Amp dac for hifiman he-500

[Tattsyrupmk2]

Hello

I'm looking to buy an amp and a dac for my he-500 my budget is 400 GBP. I have no problem buying used.

Thank you for any help in advance.

[SSL]

Schiit Magni 2 and Modi 2. Step up to the Asgard 2 if you want to pay more for a better volume knob and internal power supply.

[Tattsyrupmk2]

Schiit Magni 2 and Modi 2. Step up to the Asgard 2 if you want to pay more for a better volume knob and internal power supply.

do I need to go uber on the magni, or straight to asgard from what I've found out planars love a bit more power?

[SSL]

do I need to go uber on the magni, or straight to asgard from what I've found out planars love a bit more power?

 

The Magni 2 Uber has the most power of the three. Many report that the Asgard 2 has a slightly warmer sound. If you want to get close to 120dB, you'll need the Uber.

[LancerBG]

NAD 1050 is the best dac in that price range IMO.

[Tattsyrupmk2]

NAD 1050 is the best dac in that price range IMO.

that's 400 on the dac alone ... 400 on an amp and dac

[LancerBG]

that's 400 on the dac alone ... 400 on an amp and dac

 

it's both, it can drive anything. 

[SSL]

it's both, it can drive anything. 

 

What have you tried it with? How do you feel about the lack of visual volume indicator?

[LancerBG]

What have you tried it with? How do you feel about the lack of visual volume indicator?

hd600 hd700, 380pro, dt990, dt800, dt1770 just to name a few. I had the 1050 when I first got the DT1770's and it was a beautiful combo. I prefer semi open or open cans but because of noise I had to go for closed. It powers anything and has a really beautiful clear tone. 

 

I kept it next to me on my desk since it's form is super friendly to be near you at all times. not big, slim and small footprint. The volume dial is very big so any time I needed a quick change I just reached over and adjusted. It never hit's end...its a dial that just goes around and around in any direction which was fine by me. 

 

Only reason I no longer use it is because I wanted to use passive speakers with my set up which is what I am doing now. 

[SSL]

hd600 hd700, 380pro, dt990, dt800, dt1770 just to name a few.

 

No low-sensitivity planars, though?

[LancerBG]

No low-sensitivity planars, though?

 

I had the HE400i's for 29 days fairly recently...I have no clue if they are low sensitivity. Honestly I just have not had good luck with hifiman cans...I thought they all sounded blah. After talking about it with other audio folks they all say the same thing that hifiman can be hit or miss. You can get a great set of cans or a so so set. 0/3 but one set was in ears. 

 

I know what you pair together can make a nice difference but I just was not feeling them. Wish I could help more on that front. 

[SSL]

I had the HE400i's for 29 days fairly recently...I have no clue if they are low sensitivity. Honestly I just have not had good luck with hifiman cans...I thought they all sounded blah. After talking about it with other audio folks they all say the same thing that hifiman can be hit or miss. You can get a great set of cans or a so so set. 0/3 but one set was in ears. 

 

I know what you pair together can make a nice difference but I just was not feeling them. Wish I could help more on that front. 

 

"blah"... Great description :rolleyes:

 

Well, the OP does have a Hifiman headphone, so they should probably hear from someone who has liked and amped a Hifiman headphone.

[iShad]

Ex-owner of he400 and he560 here, paired them with shiit m/m stack, o2+odac, and hp-a8. The amp/dac combos all sound similar if not the same to me, so get whichever in the form factor and connectivity you want.