HifiMAN HE-6 Planar Magnetic Headphone

[HeadphoneAddict]

Well, I think the EF-6 drove the HE-6 better than the Lyr (which was still decent), but not as well as the Liquid Fire and Dark Star.  My Marantz 2240 with HE-adapter does such a good job that I'm not in the market for a big HE-6 amp, but I might pick up a Lyr for my bedroom.  I can sell my SAC KH1000 to raise the money, since it's a bit bright for the HE-6 but well suited for the K1000 that it was designed for.

 

[sphinxvc]

Guys (and you specifically WuWhere) about how much do these hi-quality power amps from Threshold, Pass, etc. run?
 
On Audiogon I'm seeing prices from $2K-11K.  Are those typical prices?  Unless a hi-quality HE-6 amp can be had for less than $1K I will probably pass on the HE-6 and get an LCD-2 at the end of Nov. when I'm planning to go one way or the other.  I'm trying to go with the best value proposition and all the LCD-2 seems to require is one of those amp/DACs like Burson's HA160D or Audio-GD's new NFB-10SE.
 
Speaking of value, maybe getting an expensive Thresh. or Pass amp isn't a bad idea as I can use them with speakers too down the line when I invest in a pair.  Hmmm.

 

[dukja]

If EF-6 has 5W/ch @ 50 ohm class A, isn't that the same to Aleph 30W/ch @ 8ohm?   I remember musicman59 has great success using Aleph 3 with HE-6, and I have been thinking about getting either Aleph 3 or First Watt F3/F5 (25W/ch class A), etc.  Now I am confused...
 
Comments?

Certainly, we are talking about pushing HE-6 close to its best level (and I have no budget for $3~4k amp

).  I have been happy with my Integrated Rotel (60W) and I have no problem with the center imaging of soundstage at all.  What I am after is more refined and sweeter high/mid with more solid and extended bass.
 
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The guy at the table told me 5w Class A.

 
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Only 5wpc @ 50 Ohms?

 
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If that's true, no wonder some people who listened to it didn't like it. I would have expected much more power than that, especially when it's suppose to be designed and tuned to be a match for the he-6. But it still could be great with the other he series headphones that don't require nearly as much power.

 

 

[gurus]

Quote:

If EF-6 has 5W/ch @ 50 ohm class A, isn't that the same to Aleph 30W/ch @ 8ohm?   I remember musicman59 has great success using Aleph 3 with HE-6, and I have been thinking about getting either Aleph 3 or First Watt F3/F5 (25W/ch class A), etc.  Now I am confused...
 
Comments?Certainly, we are talking about pushing HE-6 close to its best level (and I have no budget for $3~4k amp

).  I have been happy with my Integrated Rotel (60W) and I have no problem with the center imaging of soundstage at all.  What I am after is more refined and sweeter high/mid with more solid and extended bass.
 
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You can pick up a Luxman L-308 on the used market for under $300. That gives you 55 watts/ch with all kinds of knobs to contour the sound if you want. Plus it has a headphone out that could probably drive the HE-6. I had one long ago and it was luscious driving the Rogers LS-3s.
 
 

 

[Olias of Sunhillow]

I have never used a high-dollar power amp with my HE-6, so I can't comment on how much better suited they are for the job... but I can say that a modestly priced amp with good power and synergistic sound signature makes the HE-6 sing.
 
My own personal experience, from best to worst, including what I paid:
 
Pioneer SX-1050 receiver (from headphone jack) ($450)
Outlaw Audio RR2150 receiver (from speaker taps) ($550)
Violectric V200 headphone amp ($750)
Schiit Lyr headphone amp ($350)
Marantz 2238B receiver (from speaker taps) ($200)
Woo Audio WA2 w/premium parts and tube upgrades ($1200)
 
Now, I wouldn't recommend the WA2 as a dedicated HE-6 amp, but it does surprisingly well. To what extent this has to do with my amp's upgrades I can't say, since it's the only one I've ever heard.
 
Next up for me... maybe the Liquid Fire. 
 

 

[dukja]

Thanks for all the reply.  I have reading and tried some good amps, and hence only look for class A speaker amps.  My current gear Pioneer SX-950 & Rotel do a good job.  Actually I am pretty happy with Rotel (even with its lower used price tag).  My targets were those 30W class A "legend" amps for "refined" sound ("good" is not sufficient).  They are older or DIY-able and hence cheaper which was perfectly fine for me.  But from recent posts, it seemed that I need to go for 60~80W class A.  Those beasts are usually so heavy (easily > 60 lbs), so I really hate to do the trials and errors on them.
 
30W class A is much lighter and easier to ship.  But are they sufficient to push HE-6 to its high level?

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

Guys (and you specifically WuWhere) about how much do these hi-quality power amps from Threshold, Pass, etc. run?
 
