre-amp between my DAC and my amp. I amp my headphones with a speaker amp.
 
Very best,
 
Nov 22, 2012 at 11:04 PM Post #4 of 7
Thanks for Malveax for his opinions and efforts.I truly appreciate getting advice from someone with more experience.  Right now I'm leaning mostly towards to JVC--ha-dx1000. Is it enough of upgrade from hd600 or more than sidestep?  Any comparison between maddogs and jvc? If my amp can barely run he-500 im going to head somewhere else. No point of paying all that money when my other options are cheaper.  So maddogs or jvc? And is 500 euros for used jvc a good deal?
 
Nov 22, 2012 at 11:08 PM Post #5 of 7
Quote:
beocord said:
Thanks for Malveax for his opinions and efforts.I truly appreciate getting advice from someone with more experience.  Right now I'm leaning mostly towards to JVC--ha-dx1000. Is it enough of upgrade from hd600 or more than sidestep?  Any comparison between maddogs and jvc? If my amp can barely run he-500 im going to head somewhere else. No point of paying all that money when my other options are cheaper.  So maddogs or jvc? And is 500 euros for used jvc a good deal?
Click to expand...

 
Heya,
 
Depends on what you're trying to achieve really. Upgrading from the HD600 isn't easy. It's essentially a world class headphone. If there was no HD800 to be a flagship, the HD600 would be a literal high end. So what are you looking to truly upgrade? What's lacking that you're seeking to improve upon?
 
Very best,
 
Nov 23, 2012 at 3:15 AM Post #7 of 7
Quote:
beocord said:
In hd600 that I find most lacking is the treble. I think my beyer dt770 do better in that section than hd600. My self modded wood cupped t20rp v2's  got awesome bass. Kick drum on  rock songs is the same as Sony mdr-xb500. Without givving up the mids or highs. IM coming from a world of home adudio with 2x12" bass + 15" for lower bass... I'm not a bass head burt i love the feel of a kick drum like in songs like Guns N' Roses You could be mine. It's a thin line between sennheiser and my fostexes. But afterall i prefer soundstage, articulate treble (like one on dt770)  and the way headphones present music presicely but musically. I don't know how to explain the last one...It's just the first impression you get out of a headphone. Getting the JVC's would be really easy for me...if maddogs and JVC's cost the same. Would thre be any reason for me to go with the maddogs? Im not all that sad giving up the he-500 at this point. Maybe i'll upgrade to he5 someday :)
 
Click to expand...

Damn, if you want more treble, and wanted an upgrade, you would be better with the HE-500. I have both the HE-500 AND the DT 770 Pro (250ohm), and I adore the treble presentation on the DT770, even though it can be slightly sibilant with certain rock tracks.
 
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