[Twinster]

Great! I'm happy to found out that the HE-500 synergyze well with the MAD. Can you please list the driver tube in your amp?  (By the way just check your photo album and your MAD custom frame/chrome look awesome!) 
 
Quote:

With only 2hrs burn in on the HE-500 and being driven by my MAD Ear + purist and my Arcam CD36 playing Diana Krall singing Frim Fram Sauce........ WoW, I really mean, WOW....
 
I think I just wet myself..........  sorry folks....

 

 

[sphinxvc]

Quote:

 If we set live concert in Lincoln center or Carnage hall as standard, I don't think the standard will provide so-called "image sharpness". No matter how close you stay to the stage, you can not hear "image" after you close your eyes.
 

Excellent point.

 

[shinn]

Is there anyone who have tried the HE-500 with a balanced amp & system? Do you feel any improvements in sound performance? Not meant to distract this thread with balanced vs unbalanced thingy. I own the balanced HD650 myself. Cheers.

 

[sphinxvc]

Excellent preliminary review Shah, please post the changes you find as the cans burn in.  
 
I'm surprised you found layering better on the HD650s.

 

[Loevhagen]

Why is it that the HE-Adapter is not for HE-500?
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/556814/he-adapter-using-a-speaker-amp-to-drive-he-6-he-5le-and-he-4-headphones
 
I´ve used the HE-500 and the HE-6 on the Violectric V200 and the HE-6 required the volume set at 15:00 and the HE-500 at 12:00. The LCD-2 just needs approx. 11:30.
 
The LCD-2 is said to handle 15W. The HE-6 is recommedned to use at least 8W (source 6moons / HiFiMAN). 
 
What am I missing here - > So: Why is it that the HE-Adapter is not for HE-500?
 
 
 

 

[Windsor]

Thanks for the recent HE-500 impressions, guys. 
 
I began my 'head-fi' journey looking for a system that reproduces recordings as if I were in a high quality studio control room or at a live concert, and I currently find myself with the Lavry DA10 and Sennheiser HD600/650. I'm looking forward to hearing the HE-500 (I'm on the EU loaner program) and by my participation I've agreed to post my HE-500 impressions on the HE-500 EU loaner thread; I'll probably share them on this one, too.
 
From what I've read about the HE-500, it seems it could be a great match for the Lavry DA10 especially if the HE-500 is forgiving of lower-quality recordings. Has anyone else here heard the HE-500 with the Lavry DA10/11?

 

 

[tamahome77]

Can anyone compare the HE-500 to a pair of Joe Grado's HP1000s ?  I have not heard a can that's as transparent and natural like the HP1000s.  The old yamaha orthos and K1000 came close.
 
Shahrose, have you heard a pair of HP1000s before?  Your description of the HE-500's naturalness intrigues me. 

 

[TimPrice]

Is it weird that no one mentioned how drums sound?
Is this one of the main differences with LCD2?
 

 

[Shahrose]

Quote:

Can anyone compare the HE-500 to a pair of Joe Grado's HP1000s ?  I have not heard a can that's as transparent and natural like the HP1000s.  The old yamaha orthos and K1000 came close.
 
Shahrose, have you heard a pair of HP1000s before?  Your description of the HE-500's naturalness intrigues me. 

Hey Vince. Yes, those are my favourite Grados. Unfortunately, I'd need them here with me to compare in detail. I heard them too long ago and for too short a period to remember exactly. I think HeadphoneAddict owns both (not sure).

 
Quote:

Is it weird that no one mentioned how drums sound?
Is this one of the main differences with LCD2?
 

Nothing sounds particularly bad on these, but IMO, drums aren't their strong suit. I feel they need more speed and snap. I'd pick up the LCD-2 for that.
 
 

 

[eucariote]

Quote:

Thanks for the recent HE-500 impressions, guys. 
 
