[pedalhead]

Indeed, the MHA1000 / HE1000 pairing was excellent to my ears too.  I do think the McIntosh is rather pricey though.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

I have Macintosh amp and SACD player along with B&W 802's and I never imagined i would come across a headphone that would rival the system but the HE1000 along with my Yiggy/Rag combo shockingly has me listening to as much music on my headphones as i do on my loudspeaker system...I never imagined it possible....truly stunning

Are you planning on keeping your HD800, Ether and HEK?

 

[jlbrach]

for the time being i am planning on keeping all 3 although i have bought and sold several other cans so i cant say for sure

 

[Wildcatsare1]

for the time being i am planning on keeping all 3 although i have bought and sold several other cans so i cant say for sure

Wrong thread, so momentarily OT, would you mind comparing the Ether and HD800?

 

[immtbiker]

  Well, my search for a powerful, refined and dynamic sounding amp for the HE1000 has ended. Behold my new arrival, Wells Audio Enigma...
 

This thing grabs the HE1000 by it's conkers and pummels it into submission until it comes out the other end actually sounding quite punchy and dynamic, all done with the grace and finesse of a WWF wrestler-statured ballerina
 
(Clearly I have a serious dose of new toy syndrome).

I too, own this amp. It has amazing synergy with my HD800 and HE1000's. With the McIntosh MHA-1000's…not so much.

 

[pedalhead]

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 
Well, my search for a powerful, refined and dynamic sounding amp for the HE1000 has ended. Behold my new arrival, Wells Audio Enigma...



This thing grabs the HE1000 by it's conkers and pummels it into submission until it comes out the other end actually sounding quite punchy and dynamic, all done with the grace and finesse of a WWF wrestler-statured ballerina

(Clearly I have a serious dose of new toy syndrome).

I too, own this amp. It has amazing synergy with my HD800 and HE1000's. With the McIntosh MHA-1000's…not so much.

Can't be too many of these out there mate (mine's serial #0004). Whilst mine sounds great, there appears to have been an issue with the voltage conversion as it's playing at what seems like double volume (you can imagine how loud that will be!). Currently in discussions swith Jeff to diagnose what's going on.

 

[saidentary]

 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 

Can't be too many of these out there mate (mine's serial #0004). Whilst mine sounds great, there appears to have been an issue with the voltage conversion as it's playing at what seems like double volume (you can imagine how loud that will be!). Currently in discussions swith Jeff to diagnose what's going on.

Sounds like you're currently charged with solving a potential enigma.  You probably already tried it but what about a step-down transformer (240 to 120)?  I'll put in a plug for that solution.  Watt do you have to lose? 

 

[pedalhead]

 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 

Can't be too many of these out there mate (mine's serial #0004). Whilst mine sounds great, there appears to have been an issue with the voltage conversion as it's playing at what seems like double volume (you can imagine how loud that will be!). Currently in discussions swith Jeff to diagnose what's going on.

Sounds like you're currently charged with solving a potential enigma.  You probably already tried it but what about a step-down transformer (240 to 120)?  I'll put in a plug for that solution.  Watt do you have to lose? 

Ha ha . I paid to have the voltage changed but not convinced it worked. Whilst the amp doesn't blow up on 240v, it's gain is too high for my HE560 and only barely usable (a couple of mm travel on volume knob) with my HE1000. Should be around 9 o'clock with the HE1000 according to previous owner. Would like to avoid a step down convertor, hence paying for proper voltage conversion from the amp maker.

 

[saidentary]

Ha ha . I paid to have the voltage changed but not convinced it worked. Whilst the amp doesn't blow up on 240v, it's gain is too high for my HE560 and only barely usable (a couple of mm travel on volume knob) with my HE1000. Should be around 9 o'clock with the HE1000 according to previous owner. Would like to avoid a step down convertor, hence paying for proper voltage conversion from the amp maker.

Jeff Wells was exhibiting at Axpona 2015 in Chicago, where I had the pleasure of speaking with him briefly.  Based on his calm, pleasant, and serious demeanor at Axpona and based on the content of this review, I predict (confidently) that he'll figure it out and fix it correctly. 
 
By the way, is there a degradation in sound quality with the use of (step down or step up) converters on audio equipment? 

 

[conquerator2]

  Jeff Wells was exhibiting at Axpona 2015 in Chicago, where I had the pleasure of speaking with him briefly.  Based on his calm, pleasant, and serious demeanor at Axpona and based on the content of this review, I predict (confidently) that he'll figure it out and fix it correctly. 
 
By the way, is there a degradation in sound quality with the use of (step down or step up) converters on audio equipment? 

I am using one and I don't think so.

 

[conquerator2]

Will we ever see a Dharma - Ether - HE1000 - LCD4 comparison?
Now, that'd be something!

 

[bmichels]

Will we ever see a Dharma - Ether - HE1000 - LCD4 comparison?
Now, that'd be something!

Plus .... the "new" version of the HE1000: the "Edition X ": a Cheaper and MORE EFFICIENT version of the HE1000 !

( May be the ticket for low output DAP ?)

 

[conquerator2]

Yup, definitely should work well with (moderately powerful+) DAPs

 

[pedalhead]

Personally, I'm not convinced the world is crying out for an $1800 open backed portable headphone, but I guess time will tell.

 

[musicman59]

 
I too, own this amp. It has amazing synergy with my HD800 and HE1000's. With the McIntosh MHA-1000's…not so much.

I think you meant MHP-1000, correct?