[doctorjazz]

I've used it balanced out of a Pono, sounds pretty good (not as good as with a good amp, though).

 

[patrikh]

  Anyone tried driving the HE1000 straight from an iPhone? I have. 

I tried running them with htc m8, which is from the more powerful side of phones. Not impressed. The headphones lose so much of their potential with that kind of setup.

 

[doctorjazz]

Frankly, I was not very impressed with the sounds out of my m8, and could never get otg to work.

 

[tunes]

Is there a list of amplifiers/dacs that will drive the HE 1000 to their full potential that are less expensive then the Macintosh? I have an Eddie Current Zana Deux a Woo WA 7, the built in amp on a Benchmark DAC 1, and the portable Theorem 720. I was told that none of these amps are able to drive the HE 1000 well.

 

[sheldaze]

Is there a list of amplifiers/dacs that will drive the HE 1000 to their full potential that are less expensive then the Macintosh? I have an Eddie Current Zana Deux a Woo WA 7, the built in amp on a Benchmark DAC 1, and the portable Theorem 720. I was told that none of these amps are able to drive the HE 1000 well.

I'm not familiar with the Zana Deux. I plan to try the Black Widow.
 
Thus far, I'm happy with the Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL2 and the Schiit Ragnarok. I do not know which McIntosh headphone amplifier you are discussing, but my guess is the three amplifiers I've listed are all lower cost.

 

[LouisArmstrong]

I have heard good things about the Vivi Audio Egoista headphone amp (US$10,000). In particular there's a person who owned the Goldmund headphone amp who said that the Vivi is even better than the Goldmund on the HE1000.

 

[doctorjazz]

I have tried the McIntosh MHA-100, which lists for about $4500, at Stereo Exchange in NYC. I had limited time, and couldn't compare it to any other amps (it is also a DAC), but I was impressed with its smooth, effortless, and musical presentation. I'm also using the MicroZOTL2, LTA LPS upgrade, some tube rolling, MHT power cord, really happy with the sound, have to say. I think there are many options for driving the HEK.

 

[jelt2359]

Is there a list of amplifiers/dacs that will drive the HE 1000 to their full potential that are less expensive then the Macintosh? I have an Eddie Current Zana Deux a Woo WA 7, the built in amp on a Benchmark DAC 1, and the portable Theorem 720. I was told that none of these amps are able to drive the HE 1000 well.

The zana deux is not a good option because of impedance mismatch. Just about any amp that can drive planars well would work for the he1000. Black widow would be okay, Ragnarok okay. Plenty of others.

 

[patrikh]

Audio-gd products work like a dream with HEK. I have the master 11.

 

[uelover]

Audio-gd products work like a dream with HEK. I have the master 11.

NFB1Amp works like a dream with the HEK as well.

Both belong to the same family.

 

[sheldaze]

NFB1Amp works like a dream with the HEK as well.

Both belong to the same family.

I'll vouch for the Master 11 and NFB-27H, having heard the NFB-27H on a number of headphones.
 
I will not do the same for the other amplifier after having personally heard what I think is the NFB-10.33 (why so many names and options) and having spoken on a regular basis with the person who upgraded from it to the NFB-27H. I believe the Master 11 and NFB-27H to be a significant upgrade, and the HE-1000 to be resolving enough of a headphone to allow the listener to discern and reap the benefits from the difference.

 

[b0ssMax]

Is there a list of amplifiers/dacs that will drive the HE 1000 to their full potential that are less expensive then the Macintosh? I have an Eddie Current Zana Deux a Woo WA 7, the built in amp on a Benchmark DAC 1, and the portable Theorem 720. I was told that none of these amps are able to drive the HE 1000 well.

Violectric v200 for desktop & bakoon hpa01m or mass ko bo 404 for portable.

The v200 was clearly better than the others including the liquid carbon.

 

[purk]

Headamp GS-X  MKII is a  great choice for the HEK.   If you can find a  builder, a Susy Dynahi is even better.

 

[LouisArmstrong]

Still no one else tried the Vivi amp with HE1000 yet? Need some further thoughts before I pull the plunge. Accordingly to reviews it is THE best headphone amp (electrostatic ones aside) on the market, for ANY headphone.

 

[Sandy]

  Still no one else tried the Vivi amp with HE1000 yet? Need some further thoughts before I pull the plunge. Accordingly to reviews it is THE best headphone amp (electrostatic ones aside) on the market, for ANY headphone.

 
Did you mean the Viva 845 SET amp?
 
I heard my HE1000s along with the Abyss, HD800s, and the LCD4s on this. I personally did not like it that much.
 
To my ears, it sounded quite tubey with an accentuated midrange, which is not my thing. YMMV.