[casper3127]

The HE500s definitely need a pretty powerful source. I used to move them with a NFB29 in SE mode... Great combo since the synergy between them imho was pretty good. ☺ If I would now be in the market for a new amp/dac I think I would go for the Schiit Jotunheim and its dac module. They're a real bang for the buck.

If you want something more portable do have a look at the Xduoo XD-05. Another budget killer.

Enviado desde mi H1

 

[canthearyou]

Hello everybody,

I was hoping you ould help me with my new HE-500. I recently bought one and really loved it. It's a huge step from my previous headphones! But unfortunately I feel that my current amplifier has not enough power to drive them properly as I listen at 80-85% volume and with some recordings I can even turn the volume knob to a maximum and it's still not very loud. I use Teac UD-301. What do you think I should do: get an additional standalone amplifier (like Schiit Jotunheim) or upgrade the device itself by getting something like IFI Micro idsd or something else. I seek something within a reasonable price range of 300-550 USD. I'm not very technical and perhaps - I don't exclude that - I only think that my UD-301 is not sufficinet :bigsmile_face:  Please adivse. Thank you for your help in advance.

You can always try the A-100 http://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/100

 

[skyline315]

  Hello everybody,
 
I was hoping you ould help me with my new HE-500. I recently bought one and really loved it. It's a huge step from my previous headphones! But unfortunately I feel that my current amplifier has not enough power to drive them properly as I listen at 80-85% volume and with some recordings I can even turn the volume knob to a maximum and it's still not very loud. I use Teac UD-301. What do you think I should do: get an additional standalone amplifier (like Schiit Jotunheim) or upgrade the device itself by getting something like IFI Micro idsd or something else. I seek something within a reasonable price range of 300-550 USD. I'm not very technical and perhaps - I don't exclude that - I only think that my UD-301 is not sufficinet

 Please adivse. Thank you for your help in advance.

I have been very happy with my Project Ember.  Hybrid tube amps have more than enough power to drive them and tube rolling lets you fine tune the sound.  Yes, I have one for sale.  No, this is not a sales pitch
 
I'm selling my Ember purely due to curiosity regarding the Jotunheim.  I tend to prefer tube amps in general, but I want to give the Jot a try just because it's been ages since I've tried a solid state solution.
 
If you want tubes, but don't think the Ember is right for you, then Schiit has the Lyr 2 and Vali 2 to consider.  The Vali 2 actually does a fine job with the 500s if you're looking to spend frugally.  

 

[StanD]

  Hello everybody,
 
I was hoping you ould help me with my new HE-500. I recently bought one and really loved it. It's a huge step from my previous headphones! But unfortunately I feel that my current amplifier has not enough power to drive them properly as I listen at 80-85% volume and with some recordings I can even turn the volume knob to a maximum and it's still not very loud. I use Teac UD-301. What do you think I should do: get an additional standalone amplifier (like Schiit Jotunheim) or upgrade the device itself by getting something like IFI Micro idsd or something else. I seek something within a reasonable price range of 300-550 USD. I'm not very technical and perhaps - I don't exclude that - I only think that my UD-301 is not sufficinet

 Please adivse. Thank you for your help in advance.

An amp hat can deliver one clean Watt RMS will take you around the threshold of pain. A Schiit Magni 2 Uber will go just over that and costs about $150 and is a clean neutral amp.

 

[canthearyou]

I am always amazed by these headphones! I can drift off into the music when these are on my head. Since I did the driver swap into the 350 cups and band the comfort is so much better. I think don't think I'll ever be able to top these! They do everything I ask from them.

 

[maheeinfy]

Can anyone confirm if this is correct

HE500 has double side magnets while its small brother HE400 has single side magnets on their drivers

 

[Fearless1]

Can anyone confirm if this is correct

HE500 has double side magnets while its small brother HE400 has single side magnets on their drivers

Both the 500 and 400 have double sided magnets and are not related (completely different sound signature).

The 400i and 560 are single sided.

 

[maheeinfy]

Both the 500 and 400 have double sided magnets and are not related (completely different sound signature).

The 400i and 560 are single sided.

Thank you. That must be why the new models are lighter.

 

[Gayron]

I just came across this on Aliexpress: 

Breeze Audio HA5000 
 
Here are the specs:
 
Type: Pure class a amplifier
Output Power:400mW/300ohm 1200mw/32ohm
Size:110*44*280mm
Weight:2KG
Color:Black/Sliver
Input impedance:47Kohm
Output impedance:0.2 Ohms
Frequency response: 10Hz - 35kHz
SNR: >90dB @ Gain 6dB
Load range:16--600Ohms
Input:RCA
Output:6.35(6.5)mm headset port
 
Do you think it's any good for HE-500 judging by the numbers? Output power seems decent, but I'm pretty much confised with everything else... I understand it's cheap, but who knows, sometimes Chinese engineeres make miracles 

 

 

[skyline315]

  I just came across this on Aliexpress: 

Breeze Audio HA5000 
 
Here are the specs:
 
Type: Pure class a amplifier
Output Power:400mW/300ohm 1200mw/32ohm
Size:110*44*280mm
Weight:2KG
Color:Black/Sliver
Input impedance:47Kohm
Output impedance:0.2 Ohms
Frequency response: 10Hz - 35kHz
SNR: >90dB @ Gain 6dB
Load range:16--600Ohms
Input:RCA
Output:6.35(6.5)mm headset port
 
Do you think it's any good for HE-500 judging by the numbers? Output power seems decent, but I'm pretty much confised with everything else... I understand it's cheap, but who knows, sometimes Chinese engineeres make miracles 

 

 
You can't tell anything from the numbers.  Just because something has plenty of power doesn't mean that it's implemented well.  
 
