[Rowethren]

Just had my cable back from oidiosound after having it re-terminated using Furutech 4pin XLR.

The guy commented on the quality, said he has fitted many brands but none match the Furutech.

They are really nice feeling connectors, they feel like they get the job done and won't be breaking any time soon. Enjoy!

 

[ken6217]

Glad there's some consistency between my impression here and what's seen elsewhere. I've only heard the Empyrean with solid state gear so far, and I've been encouraged elsewhere to explore OTL tube amplification, which I found really interesting. Is it possible to generalize about what your customers select/prefer on amplification for this headphone? Of the gear you've heard with it (assuming you have access to a lot of good options), what do you find most enjoyable?

I'm still happy with the Mojo for now, but I'm compiling a set of places to look/amplifier shortlist for when I want to move beyond a minimalist setup.

I have been using my Empyrean for the last 5 months with a solid state amp (Violectric V281). About 4 weeks ago I got a tube amp (Cayin HA-300). The Empyrean sounds excellent on both. With that said, I’ve had solid state my entire life, but the Cayin takes the sound up a few notches.

 

[mixman]

I have been using my Empyrean for the last 5 months with a solid state amp (Violectric V281). About 4 weeks ago I got a tube amp (Cayin HA-300). The Empyrean sounds excellent on both. With that said, I’ve had solid state my entire life, but the Cayin takes the sound up a few notches.

Does the Cayin sound better in every aspect over the V281? How is detail on the Cayin?

 

[Luke-]

Hi

I’m currently awaiting delivery of some Empyrean’s the wait is killing me...

I’m just a bit concerned that my current amp DAC combo Woo Audio WA7 2nd gen and tube power supply is not going to be adequate just wondering if anyone as tried this combination out ?

Cheers

 

[Jwakeford]

Me too !! Mine is due to arrive tomorrow or the day after... I ordered last Thursday.
I'll make sure to post some thoughts and photos when I get them, I am really impatient to try them out with my Hugo 2

 

[ken6217]

Does the Cayin sound better in every aspect over the V281? How is detail on the Cayin?

I feel it sounds better all around compared to the V281. Detail is miles ahead on the Cayin. I never realized an amp could bring out so much detail. The resolution is far superior.

I will say that I changed out driver tubes and 300B tubes which now made the amp much better than stock. However now the rather expensive amp became an even more expensive amp.

 

[ken6217]

Hi

I’m currently awaiting delivery of some Empyrean’s the wait is killing me...

I’m just a bit concerned that my current amp DAC combo Woo Audio WA7 2nd gen and tube power supply is not going to be adequate just wondering if anyone as tried this combination out ?

Cheers

What your definition of adequate? I don’t know much about the WA7 but I’m sure it can drive the Empyrean as a portable can do it. So if you like your amp, then you will like it with the Empyrean as well. Experiment with both sets of your pads though.

 

[racebit]

deleted

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

Glad there's some consistency between my impression here and what's seen elsewhere. I've only heard the Empyrean with solid state gear so far, and I've been encouraged elsewhere to explore OTL tube amplification, which I found really interesting. Is it possible to generalize about what your customers select/prefer on amplification for this headphone? Of the gear you've heard with it (assuming you have access to a lot of good options), what do you find most enjoyable?

I'm still happy with the Mojo for now, but I'm compiling a set of places to look/amplifier shortlist for when I want to move beyond a minimalist setup.

Based on my own personal experience and the feedback I've gotten from customers, The Hugo 2 (and TT 2) seem to be the most universally liked pairing. The Pro iDSD has also been a favorite. I haven't heard it myself, but I also had a customer say that the Woo Audio WA8 Eclipse sounds awesome with the Empy.

 

[Clsmooth391]

I just got the Empyrean and there is something definitely something special about these.

I sold my HE1000 v1 to get these. Ken, i'ts not always easy or practical to try something before you buy. I could have done an 8 hour round trip to hear these and the dealer was selling for a few hundred dollars more than I paid another dealer.

I'm using the Rudistor 010B, Meitner MA-1 v2, Ultrarendu, Sonic Transporter, Akiko Corelli conditioner and some decent cables like the Hidiamond P4 and Lush 2 USB.
I've found the HE1000 scaled a lot better than the Empyrean but the Empyrean has had no burn in and I am using the stock cable. Out of the box with the stock cable, the Empyrean is definitely lacking a little in transparency but the bass and mids are so good with the velour pads (bass is too thick for me with leather).

I have the Norne Audio Solvine cable (half copper and half silver) which someone terminated for use with the Empyrean but it's not been done properly so I will be sorting that out this weekend. I really hope that i don't lose any bass with the Norne cable. The stock cable with a little more transparency and soundstage would be great.

I really hope with burn in and a cable change that they scale better.

 

[Jvincent]

Based on my own personal experience and the feedback I've gotten from customers, The Hugo 2 (and TT 2) seem to be the most universally liked pairing. The Pro iDSD has also been a favorite. I haven't heard it myself, but I also had a customer say that the Woo Audio WA8 Eclipse sounds awesome with the Empy.

For what it's worth, Ive been running the SPL Phonitor X and Schiit Yggdrasil. I auditioned a Hugo TT2 as well but found i prefered the SPL and Schiit to the TT2.

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

For what it's worth, Ive been running the SPL Phonitor X and Schiit Yggdrasil. I auditioned a Hugo TT2 as well but found i prefered the SPL and Schiit to the TT2.

Cool! Schiit and SPL make great stuff.

 

[MadDane]

Cool! Schiit and SPL make great stuff.

Agreed.

 

[Quadfather]

I don't know why, but I am not yet warming up to the Empyreans... they are beautiful, sturdy, and a work of art having said that.

 

[MacedonianHero]

I don't know why, but I am not yet warming up to the Empyreans... they are beautiful, sturdy, and a work of art having said that.

I'd suggest a good desktop setup. These are TOTL full sized headphones and to get the most out of them, I'd suggest you get to a local meet and try them on various full-sized setups. I am a big fan of the K812s, but damn...with my Chord DAVE + Benchmark HPA4, there is no competition for me between the two as the Empyreans are vastly better.