X1's vs HD650's + which portable amp?

[Sh4rkie]

So my NS1000's are finally more duck tape than actual headphones so time for an upgrade.

I've been looking at the X1's in MM but also swayed towards some HD650's figuring they'll last me a while. Happy moving to open back cans as they are primarily used at home listing to a wide range of music (dance, rock, metal, pop, indie) via PC / mobile and PC gaming.

The question really is between the X1's and the HD650's, which would those in the know recommend given the above?

The next question is driving them. The X1's as i understand it are more forgiving on amps compared with the HD650's. I currently have a small Fiio e6 which worked well with the NS1000's but looking to get something more powerful for the replacements and still portable at this point (will look at a desktop dac / amp later).

Portable amp wise budget circa £80.

 

[Sh4rkie]

It does help thanks Twst

Recommendations for driving them?

 

[Sh4rkie]

Thanks guys.

Any feedback on a Little Dot MKII for the desktop side of things and something based upon NwAvGuy O2 design for something marginally more portable?

 

[Sh4rkie]

Little Dot MkII is fantastic.

The O2 design is sublime too.

That being said, the E10K is designed as portable, so if you have that you wont need the O2.

Ah it was Twst who mentioned the e10k, i have the little e6 as it is which i believe will be underpowered.

The O2 feedback does read very well and for reasonable money so it's defo an option i'm looking at for the moderately portable side of things.

I had a little dot mkiii .. .also a great amp

how portable do you need it to be ?

Great to hear, the MKii version ticks so many boxes and a valve amp does seem to suit warm nature of the 650's.

As for portable I need something to pair with my mobile S4 (hanging on for dear life to it until the S7 with hopefully replaceable battery and micro sd slot).

My HD650 sound absolutely sublime with the Schiit Modi Uber and Magni Uber DAC/AMP combo. I think its a small but noticeable improvement over the Essence ST soundcard which is what I normally use. The Schiits seem to make them sound more open and lively, with more prominent highs and better defined bass. They also can drive the HD650 to painful volumes. With the gain switched to high, one quarter turn of the volume knob is loud and a half turn just painful, but still surprisingly composed.

I honestly can't imagine things sounding much better than this, the sound is 99% perfect right now to my ears. The midrange on the HD650 is just beyond anything I've heard. It's got this incredibly realistic (to my ears) and almost tangible quality to it. It's almost syrupy in texture, where as other headphones sound like mostly sugary water.

EDIT: Sorry got carried away, and forgot you wanted a portable amp/dac. But I do think the Schiits are a good match for HD650 if you do look into a desktop option in the future.

Brilliant feedback, carry on being carried away very valuable thanks! I think the Schiit's will be out of my price range for now and tbh after far too many years of rock clubs and gigs the differences might be moot anyway.

 

[Sh4rkie]

The Schiits seem a better idea to me as they tend to be a bit over-engineered in terms of driving capabilities.

I have to say i'd pretty much written off the idea of a Schiit device as i had (wrongly) the perception that they were pricey and out of my price range. I've looked again and i'd happily put that little extra towards one of their range (still the budget friendly end though).

Just to add, I have a pair of X1's and an E10k and I was very impressed when I first heard them! The only real comparison I have is coming from on board audio (Supreme FX III on a V Gene) the difference was pretty night and day in the sound of the X1's. The highs were so much more detailed. Listening to them using on board audio now sounds like someone is holding a thick duvet between your ears and the audio source, if that makes sense.

It does make sense thanks

Depends on ones definition and use. I take portable - when used with full sized cans - to mean small enough to easily transport to hotels/holidays/business trips etc rather than physically using them on the move. Especially given the OP states main uses as gaming, it suggests it's this definition more so than physically using them on the move - however, it is is the latter definition, you are quite right and smething like the E11K would be more appropriate.

The E10K is portable, ie. it can be easily transported from place to place.
The FiiO A3 (used to be E11K) is mobile, ie. it has a battery and can be used on the move.

*please note, the E10K is a DAC and Amp combined, while the A3 is just an amp.

My bad for not being clearer, portable for me meant mobile / relatively pocket-able for use on the move even if that's just around the house and garden.

Not wishing to thread highjack but after reading up on DAC's the Audioquest Dragonfly V1.2 seems to be the best performer in that price bracket.

Any thoughts on this device?

Hijack away tbh. Very grateful to all the replies here as i'm sure i've asked well worn questions that have been asked and answered in one fashion or another before so all the feedback is much appreciated

I've made the decision on the cans and will be ordering the 650's just the amp(s) i'm pondering now. Lots of really good feedback on the matching a Schiit device with them and now split on which of the range to pick. The fusion is meant to be a perfect match and cover the dac / amp requirements in a no frills only does what it does but does it well type solution. But don't mind the ideal of stepping up to a Magni Uber 2 or Vali2 for my desktop use.

The mobile / pocket-able is probably the more difficult choice though, still welcome ideas on that front!

 

[Sh4rkie]

The 650 urinates all over the X1 in speed, resolution and dynamics. It also has a better tone and is a more natural listen.

Amps for the 650 I like the Bottlehead Crack, Valhalla 2, Schiit Vali

If you want warmer amps look into the Chinese brands like Littledot and Darkvoice.

Thanks , that's the decider at the moment is the desktop amp to drive them. A Vali2 or the Magni 2 Uber are top of the pile at present.

 

[Sh4rkie]

The Vali2 is the one i'm leaning towards due to the hybrid nature, it's just waiting on stock at present which gives me more time to ponder.

650's ordered (£225) and will be here in the New Year for some post Christmas fun.

 

[Sh4rkie]

Spoken with Mark @ Eletromod no eta on the Vali2's as they are a new product and not sure when they are due. Hopefully have some news in the New Year and i'll use my Onkyo TX 875 as a dac / amp until then