[Maven86]

  You got that right!! Even though my HD650s are a lot lighter and completely surround my ears without touching, my preorder HE-560s are much, much more comfortable, esp. for long periods. I just hope that the new pads don't lose any comfort.

Or SQ...

 

[rwelles]

 
Or SQ...

Amen!

 

[teiki arii]

I heard Clem's HE-560 from the DA8 (and from many other setups) at a meet last weekend. The DA8 has enough power. The HE-560 doesn't seem hard to drive. Whether the DA8 sounds good or not is another question and a matter of preference.

Yes, of course, you're right. But mine is special. I put 70/100 on original DA8 with IC-OPAs and 88/100 with discret AZP OPAs.. So I expect a very nice improvement with HE-560. I have a Gold Grado SR-325i and the gap between IC-OPAs' ans discret OPAs' is "as deep as helm's deep"...  
Thank you again and best regards...
http://www.head-fi.org/t/673033/review-yulong-audio-sabre-da8-reference-dac/1290#post_10413181

 

[conquerator2]

Well ideally they'd only enlarge the ear openings to ~6.5cm and leave everything else untouched. Ideally, we'll be able to purchase both.
With all the comfort praise these pads are getting, I'd probably want to get a pair just for the sake of comparison

 

[Clemmaster]

  Hello Clemmaster,
You seem to be very happy with HE-560. I am very glad for you. I can notice that you possess the Yulong DA8 DAC. Has the DA8 got enough power to drive the HIFIMAN HE-560?
I am very interested in your answer.
Best regards.

 
Yes, the DA8 internal amp drives the HE-560 adequately, no worries

 

 

[Clemmaster]

   
I heard Clem's HE-560 from the DA8 (and from many other setups) at a meet last weekend. The DA8 has enough power. The HE-560 doesn't seem hard to drive. Whether the DA8 sounds good or not is another question and a matter of preference.

It was the A18 amp fed by the Ciunas 

.
My DA8 was resting at home.
 
Edit: or was there another DA8 in the room?
 
They both drive it competently, I have no issues with either and have been joying the DA8 + A18 combo a lot lately.
 
My OR5 should come back today so I can test the HE-560 with the Audio-gd stack: OR5 -> SA-2 (i2s) -> SA-31SE

 

[teiki arii]

Yes, the DA8 internal amp drives the HE-560 adequately, no worries

 

Thank you very much for answering.

 

[TeamHiFiMAN]

I really hope they don't change the softness of the pads and only adjust the actual width. it'd be a shame for people to miss out on how comfy the current pads are.

I'm looking forward to the he400i, with the delays I'm guessing that one will come out without problems. if HiFiMAN does happen to give that $100 credit I'm very likely to buy those for the heck of it.

 
we are not going to change anything with the pads other than the width of inner circle. We have spent a lot of effort and time to get where we are with the pads (well...except hiring a tester with large ears ^_^). not going to screw up a good thing.

 

[Clemmaster]

I'm probably in the ~6.5 - 7cm ear size (need to measure accurately) but the pads are a non-issue for me.
My ears slip under the pad perfectly with no annoyance.
 
The pads are awesome. Comfort in general is great.

 

[Zagfan]

Frank or anyone else,  If you were ONLY going to use a  AK 240 to drive new headphones,  which would you choose?  PM-1 or 560?  

 

[jerg]

 
Or SQ...

It's inevitable that the sound will be different by having an earpad with larger openings, for better or for worse.

 

[Maven86]

  It's inevitable that the sound will be different by having an earpad with larger openings, for better or for worse.

I'm crossing my fingers that it will be the former.  Although in the worst case scenario, I wonder if Hifiman will offer both sizes?

 

[teiki arii]

They both drive it competently, I have no issues with either and have been joying the DA8 + A18 combo a lot lately.

Did you find the DA8/A18 combo quite better than the DA8 alone?

 

[Clemmaster]

  Did you find the DA8/A18 combo quite better than the DA8 alone?

 
I did not compare them in the same setup. I used the DA8 with USB input from the traditional "burn-in" process, for few days.
 
I am now using the DA8 fed by the Ciunas Converter (coax) with the A18. The bass is more extended, treble is less raw but this could be due to the Ciunas being better than the DA8's USB input.
 
I didn't feel like I was missing a lot from the DA8's internal headphone amp, honestly. It has no particular flaws that I could notice.
The A18 sounds bigger and more extended (keeping in mind the Ciunas thing), which is the typical improvement with better quality gear. It sounds warmer, too.

 

[conquerator2]

we are not going to change anything with the pads other than the width of inner circle. We have spent a lot of effort and time to get where we are with the pads (well...except hiring a tester with large ears ^_^). not going to screw up a good thing.

That's great to hear! Thanks!
Will both will be available eventually? (assuming I am getting the bigger pads with my 560, will I be able to purchase the original smaller one if need be for any reason?)
Thanks again