I had been using Sansui AU-X11, the 1982 flagship with 180w into 8 ohms and 270?w into 4 ohms. These vintage amps got praised a lot in audiokarma and here, even for the purpose of driving HE-6. In my opinion, these are old technologies. Sansui die hard fans boast the quality transformers used . Actually compared with my Audio GD 10SE, AU-X11 projected a bigger and deeper soundstage, warmer mids , bumpy yet tight mid bass and rolled off highs , typical of those years when these monsters are were designed(man it weighs more than 38kg and was so big that it could not be stuffed into my rack). However, after listening for a while I stopped using it . The resolution and speed cannot be compared with modern amps, not even on par with Audio GD 10SE. There is no real sub bass, and no sparkle in the treble. I have thus decided that it's not my stuff. I do hope that Pioneer 1x80s are different beasts.
After that I also tried my integrated amp 200w into 8 ohms and 400w into 4 ohms, designed by a professor of the University of Cosmodynamics Technology(designing rockets and spacecrafts ,etc) as a personal hobby and like a boutique workshop ten years ago. It's high resolution and speed, ample current(not only power) proved to be a perfect match for my floor standing Fischer &Fischer speakers , with dynaudio drivers and tweeters. Together with Sony SCD777 ES , this combination is fantastic for SACDs. However, with lesser recordings , the set up sometimes appear cold , coarse and harsh .
That the IA has more than enough juice to drive HE-6 ,and is technically above Sansui AU-X11 in every aspect , except the lack of the lush mid and the bulky mid bass, colorations most treasured by some . However with some lesser voice or artificially "hi-fi" recordings the same feeling coldness, coarseness and harsh come back.
It's only recently when I started to use Hugo that I put the IA into the chain again, accepting output from Hugo and driving HE-6. It's as if a veil was lifted, and everything comes in so lively and natural. No more harsh or coarse feeling even with some oldies.Hugo is doing something very right , very damp right that is "phenomenal". When it comes to reference grade DACs comparisons are usually simply splitting hairs. However, Hugo outshine others immediately and more as you get used to the sound, as a headfier with 50K turntable and matching amps and speakers commented that it rivals the analogue sound of his system. I believe in months professional reviewers and audiophiles will come to realize that Chord had indeed made some breakthrough with this product.
Anyway, back to the amp talk, I believe the vintage receivers or amps are just cheaper alternatives which in many ways blow off modern headamps in driving HE-6. You may have to go to high current and good quality modern speaker amps for ultimate performance. I suppose Audio GD or Auralics amps may offer excellent value for reasonable sums.
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