[StanD]

Guys, just give me another try, before setting on fire

Here is the deal:
Some of audio gd's combines perfom better from SE, other from balanced output, like in case with nfb 28. Maybe 10.2 belong to the the first SE type. Can't find it in google.
About nfb28 here
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB282015/NFB282015EN.htm

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 

Maybe everyone should lay off the самогон. 

  

 

[i019791]

  now I have a silver balanced adaptör with neutrik. NFB-10.2 --> XLR --> silver wire (10cm)  --> 3.5mm output -> 3.5mm silver cable --> HE-500.  I'm very confused. Just %20 volume increased. nothing else. It supposed to be four times more volume than single-ended output.

Can you post a photo of your cable + adaptor ?

 

[leftside]

Would this amp (a GoldenWave AMBER MK2) be a good match for the He-500's?
Frequency response: 20-50KHz +/- 1dB
SNR: 102dB (A-weighted)
Harmonic Distortion: <0.006%
Output power: Class A single-ended output
3000mW @ 32 ohm
1800mW @ 120 ohm
1000mW @ 250 ohm
910mW @ 300 ohm
Input Impedance: 100K (single-ended and balanced)

 

[leftside]

Or would a Bryston BHA-1 be a better match?
 
Specifications:

1. 2 Ohms output impedance for each op-amp driver.

Load @ 600 Ohms

1. Hi - 10.9V Out @ 001% Power 200 mW
2. Lo - 5.45 V Out @ 001% Power 50 mW
3. Lo - 2.50 V Out @ 001% Power 10 mW
4. Lo - 788 mV Out @ 001%¹ Power 1 mW

Load @ 300 Ohms

1. Hi - 10.8 V Out @ 001% Power 390 mW
2. Lo - 5.40 V Out @ 001% Power 50 mW
3. Lo - 1.79 V Out @ 001% Power 10 mW
4. Lo - 583 mV Out @ 001%¹ Power 1 mW

Load @ 80 Ohms

1. Hi - 10.4 V Out @ 002% Power 1.35 W
2. Lo - 5.20 V Out @ 001% Power 383 mW
3. Lo - 887 mV Out @ 001% Power 10 mW
4. Lo - 345 mV Out @ 003% Power 1 mW

Load @ 32 Ohms

1. Hi - 9.65 V Out @ 0.150% Power 2.9 W²
2. Lo - 4.84 V Out @ 002% Power 732 mW
3. Lo - 578 mV Out @ 001%¹ Power 10 mW
4. Lo - 185 m V Out @ 005%¹ Power 1 mW
5. Lo - 4.00 V Out @ 001% Power 500 mW³

Features:

1. Balanced outputs
2. Balanced dual mono circuitry
3. Six fully discrete Class A Bryston operational amplifiers
4. 14dB or 20dB gain
5. 10k input impedance

 

[HarleyZK]

Both of those amps have more than enough power to blow your eardrums apart. Would need someone who owns the combo to chime in for what they actually sound like.

 

[kid vic]

  Did anyone here get a chance to listen to Oppo PM-3? Is the sq & sound sig close to the HE-500?
 
I just love my HE-500 so much and I want to explore more options for portables with a similar sound and feel.

This is my reveiw of the PM-1's. Obviously It's not going to be exactly the same sound wise as the PM-3 but i mention the HE-500's in it.

 

[HarleyZK]

  Did anyone here get a chance to listen to Oppo PM-3? Is the sq & sound sig close to the HE-500?
 
I just love my HE-500 so much and I want to explore more options for portables with a similar sound and feel.

 
The HE-500 is definitely the superior headphone between the two, as expected. It is more detailed, more resolving, has better imaging and sound staging and a much better sounding midrange. The PM-3 is a can with a slightly raised upper midrange and lower treble, the bass is above the neutral point - quantity goes to the PM-3. The PM-3 sub bass weightier than any other planar cans I've owned (PM-2, LCD2r2+LCD2F, HE500, HE6, Vibro, Alpha Dog, HE400i, HE400). Overall the PM-3 can sound laid back with some music too, depending on the recording balance. The PM-3 has great imaging for a closed back of the price, but soundstage is not very large - definitely sounds closed in sound to me. The PM-3 is resolving, no blurred details - but it is not going to compare to the big boys in this regard. The PM-3 is very portable, small and isolates quite well, no issues there. However I do not feel that it scales much with my setup - maybe some other amps might produce better results.
 
