HE-500 on speaker amps via HE-adapter
Sep 7, 2011 at 12:06 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 16

Loevhagen

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I've just bought the HE adapter and the OCC HE-6 cable, and plan to use it with the following two integrated stereo amps:
 
- Abrahamsen V2.0 - AB and class A for the "first watts" (1500VA, 70W on 8ohm and 140W on 4 ohm)
- Primare I32 - Class D (Output Power: 2x 120W at 8Ω 2x 230W at 4Ω )
 
Any piece of advice I should be aware of? Any WARNING signs I should be aware of? Except for the obvious "volume hazard".
 
There was something in the past regarding class D amps versus use of headphones from the speaker taps. I'm I right that would not be a concern by using the HE-adapter. A bit noob her...

 
Sep 8, 2011 at 1:49 AM Post #4 of 16
 
I own both already, but my question is simply if there is something I should pay notice of for the class D (grounding issues?) 
 
Quote:
Are these two amps your look at purchasing? Or do you have them, and are asking us what we think?



 
 
Sep 8, 2011 at 7:55 AM Post #6 of 16
Thanks. I'll use the HE-adpater and the HE-6 cable using the 4-pin XLR from the HE-500to the HE-adapter. I.e. based on your elaboration that would be fool proof, yes?
 
Sep 8, 2011 at 8:34 AM Post #7 of 16
Sure, assuming that Hifiman/Fang has assembled the 4-pin XLR and the HE-adapter correctly
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Sep 8, 2011 at 9:50 AM Post #8 of 16
Total paranoia, is total awareness. 
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Sep 11, 2011 at 4:43 PM Post #10 of 16
I expect to receive the adapter next week.
 
Sep 11, 2011 at 7:10 PM Post #11 of 16
i don't know how it'll sound but you'll be fine. all adapter boxes use resistors in series so you won't be getting the full force of the power amp section at all. only way you can receive the full force is re-cabling your headphones to be used straight out of the speaker outputs.
 
Sep 13, 2011 at 1:58 PM Post #12 of 16
Based on feedback from the amp manufacturer, I'm not pursuing the Primare class D option. In order to use it I was presented two pieces of advice:
 
 
1.       Connect the loudspeaker cable from the box  to the left channel of the I32 out of face (plus / minus reverse)
2.       Besides that you also have to rewire that channel internally and reverse plus and minus
 
I'll stick to the AB-amp. 
 
Adapter received, but someone is borrowing the HE-500 and the HE-6 hasn't arrived yet so I need to wait...
 
 
Sep 29, 2011 at 1:08 PM Post #13 of 16
Used the HE-adapter with HE-6 for 2 weeks.
 
Tried to hook the HE-300 with HE-6 cable to the HE-adapter (from a speaker amp) just for fun. Works OK. 
 
I get my HE-500 back next week and look forward to listen to them on the speaker amp. :)
 
Sep 29, 2011 at 2:26 PM Post #14 of 16


Quote:
Used the HE-adapter with HE-6 for 2 weeks.
 
Tried to hook the HE-300 with HE-6 cable to the HE-adapter (from a speaker amp) just for fun. Works OK. 
 
I get my HE-500 back next week and look forward to listen to them on the speaker amp. :)


Waiting for your impressions!
 
 
Oct 6, 2011 at 11:15 AM Post #15 of 16
I have mixed experiences with the HE Adapter on two different stereo amplifiers and heaphones HE-300, HE-500. HE-6 and LCD-2. The amplifiers are Abrahamsen V2.0 (70W @ 8ohm and 140W @ 4ohm, high current) and Primare I32 (120W @ 8ohm and 230W @ 4 ohm. UFDP proprietary design):
 
Tested just for for fun:
HE-300 on Primare I32 - Way too much hiss, both during playback and between songs. Doesn't work at all. Definitely not recommended 
HE-300 on Abrahamsen - Some hiss. No need to use this combination. Tested it just out of curiosity.
 
Tested due to genuine interests:
HE-500 on Primare I32 - Very, very, very subtle hiss. HE-500 scales with this stereo amp
HE-500 on Abrahamsen - Not tested yet. Will do later
HE-6 on Primare I32 - No hiss. Total silence. HE-6 scales very well with stereo amp
HE-6 on Abrahamsen - No hiss. Total silence. HE-6 scales OK with stereo amp
LCD-2 on Primare I32 - Subtle hiss. Not recommended
LCD-2 on Abrahamsen - Not tested yet. Will do later
 
Conclusion:
The HE-6 on Primare I32 is a keeper. Oh, yes. :)
The HE-500 on Primare I32; a bit unsure here. The very, very, very sibtle hiss bothers me a bit between songs. During playback it sounds quite nice actually
LCD-2 on Primare; no point. I´ll stick to the  headamp I have for the Audezes (Violectric V200), if the Abrahamsen does not convince / surprise me on the LCD-2s
 
For higher sensitive headphones, a less powerfull ampliferer than the Primare I32 should be used. Will test LCD-2 and HE-500 on the Abrahamsen.
 
 

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