[ninjapirate9901]

   
You can look at the ODAC available from JDS Labs at that price. Not sure how it compares to the Schiit Modi, but its supposedly very clean sounding. Might be a nice pairing with the Project Ember, but I would ask around a bit.

 
I'll have the ODAC (second time owning it) in a week or so if you want some impressions,  though I imagine the pairing should be decent.

 

[fihidelity]

   
What were your previous headphones?
 
To have minimum sibilance / brightness in the treble region, use the pleather earpads BUT pull out the thick foam rings tucked inside them.
 
Past that you can really enhance how the HE500s sound with pleather earpads via modding but that's a whole 'nother can of worms (consult the Jergpad link in my signature if you are curious).

 
 

  Also found the HE-500s are definitely brighter with the velour pads, but give them some time to burn in. The first couple of hours is a bit of a rollercoaster.

 
Cheers chaps, luckily the pleathers are more comfortable too in my opinion (though the velours didn't get much chance to shape to my ear). Just tried removing the foam ring, I probably will get around to modding them or perhaps if modular makes another batch I'll take advantage of those. The reason I'm holding off for the time being is because I'll be better able to appreciate the sonic differences after having heard the pleathers as are for a while.

 

[spurxiii]

Go SA-31 if you are not going to roll tubes, the Lyr is very responsive to tube rolling and you will never know what it is cable of sounding like if you do not intend to.

The SA-31 does a fine job with the Lcd-2's and the HE-500, clean power, good sound stage with a touch of warmth that you can make a bit warmer via the jumpers. 

I've had great success as with others with the Topping TP60 via speaker taps, similar power to the Emotiva so no need to use resistors. It would be putting about 10 watts into the HE500s which is plenty. Cost = $200 delivered.

 

[spurxiii]

Oops wrong person quoted

 

[Pumelman8]

I think I will just save up more money and get the schiit lyr and modi for now. Then in the future I will probably upgrade to a big roast über when I feel the time is right.

 

[i019791]

I think I will just save up more money and get the schiit lyr and modi for now. Then in the future I will probably upgrade to a big roast über when I feel the time is right.

 
If the Lyr owners are right, you probably have to upgrade the tubes first.

 

[brunk]

  I switched to the velour pads last night (very stressful) in the hope it would lessen the sibilance but so far if anything it's just aggravated it. Does the treble mellow out a bit with burn in as I've only had about twenty hours with them so far?

 
What are you amping them with?

 

[spurxiii]

These cans have hardly any burn in for me

 

[spurxiii]

And never had sibilance. I'd anything the highs are rolled off

 

[Llloyd]

And never had sibilance. I'd anything the highs are rolled off

 
That's the magic of the HE-500. Great treble extension without any harshness.

 

[fihidelity]

What are you amping them with?

A Magni for the time being but I'm thinking of upgrading, perhaps to an Ember or something SS like Meier or Burson.

 

[spurxiii]

A Magni for the time being but I'm thinking of upgrading, perhaps to an Ember or something SS like Meier or Burson.

Try a vintage SS amp. Only cons are it's size, they're always huge.

 

[Chris_Himself]

A Magni for the time being but I'm thinking of upgrading, perhaps to an Ember or something SS like Meier or Burson.

 
Used Meier amps are best bang for the buck

 

[Flognuts]

Meier Corda Classic here. 
 
Ran the He-500's effortlessly when I had them. 

 

[spurxiii]

   
That's the magic of the HE-500. Great treble extension without any harshness.

 
Meant to say extended without being harsh but didn't know how to word it since I'm a noob