[Llloyd]

dacmini

 

[mac336]

which dacmini

 

[Llloyd]

http://centrance.com/products/dacmini/cx/

 

[mac336]

how would you compare dacmini's dac to bifrost

 

[Llloyd]

I'd say it's comparable.  I can't give you an exact comparison though.  They use the same chip I believe.  I'd say if you just want a one and done the dacmini is nice, but if you think you might upgrade in the future, then the bifrost may be a better choice.  There's a decent handful of people around who use the he-500 with the dacmini exclusively.  You might want to talk to one of them

 

[mac336]

thanks.  Ill get around so sifting through the forums later.  Basically right now I'm pretty much between the dacmini, lyr/bifrost, burson160da, or keeping the NFB-12.  I'm sure theres some discussion on some of these amps earlier in this thread.   I'll take a look tomorrow. 

 

[Shahrose]

Quote:

Curious how the M^3 might perform with the HE-500?  Just purchased 1 off   the for sale forums.  I have been using the headphone amp in my Mcintosh CD player which is actually pretty good but hoping to get better bass with more power.  I tried the HE-500 with my Bottlehead Crack  and it was terrible.  

The M^3 is great with almost any headphone, including the HE500. Yes I've owned both. Good purchase decision (as long as it's with the Sigma-11 or STEPS PSU).

 

[earthling]

Quote:

The M^3 is great with almost any headphone, including the HE500. Yes I've owned both. Good purchase decision (as long as it's with the Sigma-11 or STEPS PSU).

Second that. The M^3 is really decent with a good PSI, will drive just about anything. 
 
Mac336:
 
I am using the Anedio D2, not inside the original quoted budget but there are used D1s around for about $800 and at that price you aren't going to find much that can touch it (if anything).  At its original $1400.00 price it is an amazing bargain to begin with, at $800 or even $900 its a steal.
 
 
 

 

[sphinxvc]

To anyone in the market for an HE-500 amplifier, I highly, highly, recommend an Objective2.

 

[mac336]

Wow, thanks for the recommendation.  I just read a review on it and hope that I can find a good deal on this
 
Quote:

Second that. The M^3 is really decent with a good PSI, will drive just about anything. 
 
Mac336:
 
I am using the Anedio D2, not inside the original quoted budget but there are used D1s around for about $800 and at that price you aren't going to find much that can touch it (if anything).  At its original $1400.00 price it is an amazing bargain to begin with, at $800 or even $900 its a steal.
 
 
 

 

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

What amp/dac or separate amp+dac combo for under $800 would you guys recommend for the HE-500?

DACmini.
 

 

[Ultrainferno]

Quote:

To anyone in the market for an HE-500 amplifier, I highly, highly, recommend an Objective2.

Really? I absolutely do not like that combo at all, and I'm being nice here

 

[Yuceka]

Quote:

Really? I absolutely do not like that combo at all, and I'm being nice here

Fight fight fight fight Just kidding 
 
I'd like to hear both of you guys' experiences with O2 pairing with HE-500. I am currently using the Lyr but I might want to try something else for a different flavor. 

 

[sphinxvc]

Quote:

Really? I absolutely do not like that combo at all, and I'm being nice here

Yup.  I've got a custom made tube amplifier sitting here which pairs really well with the LCD-2.  It's more refined than the O2 in some ways, offering a slightly larger soundstage and better imaging.  Anyway, having had the HD800 and LCD-2 and HE-500 in my system for three weeks now, the can that steps down the least to the O2 is the HE-500.  The other two took a relatively bigger hit.  So given the price, the performance I know the big amplifier is capable of, and the limits of the HE-500 (on the big rig) compared to the other 2, I think the O2 is good choice. 
 
 

 

[K3cT]

O2 is quite nice but I don't think you're getting the best out of these current-hungry orthodynamics out of that...