[preproman]

If I was to recommend a Solid State amp for the HE-6s.  I would say go as much Class A as possible.  Now from what I read Class D amps sound no where as good as Class A amps (Note - this is only what I've read).  
 
However, the norm and what I have at the moment is Class A/B mono blocks from Emotiva (2 X UPA-1s).  Doe they sound good - Heck yes.  Better than any other Headphone amp I've heard with the HE-6s.  
 
Now Pure Class A amp can cost a lot of money.  First Watts J2 is a good one.   Emotiva has some relatively small heavily biased Class A amps coming out soon. (First 30 watts is Class A then switches to Class B).  Most things from Emotiva are reasonable and they have sales every 5 minutes.  You just got to keep your eyes opened.
 
Also what I have my eyes on is the Audio-GD amps.  I'm just not sure how much they go into Class A.  I can't get a straight answer that I can understand from Kingwa.  

 

[mikek200]

When I ordered the Emotiva,I was under the impression that it was an American company,& it was made in America----when
I opened the box, it clearly states.."Made in China"
I have nothing against products made in China,as long as you get them properly serviced ,if they need it...& Emotiva will give me that satisfaction.
 
 
I am totally happy with the MJ & the He-6..I am a bit curious as to how much better a speaker amp might be.,10,20,25%..I will find out tomorrow.
Can I go out and buy a super class A amp..maybe?..but I wont,because I know,that once I have found that special SQ & it only costs me $10,000.00,the next day,something better will come along.,& I'm back where I started ..

 

[preproman]

Well,  some where you have to decide what's a end game rig for your self.  Also how much your willing to spend on that end game rig (set a budget).  Then enjoy that for a number of years until the bug hits you again.  So now is the time to buy whatever gear fits in your budget.
 
Emotiva is an American Company based in Kentucky.  However, there product line is in China.  There customer service is top notch, never will you have to send any to China.  If you have to return anything or just want a refund you would send it to there main office in Kentucky.

 

[mikek200]

Quote:

Well,  some where you have to decide what's a end game rig for your self.  Also how much your willing to spend on that end game rig (set a budget).  Then enjoy that for a number of years until the bug hits you again.  So now is the time to buy whatever gear fits in your budget.
 
Emotiva is an American Company based in Kentucky.  However, there product line is in China.  There customer service is top notch, never will you have to send any to China.  If you have to return anything or just want a refund you would send it to there main office in Kentucky.

Exactly..+2 on that,..that the whole thing in a nutshell.
 
Thinking my bananna plugs were coming tomorrow,my wife comes in & throws the package at me.
So,now I'm listening to the emo with the he-6's,and I have to say..yes,it is much improved..
I've only been listening for about 2 hours..so,
I will post back in a day  or two,with more impressions.
 
Mike

 

[preproman]

Good to hear.  
 

*****Impressions Wanted*****​

 ​

 

 

[elwappo99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikek200 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 

my wife comes in & throws the package at me.
 

 
You know you're into head-fi when.... your significant other throws your incoming audio purchases at you

 

[mikek200]

 "my wife comes in & throws the package at me."
This is,of course,after she murdered the UPS driver
 
Impressions coming--need a bit more time
Patience,Patience---Please

 

[paradoxper]

Quote:

 "my wife comes in & throws the package at me."
This is,of course,after she murdered the UPS driver
 

 
Yay! No more Wife! Jail time is tough. 

 

[czqdtc]

I just bought a
 
 HE-500 today. It's an absolute beast. Vocal is "the best" I've ever heard on any headphones, natural and sweet. Bass is never too much, at least I don't hear any mid-bass boost or blow, it's really clear, tight and deeeeep (though not as punchy and deep as on the ED8). It sounds pretty good out of my portable rig. 

 

[LugBug1]

My wife once threw the postman at me...

 

[preproman]

Quote:

I just bought a
 
 HE-500 today. It's an absolute beast. Vocal is "the best" I've ever heard on any headphones, natural and sweet. Bass is never too much, at least I don't hear any mid-bass boost or blow, it's really clear, tight and deeeeep (though not as punchy and deep as on the ED8). It sounds pretty good out of my portable rig. 

 
 
Looks like you're at a meet with that setup.

 

[mikek200]

Quote:

Good to hear.  
 

*****Impressions Wanted*****​

 ​

 

 
OK-so,here goes>remember,I am not an audio specialist,or sound technician-I'm only giving you what my old cryoed ears tell me.-OK?
A few impressions.& comparison to the Mjolnir amp
I've been running the He-6's with the Emotiva mini amp now,for about 24 hours..
 
