I agree that the VAC’s high-class power amps is amassing, but how do you know that it’s the HF-1000 and not the HE-1000 that was “lacking in warmth and end-to-end resonance”? I mean don’t you at least have to try it on another amp to come to this conclusion. I have read that they had the HF6 on CES and it is often described as to be rather (or sometimes to) warm. Did it sound better with the HF6 in this regard?
You make a good point. I usually compare headphones as a group on a dedicated, relatively neutral system. That is how I arrived on the HE-500s some time back (I liked them over the HE-6, the HE-5, and the Audeze LCD-2 and LCD-3).
This kind of test wasn't possible, given the dedicated amp and plug/power requirement. After my initial listening session, I asked if I could test them with a different amp in the room, but was politely told by one of the representatives that it wasn't possible, given these requirements.
It's not that the system had any true shortcomings. When the amp and source provided the sound quality in the two areas I mentioned (overall warmth, and collective points of detail that convey resonance and presence), and with songs I'm familiar with, it simply nailed these moments, and beautifully so. But overall, given my familiarity with the recordings, the ongoing representation of those two particular areas wasn't as consistent as I'd normally prefer via my own amp/source.
When those particular areas were fully realized by (apparently) everything behind the headphones, it was astounding. And it delivered a multitude of other qualities incredibly well. That is also why I indicated I'd buy them - they were that good.
And I find it is the amp (about 60-70% of the time) that will influence the two particular areas I mentioned above. It can also be the source, and even the cables. My impression was more based on personal experience than the result of a comprehensive test. But it also indicated what was possible. So the fact that these moments arrived at all, let me know that the headphones were capable of conveying them.
I tried the HE-560 immediately thereafter on a different amp (same source, I believe). They had excellent detail, bass and clarity. My HE-500s have a more integrated, cohesive approach to sound reproduction. You don't notice a sharp difference or delineation between the treble and the bass - you just listen to the music. The HE-560 seemed to separate the treble, mid and bass into distinct and different areas, but the HE-560 reproduced each of those areas with better resolution and detail than the HE-500. Almost like two different product lines and approaches.
And in answer to your question, as I liked the HE-500 over the HE-6, then the HE-560 may likely be better than both in my system. It's probably more a matter of preference. But the HE-1000 had far better soundstaging/dimensionality, realism and clarity. And it had that same quality of musical cohesion as the HE-500s.
Again, when you hear the best, your impressions will be different thereafter. And the HE-1000 was certainly the best set of headphones I heard that day.
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