On Audiogon I'm seeing prices from $2K-11K.  Are those typical prices?  Unless a hi-quality HE-6 amp can be had for less than $1K I will probably pass on the HE-6 and get an LCD-2 at the end of Nov. when I'm planning to go one way or the other.  I'm trying to go with the best value proposition and all the LCD-2 seems to require is one of those amp/DACs like Burson's HA160D or Audio-GD's new NFB-10SE.
 
Speaking of value, maybe getting an expensive Thresh. or Pass amp isn't a bad idea as I can use them with speakers too down the line when I invest in a pair.  Hmmm.

 An Aleph 3 will be around $900-$1,000 and is 30 watts/Ch Class A and it is just single ended
An Aleph 5 will be around $1,200-$1,400. It is 60 watts/Ch Class A and it is both single ended and balanced.
A Threshold T50 will be around $1,000- $1,200. It is 50 watts/Ch Class A and is single ended and balanced.
A Forte 4 will be around $650-$800. it is 50 watts/Ch Class A just singel ended.
A Forte 4a will be around $750-$900. It is 50 watts.Ch Class A single ended and balanced.
 
I don't think you will need anyting bigger. Remember these are high current amplifier too so they will drive the HE-6 perfectly. I have tried the first 3.
 

 

[ardgedee]

Quote:

30W class A is much lighter and easier to ship.  But are they sufficient to push HE-6 to its high level?

I have heard the HE-6 powered by the Pass Aleph 3. It's easily the best or second-best I've ever heard it, possibly only bettered by the Dark Star headphone amp.
 
The first couple paragraphs of Stereophile's review of the A3 provides a short, easily readable brief on why.

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

If EF-6 has 5W/ch @ 50 ohm class A, isn't that the same to Aleph 30W/ch @ 8ohm?   I remember musicman59 has great success using Aleph 3 with HE-6, and I have been thinking about getting either Aleph 3 or First Watt F3/F5 (25W/ch class A), etc.  Now I am confused...
 
Comments?

Certainly, we are talking about pushing HE-6 close to its best level (and I have no budget for $3~4k amp

).  I have been happy with my Integrated Rotel (60W) and I have no problem with the center imaging of soundstage at all.  What I am after is more refined and sweeter high/mid with more solid and extended bass.
 
Quote:
 
 


 

 You are right, I had the Aleph 3 and it sounded great with the HE-6. You can contact wotts to ask him he has it now. It might be about the same 5 watts at 50 ohms but remember that these Pass amps are high current and for what I know electromagnetic and electrostatic drivers love current.
 
I am still driving the HE-6 with a Threshold T50 50 watts/Ch class A at 8 ohms. The only reason to change from the Aleph 3 was to go fully balanced.
 

 

[Audiogalore]

The best I've heard the HE6 was from a Pass Lab First Watt Class "A" balanced 9 watts per channel amp.

 

[dukja]

Interesting.  Thanks a again for all the confirmations.
 
So I guess EF-6 with even 5W/ch Class A just does not have the magic with HE-6. 

 

[sridhar3]

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So I guess EF-6 with even 5W/ch Class A just does not have the magic with HE-6. 

Dunno, sounded good to me.

 

[singh]

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Dunno, sounded good to me.

 
it must sound good enough to make us let go of the vintage amps we are using to drive the HE6 ( in my case au-999)
 
i am expecting it to be awesome, as Hifiman knows the power requirements of their own  HE6.
 

 

[sphinxvc]

Quote:

 An Aleph 3 will be around $900-$1,000 and is 30 watts/Ch Class A and it is just single ended
An Aleph 5 will be around $1,200-$1,400. It is 60 watts/Ch Class A and it is both single ended and balanced.
A Threshold T50 will be around $1,000- $1,200. It is 50 watts/Ch Class A and is single ended and balanced.
A Forte 4 will be around $650-$800. it is 50 watts/Ch Class A just singel ended.
A Forte 4a will be around $750-$900. It is 50 watts.Ch Class A single ended and balanced.
 
I don't think you will need anyting bigger. Remember these are high current amplifier too so they will drive the HE-6 perfectly. I have tried the first 3.

Thanks for the details.
 

 

[wuwhere]

Saw this on Decware ad. Prices vary depending on the forum.
 
 
THRESHOLD T50/FORTE' 3
07/09/11 at 21:17:47

 ​

The time is now for me to sell one of these fine amps to support my speaker project. Each amp is in great shape, and I intend to only sell one. That means if one sells, the other stays.  The Threshold is 50 watts of class A sound and I have always loved it. I did change the binding posts on the rear to high priced copper ones. I also replaced every fuse with those pricey fuses(five fuses in all). On the bottom I have added Dynamat under the transformer to absorb any vibration.  The other amp has only one mod, and that is the addition of a IEC power outlet on the back. My opinion of the Forte' is a more open sound and a lot more power-200w/ch! The Threshold should sell for $450, and the Forte' will price at $500. Both to be paid by buyer in either case.