Bass-about 2-3x improvement...deeper,more mid bass...excellent..near my lcd2's,but not quite there yet.I rate it 9/10,lcd's are still a 10.,with MJ amp
 
Mids-about the same as the MJ's but with more clarity & detail..vocals are amazingly clear,and a bit forward-its as if, the singer is standing right behind you,very accurate.
 
Treble--Very slightly reduced,but still excellent,a bit warmer,.. still has sparkle...this might? be from the large increase in bass???
 
Most of my music,was acoustic guitar,light jazz,some male & female vocals,some classical..,but need to listen to this more closely/longer
 
In my opinion this amp,drives the He-6 perfectly...
 
The amp,has a very neutral sound signature,and is a bit warm,which I like,I'm coming from a Lyr tube amp,& I preferred warmer tubes..such as:,Amperex,Lorenz,cv 2493's.
The MJ,has an aggressive SQ...this does not..but ,you can feel the power..it has a strong presentation...not aggressive..clear, detailed,Outstanding instrument separation
 
Overall..I would say,that this amp,gives about a 20% increase in SQ across the board---
 
Please note---I am not using the new Gungnir dac---yet?......,I'm still with the bifrost.
I have pm'd some members who have just received the gungnir,and they feel that it is a major part of the SQ equation,so,who is not to say ,that the MJ & Gungnir,will not produce equal or better results.then the Emo..I just do not know.?..I do plan on purchasing the gungnir,but at a much later date...for now,I plan on listening,,,keeping my spending to a minumum,except to buy more music.
 
Let me say this---when I plan on using the He-6's,it will most definetly be connected the the Emotiva amp.
Rest of the time,I'm more than happy with my MJ.
,for Lcd's ,..Madogs's.
 
Here is the link to the Emotiva,in case someone might need more technical info:
http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/x-series/products/a100
 
This amp is built like a tank,came delivered double boxed,and from a few members the CS & tech support is second to none...judging from the instananeous replies,I agree.
Also,this is an American company,but,the amps are made in China..if that matters..?
Will come back in a week,or,so with more impressions.,about the classical music signature.
 
Hope this has helped....somebody,
Mike

 

[elwappo99]

Quote:

 
Please note---I am not using the new Gungnir dac---yet?......,I'm still with the bifrost.
I have pm'd some members who have just received the gungnir,and they feel that it is a major part of the SQ equation,so,who is not to say ,that the MJ & Gungnir,will not produce equal or better results.then the Emo..I just do not know.?..I do plan on purchasing the gungnir,but at a much later date...for now,I plan on listening,,,keeping my spending to a minumum,except to buy more music.
 
 
This amp is built like a tank,came delivered double boxed,and from a few members the CS & tech support is second to none...judging from the instananeous replies,I agree.
Also,this is an American company,but,the amps are made in China..if that matters..?
Will come back in a week,or,so with more impressions.,about the classical music signature.
 

 
Good impressions! Separation of music is definitely a huge upgrade with a decent speaker amp IMO. The Gungnir will most likely provide a good overall improvement in your sound, however I wouldn't worry about rushing into it. Hearing the differences in DACs is a very subtle thing. It takes a pretty well trained set of ears to really get the difference. But also, I think the bifrost is a very good DAC to begin with, so even then the difference will be subtle, at least running to the emotiva. 
 
I was amazed with Emotiva's support. Really a great team over there. 

 

[mikek200]

Thanks Erik,
 
Even if we are talking about a balance system.?
The impression I got from Jason,was that with total balancing ,we are talking a night & day difference.
Not sure ,if the old cryoed ears may pick up the difference????
 
That being said,I will wait for more input on the gungnir...in the meantime..I'm pretty well set with He-6 & Emo.
All I need to do now,is spend less on gear,& spend more on music..

 

[elwappo99]

Quote:

Even if we are talking about a balance system.?
The impression I got from Jason,was that with total balancing ,we are talking a night & day difference.
Not sure ,if the old cryoed ears may pick up the difference????
 
That being said,I will wait for more input on the gungnir...in the meantime..I'm pretty well set with He-6 & Emo.
All I need to do now,is spend less on gear,& spend more on music..

 
You'll most likely get a better sound from the gungir (I got to hear it, but not in a comparative way). Most of the improvement will be the fact that the DAC itself is a more upgraded unit, and not the fact that it is balanced. If you're not feeling any immediate urge to upgrade, I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think you'll notice a 'night and day' difference. I would suspect it would be more subtle. You've got a great set-up going now, I'd stick with that until you feel upgraditis really kicking in.