[nicoragua]

Is there a consensus on which type of tube amps work well with the HE-560 ? And does someone know why sometimes we hear that this or that amp is not good for planars, is there a technical explanation or is it really subjective ?

 

[doctorjazz]

I'd agree on mowing the lawn with open cans, not a good idea. My Etymotic 4P's in ears are the best I've tried for that.
I like my MicroZOTL2 for the 560 (and for the HEK). I also had good results with the Liquid Carbon and the RSA-HR2.

 

[DavidA]

  Is there a consensus on which type of tube amps work well with the HE-560 ? And does someone know why sometimes we hear that this or that amp is not good for planars, is there a technical explanation or is it really subjective ?

Hybrid tube amps work well with the HE-560 while OTL does not.
 
The technical reason is OTL amps are designed for higher impedance headphones like the HD-800 and T1 while most hybrid tube amps have relatively low output impedances which pair better with the lower impedance of most planar headphones.  Not the full reason since I'm not a electrical engineer or designer of amps but maybe others with more knowledge can give a better explanation.

 

[iclickjohn]

I'd agree on mowing the lawn with open cans, not a good idea. My Etymotic 4P's in ears are the best I've tried for that.
I like my MicroZOTL2 for the 560 (and for the HEK). I also had good results with the Liquid Carbon and the RSA-HR2.

I read the absolute sound article on these and they are highly regarded. I'm still amazed that they get this result with only 1W output. What is your complete configuration with the Microzotl2?
My main grief is only one RCA output behind the HAP-S1 which I already have running into my PrimaLuna and out to speakers. I know I can get splitter RCA adaptors to run both, I'm just Leary of that. It looked like RCA was the only input. The HAP-S1 has a great DAC so maybe I'm fine with that going in.

 

[doctorjazz]

I'd agree on mowing the lawn with open cans, not a good idea. My Etymotic 4P's in ears are the best I've tried for that.
I like my MicroZOTL2 for the 560 (and for the HEK). I also had good results with the Liquid Carbon and the RSA-HR2.

I read the absolute sound article on these and they are highly regarded. I'm still amazed that they get this result with only 1W output. What is your complete configuration with the Microzotl2?
My main grief is only one RCA output behind the HAP-S1 which I already have running into my PrimaLuna and out to speakers. I know I can get splitter RCA adaptors to run both, I'm just Leary of that. It looked like RCA was the only input. The HAP-S1 has a great DAC so maybe I'm fine with that going in.

Right now (it's in flux) I use the ZOTL2 with my PC...JRiver (whatever the latest is), Geek Out Signature Edition, LH Labs Revive. Have been using the LTS LTA (replaced their original switching power supply, which was fine, but the LPS is better), currently evaluating a TOTL LPS, Illuminati from Mojo Audio, which is in the system at present. Also did some tube rolling, which does change the sound a bit (it is fine in stock form, though).

(as for @DavidA's description of OTL amps, that is spot on from what I've read, have no engineering knowledge either. The ZOTL, though, is an OTL that uses radio waves is some way that is beyond me to reduce the output impedance, getting rid of this OTL problem).

 

[nicoragua]

It seems like the HP8 MKII from Icon Audio works well, anyone tried it ? 

 

[DavidA]

  It seems like the HP8 MKII from Icon Audio works well, anyone tried it ? 

Haven't heard the MkII but the original was quite good when I heard it 2 years ago at a friends house.  I don't remember if she had the stock tubes but it was a great sounding amp.

 

[grape ape]

My bifrost and Lyr came in. I am a bit cynical when it comes to amps and kind of believe that one class a amp isnt all that different from another. Man was I wrong. The Lyr is so much more suited to the he560 than my old amp. It also confirms that I do still love harmonic distortion. That warm smooth sound really takes some of the harshness out of these cans. They're definitely keeps. Listened to nearly every pavement album back to back and it's never sounded better.

I'm just tickled pink and I can't wait to tube roll.

 

[nicoragua]

My bifrost and Lyr came in. I am a bit cynical when it comes to amps and kind of believe that one class a amp isnt all that different from another. Man was I wrong. The Lyr is so much more suited to the he560 than my old amp. It also confirms that I do still love harmonic distortion. That warm smooth sound really takes some of the harshness out of these cans. They're definitely keeps. Listened to nearly every pavement album back to back and it's never sounded better.

I'm just tickled pink and I can't wait to tube roll.

Can I ask what was your old amp ?

 

[ronaldme]

thank you for all the reaction to my questions and ideas, after a month Listening at my mojo and he560, I am very satisfied with the sound. In the beginning it was not really good but now Wow, I'm very happy with it
 
meanwhile we keep this setup, we will consider saving for a really big update. amp and dac.
I'll look to improve the cables for power and data (USB Ipad to Mojo).
And a headphone cable from Mojo to Hifiman 560.

 

[DavidA]

My bifrost and Lyr came in. I am a bit cynical when it comes to amps and kind of believe that one class a amp isnt all that different from another. Man was I wrong. The Lyr is so much more suited to the he560 than my old amp. It also confirms that I do still love harmonic distortion. That warm smooth sound really takes some of the harshness out of these cans. They're definitely keeps. Listened to nearly every pavement album back to back and it's never sounded better.

I'm just tickled pink and I can't wait to tube roll.

If you like the stock tubes in the Lyr then you will be in for a treat when you start to roll some of the better tubes.

 

[grape ape]

  Can I ask what was your old amp ?

It was a China made Tube/MOSFET hybrid called the FEEL HP 200SE. It was a great amp for my k702. I loved it it however is a too dark for my he560's. I bought these cans because I started listening to rock again rather than purely live recordings of classical music and I was sick of grados' sibilence 
 
I'm perfectly happy with the Lyr/bifrost. The Lyr was used and came with 4 sets of tubes and I have a around 5 sets of tubes from my FEEL amp. Rolling tubes is fun. 
 

 

[TK16]

  It was a China made Tube/MOSFET hybrid called the FEEL HP 200SE. It was a great amp for my k702. I loved it it however is a too dark for my he560's. I bought these cans because I started listening to rock again rather than purely live recordings of classical music and I was sick of grados' sibilence 
 
I'm perfectly happy with the Lyr/bifrost. The Lyr was used and came with 4 sets of tubes and I have a around 5 sets of tubes from my FEEL amp. Rolling tubes is fun. 
 

Does this amp use 6DJ8 and all compatible tubes? Not much info on it.

 

[grape ape]

Does this amp use 6DJ8 and all compatible tubes? Not much info on it.

Yes which is why I chose the Lyr. J didn't want to stock
up on new expensive tubes

 

[TK16]

Yes which is why I chose the Lyr. J didn't want to stock
up on new expensive tubes

That`s exactly what I did when I bought my dac, got enough tubes already with my Lyr 2.