Good Amp/DAC for HD650s?

Tephnos

Tephnos

Tephnos

Soldato
Joined
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Posts
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Location
Aberdeen, Scotland
Hey guys,

I am thinking of grabbing some HD650s and entering the 'audiophile' world. Chose the 650s simply because I love the Senn sound with my HD595s.

All I'm trying to decide now is what a good Amp and DAC would be for them.

I've heard of amps such as the Graham Slee Solo II being really good, but not too many people own it for a large consensus of opinion it seems.

I've heard the HA-100DS (Both an amp and a DAC in one unit) also pairs well with the 650s.

Finally, the newly released Schiit (nice name) Bifrost DAC and either the Lyr/Valhalla or Asgard amps apparently pair well the 650s too.

The thing is, I'm pretty remotely based so it's not like I could easily go and demo them all and decide there and then, so if any of you guys could help me with a decision that'd be great. There's just so many options and all I'm looking for the the absolute best for the HD650s. I don't really see myself buying other cans in the near future. :)
 
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I've got a GS Solo SRGII and a Schiit Lyr - I don't think you can go wrong with either. I intend to get a Bifrost at some point, but currently I'm using an Audio-Gd FUN as a DAC. I haven't used a HD650 with either though so I'm not sure which would have better synergy.
 
Shamrock said:
I've got a GS Solo SRGII and a Schiit Lyr - I don't think you can go wrong with either. I intend to get a Bifrost at some point, but currently I'm using an Audio-Gd FUN as a DAC. I haven't used a HD650 with either though so I'm not sure which would have better synergy.
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Thanks man. How would you describe the sound when comparing both?

The main reason I was thinking Solo SRG II is because since I haven't bought the 650s yet, I can get them in a bundle (with PS1 power supply) so it comes out as cheaper than buying the 650s, the Lyr and the BiFrost. Although I'd imagine the Lyr would play nicer with the BiFrost.

Did you order the Lyr from the Schiit site itself or from it's UK dealer? Noticed the links on said UK site are broken.
 
MikeHunt79 said:
I've tried a CMOY with Lithium batteries and it wasn't bad, whatever amp you go for make sure it has plenty of voltage swing. :)
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I know the Lyr is a great amp at powering every type of headphone, the problem is just the choice haha. I can't decide and it's not as if I could go and test them in a meet or something. Such a pain! Don't wanna get upgradeitits before I even get one. :D
 
I am opting for a Xonar STX soundcard and trying the on-board headphone amp with my 650s as it gets pretty good write-ups.

If the ampage is not enough the DAC on the STX is good so I can add in an external amp, I will likely opt for LittleDot MKIII tube amp if so.
 
I'm just speculating here, but I'd say that the HD650 will benefit more from a good solid state amp (like the Solo SRGII or Ultra Linear) rather a tube amp. Tubes tend to be smoother and warmer sounding and that is not what the HD650 needs is it is already warm, smooth and dark. You could have course roll tubes for the Lyr and tailor the sound to your needs further.
 
Sin_Chase said:
I am opting for a Xonar STX soundcard and trying the on-board headphone amp with my 650s as it gets pretty good write-ups.

If the ampage is not enough the DAC on the STX is good so I can add in an external amp, I will likely opt for LittleDot MKIII tube amp if so.
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That's how i run mine and the sound is fantastic. Anything more and you're running into the law of diminishing returns. You won't be disappointed.
 
Does anyone know about the Monitor II amps?

Just came across them. The guy is a one man enthusiast who builds them simply because he loves doing it. Because of that, they're extremely cheap for what they are (Like £300ish + PP) and are regarded as having the same, if not better quality than the SRG II.

I am really interested in those now. Even better since the guy is UK based himself. :D

(Dirk: Perhaps, but I want to avoid having upgradeitis. I want a good DAC/Amp that will make any headphones that I throw at it sing [Making neutral a must] and that's the end of that, no more worrying.)
 
Celestial Nostos said:
Does anyone know about the Monitor II amps?

Just came across them. The guy is a one man enthusiast who builds them simply because he loves doing it. Because of that, they're extremely cheap for what they are (Like £300ish + PP) and are regarded as having the same, if not better quality than the SRG II.

I am really interested in those now. Even better since the guy is UK based himself. :D
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Take one for the team and let us know how it is. :)
 
Try looking over at head-fi.org tons of information and forums on all things audio, mainly headphones and head amps and related components though.
 
midrange said:
Try looking over at head-fi.org tons of information and forums on all things audio, mainly headphones and head amps and related components though.
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I made the mistake of doing that before this thread...

That's why I have so many choices lined up. :D


After speaking with Nick, he mentions that his amp is as neutral as can be, which is definitely appealing to me. What goes in comes out, nothing is changed. So if you're looking for an amp that'll change the output sound, this isn't it. For me, it sounds perfect.
 
Just as a suggestion, the ibasso p4 warbler is a cracking little amp for the money.

It has a neutral sound, with a slight warm tint to it, has a nice open soundstage and plenty of voltage swing so can handle most of the cans out there.

Saying that i've always had my eye on the schiit lyr.
 
I think I'm gonna go with the Monitor II. The only reason it isn't well known is because the guy prefers word of mouth over advertising. It really does sound like a cracking little amp, and my correspondence with him reassures me he's a genuine good guy.

The only thing I can say is that while no doubt all of those you have mentioned are fine amplifier's & DAC's, I believe an amplifier should always remain completely neutral, with the Sennheiser HD650's you mentioned, these have a warm signature, as such it is even more important that the amplifier does not add to this, in the case of the Burson I am told that this has a warm signature of it's own, this might prove to be too much with the HD650's but fine for more sterile headphones. This is exactly why I designed the Monitor II to remain neutral, therefore headphone's sound exactly as they have been designed to sound, not coloured or changed by the amplifier.
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I am glad I could help, I do fully agree with what you said, there does seem to be a case where people find they dislike the sound character of their headphone's & instead of changing those they go down the expensive road of changing their amplifer in an effort to change the sound of the headphone's,
this is simply not the right way to go about this.

The Beyerdynamic DT880 in their 600ohm variant are also an excellent choice, again I have made amplifier's for people using those with very positive
feedback, you will find they sound different to the Sennheiser HD650 headphone's, the midrange is more forward with the HD650's but the Beyerdynamic
DT880's really do sound very musical.
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As for the last thing he's talking about, I may just get DT880s/600. I know how good they are, and I can get them for £200 versus the 650s £300 price tag right now.

I'm only 18! Not that much cash to blow! :D
 
I bought a monitor 2 from nick a few months back, it is indeed very neutral. I used the senn 600 headphones on them for a bit but because the amp is neutral as is the senn 600's the bass was too thin for me. I decided to buy some dennon hd2000's and it seems to work great with this amp. I would recomend the senn 650 with this amp if you want a pair of senns for that extra bass you wil probably need. Good luck
 
ive got the senn hd600 with gs solo srg11 and psu1 ....using mf vdac atm most of the music via pc ...and have several 94/24 albums....had a the sensn a few years now ... love the sound tbh , and 650s will more than likely sound just as good ...

comfy to wear for long period use as well :)
 
Hey guys,

Really depends now. I'm 18, will be blowing £700ish on the amp and DAC, and another £300 for 650s is a bit too much of a kick in the nuts, I think.

Someone did offer me their used 650s in trust, so we'll see how that goes.

I may just get DT880s/600 for £200 though. I know how praised the 880s are. I could just get the 650s a few years later and be happy with both. (I hope.)
 
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