Couldn’t agree more. The Atom HE is a terrific headphone amp and should give you years of satisfaction no matter what level you go to in terms of headphones.
I’ve found the balanced connection to be better than the SE 6.35 so if you go for the Atom HE with the Clears, if you get the option, go for either a 4.4mm balanced or 4 pin XLR connector with the headphones.
I have found exactly the same. Even had extension XLR cables made at CustomCans to make the rear XLR connection more accessible. So this is the only way I listen now.
The Clears come in two editions, the normal one (golden brass kind of colour) and the Professional (black with burgundy padding). The only difference between them is what you get in the box. The normal clear MG comes with both a standard unbalanced cable and a 4 pin XLR balanced cable. The Professional comes with an extra set of ear cushions and a standard unbalanced cable.
I got the standard one to get at the XLR cable. But if offered at sevenoaks having a custom cable made at CustomCans or other for the XLR connection while profiting from having an extra set of ear cushions may also be attractive.
I was thinking about an extension cable as well as I may end up with a unit that is covered and won’t have easy access to the back. It might seem like a bit of extra hassle the XLR being at the back but I do like the clean facia you get as a result so I still think Naim got this right.
Did you find the extension reduced the sound quality at all?
With the CustomCans Male - Female XLR there is nothing I can detect. I also had a full XLR cable made for my Celestee and almost want to say it is better than the standard cable but YMMV.
The cable is also super soft and bendy so I can put it neatly next to the HE when not using and it is so much easier to change headphones. Plus there is no wear on the sockets of the HE of constantly plugging things in and out!
I have been looking for someone with experience with both the Chord Mojo and the Atom HE. I currently have a Mojo-Poly combination and Elegia headphones, and have had my eye on the Atom HE for sometime now. Specifically, I’ve been wondering how big of a performance jump there is between the Mojo and Atom HE, so I read your comments about the Mojo2 vs. Atom HE (using Focal headphones) with great interest.
Could you elaborate on what you mean by “The Atom HE is leagues ahead of the Mojo 2.”?
I have never listened to the Atom and the closest Naim dealer is 3 hours away and I’m not even sure they have the HE version. I’m probably interested in the Atom for the user experience alone (and to get away from a battery-powered unit). Thank you in advance.
Couple of posts on the big HE thread recently indicates the HE is pretty great, in comparison to some really well regarded Chord gear:
There’s a big difference between a Mojo and Hugo 2 and I’ve found the difference between the Hugo 2 and Atom HE to be substantial in terms of bass performance and musicality.
Even if we were to set sound quality to one side, the Atom HE is just a lot better in terms of user experience. It’s features and ability to take anything you throw at it. Because it’s a one box system and that the WiFi antennas is very good, if you want to move it from one room to another it’s easily done.
It is however a lot more expensive than the Mojo but I’d imagine the Atom HE would easily be end game solution for most when it comes to headphone system.
Edit. Just to say the Hugo 2 has great detail and air but just doesn’t come close to the Atom HE soundstage depth, layering and bass. It has a lovely weight, fullness to it. It will vary of course from headphone to headphone. I’m using it with the Meze Elite.
Thanks gthack. I’m new to the forum and limited my search query to the mojo. I’m truly impressed that someone’s experience with the Atom HE is comparable to a DAVE considering the massive price difference between them. Because my Mojo’s battery is on its last leg, I’m sort of at a fork in the road: upgrade to Mojo2 and keep the poly, or dip my toe into my first piece of Naim kit.
The Atom HE’s streamer has more functionality than the poly. I just don’t want to give up anything on sound quality considering the price premium of the Atom over the Mojo2.
Thanks A-Fin. This is good to hear. I’ve enjoyed the Mojo for the past 5+ years, but my experience with the poly streamer has just been clunky at best. It does Roon which is what I primarily use it for, but sometimes I want to stream a playlist from spotify which I can’t do on poly.
And, yes, I would view this as an endgame source for head-fi. (No Bartok or Lina for me - I have kids to put through college LOL).
Weren’t they like that from new? 
My Mojo gets 4 hrs tops. A MK1 Hugo is miles better battery wise, and a decent improvement SQ wise, I mostly use my Hugo in my main system, but through headphones it’s fabulous too! I use my phone to stream through both when I’m listening via headphones, and it’s nice to be able to sit anywhere doing so.
The Atom HE looks lovely though, and I’m sure it sounds great too.
One of the things I love about the Atom HE is how easy it’s to stream to it.
When I’m working I use Roon but if I need to join a webinar or watch a Youtube video etc, one click on my Mac and its shared to the Atom HE. The Atom HE pauses the Roon feed and plays the new feed without any need to press anything on the amp. Once done, pressing play on the Roon app and it’s back playing again. Naim have done really well in terms of usability.
That’s a most important point. I’d trade 10% sq in for the usability it gives any day of the week. Whatever app, whatever streaming service, whatever headphone or loudspeaker is connected to it: it will be good.
We bought one because we were fed up with the chord offerings. After a few hours battery empty, a need to switch it on, all the volatile cables, pre amp on right input all that stuff is history now.
Amp 10, headphone 1 ratio here.
I have an atom as well, but for my seconds system I’m going for an HE with stellia plus 250 DR. The He has an outstanding headphone amp~.
@Theo not sure where you are located, but if it is in The Netherlands, you are very welcome for an HE demo at my place. BR, Richard
I kind of felt that way when I first got the Atom HE. Willing to trade a hint of sound quality for usability. But the surprising thing is the Atom HE has the best synergy with the Focal Utopia, even over the Chord Dave/mscaler. It’s not quite as detailed in the highs as the Dave but it’s got better overall balance and weight, great texture and Prat. I’ve heard more detail in the low end than I remember on the Dave. There were also many albums on the Dave that sounded like bad recording but I’ve enjoyed the whole way thru on the Atom HE. Only on the albums with not a lot going on will you notice the Dave has better precision.
There is of course no fixed or best ratio - headphones contribute a character to the sound, and you need something that truly suits, and sounding good to you is all that matters, whether the ratio is 10:1 or 1:10. And unless you also use speakers the demands on an amp are a lot less, the majority of headphones not presenting anything like the challenging load not uncommon with speakers - indeed you don’t necessarily need a separate amp at all (pre or power) as some DACs, for instance, can drive headphones very happily.
As for headphone cost, I think a lot depends on whether you want/need closed back (to isolate from external noises and also to prevent disturbance of other people), or open back. My understanding is
that for similar sound quality closed back headphones cost a lot more than open back, so the ratio between headphone cost and cost of amp if used might change by a factor of 2 or 3.
Oh and cost to ratio I guess depends on the headphones and amp. I originally thought the Hugo 2 should have been more than enough for the Focal Utopia but felt they were too detailed without enough weight. I ended up climbing Chord ladder with the Chord Dave/mscaler which added warmth and weight. But something didn’t sit right with me spending that much on a setup and downgraded to the Focal Arche. While a fun setup, I did eventually feel it was slightly lacking compared to the Dave but much better than the Hugo 2 even though it was $1000 less. I ended up with the Naim Atom HE, which seems reasonably priced for dac/amp/streamer and amazing synergy.
So retail price the Focal Utopia $4000 and Naim Atom HE currently $3700. I got my Utopia open box at $2700 and the Atom HE at $3200 before price increase.
Thank you Richard. I’m in the US and unfortunately cannot take you up on your kind offer.
Looks like the general consensus here is that the Atom HE is a must audition piece. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and comparisons–with Chord gear in particular.