Using Ray Samuels SR-71b single-ended

[cactus_farmer]

I have heard great things about this portable, including it is the only portable powerful enough to drive the Hifiman HE-6.
 
However, can it only drive the HE-6 in BALANCED mode, or does it have the same power single-ended as well?

 

[warp08]

Quote:

I have heard great things about this portable, including it is the only portable powerful enough to drive the Hifiman HE-6.
 
However, can it only drive the HE-6 in BALANCED mode, or does it have the same power single-ended as well?

While the SR71B can drive the HE-6 in balanced mode only, even in that mode it won't drive it with the authority of a Dark Star.  No portable amp would.
 
Single-ended mode is simply not the way to enjoy these headphones and you get only half the voltage swing because of phase splitting halves it.  

 

[cactus_farmer]

Haha, ok, so HE-6 wouldn't work SE with it?
 
And I would hope that the darkstar could provide some more authority than the SR71b being 5x the price and a desktop model.
 
Actually are there any other portables (balanced or not) that can drive the HE-6 well?

 

[krod3003]

I just so happen to have a 71b and i'm in your area. So if you have a HE-6 we can test it out and you can decide for yourself weather you want to buy one. Plus I just want to try the HE-6 since I plan on buying one

 so i'm curious as well.