I'll be present as an Audeze dealer. Will have some available for demo and some inventory on hand as well.

I assume you mean clinical? Give Grado a try. 325is is highly regarded and at a good price. Had a pair for a while, nice cans.   Audueze and HiFiman are also great headphones but a different price point. Although the 560's can be had for about $600 (if that's in your price range). 

+1 on Mogami. Use them with my McIntosh gear and my WES. Good for the pro's, good enough for me.

007 Mk2 arrived today, Woo Audio WES expected on Monday. My intent when I first entered into the hobby was to ease into it bit and enjoy the experience and variety of headphones and amps over time. Gotta blame the NY Meet last weekend for diving in hard. :) Couldn't resist the Stax rig. Just...

I agree. Was an impressive setup. One of my favs.

Do you recall which McIntosh amp?

That was me :) Loved the sound of the SRX. Had to settle on a pair of 007 MK2 I located. Which model amp did you have the SRX connected to?   Great setup. Thanks again for the demo. 

That would be my question as well.

Only going by images currently available, the Jade look like a Stax wannabe. 

Thank you Xeno. Precisely my point   I will take a look at the HE6 at some point soon. Although some are claiming the HE560 will be closer to the HE6 than the 500 so it will be an interesting experiment.

$80k in gear, not speakers.   McIntosh MX151 McIntosh MC601 Monoblocks all front channels McIntosh MC205 for all surround channels Oppo BDP105 Triad Platinum LCR (mains and center) Triad Gold Subs (pair) Sony VW1100 4K Projector Seymour AV CenterStage XD AT 2.35 Screen Sony FMP 4K...

I really didn't want to jump in head first with a pair of Stax. Would feel like I'm jumping in front of the line. I was hoping to ease into this a bit and enjoy the variety options out there. HE500 (or 560 when released) will be a nice start. Although I've had other headphones in my possession...

Why not Woo Audio? Looks like they have a good reputation around here have some nice gear. 

Interesting but looks a bit sketchy.

Thanks Xeno. Headfi is a fairly new world for me. I've been mainly home theater / multichannel for the past several years. I've got nearly $80k invested so I'm aware of the danger. :)   Headamp and Schiit look interesting but seems to have mixed reviews. I will likely look for a dedicated...

Hmm would be an interesting combination. Since you bring up the Mjolnir, another option is the Bryston. I know there is a review comparing the two, seemed like a pretty close match with a slight edge to the Bryston.    I have a pretty high budget so cost is not really a factor. Even if it...

Sounds like an option but I'm currently using the variable output for my powered desktop speakers.

What are some of you using for amps with 500's? Currently using the McIntosh D100. Although an excellent digital preamp/dac, not a lot of output from the headphone jack to support power hungry cans.

Sounds like the WA7 makes a nice alternative. It's compact enough to sit beside the D100. Might be the way to go for me.

Groovyd- I have the D100 as well. Curious what you intend to use as an alternate headphone amp to mate with the D100? I agree, the DAC and preamp stage on the D100 is top notch.

Think so but not many owners. Like the post above from Dec, I'm also curious if anyone used the Bryston with the HE500.

Surprised the Bryston BHA-1 isn't more popular around here. It's at a good price point and well built. Haven't heard this amp myself yet but curious why it's not getting much love on headfi.

Shame.. I was raring to pick up a pair. Couple of more weeks won't kill me. Anyone have thoughts a dedicated amp for these cans? Currently have the McIntosh D100 which I'm sure will pair up nicely.

Just spoke to someone at HIFIMan store in NJ. They are claiming the 560 won't be released until the end of this month or early April.