[flyinsun]

Just got my unit tiday from stjj89 today. Will try to compare it with my Ragnarok in following days.

 

[glassmonkey]

@AiristAudio The European unit hasn't had any sightings in a while. Is there any information on who its with and how long it will be there? The silence is a bit worrying.

 

[AiristAudio]

@glassmonkey Sorry for the delay on the European unit. We have a limited number of 220V units available, and the review unit intended for the loaner tour was held up for a while but it should be making its way to the first European reviewer within the next week.

 

[glassmonkey]

  @glassmonkey Sorry for the delay on the European unit. We have a limited number of 220V units available, and the review unit intended for the loaner tour was held up for a while but it should be making its way to the first European reviewer within the next week.

I wasn't worried for me, I was worried for you guys. I'm glad the unit is okay. I was afraid it might have got lost in the post. All the folks on the list EU list are good folk. I don't trust the postman, though.
 
Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear everything is going alright.

 

[reihead]

Great stuff, looking forward to it!

 

[bongieto]

I just spent a week or so with the Heron 5 Loaner unit. Its now on its way to the next user. Formal impression to follow. Thanks Airist Audio.

 

[SeeHear]

Looking forward to it!

 

[bongieto]

First, I would like to thank Airist Audio for giving me the opportunity to try their product. 
 
Heron 5 Impression
 
I spent more than a week with the Heron 5. I used SMSL m8 and Teac UD-501 hooked to my macbook pro using HE400i, Fidelio X2 and DT-990 600 ohms. I used both lossless and mp3 (320) files. 
 
     Build
 
I think it is well built with minimal but modernist design orientation. It is not the prettiest amp out there but it is also not the ugliest.
 
     Sound
 
I  do not speak "audiophile" so I will describe what I hear from a regular listener's perspective. What I noticed first is the clarity. It exhibits excellent clarity compared to any other amp I had. I compared to my recent purchase (Gustard H10) and the clarity is clearly better on the Heron 5. Another thing I noticed is the smoothness of the sound. It is also non fatiguing. I can listen to it for hours. My only issue is that I think it needs more gain. 
 
     Conclusion
 
It is an excellent amp!
 
Price? In the world of boutique audio products like this, I think the price for the Heron 5 is within the existing range. However, from a very practical perspective of a "poor" audiophile wannabe like myself, I think the price is a little steep. Case in point is when I said it is better than $ 300 Gustard H10. Yes it is better but not 6 x better! In my opinion it is around 10% better in sound quality (which is the most important factor to consider in a product like this). At $1900, I will definitely think twice about it but for  
$ 700 to 1k, I think Heron 5 is a great option.

 

[SeeHear]

I received the Airist Friday, the 22nd - just in time for the blizzard!  It arrived in good shape, albeit a day late (thanks, USPS!).
 
I listened for most of the night.  My first impression is of a lightness and preciseness that contrasts with my reference WA2.  I was using a different source (the Airist has only one input), but my HD650s, on first listen, seem better matched with this amp than my Woo.
 
Detailed impressions to follow!

 

[oaklandrichie]

Got it today.
Listening to the new Ty Segall vinyl through hd600's. Impressions later. 

 

[Dasumemi1215]

Just received the Heron 5 (thanks to Oaklandrichie) set up tonight. Fun begins

 

[SeeHear]

The next guy on the list was the last one listed for the unit (#1) I have. He withdrew from the loaner program.  Where do you want me to send it next?
Take your time deciding; in the meanwhile, I'll keep listening to it.

 

[oaklandrichie]

Some notes on the Heron:
 
-On high gain, with HD600’s, I need to turn it up to around 85-90% to really drive them. I wonder if this amp could handle hp’s with a higher impedance. When using the jack on my Marantz 2220, I usually max out around 50%. 
-There’s a surprising spike in volume at a certain notch. I didn’t count the notches, so I can’t pinpoint it, but if you toggle back and forth, it’s jarring. I noticed this issue when I was tempted to turn it up just a little more, but then got blasted. 
-The clarity of this amp is undeniable. I wish it was more powerful, and would push the soundstage more, but it’s one of the clearest, most balanced amps I’ve heard. 

 

[joeq70]

Sooo...@MWSVette  sent unit #2 off back at the end of December...to the next user on the list @marshmi...who only has 1 post...which was used to join this loaner program...just sayin'. lol.

 

[MWSVette]

  Sooo...@MWSVette  sent unit #2 off back at the end of December...to the next user on the list @marshmi...who only has 1 post...which was used to join this loaner program...just sayin'. lol.

It was received by @marshmi on 12/24/2015 according to tracking...