Great review. Any thoughts on how it would sound with a HE-500 balanced compared to a single-ended Audio-GD SA-31?

...great review indeed. If you ever combine it with the LCD-X (...no C) pllease share with us how they match...

Sorry, haven't heard the SA-31 for comparison. Nor have I heard the LCD-X. But I figure since it does so well with all my planars, including LCD-2 (latest version) and LCD-XC, the X should be a good bet as well.

...sure, chances seem quite high that they indeed go well together....

Thanks.

Excellent review!
 
You really manage to spread the light on what to expect from it with a lots of dac’s and phones that presumable buyer will have or have in mind. The very important synergy or lack of it with different cans, amps, dac’s and going balanced or SE is for me and IMO more informative when for example line up how practically songs/records sound. One of the best hifi review I have read!

I almost order this item!
your good review make me like this
 
is there any even little difference between a pair of 3 pin connection on left side and 4 pin connection on right side? 

Nope, the 4-pin XLR and the dual 3-pin XLR balanced outputs are identical. Both wire up to the same exact place in the end, and both sound the same. 

Great review as always, John!

What headphone stand is that? Tnx

Nice review. Shame cannot demo Yulong on the UK

Sorry, didn't notice the question until now. The wooden stand is from Codia Acoustic Design out of Korea. Very nice stuff. Also shown is the Auralic Gemini 2000 (aka Klutz Design CanCan stand) and a Mr Speakers Alpha Dog Stand, but I assume those aren't what you meant.