[Sonic Defender]

I am really enjoying the Norne Solv X balanced cable on my 560's with my Vega/Taurus mkii combo.

I still have my Solv X cable, and when I used it with my departed 560 I really liked the combination. I now use it with my TH 900 to just as positive a result.

 

[Kyno]

I've noticed I actually had not reported this here, but thanks to Bill-P, I had given the Sonic Frontiers TransDAC a try with the HE-560.
 
Well, for me that initially needed a "oomph" for these headphones, I wasn't disappointed.
 
I usually only hear subtle (not say non-meaningful, or course) differences between the different audio pieces I tried outside of headphones, although keep in mind I haven't tried that much - especially costly systems. But I was stunned by how much difference one DAC from another could make all of a sudden (I was using either an ODAC or Gamma2 before).
 
Bill-P had been raving about his TransDAC, even selling it's 1k+ Neko once its TransDAC had been paired with antijitter stuff, and I can only support him. It's been nothing but great with the HE-560, and for my other headphones as well.
 
Given the price point of this vintage DAC, I would urge anyone to at least give it a try if you happen to find one.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Kyono, I have a Monarchy M22B that should be back by the time I return from Holliday with a new transformer and Caps. I am really looking forward to inserting it into to my system. Want to see what the R2R fuss is abut!

 

[conquerator2]

A good R2R DAC does wonders IMO. I'd never consider going back to D-S unless I really have to or they become more musical 

 

[Wildcatsare1]

I will have the Monarchy and I am hoping that one of the announcements from the "Schiit Show" is an upgrade R2R Board for my Über Bifrost!

 

[doctorjazz]

Have the Museatek as noted above, also have the Mojo DAC V2 (a prototype), which is R2R from what I understand, and actually does sound really nice...better than the DAC built into my Peachtree GrandPre (which was well reviewed, overall and the DAC section). But, it wasn't playing well with my Peachtree, and I have it disconnected. Probably should send it back to Ben, Mr Mojo, to have it checked, maybe there is some problem that cauesed it and the Peachtree not to get along (had to send the Peachtree back to the manufacturer twice).

 

[richbass]

  A DAC is a DAC, you'll hear sound through. Will the HE560 perform better with a better DAC? Yes. The Modi is an entry level audiophile DAC but for the price it's not bad. To really hear a difference you'd have to jump to the $300-$400 range IMO, maybe something like a Mousai MSD192? The Wolfson chip pairs extremely well wih the HE560. However if you want to really dive in, I recommend getting an R2R or ladder resistor DAC (look at MHDT Labs -- Havana or Pagoda).
 

To hear a difference after a $400-500 DAC. How much one would need to spend ?

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

$800-1k imo, although there are some dac/amp in the $600 region that is quite good. If you're shopping used you'll get even more value. Homework and reading goes a long way, specially if you can differ reviewers and users impressions.

Personally I think you'd be better with an r2r or Wolfson DAC. That Mousai 192 dac rivals $1k DACS imo, great match for the he560 as well.

 

[mandrake50]

  To hear a difference after a $400-500 DAC. How much one would need to spend ?

You may well hear a difference if you buy a $100 DAC. Whether you would like it or not ... you would have to see for yourself. Chances are that you could try 4 different $500 DACs and hear differences between them. Certainly ANY $1000 DAC will sound different from ANY $500 DAC. Is the difference that you may hear worth the extra $500 to you.... no one can tell you that.
 
I do not think that there is a direct one to one correspondence from price to audio quality. I don't disagree that equipment with greater care taken in design, construction and parts quality may sound better than less expensive equipment. But you may not like that difference. In other words your question is not answerable as it was presented.
 
I have an example to think about. I picked up a couple of DACs recently in preparation for getting a Liquid Carbon amp. They both initially retailed for $700 to $800. They have been superseded now and I got one for $250 and one for $400. Do you think that they sound worse than they did when they were full price because they cost less today.
 
You might get better answers if you would specify the $400-$500 DAC and ask for specific thoughts on upgrading. Or possibly be specific about what kind of difference would be important to you.
 
Not trying to be a jerk, but without qualifiers, your question makes no sense.

 

[richbass]

$800-1k imo, although there are some dac/amp in the $600 region that is quite good. If you're shopping used you'll get even more value. Homework and reading goes a long way, specially if you can differ reviewers and users impressions.

Personally I think you'd be better with an r2r or Wolfson DAC. That Mousai 192 dac rivals $1k DACS imo, great match for the he560 as well.

Which dac/amp in the $600 range ?

 

[ZekeAdebayo]

What would be a good price to pay for the He-560s?

 

[doctorjazz]

As little as possible, of course...

 

[Exacoustatowner]

Kyono, I have a Monarchy M22B that should be back by the time I return from Holliday with a new transformer and Caps. I am really looking forward to inserting it into to my system. Want to see what the R2R fuss is abut!

You remind me that I can walk to Monarchy from work...

 

[ZekeAdebayo]

As little as possible, of course...

What would be a good range for any of you?  I'm asking as a serious question, lol. 

 

[ThurstonX]

  What would be a good price to pay for the He-560s?

 
$700, $750.  Less is more 

 
 
RazorDog (Razor Dog?) sometimes has open-box/returned-in-mint-condition deals, and are often mentioned as an excellent company with which to deal.  You could start there, not to mention the FS forum herein.
 
Bon chance