I tested all this on a NFB 15, NFB 28, HPA M1 and WA7 btw. For me the Audio Gd amps pair really well with all the Planars I've fed them with. YMMV of course, I could easily see someone preferring the PM-3 if sub bass extension and weight was a massive factor. I'll admit they sound rocking with stuff like Infected Mushroom, Noisia, Juno Reactor etc.

 

[zoso86]

  Can you post a photo of your cable + adaptor ?

.

 

[hifimanrookie]

Omg..sorry to say it..but..who braided that silver cable? Its horrible... Maybe its just a cable fault? A quality/built issue? Never saw a silver based cable braided that bad though..Imho

 

[zoso86]

Omg..sorry to say it..but..who braided that silver cable? Its horrible... Maybe its just a cable fault? A quality/built issue? Never saw a silver based cable braided that bad though..Imho

 
It works. it's original he-500 cable with balanced 3.5mm. it sounds like single-ended output with %20 more volume. but sound is same. I didnt like

 

[i019791]

   
It works. it's original he-500 cable with balanced 3.5mm. it sounds like single-ended output with %20 more volume. but sound is same. I didnt like

I strongly suggest that you abandon your current innovative cable effort ("balanced 3.5 mm") and reterminate according to::
 
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/Phoenix/ModifyEN.htm
 
There are similar guides at head-fi threads.

 

[zoso86]

  I strongly suggest that you abandon your current innovative cable effort ("balanced 3.5 mm") and reterminate according to::
 
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/Phoenix/ModifyEN.htm
 
There are similar guides at head-fi threads.

 
you think that do I shall buy an aftermarket cable? I am worrying that the stock cable seems thin according to my xlr to 3.5mm female output adaptor cable.

 

[leftside]

  Both of those amps have more than enough power to blow your eardrums apart. Would need someone who owns the combo to chime in for what they actually sound like.

I decided to go with the Bryston. I had the chance to audition that one and liked it. Would still like to try the GoldenWave one day.

 

[i019791]

   
you think that do I shall buy an aftermarket cable? I am worrying that the stock cable seems thin according to my xlr to 3.5mm female output adaptor cable.

The stock cable was not perfect for me, but it was also not thin for the purpose of reterminating to male xlr.
You may of course always buy an aftermarket cable, if you wish. 

 

[intlsubband]

   
The HE-500 is definitely the superior headphone between the two, as expected. It is more detailed, more resolving, has better imaging and sound staging and a much better sounding midrange. The PM-3 is a can with a slightly raised upper midrange and lower treble, the bass is above the neutral point - quantity goes to the PM-3. The PM-3 sub bass weightier than any other planar cans I've owned (PM-2, LCD2r2+LCD2F, HE500, HE6, Vibro, Alpha Dog, HE400i, HE400). Overall the PM-3 can sound laid back with some music too, depending on the recording balance. The PM-3 has great imaging for a closed back of the price, but soundstage is not very large - definitely sounds closed in sound to me. The PM-3 is resolving, no blurred details - but it is not going to compare to the big boys in this regard. The PM-3 is very portable, small and isolates quite well, no issues there. However I do not feel that it scales much with my setup - maybe some other amps might produce better results.
 
I tested all this on a NFB 15, NFB 28, HPA M1 and WA7 btw. For me the Audio Gd amps pair really well with all the Planars I've fed them with. YMMV of course, I could easily see someone preferring the PM-3 if sub bass extension and weight was a massive factor. I'll admit they sound rocking with stuff like Infected Mushroom, Noisia, Juno Reactor etc.

 
Thanks heaps! just the sort of info I was looking for.
 
I get that it doesn't particularly scale well, but I would use it only with a DAP and preferably without an additional amp. In any case it will not replace my HE-500 for home use.
 
It looks from the review like the PM-3 got the bass right compared to PM-1/2 as well.