The ultimate headphone amp and cans

F1nut
F1nut Posts: 50,578
edited May 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
The Sennheiser Orpheus HEV90 & HE90's, http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?ampstube&1276398473&item

I love the look of the amp....pure art!
Political Correctness'.........defined

"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


President of Club Polk

Post edited by F1nut on

Comments

  • Echosphere
    Echosphere Posts: 395
    edited April 2010
    Damn that's drop dead sexy.
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited April 2010
    Wow,, James has been on the clock eh?
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited April 2010
    Pretty, yes. But the Headamp Blue Hawaii sounds better. Most people Running
    stats go this route.
    http://www.headamp.com/electrostat_amps/bhse/images/bhse_gray_high.jpg
    I've never heard the He-90. But I've spent some time with the He-60.
    The last run of He-90's sold out in 4 hours about 5 years ago. That production
    run was for the cans only.
    The world of headphones has several out of production high end models
    that are commanding big bucks. Right now Stax O2 is top dog in
    current production headphones.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited April 2010
    I like the layout, but those cages over each tube are fugly.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    Captain..those look like dilethium crystals there! Do ya think they can achieve Warp speed?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited April 2010
    RuSsMaN wrote: »
    I like the layout, but those cages over each tube are fugly.

    Open uncovered tubes are a no-no in much of Europe.
    I'm surprised no one in the US has created any laws to protect us against
    burning our pinkies on those hot surfaces. I'm sure some lawyer is working
    on that as we speak.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited April 2010
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,578
    edited April 2010
    Here it is much cheaper.

    That's not a fair comparision. The one on Audiogon is basically unused and includes two cans, also basically unused.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited April 2010
    True. But no one's going to pony up 32k anytime soon.
    The other one ain't pocket change, but there's a couple guys that
    are circling and it will sell. The Stax set up with O2's and the Blue Hawaii
    will cost about $7500 new and perform just as welll.
    The he-90's are better, but the amp isn't up to par.
    And I can order that set up any day of the week. Of course it would take
    Justin at Headamp about 6 months to build you a new BHII and get it
    shipped to your door.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2010
    Just what I want to do, sit a foot away from a room heater.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited April 2010
    Nice starter system.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited April 2010
    madmax wrote: »
    Nice starter system.


    LOL, that thing is more expensive than my car.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2010
    LOL, that thing is more expensive than my car.

    -Jeff

    Double true...
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited April 2010
    Why would anyone in there right mind buy them ?

    You could buy a way better audio system for that money ........... ridiculous !!!!!!!
  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited April 2010
    wow beautiful and once I get my 500K a year job maybe haha
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,578
    edited April 2010
    Why would anyone in there right mind buy them ?

    You could buy a way better audio system for that money ........... ridiculous !!!!!!!

    So, you've listened to the Orpheus set up? Yeah, I didn't think so.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • TouchOfEvil
    TouchOfEvil Posts: 967
    edited April 2010
    Why would anyone in there right mind buy them ?

    You could buy a way better audio system for that money ........... ridiculous !!!!!!!

    You have no idea what your talking about. This isn't an ipod with apple ear buds.
    Living Room Rig:D
    Rotel RSP-1069/Rotel RMB-1095/Rotel-1072/Polk lsI15's W/modded xoverW/DBsubs/Polk LsiC/lsI7's/Klipsch sub-12"the weak link"/DLP Mitsubishi 65"
    Xbox360/PS3/WII
    M.Br. setup:)
    Emotiva MMC-1/Rotel RMB-1075/Polk BlackStone TL350's/Velodyne SPL1000/Samsung 51" Plasma
    Computer Rig:
    Rotel RB1050/Tannoy DC4's/Klipsch RW-10d/ImodIpod/HK AVR230 for now....
    Headphones-Ultrasone-HFI780's w/LittleDot MK Vamp Portables Panasonic HJE-900's
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    That's some sexy gear.

    $32,500 though? I'll never own one. Even if I could hypothetically afford it someday...I don't think I'd be willing to pony up that kind of cash for a headphone rig.


    Why would anyone in there right mind buy them ?

    You could buy a way better audio system for that money ........... ridiculous !!!!!!!


    Have you ever even listened to a good headphone setup? In most respects, a good headphone setup is going to sound better, and much more accurate than an actual stereo.

    This isn't an ipod with some earbuds that cost $18.99 at Walmart. Good headphone setups sound absolutely incredible. I suggest you get your ears on one before calling it ridiculous. Headphones won't get your whole house shaking with huge bass output, but a good pair of headphones is usually going to have deeper bass extension than a good pair of floorstanding speakers.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    Keiko wrote: »
    That's a lot of trips to the PLaSMa CeNTeR, LoCurtico. :rolleyes:

    Funny but TRUE!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited April 2010
    LOL, I gave blood today and all I got was a crappy T-Shirt. Well, that and a sore arm, lol.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited April 2010
    Earphones damage your ears so I would not want to own any pair period !!!!!!

    My martin logans are the closest thing you can get to having earphone sound without damage

    I dont know why my comment seems out there for thinking they cost too much money ??

    How many of you guys have heard them to say that they are worth the money?
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited April 2010
    Earphones damage your ears so I would not want to own any pair period !!!!!!

    My martin logans are the closest thing you can get to having earphone sound without damage

    I dont know why my comment seems out there for thinking they cost too much money ??

    How many of you guys have heard them to say that they are worth the money?

    Headphones don't damage your ears unless you play them too loud, same with speakers. You think these cost too much? Houses cost at least 4 times more and that is for a small one. :confused:
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2010
    Martin Logans sound like headphones?
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • DeusExa
    DeusExa Posts: 491
    edited April 2010
    Zero wrote: »
    Two cheese graders? Check. One old toaster cage? Check. Lazy-Susan with aluminum top? Check. Install tubes, and boom!! You got Hi-Fi!