I began my 'head-fi' journey looking for a system that reproduces recordings as if I were in a high quality studio control room or at a live concert, and I currently find myself with the Lavry DA10 and Sennheiser HD600/650. I'm looking forward to hearing the HE-500 (I'm on the EU loaner program) and by my participation I've agreed to post my HE-500 impressions on the HE-500 EU loaner thread; I'll probably share them on this one, too.
 
From what I've read about the HE-500, it seems it could be a great match for the Lavry DA10 especially if the HE-500 is forgiving of lower-quality recordings. Has anyone else here heard the HE-500 with the Lavry DA10/11?
 

 


When I had the HE-500, I used it with a Lavry DA11 headphone jack.  It was more detailed and bright than my tube amp, which I found better suited for the relatively laid back sound of the HE-500.  The Lavry provides a decent amount of current (up to .75 W @ 50 ohms), and I've been communicating with an owner of a DA10 who says it sounds the same to his ears as a Lyr (max of 4 W @ 50 ohms) with his LCD-2.  So I think it has adequate current for the headphones.  They sounded heavenly and easily bested all of my other headphones (RS-1, Edition 8, D7000, HD600).

 

[Windsor]

 
Quote:

Originally Posted by eucariote /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
When I had the HE-500, I used it with a Lavry DA11 headphone jack.  It was more detailed and bright than my tube amp, which I found better suited for the relatively laid back sound of the HE-500.  The Lavry provides a decent amount of current (up to .75 W @ 50 ohms), and I've been communicating with an owner of a DA10 who says it sounds the same to his ears as a Lyr (max of 4 W @ 50 ohms) with his LCD-2.  So I think it has adequate current for the headphones.  They sounded heavenly and easily bested all of my other headphones (RS-1, Edition 8, D7000, HD600).
 

 
Thanks for sharing that. I'm really looking forward to hearing the Lavry with the HE-500 and LCD-2 soon and will post impressions.
 
In the meantime (and on a side-note) I've just this past few moments re-discovered my Senn HD 25-1 by switching to the velour pads (instead of the standard pleathers), which makes the HD 25 much more neutral whilst still awesome cans for rocking out largely due to their forwardness and great PRaT! 

 Fun!
 

 

[baka1969]

Quote:Originally Posted by Shahrose 




"...Nothing sounds particularly bad on these, but IMO, drums aren't their strong suit. I feel they need more speed and snap. I'd pick up the LCD-2 for that."


That's weird how we all hear a bit different. I found the HE500 compared well with the HD800 and LCD2 as far as speed with drums. I found the beta22 to be a great amp to test the three. I used the intro to "Time" off DSotM as one of my drum tests and really thought the HE500 pulled through.

 

[Frank I]

I agree with Sharose. the bass does not have the impact of the HE6 or the LCD2 or even the D7000 IMO. The bass is good but it does not compare on a drum set with the above cans. The two best cans for reproducing drum kits IMO are the LCD2 and the D7000. You can feel the speed and impact on those two cans.

 

[LoweArt]

Quote:

Great! I'm happy to found out that the HE-500 synergyze well with the MAD. Can you please list the driver tube in your amp?  (By the way just check your photo album and your MAD custom frame/chrome look awesome!) 
 


 

Thanks for your very kind comments regarding my custom MAD Ear + purist headphone amp.
 
The small photos are deceiving as the top plate as well as the rear transformer cover are made of stainless steel. The rear cover being highly polished stainless steel which gives it that chrome look.
 
I use a pair of Raytheon 12B4A's and the front driver tube is a Bugle Boy Amperex 12AX7/ECC83 

Cheers,
Lok

 

[eucariote]

Quote:

Thanks for sharing that. I'm really looking forward to hearing the Lavry with the HE-500 and LCD-2 soon and will post impressions.
 

I look forward to hearing your impressions.  I had the HE-500 and now have the LCD-2 (using both with the DA11) but unfortunately not at the same time so was never able to compare them directly.