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GUTB
238
Dec 19, 2016
People are mentioning the Joutenhiem, but I returned after a week. Schiit claimed it could handle the HE-6 "no problem" but it was barely sufficient and lacked the dimensionality of the Ragnarok, and like the Ragnarok, it handled my TH900 poorly. I sold the Ragnarok last week after hearing my TH900 out of the Audeze Deckard.
Uzuzu
1431
Dec 20, 2016
GUTBAlmost anything runs the th-900 well. I seriously have my doubts it runs your th900 poorly. Lol. As for the he-6 now, I have no experience.
indi_guy
163
Dec 20, 2016
UzuzuHe said handled not drive. I think he meant the pairing was not great. I am hearing great things about Deckard too and it's resemblance to Matrix-3U at cheaper price is tempting.
triggsviola
147
Dec 20, 2016
GUTBInteresting. I absolutely love my Jotunheim! Now I haven't tried to run an HE-6, but the numbers indicate that, with the balanced output especially, it should run HE-6. Were you running it with the single-ended output?
GUTB
238
Dec 20, 2016
triggsviolaFrom a Gustard X20U (fully balanced architecture) using XLRs. The HE-6 rig was balanced front to end, same as with the Ragnarok. The Joutenhiem wasn't a bad match for the HE-6, but it wasn't as good as the Ragnarok, nor the Mjolnir 2 using high end NOS tubes. Compared to the Ragnarok, the Joutenhiem had a similar sound signature, but it lacked the output muscle the HE-6 demands for a sense of dynamic ease, and was a noticeable step down in terms of sound dimensionality. I still would have kept it if it had done a better job with the TH900.
triggsviola
147
Dec 20, 2016
GUTBWow it sounds like one of those things where the HE-6 needs something more than it's stated impedance/efficiency. This Aune wouldn't stand a chance!
GUTB
238
Dec 20, 2016
triggsviolaIn fact the HE-6 efficiency rating is a lie, it's much lower than stated. I think someone measured it at around 64dB. There are people who get great results hooking them up to massive mono block speaker amps.
bentlikeitsmaker
0
Dec 20, 2016
GUTBon the he 6 did you run balanced cables aka xlr considering it doubles the output power
Uzuzu
1431
Dec 21, 2016
indi_guythe th series by fostex and all variants of it are completely not picky, regardless of any amp used. I can vouch for that. I will say though there are some minor gains to be heard with high end amps (500+)
markk02474
11
Dec 21, 2016
GUTBI have the new ES9028Pro version of the Gustard X20u, and it drives my Sennheiser HD-800s just fine, directly from the unbalanced outs! I don't even need to use the extra 6db boost available. These cans are so revealing even at low volumes, there isn't any need to go loud. I love both products.
carlhil2
6
Dec 23, 2016
triggsviolaYeah, guys are comparing unbalanced against balanced amps. I have the Jotunheim, balanced out to my HD600 cans get pretty loud, while sounding very good, for the price.SE out, the Jot is just a little better than my AUNE S16 though...if you are not going balanced out, there are better choices than the Jot, as far as power goes...
BARBRO
23
Dec 24, 2016
carlhil2Would u care to give some examples?
carlhil2
6
Dec 24, 2016
BARBROThe M-Stage HPA-3B for one, and it's balanced also to boot, same loot. also, there's the Audio-GD NFB-1
GUTB
238
Dec 24, 2016
carlhil2The HD600 is a bad headphone. Technically, it is a solid mid-fi product -- good resolution, decent imaging, tonally sufficient, dynamics are about mid-fi level if a little sub-par. But they suffer from a severe flaw; they lack euphonics. The term "euphonic" was made up by audiophile to describe the psycho-acoustical property of sound to engage the listener and make him feel good; basically, the enjoyment factor of music. Headphones that make you bored of them eventually, like the HD600, lack this special formula. When I was auditioning the HD600, I didn't even want to listen to my favorite music with them after a few weeks; they didn't fail terribly in any technical category that I could detect, but they just made my music BORING.
My hi-fi headphones -- the HE-6, TH900 and now the Utopia -- are on a different planet from a technical perspective compared to the HD600, and more importantly, are highly euphonic.
carlhil2
6
Dec 25, 2016
GUTBI listen to my various cans via a Aune S16, balanced out into the Jot. I listen to the HD600 via balanced cable. my source is my PC/Sonar Platinum DAW using my vst of choice. can make the headphones sound anyways that I wan basically...I have some tube vst plugins that sound legit...I even use them with JRiver...
BARBRO
23
Dec 25, 2016
carlhil2Will prob go for Audio-GD NFB-1 In this video he talks about The M-Stage HPA-3A the unbalanced version wich seem to be crap.
, Wich is a pitty couse it looks like good value on paper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ_VonxE5Wo
GUTB
238
Dec 25, 2016
BARBROHis desktop setup is okay -- but not from an audiophile perspective. The monitors are junk (which he admits), no USB regeneration, no name interconnects, mid-fi Stax (with a plastic cover, lol), his low-end Matrix amp. Basically, what most Reddit and Massdrop "audiophiles" aspire too, including the non-ironic use kid's toys as presentation aids.
I don't have a "desktop setup", but rather a reference chain.
Source: Dedicated PC, i5 100% fanless, external SSD power line, running Windows 10, Fidelizer Pro + JRiver Transport: USB with ferrite rings to Schiit Wyrd USB regen out to DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable to LKS Audio USB bridge (with separate linear power supply) out to I2S (HDMI cable). DAC: Gustard X20 with basic AC mods, all PCM input converted to DSD-256 via I2S link, dedicated wall outlet using Audio Sensibility Testament AC cord. Output Audio Sensibility Statement XLR. Amp: Schiit Mjolnir 2 with Reflektor 75 Silver Shields, dedicated wall outlet with the DAC using a Lessloss Standard AC cord. Power: DAC and amp are connected to Furutech GTX-D NCF(R) outlet (NCF-treated copper with rhodium plating). All other components connected to a seperate outlet using a Tripp-Lite Isobar with noise filters. Headphones: HE-6 (modded) + Moon Audio Black Dragon v2 cables, TH900 and Focal Utopia.
This guy would probably cry himself to sleep after listening to my, or any, real audiophile setup.
triggsviola
147
Dec 25, 2016
GUTBPics or it didnt happen.

jk
Dubharmonic
90
Dec 26, 2016
GUTBThis setup is your first audio setup then? 🙂
carlhil2
6
Dec 26, 2016
GUTBI became sleepy after reading all of that, thanks...👍
d_m_r
3
Feb 20, 2017
GUTBPretty nice stuff, a ton of snake oil and, imho, a rude -ish attitude... I'm sure I'd laugh all the way to the bank of deminishing returns if heard your setup vs my "reddit gear". On topic, this amp is geared towards X1s owners wanting more output power. Since the X1s has no balanced outs, this has no balanced in. Bad call? Sure, but I still see it's purpose.
Elsid
697
Jul 5, 2017
BARBROAre those krk monitors?
zhouharvey
179
Nov 16, 2017
UzuzuNo. Th900 is not easy to be driven well. It's easy to be driven audible.
Uzuzu
1431
Nov 17, 2017
zhouharveyWrong it requires little current and little voltage to be driven max.
zhouharvey
179
Nov 17, 2017
UzuzuNice.
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