HE-500 and a WA6 amp pairing

randytsuch · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Oct 2012, 12:22 am »

I was just reading this thread about what it takes to properly drive a HE5LE.'
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/headphone-systems/221016-best-headamp-hifiman-planars.html

The 500 is slightly more efficient, 89db for the 500 versus 87.5 db for the 5LE.

Still, I think they want a fair amount of power, not sure the approx 580 mW your WA6 will put out is enough.

All theory, no idea how the combo sounds in real life.

Randy

raddar · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Oct 2012, 12:22 am »

That is the exact combination I have and the HE-500's sound excellent

The impedance selector is your friend so make sure it's in the down position.

Bob2 · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Oct 2012, 01:53 am »

saisunil · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Oct 2012, 03:17 am »

Just know that they will only sound better with high power quality amplification - but that likely would mean more mulah

Bob2 · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Oct 2012, 01:43 pm »

hibuckhobby · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Oct 2012, 01:52 pm »

I have had the HE5LE and have heard them with the WA6. For jazz and acoustic music,
it was a very nice pairing. I also owned the HE500's and can attest that the almost 3db
difference in sensitivity makes quite a difference in terms of the amps that can drive them.
The increase in efficiency alone requires half the power input to get the same output.

If you listen at high volumes or start using an EQ...then the headroom very quickly comes
into play. The difference between 500 mw and 2w in output from the amp means a difference
of 6db output from the cans.
Hibuck....

Bob2 · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Oct 2012, 06:42 pm »

eclein · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Oct 2012, 10:10 pm »

Bob2 lease let us know OK, how it sounds/works out etc...I'm starting to think maybe its time to re-evaluate my stuff and start having some fun with all the new stuff I'm seeing these days.

I heard Zepp is maybe grabbing some GS1000's from Grado and I'm salivating here...LOL!!!

Bob2 · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Oct 2012, 10:34 pm »

eclein · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Oct 2012, 03:28 pm »

Bob congrats!!! Its an excellent all around sound isn't it?? Amazed me and yours are new? broken in yet? They do break in at least mine did so you'll hear more and more and then one day you'll notice nothing is missing, everything is there and very equal or as intended by the recording. If the Woo is new it may open up more also for you.....anyway enjoy them. I use mine for movies also from time to time out of my Kenwood AVR and have always found them to be excellent for that also.
Have a great weekend!!!!

raddar · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Oct 2012, 04:06 pm »

Glad you like the combo Bob2. The only change I made was to replace the cable with a Q-Audio cable, which is not unmanageable like the stock cable and sounds really good. I agree with your statement about the Woo Audio fitting in the available space as my listening room is also "space" challenged.

Bob

Bob2 · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Oct 2012, 01:10 pm »

raddar · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 Oct 2012, 08:37 pm »

Quote from: Bob2 on 17 Oct 2012, 01:10 pm

raddar,
thanks for the low down on the cable. Have had them long enough to see how unmanageable they are.
Any sonic improvements from the cable change?

The Q Audio cable has a cotton jacket so it is almost as flexible as a shoelace and is non microphonic. The actual sound of the cable is not a major difference but the comfort and lack of microphonics is why I switched.

Bob2 · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Oct 2012, 10:50 pm »

G Georgopoulos · « **Reply #15 on:** 26 Oct 2012, 12:41 am »

Quote from: Bob2 on 25 Oct 2012, 10:50 pm

Would it be wrong to pair a SS preamp with a tube amp?
Thanks,
Bob.

Yes for sure!! stick with valves or ss ,when you combine both you lose the benefits of both...

SteveFord · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Oct 2012, 10:03 am »

Why not contact Woo Audio and see if Jack can offer any suggestions for upping the power on your WA6?
I've never found receiver or preamp headphone sections to be in the same league as your WA6.

saisunil · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Oct 2012, 02:33 pm »

Bob he-500s are top shelf phones ... And they are very inefficient ... They need a lot more power than WA6 can deliver for them to really shine ...

I have after market cable for these phones that I could loan them at the cost of shipping ... So you can try for yourself the benefits but you need to fix the amp first before going anywhere else.

What source are you using?

I must warn you that you are on a slippery source - or shall we say quick sand ...

You and wallet sink with it ... Just make sure you are having fun while doing that

raddar · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 Oct 2012, 09:10 pm »

Quote from: Bob2 on 25 Oct 2012, 10:50 pm

Well I have had the new headphones for a bit now and can say that I really like them.
I will eventually pick up an amp with some more power to drive them with. Maybe look around for a vintage receiver.

That said I do notice that they sound a bit distorted at higher volume levels. Doesn't seem to matter what source I'm using with the WA6.
I have noticed this with my 701's also and figured it was just my ears after all the abuse from loud noises. I had my wife try out both headphones and she also felt that they were not sounding good at elevated volume levels.

Would a preamp help with this? Sorry for the amateur level questions but I'm more used to lo-fi setups.
Would it be wrong to pair a SS preamp with a tube amp?
Thanks,
Bob.

Bob2,

What do you consider elevated volume levels? My HE-500's do not distort at the loudest volume I could stand without going deaf. That goes for both the WA-6 and my Modwright LS-100 linestage. Perhaps its the output level of your source? My CD player, DAC converter and phono preamp all put out distortion free sound to the HE-500's .

hibuckhobby · « **Reply #19 on:** 26 Oct 2012, 11:09 pm »

I have a WA6 coming with some great tubes (princess 274b...etc) but the
phones I have now are all easy to drive. When I had HE500's, Ifound I listened
louder because they were so transparent. On good material, they were wonderful,
but I couldn't stand poorly recorded music...and much of the classic rock I have
fell into that catagory.
Hibuck...