[Billheiser]

Joining the HD650 owners club (purchase pending), and I need some advice on amps and DACs. This is my first set of headphones that will need them and I have been looking at the schiit magni/modi stack or the vali/modi stack. I listen to alternative rock if that makes a difference (radioactive by imagine dragons is an example). I have about 240 for the amp/DAC and cables and would like to be at a lower price but oh well. Any tips?

Vali/Modi, and inexpensive cables from monoprice = $225.

 

[Sniksder16]

Any reason you suggest the vali over magni?

 

[Billheiser]

Any reason you suggest the vali over magni?

I had both and prefer the Vali. It's a hybrid tube/solid state and doesn't sound "tubey", but a little more natural and warm than the slightly cold Magni, IMO. It's best for high impedance phones like the 650.

 

[MattTCG]

I had both and prefer the Vali. It's a hybrid tube/solid state and doesn't sound "tubey", but a little more natural and warm than the slightly cold Magni, IMO. It's best for high impedance phones like the 650.

 
+1 owned both and liked the Vali a good bit better for a more natural sound. For me, the magni was a little thin sounding. 

 

[knorris908]

"... (American TVs DO NOT like regular UPS units and will often "pulse" dangerously if you try to use one.)"

 
Important clarification: I just re-read my previous post, and what I neglected to mention with this statement is that the TVs will operate fine with a plain-old UPS unit SO LONG AS THERE IS MAINS POWER and the UPS is rated for the power draw of the TV.  The moment you "test" the battery backup capability of a non-TRUE sinewave UPS with your "typical" TV, your flat panel or CRT Television will likely "pulse" (Which isn't good!)  I can't speak for projectors or other similar TVs, but CRT and LED/LCD and possibly plasma (Never got to verify it myself, but seems likely to me) should be connected to sinewave UPS units in order to run off of battery power..
 
...Also, it goes without saying that the UPS should be rated to consistently, (Not peak value, consistently.) provide the power draw that your TV needs.  Which is why there is an APC 2200XL with add-on battery pack dedicated to our big-screen LCD TV (Waiting for the dust to settle between 4K or whatever will compete with it in any up-coming "Format wars".)  and an Eaton UPS dedicated to the other components (Cable box, Home theater, Xbox & PlayStation Consoles, etc...) So please don't think that I'm telling you that a little, low-rated Tripplite, APC, CyberPower, or similar UPS that you'll find in a standard RadioShack/BestBuy/Staples/Office Depot will do the trick to keep your TVs running.  APC has a WONDERFUL calculator utility on their website where you plug in the power requirements of the equipment you wish to protect, and it will recommend a class of UPS for you.  It's a great place to start if you are serious about keeping the music playing when the power is out!  Otherwise, consider them REALLY good surge-suppression and power conditioning!  (Still worth it if you ever get hit with a surge or hit by lightning!)
 
Again, my apologies for any lack of clarity in my previous post.  I did not intend to be irresponsible with that statement - it just happened.
 
Above all, ENJOY THE MUSIC!  
 
Ken N.

 

[knorris908]

I'm really vibing on the SCHIIT Audio ASGARD 2 (Solid State) with my HD650s, so I am one vote for TUBE NOT A REQUIREMENT.  I'm not entering the fray of which is more appropriate, or sounds better, but just saying that the 650s can sound awesome with solid state as well. 

 

[rids57]

  I'm really vibing on the SCHIIT Audio ASGARD 2 (Solid State) with my HD650s, so I am one vote for TUBE NOT A REQUIREMENT.  I'm not entering the fray of which is more appropriate, or sounds better, but just saying that the 650s can sound awesome with solid state as well. 

Yes but you're not going to be able to buy a shiny new Asgard 2, a DAC and cables for less than $240.
 
I also joined the HD 650 club a couple of months ago and use the Modi and Vali stack with Pyst interconnects - couldn't be happier for the money.

 

[Sniksder16]

I bought it all today/yesterday. Got the 650s + Vali/modi. Didnt get the expensive cables though just went with monoprice. I have heard about a hissing noise with the vali which bothers me though, is that common?

 

[Billheiser]

  I bought it all today/yesterday. Got the 650s + Vali/modi. Didnt get the expensive cables though just went with monoprice. I have heard about a hissing noise with the vali which bothers me though, is that common?

Excellent!  If you "have heard about" a hiss, yes, with low impedance high efficiency phones, a bit of hissing is audible when music not playing.  On 300 ohm HD650, it is NOT an issue and not audible.  You may hear a high pitched ringing when you plug phones into the Vali, since those tubes (as Schiit notes) are microphonic.  But it subsides (on my unit after 20-30 seconds) and then you're good to go. 

 

[rids57]

One tip - don't put the Modi next to your router, it gets noisy

 

[Sniksder16]

  Excellent!  If you "have heard about" a hiss, yes, with low impedance high efficiency phones, a bit of hissing is audible when music not playing.  On 300 ohm HD650, it is NOT an issue and not audible.  You may hear a high pitched ringing when you plug phones into the Vali, since those tubes (as Schiit notes) are microphonic.  But it subsides (on my unit after 20-30 seconds) and then you're good to go. 

 

  One tip - don't put the Modi next to your router, it gets noisy

 
Ok thanks for the info i cant wait to get them. Just got foobar and switched all of my music over to it and have that to tinker with while i wait.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

I bought it all today/yesterday. Got the 650s + Vali/modi. Didnt get the expensive cables though just went with monoprice. I have heard about a hissing noise with the vali which bothers me though, is that common?

Did you remove the snake?

 

[Uncle AL]

I bought it all today/yesterday. Got the 650s + Vali/modi. Didnt get the expensive cables though just went with monoprice. I have heard about a hissing noise with the vali which bothers me though, is that common?

Congratulations, Sniksder16 on your Vali/modi, and joining the HD650 club. I, too purchased a new tube amplifier (LD MK IV SE) and HD650, and I'm absolutely thrilled! I'm wishing you well with your combo!

 

[MusicEnthusiast]

These headphones are awesome! 

 

[Solrighal]

These headphones are awesome! 

Indeed