MEZE AUDIO ELITE - The New Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphone - official thread

[turbofeet]

In Al Di Meola style.


Greetings from Highend Münnich.

Das ist Wunderbar

 

[TheMiddleSky]

In Al Di Meola style.


Greetings from Highend Münnich.

So now we have red version of Elite?

 

[ThanatosVI]

So now we have red version of Elite?

Limited edition

 

[Newsee]

So now we have red version of Elite?

Al Di Meola has a red version. He was a special guest at the Highend, and got this as a present from Meze.

 

[ckhirnigs113]

Happy to report the Cayin iHA-6 is a great solid state amp option for the Elite. I haven’t heard any fancier/more expensive solid states than this to be honest, but it definitely holds its own against my Quicksilver. It’s nice to put aside all the minor annoyances that come with using tube amps. I just turn on the amp and everything sounds great.

I’ve got the iHA-6 set in high current mode and low gain out of the 4-pin XLR balanced output. It seems to have a strong grip on the Elite drivers. Bass is as solid and controlled as I’ve ever heard from the Elite. I don’t hear any stridency or unnatural brightness in the treble either. Imaging is excellent and soundstage is plenty large. Vocals are excellent with impressive separation when multiple singers are singing simultaneously. I’m sure there are some things the Quicksilver does better, but I’m definitely satisfied with my purchase. I don’t know if my Piety is necessary anymore to be honest. This Cayin is certainly a few tiers above the Piety in technicalities.

 

[Reebonz]

I was just wondering if anyone knows which IEMs sound the most similar to the Meze Elite in terms of both sound signature and technicalities?

 

[BrokenHill]

Hi! my first post in this thread! Since yesterday I am a new owner of an Elite, for now with only 1h of listening.

I was just wondering if anyone knows which IEMs sound the most similar to the Meze Elite in terms of both sound signature and technicalities?

I have spent a lot of time looking for an IEM that would totally satisfy me so I could enjoy music, work for various genres, and stop comparing IEMs. In recent times I discovered the Penon brand, and I have stayed with it. My latest purchase was the Penon Impact.

Lately I'm spending more time at the desk, and I decided to update my headphones (I come from first generation Ananda) The Empyrean and Elite had always called me since they came out, and seeing the reviews I thought they could fit the profile I was looking for. So far I have only been able to listen for 1 hour, but I can assure you that they are very similar in tuning to the Penon Impact, with my favorite cable to make it more all-rounded: the EA code 23. Of course, the Elite has a much wider soundstage , but there are things in which the Impact wins. I need more time to be more exact.

I will continue on this thread, and I'm sure I'll ask you something.

Greetings!

 

[TheMiddleSky]

I was just wondering if anyone knows which IEMs sound the most similar to the Meze Elite in terms of both sound signature and technicalities?

In term of technicalities, I don't think any iems would be able to touch Elite's capabilities in proper desktop set up.

However, some IEMs that I really like: Vision Ears Phonix and Fir Radon 6 (currently own Radon and sold Phonix). Not identical to Elite, but they are quite enjoyable and more or less have a bit similarity in character as Elite.

Radon also deliver really big soundstage that help to bring "open space" experience.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Japan knows how to make Show setups

 

[TheMiddleSky]

About to comment "oh cute looking amp" (like woo wa7) then i realised how big it is actually lol

 

[turbofeet]

About to comment "oh cute looking amp" (like woo wa7) then i realised how big it is actually lol

Lol yeah. I think it looks great

 

[Stimpo]

All this tube talk has got me interested....

I'm currently running the Elites (silver upgrade cable) with a GS-X Mini and a Matrix Audio Sabre Pro on DAC duties, running balanced XLR. I thoughly enjoy this combination, it's great! However, curiosity is getting the better of me. Has anyone upgraded from this amp or can provide any back to back listening experience with any tube alternatives please?

I've never had any experience with tube amps, but given some searches of the thread it appears people there may be some improvements to had...

I also run my GS-X mini as a pre amp into a pair of Kef LS50 wireless in my desktop setup, so I'd need something that can handle both duties.

Should I just stay away from this rabbit hole?! *wallet screams from the next room*

Thanks in advance!

 

[Newsee]

All this tube talk has got me interested....