If you need to save some money, I'd recommend the Vali 2 or Magni 2 depending on your preferences.  I personally prefer the Vali 2 as I find it a bit less strident.  It's a nice match for the HE-500.

 

[StanD]

  I just came across this on Aliexpress: 

Breeze Audio HA5000 
 
Here are the specs:
 
Type: Pure class a amplifier
Output Power:400mW/300ohm 1200mw/32ohm
Size:110*44*280mm
Weight:2KG
Color:Black/Sliver
Input impedance:47Kohm
Output impedance:0.2 Ohms
Frequency response: 10Hz - 35kHz
SNR: >90dB @ Gain 6dB
Load range:16--600Ohms
Input:RCA
Output:6.35(6.5)mm headset port
 
Do you think it's any good for HE-500 judging by the numbers? Output power seems decent, but I'm pretty much confised with everything else... I understand it's cheap, but who knows, sometimes Chinese engineeres make miracles 

 

The SNR is not impressive. A SS amp should have an SNR > 100 dB.

 

[Gayron]

Thank you for you advice guys, just gonna request your expertise one last time. Once again I found a cheap and very powerful little amp with certain important parameters seem to be satisfying. I just want a temporary cheapest and most powerful solution. Please have a look. Reviews are uniformly positive, but no one mentions pairing it with HE-500 which is quite a capricious headphone.
 
SMSL SAP-II PRO
 
Highlights:
-Extremely small footprint for a professional grade headphone amp
-Select between two input sources with the front panel toggle switch
-Extremely clean and dynamic sound from the TI TPA6120A2 amp chip
-Enough power to drive even the most demanding headphones
 
Technical specifications:
The standard input interface: 3.5mm/RCA stereo input (with switching)
Output interface: 6.35mm earphone seat
Input voltage: 400mv~2V
SNR: 105dB
Distortion: 0.003%
Frequency response: 20hz-30khz
Output power: 150MW /250, 300MW /120, 1000MW /32.
The machine volume: 126mm x 74mm X30MM (including the protruding part)
Weight: 500G (outside the actual shipping weight packing structure)
Universal power supply voltage: 100-240ACV
 
Thanks in advance! 

 

 

[canthearyou]

Thank you for you advice guys, just gonna request your expertise one last time. Once again I found a cheap and very powerful little amp with certain important parameters seem to be satisfying. I just want a temporary cheapest and most powerful solution. Please have a look. Reviews are uniformly positive, but no one mentions pairing it with HE-500 which is quite a capricious headphone.

SMSL SAP-II PRO

Highlights:

-Extremely small footprint for a professional grade headphone amp

-Select between two input sources with the front panel toggle switch

-Extremely clean and dynamic sound from the TI TPA6120A2 amp chip

-Enough power to drive even the most demanding headphones

Technical specifications:

The standard input interface: 3.5mm/RCA stereo input (with switching)

Output interface: 6.35mm earphone seat

Input voltage: 400mv~2V

SNR: 105dB

Distortion: 0.003%

Frequency response: 20hz-30khz

Output power: 150MW /250, 300MW /120, 1000MW /32.

The machine volume: 126mm x 74mm X30MM (including the protruding part)

Weight: 500G (outside the actual shipping weight packing structure)

Universal power supply voltage: 100-240ACV

Thanks in advance! :bigsmile_face:  

DO NOT GET THAT AMP!!! I had one a bit back and it sounded horrible with very very little actual power. Thin, hollow sound with a hiss. If you must stick with sub $100 amp, get yourself a used Objective O2 amp.

 

[MWSVette]

  Thank you for you advice guys, just gonna request your expertise one last time. Once again I found a cheap and very powerful little amp with certain important parameters seem to be satisfying. I just want a temporary cheapest and most powerful solution. Please have a look. Reviews are uniformly positive, but no one mentions pairing it with HE-500 which is quite a capricious headphone.
 
SMSL SAP-II PRO
 
Highlights:
-Extremely small footprint for a professional grade headphone amp
-Select between two input sources with the front panel toggle switch
-Extremely clean and dynamic sound from the TI TPA6120A2 amp chip
-Enough power to drive even the most demanding headphones
 
Technical specifications:
The standard input interface: 3.5mm/RCA stereo input (with switching)
Output interface: 6.35mm earphone seat
Input voltage: 400mv~2V
SNR: 105dB
Distortion: 0.003%
Frequency response: 20hz-30khz
Output power: 150MW /250, 300MW /120, 1000MW /32.
The machine volume: 126mm x 74mm X30MM (including the protruding part)
Weight: 500G (outside the actual shipping weight packing structure)
Universal power supply voltage: 100-240ACV
 
Thanks in advance! 

 

Or try a Schiit Fulla 2...

 

[canthearyou]

Or try a Schiit Fulla 2...

Or this.