[WNBC]

Good point.  Did you ever try their SEX 2.1 amp?  They say it is an excellent match for LCD-2.  
http://www.bottlehead.com/et/whichheadphoneamp.htm
 
Quote:

 
WNBC, the Crack isn't a good match for the HE-500's.  Crack is meant for high impedance cans, so very nice with Senn HD-650's for Beyer DT-880/600's, but not good with Hifiman's.  I have both and tried them together and it doesn't sound good.

 

[kixxit]

i hate when i don't use "quote"

 

[captouch]

Quote:

Really, the only thing I dislike about the Lyr is the heat it produces. However, this winter I will love it...that's why I call the Lyr my "winter rig"

 
The synergy between the HE-500s and Lyr is outstanding, to my ears. Even better than my vintage Marantz, which was my original intended pairing ala Skylab's recommendation. The Lyr has plenty of power and the ability to fine tune the SQ via tube rolling is awesome.
 
With the Lyr, I find the HE-500 to have deep, tight bass and a silky midrange that's very, very smooth. Vocals are slightly forward, as I like them. I was concerned about the extended treble and opted to order the cans from Moon with a black dragon copper cable to tame the upper edge a bit. Happily, after 90 hours burn-in, I can report the highs are sweet, detailed, and not shrill at all.
 
YMMV.

 
I was a little concerned (in advance) with the HE-500's highs because I heard they restored some of the highs that were tamed on the 5LE's (vs the original HE-5's).  But I actually found the 5LE's to have brighter highs.  The HE-500's are, to my ears, very polite cans based on my experience so far.  I'm mostly listening to them now out of the HP out of my vintage Yamaha receiver, but will soon be listening to them out of speaker taps out of the same receiver.  Just have to re-term a new cable to XLR.

 

[kixxit]

Quote:

Really, the only thing I dislike about the Lyr is the heat it produces. However, this winter I will love it...that's why I call the Lyr my "winter rig"

 
The synergy between the HE-500s and Lyr is outstanding, to my ears. Even better than my vintage Marantz, which was my original intended pairing ala Skylab's recommendation. The Lyr has plenty of power and the ability to fine tune the SQ via tube rolling is awesome.
 
With the Lyr, I find the HE-500 to have deep, tight bass and a silky midrange that's very, very smooth. Vocals are slightly forward, as I like them. I was concerned about the extended treble and opted to order the cans from Moon with a black dragon copper cable to tame the upper edge a bit. Happily, after 90 hours burn-in, I can report the highs are sweet, detailed, and not shrill at all.
 
YMMV.

Although (across the board) I haven't come to the same conclusion as you, it's always nice to know that someone somewhere is happy with their gear!  The reason I asked the question; for me, there is something missing and I am not certain if it's the headphone or the amp.  I can't help thinking I might be able to get more out of the headphones with a more powerful amp .  They do punch a bit harder than the Burson, but I think they can go further still.  I just don't know if my wallet can handle it.  Thanks for your input!

 

[captouch]

Quote:

Good point.  Did you ever try their SEX 2.1 amp?  They say it is an excellent match for LCD-2.  
http://www.bottlehead.com/et/whichheadphoneamp.htm
 

 
No, I haven't.  Honestly, I'm finding it hard to justify spending more on cans or amps at this point. 

  Even though another DIY would be a fun summer project.  I'm happiest at this point using HP out or speaker taps directly out of my vintage Yamaha CR 220 receiver (15wpc).  But the EF5 and NFB-12 are my other amp options (Bottlehead aside, which I use with HD650's), which are both pretty good with the Hifiman cans as well.
 
Actually thinking of selling some of my gear - they (extra/less-used cans/amps) don't do me a lot of good just sitting there, and I'm thinking (though haven't yet decided) that 2 (maybe 3) full sized cans are probably enough for me, which means selling 1-2 pairs.  IEMs take less space (and most of mine are cheaper ones anyway), so hanging on to more IEMs than I regularly use.

 

[OldSkool]

Quote:

Although (across the board) I haven't come to the same conclusion as you, it's always nice to know that someone somewhere is happy with their gear!  The reason I asked the question; for me, there is something missing and I am not certain if it's the headphone or the amp.  I can't help thinking I might be able to get more out of the headphones with a more powerful amp .  They do punch a bit harder than the Burson, but I think they can go further still.  I just don't know if my wallet can handle it.  Thanks for your input!

What tubes are you running in your Lyr?  I'm sorry, I didn't see what DAC or source is in your chain. Using Flac/lossless files?
 
We are always happy to help, but we want YOU to be happy also

 

[kixxit]

Quote:

What tubes are you running in your Lyr?  I'm sorry, I didn't see what DAC or source is in your chain. Using Flac/lossless files?
 
We are always happy to help, but we want YOU to be happy also

My source is my laptop running WMA lossless files through the Zune software.  I'm using the DAC on the Burson, and I'm running the GE 6BZ7 NOS tubes, which were recommended by Jason.

 

[Subsequence]

Will be joining the club tomorrow 

 

[kixxit]

Quote:

Will be joining the club tomorrow 

which one?  the HE-500 club?  the HE-500/Lyr club?  whatcha got in the bag, man?

 

[Subsequence]

Quote:

which one?  the HE-500 club?  the HE-500/Lyr club?  whatcha got in the bag, man?

HE-500 ofcourse! I'm pretty much settled amp wise, got both the Phoenix and the V200 

 

[kixxit]

Quote:

HE-500 ofcourse! I'm pretty much settled amp wise, got both the Phoenix and the V200 

if i'd have waited a week or two later, i'd probably have picked up the V200 over the Lyr only due to the fact that it's solid state.  As for the Pheonix.... that should prove interesting...

 

[Subsequence]

Quote:

if i'd have waited a week or two later, i'd probably have picked up the V200 over the Lyr only due to the fact that it's solid state.  As for the Pheonix.... that should prove interesting...

I know what you mean. I'm not one for patience either haha. But yeah going to be listening SE first while i make a balanced cable but i'm not sure if it will be a fair comparison between the 2 since afaik the phoenix has 1/4th the power when it's running headphones in SE. And as always with new headphones it will take a while for the brain to burn in to the sound 

 
Will post my thoughts as i go through the process though.

 

[Llloyd]

@dubstepgirl
 
If you're still reading this  anyway, be sure to let us know your wa6se impressions with the he-500 if you do pick a pair up.  There's not really a ton of information around on how the woo amps pair.  Only a few opinions.  Most people just seem to get a Lyr which I'm sure is fine, but I like the woo stuff quite a bit more so I'd like to know more about it I'd personally go for a woo any day over the lyr.  I just get a weird feeling that the lyr would not suit me.  Also I guess I'm afraid that it's over hyped.  I'm sure it is fine though.

 

[Rebel975]

Day 4 waiting for my replacement HE-500. I'm going slightly mad. I've resorted to using my speakers and a standard xbox mic when gaming. The mic sounds like you would if you put a hand over your mouth. It's the most muffled audio device I've ever heard. lol

 

[Dubstep Girl]

thanks.
 
 
sure thing.
 
if the HE-500 really does have a K701-ish sound, feels like i'm gonna love them.. i liked the k701 alot, but sold because T1/HD800 better, but they're not the same sound 

 
i like that neutral but slightly warm midrange, and if the bass is better than the k's, thats a plus.
 
i know the K701 paired really well with my WA6-SE, like really good. i'm sure the HE-500 will do good with the 6SE, it does good for all my other cans lol