    Those do look so much like cheese graters..
  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited May 2010
    On ebay now; no reserve. Price is over $20k now!

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140406718441&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

    AUCTION DETAILS:

    This unit is in 100% mint condition. It is being sold from a collection of equipment that was not used. This unit is AS NEW.
    We have tested the amplifier for about 8 hours, and both pairs of headphone for approximately 4 hours each.
    The amplifier, and headphones are in immaculate condition, with no scratches, nicks, or scuffs.
    Each pair of headphones come in its original silk lined box. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me for more information, or photos.
    From the information I have been able to dig up, there were only 300 HEV-90s amplifiers produced.





    Here is some information on the Orpheus:

    The Holy Grail for every audiophile is the absolutely original reproduction of the music as it was played in the studio, which means that such things as treble or bass controls are frowned upon. An essential role is played by the microphones, as these are the first link in the recording chain and are therefore decisive for the quality of the sound reproduction. Headphones also have to meet very special demands in the audiophile world. With headphones, the sound acts directly on the auditory canal and not, as in the case of natural listening, on the whole head. What is more, as the ear lobes are “deactivated”, the natural spatial listening effect can only be achieved by highly sophisticated technical means. It was with the ambitious aim of producing no less than the best headphones in the world that Sennheiser’s experts began the development of their “Orpheus”. They finally presented their electrostatic headphones with a tube pre-amplifier in 1991 – and surpassed all expectations.

    Specifications for the Sennheiser Orpheus HEV-90 Amplifier

    Frequency response 10 - 20,000 Hz (- 0.25 dB) THD (1 kHz) Unweighted S/N ratio ≥ 80 dB Sensitivity/impedance 10 kΩ Technical Data Amplifier Talk-over muting (1 kHz) ≥ 80 dB Output voltage 400 Veff Line inputs (switchable) optical, digital (Toslink)co-axial, digital(RCA phono)(automatic recognitionof incoming sampling frequency)co-axial, analogue(RCA phono) Outputs for 2 HE 90 headphones Weight approx. 13 kg Dimensions 53 x 34 x 15.5 cm

    Specifications for the Sennheiser Orpheus HE-90 Headphones

    Frequency response7-100,000 Hz (-10 dB)14-85,000 Hz (- 6 dB)25-75,000 Hz (- 3 dB) Frequency range diffuse field equalised Transducer principle electrostatic Ear coupling circumaural Contact pressure 4.6 N THD at SPL of 110 dB (94 dB) Nominal sensitivity (V = 100 V) ≥ 98 dB/1 kHz Polarisation voltage 500 V Weight (without cable) 365 g Connector 5-pin HV plug Connection cable 3 m, 6-coreOFC copper cable, gold-plated contacts Dimensions 19 x 10 x 21.5 cm
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited May 2010
    You could buy a porcha boxter instead of those cans
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited May 2010
    Yet when they last sold He90's by themselves(no amp)
    the whole run sold out in four hours. And they weren't cheap.
    Any of the out of production high end headphones are pricey.
    I've listened to the he60(one model down). And I have listened to
    or owned many Stax headphones. The electrostatic cans like
    their speaker counterparts sound very different than dynamics.
    I'll never own a Boxster, either, but there are many out there with
    the $$$ to buy what they want. Good headphones are very different
    than listening to speakers. You'll find many of the owners of these cans
    also have very nice speaker set ups. Like any other luxury product,
    most of us won't be buying, trying or even able to touch a finger
    to them. Just because I can't see buying a $5k bicycle doesn't
    mean there isn't a market for it. Or a $500 fishing reel.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited May 2010
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    Yet when they last sold He90's by themselves(no amp)
    the whole run sold out in four hours. And they weren't cheap.
    Any of the out of production high end headphones are pricey.
    I've listened to the he60(one model down). And I have listened to
    or owned many Stax headphones. The electrostatic cans like
    their speaker counterparts sound very different than dynamics.
    I'll never own a Boxster, either, but there are many out there with
    the $$$ to buy what they want. Good headphones are very different
    than listening to speakers. You'll find many of the owners of these cans
    also have very nice speaker set ups. Like any other luxury product,
    most of us won't be buying, trying or even able to touch a finger
    to them. Just because I can't see buying a $5k bicycle doesn't
    mean there isn't a market for it. Or a $500 fishing reel.

    I'll never be able to afford any of those other things, but I do own a few $500 fishing reels! Thank guide programs for that otherwise I'd keep on dreaming about those also like everything else I can't afford!
  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited May 2010
    $21,600.00!!!

    Wow; that's got to be a record for a pair of cans w/amp.
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited May 2010
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    Yet when they last sold He90's by themselves(no amp)
    the whole run sold out in four hours. And they weren't cheap.
    Any of the out of production high end headphones are pricey.
    I've listened to the he60(one model down). And I have listened to
    or owned many Stax headphones. The electrostatic cans like
    their speaker counterparts sound very different than dynamics.
    I'll never own a Boxster, either, but there are many out there with
    the $$$ to buy what they want. Good headphones are very different
    than listening to speakers. You'll find many of the owners of these cans
    also have very nice speaker set ups. Like any other luxury product,
    most of us won't be buying, trying or even able to touch a finger
    to them. Just because I can't see buying a $5k bicycle doesn't
    mean there isn't a market for it.
    Or a $500 fishing reel.

    nothing wrong with a 5K bike, or spending even more. When I was just into flatland BMX riding my bike was at about 1-1.5K in parts alone, mountain bikes cost even more often depending on the type of riding your doing. Its just like this hobby, you have some starting points and it goes up from there. To one person 5K on a bike is nothing but to the same person spending 5K on a pair of speakers is crazy talk.