[MattTCG]

It's not always about more power. Dynamics, transparency and other things factor in. Tubes
are a plus in my book.

 

[BobDob25]

Quote:

Audio-GD SA-31.

10watts to the HE-400, and 1.4watts to the HD650 Diamond differential...

Owned it, loved it, but I needed a volume knob so I sold it and downgraded to a Compass 2.

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/SA/SA31/SA31EN_Specs.htm

 


I really want a volume knob as well. I also have never had a tube and I am very interested in one. The problem with the lyr is that it doesn't mute the outputs when you plug in headphones. The asgard 2 does, I believe.

 

[Anvil]

Thanks to everyone who answered (or theorized on

) my question earlier about the "twaack". I suspected it was harmless since like I said before I had heard it before and it didn't seem to harm the headphone, but I had it in fairly quick succession right before I made my inquiry and it *seemed* like there was a change in sound signature, though that was probably more because it was nearly 4 in the morning then.

 

[kothganesh]

Quote:

What music player do you guys use with apple macbook beside the itunes?

Amarra Hi-fi

 

[kothganesh]

Quote:

NO!



More power than the Lyr (10 watts at 40ohm vs 6 watts at 32ohm of the Lyr), and no dealing with tubes.

That and MANY inputs.

Pair that up with a good DAC, and I doubt you'll need anything else.

 

MLE, you had to do this

. Alright, what DAC goes well with this ?

 

[catspaw]

Quote:

 
Nah no way it's clipping. It's not sound being produced by the driver, it sounds like someone is tapping the headphone while you're wearing it. We had a discussion about this not too long ago, I think someone referred to it as a "twaack".

I heard many weird clips twack and stuff from the HE-400 but mostly come from the construction tiself of the headphone (so far nothing to worry about).
 
I think some parts are slightly smaller than exact fit , and they tend to move enought to produce sounds (the grills on the outside are an example).
 
I dont know about other people, but i have spent 5 months using those outdoors and so far i havent had any issue with them.

 

[catspaw]

Quote:

can the he-400 handle 10 watts with volume control? was looking at emotiva not too long ago

I got the asgard 1 (same power as asgard 2), and if i max the volume on it on the HE-400 the volume induces PAIN.
I dont think it damages the HE-400, but i hardly even pass the 60% mark on volume.
Perhaps for the HE-500 id like something within the 4-10 Watt range, but for the HE-400 asgard is definitly enought.
 
What im trying to say is that perhaps the sound signature might sound better on another amp, but i doubt more power brings more quality.

 

[Lohb]

Does anyone know which of these 2 amps would be best for the HFM-400's ?
 
Matrix M-Stage with  Burr Brown OPA627BP with Class A Biasing Mod upgrade
or
Audinst HUD-mx2 Hi-Fi USB Audio DAC
 
Similar price range.

 

[steveting99]

Quote:

 
Nah no way it's clipping. It's not sound being produced by the driver, it sounds like someone is tapping the headphone while you're wearing it. We had a discussion about this not too long ago, I think someone referred to it as a "twaack".

 
Guys, you can thank me for making up the description called "twaack".  It bothers me still, as hear this on the odd occassion.
I'm digging the HE-400 with pad-fi mod using J$ and nylons...

 Makes me wonder why I kept the pleathers for so long. Must have been stupid.
 
Some will say this is a placebo effect - but I know better.

 

[Okamoto]

Talking about amps, I'll tell you that I'm liking a lot the combo Burson HA-160 + HE-400. Pairs perfectly. If you manage to find one used for a good price, go for it.

 

[kenshinhimura]

Does anyone know which of these 2 amps would be best for the HFM-400's ?

Matrix M-Stage with  Burr Brown OPA627BP with Class A Biasing Mod upgrade
or
Audinst HUD-mx2 Hi-Fi USB Audio DAC

Similar price range.

I have the m-stage without biasing and it sounded great with the he-400. never had to pass 50% with 10db gain setting but that's me

 

[Chawanwit]

Quote:

Amarra Hi-fi

How much does it cost??

 

[MattTCG]

Quote:

Does anyone know which of these 2 amps would be best for the HFM-400's ?
 
Matrix M-Stage with  Burr Brown OPA627BP with Class A Biasing Mod upgrade
or
Audinst HUD-mx2 Hi-Fi USB Audio DAC
 
Similar price range.

 
The M Stage is a good pairing. I haven't heard the Audinst.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

MLE, you had to do this:mad: . Alright, what DAC goes well with this ?

I just paired it up with the ODAC and Modi. If you want to be more serious, Audio-GD does sell their own dacs, including a diamond difference design dac to match with the SA-31, but it's pretty expensive. The NFB 2 or 3 are two dacs in the same ballpark as the SA-31, if you care about matching components.

 

[beaver316]

Another vote for the M-stage, very nice pairing. I haven't changed out the opamp yet though, I like the stock sound sig anyway so I don't feel the need change it, but I doubt you're going to hear any significant changes. I hear they also run hotter with class-a mods, bad idea in the summer.