Schiit Asgard 2 with HE-560s or Audeze EL-8

[clannadqs]

I'm looking at upgrading my headphones from the HE-400s without upgrading my amp until later down the road. Just wondering if the Schiit Asgard 2 can power the 560s and the EL-8 properly. I'm decently new to the headphone world, so would I see a major improvement from the HE-400s to either of those pairs while keeping the same amp?
 
 Thanks.

 

[StanD]

  I'm looking at upgrading my headphones from the HE-400s without upgrading my amp until later down the road. Just wondering if the Schiit Asgard 2 can power the 560s and the EL-8 properly. I'm decently new to the headphone world, so would I see a major improvement from the HE-400s to either of those pairs while keeping the same amp?
 
 Thanks.

The EL-8 sensitivity is 102 dB / 1 mW at 30 Ohms. That's easy for the Asgard 2.
A lot of people are pushing some myth about the power requirements of the 560. The Asgard 2 can drive the 560's to 120 dB SPL, continuously, which is plenty enough for any peaks in the music that you might be listening to. Any more power is never used and thus is wasted. The Asgard 2 will deliver its power very cleanly. I use it with the HE-500's which are slightly less sensitive than the 560's and it is both loud and clean.

 

[superjawes]

The efficiency of the HE-400 is listed as 92.5 dB, and the HE-560 is 90 dB. The EL-8 has a better metric of 102 dB / 1 mW.

So as far as power is concerned, the EL-8 should have no problems with the Asgard, as the efficiency is greater than the 400. Depending on how loud you like your HE-400, you might have some issues with the 560, but those two are somewhat closer in efficiency, so I wouldn't expect a drastic difference.

 

[StanD]

The efficiency of the HE-400 is listed as 92.5 dB, and the HE-560 is 90 dB. The EL-8 has a better metric of 102 dB / 1 mW.

So as far as power is concerned, the EL-8 should have no problems with the Asgard, as the efficiency is greater than the 400. Depending on how loud you like your HE-400, you might have some issues with the 560, but those two are somewhat closer in efficiency, so I wouldn't expect a drastic difference.

What part of 120 dBSPL for the 560's is not enough?

 

[AnalogSavior]

  What part of 120 dBSPL for the 560's is not enough?

 
Everyone knows 560s only start to open up at 123dB, and need a minimum of 50 watts per channel.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

[ProtegeManiac]

   
Everyone knows 560s only start to open up at 123dB, and need a minimum of 50 watts per channel.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
The one thing not everyone knows is that ear drums start tearing at 92dB or thereabouts 

 

[StanD]

  What part of 120 dBSPL for the 560's is not enough?

 
 

   
Everyone knows 560s only start to open up at 123dB, and need a minimum of 50 watts per channel.
 

 

I stand corrected. I will have to get titanium implants for my eardrums and a CD Mat to rest my head on.

 

[clannadqs]

The efficiency of the HE-400 is listed as 92.5 dB, and the HE-560 is 90 dB. The EL-8 has a better metric of 102 dB / 1 mW.

So as far as power is concerned, the EL-8 should have no problems with the Asgard, as the efficiency is greater than the 400. Depending on how loud you like your HE-400, you might have some issues with the 560, but those two are somewhat closer in efficiency, so I wouldn't expect a drastic difference.

Keeping the same amp, how much of a difference in sound quality would I hear upgrading to either of these cans from the 400s? I mainly listen to EDM.

 

[superjawes]

What part of 120 dBSPL for the 560's is not enough?

Your post had not appeared when I posted mine, so I had no SPL data to go on, and I don't have the equipment on-hand, so I was just commenting on the specs

But yeah, Asgard should have more than enough power.

 

[StanD]

Your post had not appeared when I posted mine, so I had no SPL data to go on, and I don't have the equipment on-hand, so I was just commenting on the specs

But yeah, Asgard should have more than enough power.

Yeah that Schiit with the timing of posts can lead to miscues. I really like the Asgard 2, the design principles alone are noteworthy.

 

[Kozic]

I have used the Asgard 2 with HE400/500 LCD2 T90 DT990/880 HD650 and others it will have no problem powering the HE560 or just about any other Headphones you through at it.
Enjoy

 

[StanD]

I have used the Asgard 2 with HE400/500 LCD2 T90 DT990/880 HD650 and others it will have no problem powering the HE560 or just about any other Headphones you through at it.
Enjoy

The only potential problem is some succubus like an HE-6, which is not the usual case. Perhaps a low efficiency 600 Ohms can isn't optimal. But for the most part, I agree, the Asgard 2 should be able to handle almost anything one throws at it and do a super job if it.

 

[Sam21]

you dont need to buy schiitz....buy lake people G109-S....kills asgard 2

 

[cel4145]

Keeping the same amp, how much of a difference in sound quality would I hear upgrading to either of these cans from the 400s? I mainly listen to EDM.

Do you crank your Asgard 2 up most of the way on high gain to listen to the HE-400s, where there is very little volume left in the amp (not space on the dial). Or do you listen at more moderate volumes? If the latter, I bet you'd probably be happy.

 

[StanD]

Do you crank your Asgard 2 up most of the way on high gain to listen to the HE-400s, where there is very little volume left in the amp (not space on the dial). Or do you listen at more moderate volumes? If the latter, I bet you'd probably be happy.

That's going to hurt.