[Eric_C]

I was told by schiit that the vali would not run the 560 well

Yeah it's not ideal.
Source: I had that pairing.

 

[wmedrz]

Shopping for an amp is a pain in the ass. 

 

[d1sturb3d]

 
I sent it to two, just to be sure:
 
customerservice@head-direct.com
message@head-direct.com
 
I've been dealing with Yu.

 


been waiting for your update..I will try to order one

 

[hifimanrookie]

Shopping for an amp is a pain in the ass. 

that totally depends on ur demands, ur personal experiences and personal opinions.... If u want special then u have to invest time, money, (and keep ur wife/ girlfriend extra happy) and effort into it to find that special amp u want and need.....if u just want an amp to drive ur headphone, period.....then its easy peasy to find ur amp

 

[d1sturb3d]

 The $100 Schiit Magni can put out enough power to damage hearing with the 560's.  I have stated it a lot, I'm in love with high-power.  But the 560's just need a good amp, tube or solid state, that can put out 550 mW or more.  Maybe not even that much, but from here I have to defer to experts.

 


yes, my iCAN drives them with authority for me already..I can only go 2 o clock position (max) with 0db gain..I just need to make time to tap it to my mini-x

 

[d1sturb3d]

Here's the Project Polaris in action with my HE-560.


 


This little amp is IMO every bit as good as the Lyr 2 with the stock tubes!


 

 


I am been reading the Polaris thread for quite a while, if I could just demo this amp..

 

[YtseJamer]

Ok now my ears are perked up and listening!
Having admired Garage1217 from afar, never pulled trigger on ember or Polaris.

If you had Lyr 2 with stock tubes, any relevant comparisons regarding soundstage width and bass quality/quantity would be greatly appreciated.

 
The bass of the Polaris is extremely tight with lots of texture and the soundstage is very spacious.  I'm getting a real out-of-head experience with the Polaris and the HE-560.
 
It's hard for me to do a direct comparison because I don't have the Lyr 2 anymore but I can tell you with certitude that the Polaris could be my endgame amplifier with the HE-560.

 

[jexby]

The bass of the Polaris is extremely tight with lots of texture and the soundstage is very spacious.  I'm getting a real out-of-head experience with the Polaris and the HE-560.

It's hard for me to do a direct comparison because I don't have the Lyr 2 anymore but I can tell you with certitude that the Polaris could be my endgame amplifier with the HE-560.

By the gods man, such a great recommendation!
I fear that both ThurstonX and I are reaching for our wallets.... Just to sample this cool small Polaris.

If I didn't have these tube pairs for Lyr 2, and a Pulse Xfi on the way...

 

[ThurstonX]

By the gods man, such a great recommendation!
I fear that both ThurstonX and I are reaching for our wallets.... Just to sample this cool small Polaris.

If I didn't have these tube pairs for Lyr 2, and a Pulse Xfi on the way...

 
I'm only reachin' if you're buying my K712s 

  But I'm also really curious about Bill-P's amp, and I don't think they'll stop making the Polaris anytime soon.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

lol terms like warm are relative and subjective. You will get a variety of opinions of what amplifiers are warm, smooth, liquid, analytical.... hard to gauge exactly what the reviewer means unless you both share a common reference point.

There is a commonly held-view that tube amplifiers are warmer and solid-state amplifiers are more analytical. I dunno how accurate this kind of general perspective is as you can find a solid state amplifier that sounds warmer than a specific tube amplifier. I think it depends more on the specific models.

this is an informative link about the differences between tube amplifiers and solid state amplifiers.
http://www.theaudioarchive.com/TAA_Resources_Tubes_versus_Solid_State.htm

Money, that's a bit of a generalization, some of the higher end SS Amps, Krell, ML, Roland, tend to have a darker, richer "tube like" sound, others like Bolder, IMO, sound clinical, then there's the cheap stuff that wil curdle milk, make your ears bleed, and render you impotent.

 

[money4me247]

Quote:

lol terms like warm are relative and subjective. You will get a variety of opinions of what amplifiers are warm, smooth, liquid, analytical.... hard to gauge exactly what the reviewer means unless you both share a common reference point.

There is a commonly held-view that tube amplifiers are warmer and solid-state amplifiers are more analytical. I dunno how accurate this kind of general perspective is as you can find a solid state amplifier that sounds warmer than a specific tube amplifier. I think it depends more on the specific models.

this is an informative link about the differences between tube amplifiers and solid state amplifiers.
http://www.theaudioarchive.com/TAA_Resources_Tubes_versus_Solid_State.htm

Money, that's a bit of a generalization, some of the higher end SS Amps, Krell, ML, Roland, tend to have a darker, richer "tube like" sound, others like Bolder, IMO, sound clinical, then there's the cheap stuff that wil curdle milk, make your ears bleed, and render you impotent.

yeaa, i agree that is an over-generalization that tube amps sound a certain way & ss sound a certain way.

 

[Ratheriian]

For those interested, I got a reply from HFM re: the new baffles.  $10/pair plus shipping ($6 to Virginia from China).  Send them an email if your interested.

Just ordered a pair. I had to pay 20$ incl. shipping to germany. Nice and fast customer support.

 

[Ekul61]

Ok now iits time for a vote.
polaris
lyr 2
Soloist sl

 

[Ratheriian]

Haven't heard the Polaris but for the price.... looks realy sexy.

Lyr/Soloist SL - I'd take the Soloist SL in a heartbeat.

 

[Kyno]

Ok now iits time for a vote.
polaris
lyr 2
Soloist sl

 
I'd add Gustard H10 that seems to pair very well if I trust FlySweep. Not the most expensive either.
 
I would still be interested to hear from someone that has been able to compare the Polaris to others.
 
Then there's also what Bill-P is cooking 

 

Haven't heard the Polaris but for the price.... looks realy sexy.

Lyr/Soloist SL - I'd take the Soloist SL in a heartbeat.

 
What do you prefer about the Soloist SL?