[borkenarrou]

Don’t forget that HEK v2 is a bit laidback, don’t expect (whatever your amp) same slam/punch than Focal Clear or HE6se

Yup I know, I went for the HEKv2 for its laidback sound and hence long listening, for slam I also have a LCD-X and Clear, my issue with the HEKv2+A90D pairing is its very thin sounding and the top end is not very resolved in a satisfying way, maybe it requre some burning time.

 

[cfranchi]

Yup I know, I went for the HEKv2 for its laidback sound and hence long listening, for slam I also have a LCD-X and Clear, my issue with the HEKv2+A90D pairing is its very thin sounding and the top end is not very resolved in a satisfying way, maybe it requre some burning time.

Understood,
I had class A with my HEK v2, never found the sound thin, however it can be a personal taste, also hifiman is not known for thick sounding headphones

 

[srkbear]

The sound of the Vio V2xx series is said to be tubey among solid sate amps, but I guess nothing can beat a great tube amp for its warmth and musicality, but tube amps which can perfectly drive planars are quite expensive and beyond my budget, the Vio (hopefully) will fit the bill for me.

Looks great! I can’t exactly recall how much I parted ways with for the iFi Pro iCAN Signature, something like $2200. It definitely doesn’t want for power as far as headphone amps go—it’s almost 17 watts at 32 ohms (balanced). I bought it mainly for its analog bass boost, and for the choice between solid state and tube modes. It did fine with the Susvara, but it has gobs of power reserves for the HEK models, particularly the se. It runs Class A in both SS and tube modes, with J-FET for the former.

 

[joseph69]

but its still initial stage

my issue with the HEKv2+A90D pairing is its very thin sounding and the top end is not very resolved in a satisfying way, maybe it requre some burning time.

Definitely need for both, the HE1Kv2 and you to get aquatinted with its sound after sufficient burn in, which may take time. When I had both, the Susvara and v2 I burned the Susvara in and adjusted to its sound and didn't even burn the v2, but knew I preferred it in my system over the Susvara. Let the v2 open up.

 

[yeboyi]

God of War OST sounds ridiculously good with these egg shape headphones. It's ridiculous how good they sound coupled with ifi xbass. You get all the mighty presence of live orchestra and the separation/detail these headphones can pull of makes orchestra music real. These headphones definitely tuned this type of music in mind.

 

[Guipnox]

Using my laptop's DAC (for now, until my X26 Pro arrives) into Schiit Vali 2+ (with JJ E88CC with Gold Pins) as preamp into my mono blocks.
Already very detailed and with big stage!
Slightly noise though when no music is playing.
Actually no noise now.
It's gonna be insane when my new DAC and all the other units of my setup arrive.

 

[arijitroy2]

My biggest mistake was selling my SE! Already miss it!

 

[srkbear]

God of War OST sounds ridiculously good with these egg shape headphones. It's ridiculous how good they sound coupled with ifi xbass. You get all the mighty presence of live orchestra and the separation/detail these headphones can pull of makes orchestra music real. These headphones definitely tuned this type of music in mind.

Yep, that xBass is why I go for iFi for my amps! I have similar goodness with my xDSD Gryphon portable. They managed to implement a seamless analog low end boost that adds the extra punch and warmth without bleeding into the mids or sacrificing detail.

On my Pro iCAN Signature it also complements the tube stage nicely, and depending on the headphone I can choose one of four shelves at frequencies from 20-160 hz. And I think they went further than simply boosting a single frequency ala a standard EQ—there’s definitely an audible PEQ-like “Q” factor going on sloping the bass potentiation across the range of low end frequencies.

FiiO does something similar with their Q3, but I don’t think it’s as nicely done. Other than the RME ADI-2 (which is DSP) I’ve rarely seen a high end amp that offers an optional bass boost. Again I figure most brands think audiophiles are too sophisticated for such artificial augmentations of the natural FRC, as if headphones didn’t add their own tunings anyway!

 

[srkbear]

Using my laptop's DAC (for now, until my X26 Pro arrives) into Schiit Vali 2+ (with JJ E88CC with Gold Pins) as preamp into my mono blocks.
Already very detailed and with big stage!
Slightly noise though when no music is playing.
Actually no noise now.
It's gonna be insane when my new DAC and all the other units of my setup arrive.

Make sure you tell us about it when it does!

 

[Slim1970]

Using my laptop's DAC (for now, until my X26 Pro arrives) into Schiit Vali 2+ (with JJ E88CC with Gold Pins) as preamp into my mono blocks.
Already very detailed and with big stage!
Slightly noise though when no music is playing.
Actually no noise now.
It's gonna be insane when my new DAC and all the other units of my setup arrive.

They are a great set of headphones. I hope you enjoy them like I'm enjoying my set

 

[srkbear]

My biggest mistake was selling my SE! Already miss it!

Well what did you get in its place? Must have been something enviable…

 

[srkbear]

Elites arrive Wednesday, I got the UPS tracking. This is the WORST part, the waiting.

I’ve heard these damn things come in a literal aluminum attaché, like I’m 007 or something. Probably makes it impossible to send back without weeping and wailing. If I end up with an HE1000se, an Arya Stealth, AND a Meze Elite, I’m coming for you @Arcamera …

 

[Guipnox]

Make sure you tell us about it when it does!

I'll let you guys know for sure!

They are a great set of headphones. I hope you enjoy them like I'm enjoying my set

Thanks, man!
I'm enjoying them a lot already.
I'm actually afraid of how much they're gonna scale

 

[Arcamera]

Lol srkbear. Secret headphone agent...

 

[Arcamera]

BTW, I got the Susvara today. And yeah, it's great. But if anything, it's reminded me that the SE is also a damn fine headphone, imperfections and all. I'm still happy to have them.

I'm still new to the Sus though. Going to experiment with different amplification, etc. We'll see how it goes. But again, it's only reinforced my respect for the other HiFiMan offerings I know.