[nwavesailor]

You probably read some successful reports (one by me) in this thread that endorsed Adcom 545. I just want to emphasise that you might need a preamp such as Schiit Saga or other tube headamp that has pre out. Of course it also depends on your dac so ymmv.

You could use the LP as a tube (hybrid) pre and perhaps add the Adcom 545. The one I saw on E-Bay was a 'parts' unit, sorry.............

 

[hp4fun]

You could use the LP as a tube (hybrid) pre and perhaps add the Adcom 545. The one I saw on E-Bay was a 'parts' unit, sorry.............

Yes, LP as pre should be great (although it might be an overkill imho). I almost pulled the trigger when it was on sale for $600 last week.

 

[landwalker000]

I have been using a Parasound Zamp v3, which is a 60wpc at 4 ohms stereo amp. It sounds better with the HE6 than the Liquid Gold X. There is a small noise floor but I have a second one coming and I should be able to run them in a low enough gain to get rid of it. I got both of them for under $180 total, used off of ebay and reddit.

 

[Oregonian]

Alright, last sprint for me before I give up on the He6se. What's a good used non-headphone amp I should look out for I can find used for < $500. I have the BasX from Emotiva and use it through speaker taps but it doesn't sound as good as just using the A90. I am currently only aware of the Adcom 545 I usually see on craigslist for around $200 but not sure if that's the one I should aim for.

For $500ish you can find a great vintage speaker amp that will drive the HE-6SE well....................and being in SoCal you should be able to find one easily.

 

[hp4fun]

I have been using a Parasound Zamp v3, which is a 60wpc at 4 ohms stereo amp. It sounds better with the HE6 than the Liquid Gold X. There is a small noise floor but I have a second one coming and I should be able to run them in a low enough gain to get rid of it. I got both of them for under $180 total, used off of ebay and reddit.

My short period of test Zamp seems to suggest it is not as good as Adcom 545, but I think I tried the V2, which is 30wpc @ 8ohm.

 

[DeafAudiophile]

For $500ish you can find a great vintage speaker amp that will drive the HE-6SE well....................and being in SoCal you should be able to find one easily.

Though “vintage amp” is too broad of a term to search for and I’m not sure if I am overpaying for old junk or something good. Currently I only see a 2535 adcom for $225 and the 545 which are $300+ which seems a lot higher than what I saw a few months ago.

 

[chrismoyer]

I popped the grills off of my he6se v2 and I could swear I heard more bass. Not sure if it was because I was looking for it, or if it was real. I ordered a pair of honeycomb replacement grills of eBay to try more long term, since I'm nervous about running grill-less. I'm curious, is there any consensus on whether removing the grill cloth or going with a less restrictive grill (or no grill) affects the lifespan of the driver? Surely it's subjected to more dust, and accidental touches in the case of no grill?

 

[antdroid]

I popped the grills off of my he6se v2 and I could swear I heard more bass. Not sure if it was because I was looking for it, or if it was real. I ordered a pair of honeycomb replacement grills of eBay to try more long term, since I'm nervous about running grill-less. I'm curious, is there any consensus on whether removing the grill cloth or going with a less restrictive grill (or no grill) affects the lifespan of the driver? Surely it's subjected to more dust, and accidental touches in the case of no grill?

There is more bass with removing the grill. My measurements back this up.

 

[ksorota]

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/norne-cables-silverguard-s-speaker-tap-adapter-cable.955653/

I have listed a speaker adapter if anyone is in need.

 

[landwalker000]

My short period of test Zamp seems to suggest it is not as good as Adcom 545, but I think I tried the V2, which is 30wpc @ 8ohm.

That may be true but I don't think I will find anything that sounds better at $200, which will be 90wpc at 8ohm, or under for the HE6. When I feel like I can trust international shipping more, I think I will get a Flux FA-10.

 

[Oregonian]

Though “vintage amp” is too broad of a term to search for and I’m not sure if I am overpaying for old junk or something good. Currently I only see a 2535 adcom for $225 and the 545 which are $300+ which seems a lot higher than what I saw a few months ago.

Hopefully you are fortunate enough to have a vintage store that specializes in stereo equipment like I have up here in the Portland metro area - we have at least 3 stores that I can visit to see their inventory (which changes weekly) and purchase from. Two of them also do repairs and recapping and are quite expert at the older stuff, as it is the entirety of their business. I've also purchases a number of units off craigslist and had them checked/serviced by these guys.

 

[hmscott]

Buddy of mine is also running his he6se v2 off a 40w stereo tube amp and mogwai se, and the current belief is that the he6se loves large transformers and scales accordingly.

The Mogwai SE is very nice, but a bit more upgrade than I'd like right now.

That is what I am looking for too, a nice 25w-50w Stereo Tube AMP to use direct tapped to the HE6SE V2 or through Hifiman HE-Adapter.

Which 40w Stereo Tube amp is he using? What Pre-amp / AMP tubes is he using?

 

[hp4fun]

That may be true but I don't think I will find anything that sounds better at $200, which will be 90wpc at 8ohm, or under for the HE6. When I feel like I can trust international shipping more, I think I will get a Flux FA-10.

I see what you mean now. You used bridge mode and doubled down. For $180 it is hard to beat.

I kind of feel 100 wpc is a comfortable trade off between HE6 and the power, so you can adjust the volume control easily and still have enough power.

 

[cursive]

I popped the grills off of my he6se v2 and I could swear I heard more bass. Not sure if it was because I was looking for it, or if it was real. I ordered a pair of honeycomb replacement grills of eBay to try more long term, since I'm nervous about running grill-less. I'm curious, is there any consensus on whether removing the grill cloth or going with a less restrictive grill (or no grill) affects the lifespan of the driver? Surely it's subjected to more dust, and accidental touches in the case of no grill?

Is there any sort of dampening material behind the grille? Or is it just grille and thin foam for dust protection?

Definitely post some pics once you get them, I'd be curious to see your results, I was eyeing the same honeycomb grilles on ebay for my HE-560, but never pulled the trigger.

 

[chrismoyer]

Is there any sort of dampening material behind the grille? Or is it just grille and thin foam for dust protection?

Definitely post some pics once you get them, I'd be curious to see your results, I was eyeing the same honeycomb grilles on ebay for my HE-560, but never pulled the trigger.

The stock grills have a thin cloth attached with adhesive on the back side. There's no foam. When I first removed the stock grill it snapped back to the driver. I didn't realize the magnet in the driver would attract the metal grill. I took a look and I don't think I damaged the driver, but I was definitely a bit nervous about that. knowing that there is nothing but the grill protecting the driver with a grill as minimal as the honeycomb grill makes me nervous, but a pretty easy swap out to see if the sound is worth it.