Hifiman HE-500 amp under $600?
Oct 30, 2012 at 1:28 PM Post #48 of 86
Quote:
preproman said:
 
 
Nope - that's alow powered amp.  Only 50 watts into 8 ohms.  Perfect for just about any headphones.  Also it comes with a volume knob on it.
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Thanks D, I will consider it...
 
I was just wondering about the price differences between amps...
 
I mean the SA-31 is more than twice the price... why?
 
Is it twice as good? Nah, dont think so
 
Oct 30, 2012 at 1:37 PM Post #49 of 86
Quote:
conquerator2 said:
 
Thanks D, I will consider it...
 
I was just wondering about the price differences between amps...
 
I mean the SA-31 is more than twice the price... why?
 
Is it twice as good? Nah, dont think so
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Naw it wouldn't be twice as good.  It's just that some speaker amp cost lower than headphone amps.  
 
Oct 30, 2012 at 6:09 PM Post #50 of 86
I thought a 40w speaker tube amp was perfect with them. About 8.5 w @ 40 ohms. With a SS dac.........

Another I bet would sound good is the Bryston but out of budget.
 
Nov 15, 2012 at 2:58 PM Post #51 of 86
For future readers:
 
I now own both a Burson Soloist and the HifiMan EF-5. I used to have the HE-400, which I ran from the EF-5 through a MusicStreamer II DAC, very fine sounding. I now upgraded to the HE-500 and a Lab Brick USB HUB, and the difference in sound between running the MusicStreamer II directly from the computers USB and the Lab brick is night and day!! I am actually starting to regret having bought the Burson now since the EF-5 sounds so freaking awesome with me HE-500s. I do get a larger soundstage with the Soloist and slightly ore detail, but a much brighter sound and less power and warmth. The EF-5 drives the HE-500s a little better in my opinion. I use the UD384 DAC + UPower with the Soloist, and it definitely has more clarity than the MusicStreamer, and having tried all combinations now I am still unsure which one I prefer. But, for $399!! the EF-5 is amazing with these headphones! I use a Mullard CV4003 / 12AU7 Vintage New Old Stock Platinum Grade Cryogenically Treated (U.K. org. version) tube with the EF-5 - fantastic sounding compared to the other tubes I have tried so far.
 
Nov 16, 2012 at 6:05 PM Post #52 of 86
Although, the Little dot MkIII does possibly not sound like the ideal partner for the HE-500s (and surely there is a lot of amp headroom that can be filled), I think it can be good with the HE-500. You may want to set the gain to +10, although +5 is useful too. A great, natural and very detailed driver tube is the CV 4015 (EF92) to be combined with a 6N6P-IR power tube. I am listening to those between 10.00 to max. 12.00.
However, I have some very nice Tung Sol driver tubes (JAN-CTL-6AJ5), which just not pull enough for the HE-500. They are predecessors of the 6AK5-type driver tubes and hence provide lesser voltage.
As I have only read vague and not necessarily good comments on the LD MKIII + HE-500 combination, I wanted to add another point of view.
 
I found that the CV4014 driver tubes are high gain tubes, which probably give the best performance with HE-500. They are a bit bright, hence I would suggest pairing with 6N6P-IR power tubes.
 
Update: Updated my post 25/11/2012 following more auditioning.
 
Nov 16, 2012 at 7:44 PM Post #53 of 86
Quote:
acapella11 said:
Although, the Little dot MkIII does possibly not sound like the ideal partner for the HE-500s (and surely there is a lot of amp headroom that can be filled), I think it can be good with the HE-500. You may want to set the gain to +10, although +5 is useful too. As power tubes, I would try Novosibirsk 6N6P-IR or if you have more change Sovtek 6H30 type tubes. 6N6P-IR have a bit more bass, 6H30 better treble extension and separation. As driver tube, I would suggest Mullard M8100 with a small Mullard logo. I am currently listening to this setup at 10 to 11 on the volume knob and it sounds loud enough, pretty nice and authoritative. This is with the HE-500 having been used for only like 15 hours.
However, I have some very nice Tung Sol driver tubes (JAN-CTL-6AJ5), which just do not pull enough for the HE-500. They are predecessors of the 6AK5-type driver tubes and hence provide lesser voltage.
As I have only read vague and not necessarily good comments on the LD MKIII + HE-500 combination, I wanted to add another point of view.
 
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While you might be able to set the gain to a comfortable listening volume, isn't the power output a bit low?  Only 100 mW @ 32 ohm.
 
I need an amp as well as I've just purchased a pair of HE-500s.  Looking at the NFB 15.1 but am open to more suggestions.  Anything that hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet?  Audio-gd Compass 2?
 
Nov 17, 2012 at 6:53 AM Post #54 of 86
Agreed, I would'nt have chosen to buy a Little dot MkIII for an HE-500 but I had the MKIII with a box full of tubes and tested different setups. My line of thoughts was rather a person having access to a Little dot MkIII may want to test one of these combinations because they are quite pleasant. I am following this thread because I was planning to upgrade my amp in order to even more enjoy the headphone.
 
Nov 17, 2012 at 8:33 AM Post #55 of 86
Quote:
Originally Posted by AdamFrandsen /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
[...]
I am actually starting to regret having bought the Burson now since the EF-5 sounds so freaking awesome with me HE-500s. I do get a larger soundstage with the Soloist and slightly ore detail, but a much brighter sound and less power and warmth.
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The SA-31 might have what you feel the soloist lacks: power and warmth.
 
The first time I heard it, I was really impressed by the slam it brought to the music! Before that, I was using a M-Stage which, I suppose,  is too weak for the HE-500.
 
Nov 17, 2012 at 11:27 AM Post #56 of 86
rhyick said:
While you might be able to set the gain to a comfortable listening volume, isn't the power output a bit low?  Only 100 mW @ 32 ohm.

I need an amp as well as I've just purchased a pair of HE-500s.  Looking at the NFB 15.1 but am open to more suggestions.  Anything that hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet?  Audio-gd Compass 2?
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Try the lafigaro 339 or what i owe now for my he500.. The darkvoice 337..BUT make sure u get the right tubes ( check for reviews about the 337 on google :wink: )

A sure bet would also be the yulong a18 sabre or the shiit mjolnir..both extremely good amps..but both ss..last one is also ONLY balanced
 
Nov 17, 2012 at 9:25 PM Post #57 of 86
Quote:
hifimanrookie said:
Try the lafigaro 339 or what i owe now for my he500.. The darkvoice 337..BUT make sure u get the right tubes ( check for reviews about the 337 on google
wink.gif
)
A sure bet would also be the yulong a18 sabre or the shiit mjolnir..both extremely good amps..but both ss..last one is also ONLY balanced
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Well, considering this is the <$600 thread (prefer <$400, to be honest), do you have any other recommendations in this price range? :)  I wish I could go for those amps.
etysmile.gif

 
Nov 18, 2012 at 4:53 PM Post #58 of 86
rhyick said:
Well, considering this is the <$600 thread (prefer <$400, to be honest), do you have any other recommendations in this price range? :)  I wish I could go for those amps. :etysmile:
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Oops sorry..Try the matrix quattro or the matrix m-stage..both excellent amps for under 400. Shiit lyr ( allthough i found it sounded a bit muddy on my he500). Before i had my 337 i used my matrix to burn in the he500 for 2 weeks..with gain on 10db he did very well! Better then a darkvoice 3322 with mullard tubes in it! And that for i think 299 usd with the opa627 mod i had on mine already installed..u can get the matrix at tamaudio.com.
Ps..the first matrix amp is even balanced!
 
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