I'm currently running the Elites (silver upgrade cable) with a GS-X Mini and a Matrix Audio Sabre Pro on DAC duties, running balanced XLR. I thoughly enjoy this combination, it's great! However, curiosity is getting the better of me. Has anyone upgraded from this amp or can provide any back to back listening experience with any tube alternatives please?

I've never had any experience with tube amps, but given some searches of the thread it appears people there may be some improvements to had...

I also run my GS-X mini as a pre amp into a pair of Kef LS50 wireless in my desktop setup, so I'd need something that can handle both duties.

Should I just stay away from this rabbit hole?! *wallet screams from the next room*

Thanks in advance!

Back to back listening experience

 

[TheMiddleSky]

All this tube talk has got me interested....

I'm currently running the Elites (silver upgrade cable) with a GS-X Mini and a Matrix Audio Sabre Pro on DAC duties, running balanced XLR. I thoughly enjoy this combination, it's great! However, curiosity is getting the better of me. Has anyone upgraded from this amp or can provide any back to back listening experience with any tube alternatives please?

I've never had any experience with tube amps, but given some searches of the thread it appears people there may be some improvements to had...

I also run my GS-X mini as a pre amp into a pair of Kef LS50 wireless in my desktop setup, so I'd need something that can handle both duties.

Should I just stay away from this rabbit hole?! *wallet screams from the next room*

Thanks in advance!

For the price, I think Cayin HA-3A is one of the best desktop amp available for Elite (regardless Tube or SS). Bring solid body, sweet tone, and wide soundstage that match Elite well. Cayin doesn't have pre amp out put though.

Back to back listening experience

Sweet set up! Rockna Wavelight is truly awesome for Elite!

 

[betula]

All this tube talk has got me interested....

I'm currently running the Elites (silver upgrade cable) with a GS-X Mini and a Matrix Audio Sabre Pro on DAC duties, running balanced XLR. I thoughly enjoy this combination, it's great! However, curiosity is getting the better of me. Has anyone upgraded from this amp or can provide any back to back listening experience with any tube alternatives please?

I've never had any experience with tube amps, but given some searches of the thread it appears people there may be some improvements to had...

I also run my GS-X mini as a pre amp into a pair of Kef LS50 wireless in my desktop setup, so I'd need something that can handle both duties.

Should I just stay away from this rabbit hole?! *wallet screams from the next room*

Thanks in advance!

It is a rabbit hole with all those NOS tubes, where the very best ones do not come cheap, so think twice. I sold my GSX-Mini after buying the HA-3A, but that was mostly a financial decision. I cannot really justify keeping two headphone amplifiers. I really liked the Mini, perhaps that is my favourite SS amp. Bass is very solid, punchy, clean, it has a good grip on any headphone drivers. Also, there is just enough warmth to tame that great speed and technicalities.

Why did I choose the HA-3A then? Even with stock tubes this Cayin amp offers a lot bigger space and 3D soundstage than the Mini, where instruments are just separated in a better, more natural manner. Staging and imaging is superior. But even more than space/staging the HA-3A has a lot more lifelike and more natural sound. I find this lovely, natural sound so engaging, all SS amps sound artificial, digital now including the otherwise excellent Mini. What you might find less satisfying in the HA-3A after the GSX-Mini is bass punch/extension/speed with stock tubes. It is not bad, but not great either. The Mini is just so controlled and punchy down there. When it comes to mids and treble, I think that is no contest between the two amps. The Cayin just sounds a lot more spacious and a lot more natural. The Mini's mids and treble sound plasticky, closed-in and digital in direct comparison.

The good, but not quite as extended/impactful bass on the HA-3A (in comparison) can be improved to satisfying levels with some good quality NOS tubes. A good set of 6V6s and 12AU7s can easily cost you another $400-$500. And this is considered cheap in tube world. (Other amplifiers operate with generally more expensive NOS tubes.)
To me it was worth it. My HA-3A with the NOS tube set I ended up with at the moment ($2000) sounds better than any SS amps I have owned or auditioned up to $4000.

As others mentioned, the big disadvantage of the HA-3A is the lack of a pre-amp output. For that reason and for some SS slam you might want to keep your GSX-Mini. I would have kept mine for such purposes, but I do not need a pre-amp output and the Mini wouldn't get much use in my house by the side of the HA-3A with my selected NOS tube set.