Updated

Well, so far there are at least three people who agree with me that the Sundara, when driven right, is TOTL-tier sound quality. I can provide one testimony that was a PM sent to me years ago in response to my first post about the Sundara + Crown XLS 1502 combo: replies: I was curious as...

Included are: Vali 2+ (new condition), /w power supply Stock tube Socket saver x4 6N1P Voskhod Rocket tubes 6SN7GTA Sylvania tube tested 100% Converter for the Sylvania 6SN7 tube $120 shipped

Unclosed/relisted.

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Both are clean. Pretty much every headphone amp is clean. Any distortion that is audible is orders of magnitude more due to the headphones than the amps. A "magical" sounding amp is whichever pairs best with your headphone(s). My Schiit Vali 2+ doesn't sound all too magical with the Sundara...

I don't recommend expensive cables, as I don't believe in cable voodoo. I would get the cheapest stuff I can find with OFC, or silver plated cable, for corrosion resistance. How about this one? I built mine a decade ago for my HE-400 and HE-560, then replaced the connectors to use with the...

Yes, on my first Sundara, the right driver intermittently cuts out. I think if you get a good pair, it'll likely last a long while; but even then, it may still be a bit risky, based on some of these posts. Such is Hifiman. Such is Sundara. Never had any issues with Hifiman's older generation...

The SINAD for this thing is definitely not great. I don't think there's a single class D amp that measures well. I don't think there's a single tube, or hybrid amp that measures well, especially compared to the cleanest measuring class AB amps, of which the THX789 is among the top-3 cleanest...

There's a bit of oversimplification here, and the technical subject, though relatively rudimentary from a physics/engineering point of view, is still rather complex for the average person. I didn't finish my EE degree, but did ace all of my physics, chemistry, and math courses in community...

I appreciate the back and forward. These discussions are interesting to me. However, it seems to me based on past and current exchanges between us on this topic that in your view the progress of the discussion is dependent on how much your views have moved mines. I think this expectation may...

I think you're conflating driver resonant frequency with resonant frequency of the entire headphone assembly, which I'm not sure is even high enough to measure. Simply, my Sundara's whole unit vibrates simply because there's not enough clamp force to dampen the vibration—and I prefer it this...

The left driver died from a subbass test track. The right driver was from the 30hz sine test (to be sure it wasn't just one driver that was faulty). The EQ was only on during the test track, not the sines. Let me tell you, the Sundara's driver assemblies can vibrate like crazy from mega bass...

Happy to have contributed to your newfound sonic pleasure. Not all planars scale up in the same way, oddly enough. When I went from my THX789 in balanced mode to my XLS 1502, the HE-6se didn't really transform much at all. It was a significant, but not mind-blowing improvement. And then, my 6se...

Don't have experience with the A-100, but my recommendation is to go even further if you can. Try something that could output 300+ wpc into 4 ohms. Take extra precautions if your amp is class A, B, or AB. You can easily destroy headphones with these amps, though planars are less susceptible...

Time to revisit my review from many moons ago. I wrote that I'm often hesitant to start listening to music through my Sundara +Crown XLS 1502 combo because once I start, I literally find it very hard to stop. I wasn't exaggerating. It is still true to this day. I often find myself staring at my...

Sup27606 purchased a THX 789 from me, and the communication between us was pleasant all the way through. Glad this amp has a new, good owner.

Edited. Still up.

Hifiman seems to do a lot of ninja revisions, so there's an issue with consistency. When I measured the load of my Sundara, it was 39 ohms, a decent amount over the advertised 32. I also have another pair, my first one, but haven't measured that one. My first Sundara had the pivot screws glued...

Keep in mind, the Sundara does have a low end roll off. My EQ does add more subbass than is true linear response, sure, but mostly it's just to offset the Sundara's roll off. At 30hz, it's more like +3db than +6db, and at 20hz, +4db, if the roll off is accounted for. Regardless, frequencies...

It's mostly subbass, and information below 15hz is virtually nonexistent in 98% of any audio content anyway, even very bassy tracks. The midbass increase is barely there. At 80hz, for example, there's only a 3db increase in the second setting. At 100hz, you can hardly hear a difference...

I'm still not sure if it's the amount or quality of power. Many people have also said the HE-6se shines with power, but I've not found that to be the case.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hifiman-sundara-he400i-upgraded-around-500.860413/page-263#post-17181116 I'm not about to recommend anyone buy a Crown XLS 1502 just to pair with their Sundara, but if they are crazy enough to do it, they'd be well rewarded with one of the best pairings they'll...

The Atom is basically a mini THX 789, minus the balanced output. In balanced mode, I believe the THX 789 can output almost x4 more power than the Atom (unless the Atom has been updated) through the Sundara, and x6 max if the load (headphones) has low enough resistance. Yet, I'd managed to clip...

No scratches or dents anywhere. Both the balanced and single-ended outputs work. All three gain modes work. Both single-ended and XLR inputs work. The bypass switch works. Everything works. I've used this amp for everything from sensitive IEMs to inefficient planar headphones. Probably has the...