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Well the issue is impedance, where a balanced headamp is obviously expecting this load and designed for pumping current for 'phones. In the real world, some guys have few issues and great results running Apogee Minidac/Benchmark DAC1/Lavry DA10 straight to the Senns. I can't comment on how the DA100S would do, though.
A balanced headamp would offer another upgrade path in future.
If you really want to do balanced I think the PS Audio Digital Link III is a better option than the DA100S, because it was built from the beginning with balanced output, whereas it was just added to the DA100 as an afterthought.
The PS Audio also has a fully discrete output stage, like the DA100.
In all honesty (I know this is head-fi) if you're looking at speaker setups, spend the money there.
I agree, But instead of a cd player, have you thought about a benchmark dac1, I just sold one, and there are a few out there for 725-750.00. Why I suggest the dac1 is it's versatility. Firstly, it is a great dac, very detailed. You will be blown away by details you missed in music you have heard hundreds of times.
The dac1 is not the best headphones amp ever, nor is it the best preamp ever, but.... It does perform both functions rather well. As someone starting out, you get not one, but two EQUAL headphone amplifiers, excellent for a/b ing different headphones until you find what you are looking for (btw. I have the hd650's and the sound from the dac1 with the 650's is definitely livable). Oh, and if you want to try a balanced set-up, many people enjoy the balanced outputs of the dac1 with their hd650's. If your music is coming from a computer, the dac1 will work as a preamp as well, connecting directly to a power amp and speakers. It has 2 outputs too, incase at some point down the road, you want to try a tube amplifier, it can feed the headphone amp and the speaker amp, I think at the same time too. Great for a/b ing headphone amplifiers.
As you can see, it gives you many options, and that is an a$$et anytime, but even more-so at the beginning of the game. If you buy used, you won't lose much if/when you decide it's time to try something else.
It is hard to right this without it sounding like I am plugging my own stuff for sale,
so I won't mention any names, but I had a dac1 (I can mention that because it is now sold, and the topic of my post), a power amp, decent speakers, and a pair of hd650 ( not for sale ) All of which came in at 2000.00, with everything used except the 650's which were new.
good luck.
__________________
-Tis better to remain silent and be thought the fool, then to speak and remove all doubt-
well, after considering balanced, i think i'll just leave it as an upgrade for the future. adding up the price for all components would exceed my budget by about 1000. so i think i'll stick with the stello da100 as my option as well as sennheiser hd650. as for the amp, i'll just wait until i go to the store to see if i prefer tube or solid state. however, has anyone tried the hp100 by stello also? i read that it has a nice brightness that compliments the dark tones of the hd650.
edit: actually i think i'll still keep my options for balanced. it sounds so tempting. what balanced headphone amp would people recommend?
I agree, But instead of a cd player, have you thought about a benchmark dac1, I just sold one, and there are a few out there for 725-750.00. Why I suggest the dac1 is it's versatility. Firstly, it is a great dac, very detailed. You will be blown away by details you missed in music you have heard hundreds of times.
The dac1 is not the best headphones amp ever, nor is it the best preamp ever, but.... It does perform both functions rather well. As someone starting out, you get not one, but two EQUAL headphone amplifiers, excellent for a/b ing different headphones until you find what you are looking for (btw. I have the hd650's and the sound from the dac1 with the 650's is definitely livable). Oh, and if you want to try a balanced set-up, many people enjoy the balanced outputs of the dac1 with their hd650's. If your music is coming from a computer, the dac1 will work as a preamp as well, connecting directly to a power amp and speakers. It has 2 outputs too, incase at some point down the road, you want to try a tube amplifier, it can feed the headphone amp and the speaker amp, I think at the same time too. Great for a/b ing headphone amplifiers.
As you can see, it gives you many options, and that is an a$$et anytime, but even more-so at the beginning of the game. If you buy used, you won't lose much if/when you decide it's time to try something else.
You said it! This is actually why I bought the DAC1 myself. I had a HR Micro DAC and Slee Solo before. The sound was great. I still have not heard a better amp for my 650s. However, I am moving to Japan soon and needed to simplify things. The DAC1 is the best DAC I have used so far. And the HP2 headphone amplifier is good enough. But the fact that I have a DAC, Amp, preamp all built into one makes it very convenient. I also like the fact that the DAC1 Pre also has an analog input, allowing me to connect an analog source. Looks like I won't be needed and integrated amp after all!
thanks for the advice know talent, but i can't believe you actually recommended that first suggestion. haha, considering i'm just a teen, i dont even have that much in my bank account.
for the DAC1, i guess it wasn't really meant for driving headphones. however, the headroom balanced desktop amp offers an upgrade to install a DAC in it. does anyone have opinions about this? plus their package that combines balanced hd650 comes into about 2000, which is just right for me.
thanks for the advice know talent, but i can't believe you actually recommended that first suggestion. haha, considering i'm just a teen, i dont even have that much in my bank account.
for the DAC1, i guess it wasn't really meant for driving headphones. however, the headroom balanced desktop amp offers an upgrade to install a DAC in it. does anyone have opinions about this? plus their package that combines balanced hd650 comes into about 2000, which is just right for me.
I considered it myself, but the HR does not have any outputs. I bought the DAC1 for the flexibility. The HR can only be used for one thing, and that's amplifying headphones. If the HR had unbalanced outputs, it would have been the product for me. Close, but no cigar.
back to the ps audio digital link III, i see some around audiogon for about 800-900 used. that combined with just a normal balanced headroom amp and balanced senns will come up a at 2300ish. i would be willing to save up more if it offers a much better improvement over sound quality. anybody know how well these two components come together?
thanks for the advice know talent, but i can't believe you actually recommended that first suggestion. haha, considering i'm just a teen, i dont even have that much in my bank account.
for the DAC1, i guess it wasn't really meant for driving headphones. however, the headroom balanced desktop amp offers an upgrade to install a DAC in it. does anyone have opinions about this? plus their package that combines balanced hd650 comes into about 2000, which is just right for me.
just borrow your parents plastic and make a few calls...
"It's easier to ask for forgiveness vs. permission"
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