[BowWazoo]

Is LYR+ better than V281 for HEKv2?

I haven't heard the v281 yet, but honestly, I can't imagine it. The LYR+ brings warmth, body, and smoothnes.
That has the non Stealth, in my opinion, not necessary.
But that must ultimately you decide whether you want to bring more analog feeling purely.

 

[LCMusicLover]

Is LYR+ better than V281 for HEKv2?

For a slightly different datapoint:

V280 vs Liquid Platinum was an interesting comparison. V280 is theoretically the same as V281, but without preamp. Liquid Platinum is a tube hybrid amp, as is Lyr+. Also, like Lyr+, tube-rolling can mod the sound signature some, but not a huge amount. Not sure how close
LP & Lyr+ are otherwise.

With warmer, bassier Siemens tubes, there was more body to the LP sound vs the V280, filling in the upper bass/lower mids. On the other hand, the V280 didn’t seem to leave any detail behind whatsoever, while still providing relatively warm tonality and well-extended sub-bass. Mids/vocals always seemed a bit recessed on HEKv2 (biggest reason I went to HEKse) and this seems true across those amps, though perhaps slightly less recessed from the V280.

On the other hand, my other favorite tubes, Brimar CV-2492, produced the most open, airy head stage from LP ==> HEKv2. But, once again, the mids & vocals seemed thin, with tonality shifted a bit brighter.

All in all, the V280-to-HEK chain seems like the ‘base signature’ while the LP offered a couple ‘variants’ w/ different tubes.

Note that all of this is from:

NUC PC (FooBar playing local tracks) ==> Denafrips Pontus ==> amps ==> HEKv2

Also, I sold HEKv2 two+ years ago, so, impressions might be a bit stale.

And finally, as I mentioned, I ended up preferring HEKse vs HEKv2, so please take these opinions with a large grain of salt

 

[detoxguy]

Well it looks like my plans are significantly delayed. My retailer (North America) asked Hifiman about the HE1000 Stealth and was told “there’s a new version launching in a few months”

Bummer

 

[Slim1970]

Well it looks like my plans are significantly delayed. My retailer (North America) asked Hifiman about the HE1000 Stealth and was told “there’s a new version launching in a few months”

Bummer

The retailer I use is saying the HE1000 Stealth’s are coming at the end of February to their store.

 

[tholt]

Well it looks like my plans are significantly delayed. My retailer (North America) asked Hifiman about the HE1000 Stealth and was told “there’s a new version launching in a few months”

Bummer

Seems weird the 1000v2 stealth would recently be released (,though I do find it odd it's been a soft release so far) only to have yet another 1000 model come out? I wonder if your dealer thought you were referring to the 1000se and the new one isn't the stealth V2

 

[Dixter]

why not just order one from Hifiman .... don't they have a shop in New York ???

 

[detoxguy]

Seems weird the 1000v2 stealth would recently be released (,though I do find it odd it's been a soft release so far) only to have yet another 1000 model come out? I wonder if your dealer thought you were referring to the 1000se and the new one isn't the stealth V2

I believe they meant the HE1000 Stealth as it hasn’t been officially announced. I’m all sorted now

 

[Xareh]

My pair arrives with me tomorrow...!

 

[BowWazoo]

Lucky you

 

[detoxguy]

Have just ordered the HE1000 V2 (got a good deal) and can’t wait for it to show up! I would have waited for more availability of the stealth version here but based on the massive amounts of reviews I’ve scoured I’m very confident I’ll be more than happy with the V2

 

[ctaxxxx]

 

[Slim1970]

Nice, be sure to posts your comparative thoughts

 

[SemiAudiophile]

Is that the Stealth on the right? How do you even tell them apart?

 

[ctaxxxx]

Nice, be sure to posts your comparative thoughts

Will try some quick out of the box impressions once I finish up work shortly.

Is that the Stealth on the right? How do you even tell them apart?

It is. They're practically identical, besides one looking (and smelling) brand new. I tied a small marker on the original v2 to make sure I don't mix them up when I compare them later lol.

 

[Dixter]

Will try some quick out of the box impressions once I finish up work shortly.


It is. They're practically identical, besides one looking (and smelling) brand new. I tied a small marker on the original v2 to make sure I don't mix them up when I compare them later lol.

It was written that one way to tell the diff is to shine a flash light at the driver from the side and there is a green tint to the new stealth model... I have no idea if this is true or not... worth a try..