Who owns HiFiMAN cans, and what amp do you use?

[tutomac]

I've been using my Mcintosh D100 to power a pair of HiFiMAN HE-500s for about 8 months now, and am now considering acquiring a stand alone HP amp. I like what I hear, but I am a novice and have not experienced a second, different, potentially better sound. I'm very happy with my D100 performing DAC/pre duties, so it could be amp only (amp/pream/dac will be fine) tube or ss. I care almost exclusively about the amp function and its ability to drive these guys and improve SQ. Preferably under $1,500.
Not ready to buy right now, but in a near future (within 2-3 months)

Thanks, and Cheers!!

[doggiehowser]

I'd suggest upgrading the cables if you have the budget for it.

A Schiit Mjolnir with a balanced ALO Reference 16 might just fit your budget. The Mjolnir is a full balanced headamp.

I use it with the HE6 and it's phenomenal.

[tutomac]

Will check it out! Thanks 😊

[bjski]

I own a Bryston BHA-1. My cans are the HiFiman HD-500, Sennheiser HD-800 and Audeze LCD-3. The Bryston work great with all three cans. Give at demo if you can.

[ChrisAZ]

I have the HE-500s and power them with the Schitt Lyr. I have it set up in my bedroom with my Mac Airbook running J River through a Schitt Bifrost. Sounds great, although I must say I've never really enjoyed listening to headphones as much as I enjoy listening to a good system with speakers. I guess I feel claustrophobic with headphones.

[John49]

Originally Posted by ChrisAZ

I have the HE-500s and power them with the Schitt Lyr.

I also have HE-500s and a Schiit Lyr. I run it off the tape out from my Moon 700i using Sarum TA RCA cables and -20dB attenuation.

EDIT: Now Sarum Super Aray RCA cables

[gerzom]

+1 on the Schiit stuff.
I use a Mjolnir at home with my Audeze LCD 2.2 and a Schiit Magni -Modi combo in my office with my Hifiman HE-400.

Mjolnir is awesome, loads of power, drives my LCD 2's like a dream. But be aware it is fully balanced, so think about that when choosing cables (needs to be 4 pin XLR)
Regarding cables, I only heard the ALO Green Line and that was no match with my LCD's. You could also check out Forza Audio Works for their Noir Hybrid HPC cable, it gets great reviews. I went for an Entreq Konstantin cable on my LCD 2's and never looked back at any other cables (Love it!)

[tutomac]

It looks like Schiit is the way to go, although I am going to read a little bit more in the Oppo HA-1. The Oppo seems to offer more features than I need/want but the price is right. A little flashy also, which I don't mind I guess.

Thank you all for your recs...

Cheers!

[gerzom]

Some Schiit that is coming down the line: Schiit Ragnarok



RAGNAROK:

"Ragnarok is the world’s first universal amplifier, fully capable of powering everything from ultra-sensitive IEMs to loudspeakers. With 100WPC RMS into 4 ohms, 3 selectable gains, a relay-switched stepped attenuator volume control, and Crossfet™ circlotron-style output topology, Ragnarok befits its name—in Norse legend, Ragnarok was the “end of the world.”

Power Output: 100W into 4 ohms, 60W into 8 ohms, 15W into 32 ohms, 9.6W into 50 ohms, 1.6W into 300 ohms, 800mW into 600 ohms
Inputs: 2 balanced, 3 single-ended stereo inputs
Outputs: speaker terminals, 4-pin balanced XLR headphone, TRS unbalanced headphone, balanced and unbalanced preamp outs
Gain: selectable gain of 20, 7, or 1
Volume: (64) 1.25dB steps via relay-switched stepped attenuator
Topology: Fully discrete Crossfet™ circlotron-style stage with no caps in the signal path and no DC servos, all solid state
Management: microprocessor control of quiescent current and DC levels, with monitoring of all fault conditions
Power Supply: 400VA transformer with 4 separate circlotron output rails, over 100,000uF filter capacitance total
Size & Weight: 16 x 12 x 3.875”, 30 lbs
Estimated Price & Availability: $1699, Available August 2014"

[brazil-nut]

I had a pair of HE-400's that I ran with a Woo Audio WA7 and a Bryston BHA-1.

My favorite is the BHA-1, it has every output you can imagine. Balanced 4 pin, dual balanced 3 pin and 1/4" Jack.

It is a great amp for long time listening and dead quiet.

Unfortunately I am not using mine enough to justify an amp that expensive, so am going to sell soon (I think).
It is black and has at most 50 hours on it.