[iancraig10]

I've been listening on the Kameleon amp all afternoon and all I can say is that a truly great headphone becomes seriously awesome.

Frans sent me one to try with the HD650 filter installed (others as well in the package).

Suddenly, the headphone hits hard in the sub-bass, no mid bass hump resulting in a more revealing top end, with no added treble.

It sounds extremely natural and imo, the best sound I have ever had from the HD650.

In case you're unaware of what a Kameleon is, it's an amp that takes filters that Frans has developed after measuring the frequency response of some headphones that he has tested and the filte is built to make whatever headphone you choose to use, as flat as possible in frequency response as possible.

I have a DT990 filter and a DT1350 plus others and they really do work.

The HD650 filter supplies a stronger sub-bass and the headphone has become a true gem.

http://diyah.boards.net/thread/600/kameleon-portable-headphone-amplifier

 

[YtseJamer]

I've been listening on the Kameleon amp all afternoon and all I can say is that a truly great headphone becomes seriously awesome.

Frans sent me one to try with the HD650 filter installed (others as well in the package).

Suddenly, the headphone hits hard in the sub-bass, no mid bass hump resulting in a more revealing top end, with no added treble.

It sounds extremely natural and imo, the best sound I have ever had from the HD650.

In case you're unaware of what a Kameleon is, it's an amp that takes filters that Frans has developed after measuring the frequency response of some headphones that he has tested and the filte is built to make whatever headphone you choose to use, as flat as possible in frequency response as possible.

I have a DT990 filter and a DT1350 plus others and they really do work.

The HD650 filter supplies a stronger sub-bass and the headphone has become a true gem.

http://diyah.boards.net/thread/600/kameleon-portable-headphone-amplifier

 
Very interesting!
 
In fact, I was looking for a portable amp for my HD650 this week so maybe I will try the Kameleon. 

 

[TeddyShot]

Yesterday my headphones were stolen, and the thief left an EXACT replica in its place.  I'm going to listen to it, after burn in, to see what subtle differences there will be.

All jokes aside the only reason I posted my comment was because I feel like something feels different about them. I remember my older pair of 650s being more bass heavy, these sound disturbingly neutral. Which is strange since the older pair were the silver dampening model version (with less veiled sound as many here know).

 

[kman1211]

All jokes aside the only reason I posted my comment was because I feel like something feels different about them. I remember my older pair of 650s being more bass heavy, these sound disturbingly neutral.

That's basically how I felt about my HD 650, more neutral and cooler sounding than I expected given my past experience with the HD 650. 

 

[mikoss]

 
Whoa... impressive write-up on the WA2; especially the tube-rolling info which is priceless.
 
One item that would be valuable to me, would be how the WA2 compares to other Woo Amps or maybe even the Schiit and BH tube amps that are so popular on this thread with the HD-650s. Food for thought...

Sorry for the late comment, but something I came across today. I was looking for a review for an Eddie Current amp from Lieven at Headfonia and instead found his review of the WA2...
http://www.headfonia.com/the-woo-audio-2-the-looks-and-sound/2/
 
"The famous Sennheiser HD650 which works brilliantly with OTL tube amps sounds almost perfect on the WA2, maybe even better than on the Bottlehead Crack (but looking at the price that’s only normal even if the Crack is a giant killer). That is mostly due to the sound stage being bigger and while I do not like saying the HD650 is veiled, the WA2 seems to lift “the veil” more."
 
I personally still want to get a Crack, since it uses less tubes and also for the cool factor of building it, but I thought this might be interesting to people considering the WA2+650 combo.
 
PS. love the new avatar @Krutsch 

 

[Krutsch]

  Sorry for the late comment, but something I came across today. I was looking for a review for an Eddie Current amp from Lieven at Headfonia and instead found his review of the WA2...
http://www.headfonia.com/the-woo-audio-2-the-looks-and-sound/2/
 
"The famous Sennheiser HD650 which works brilliantly with OTL tube amps sounds almost perfect on the WA2, maybe even better than on the Bottlehead Crack (but looking at the price that’s only normal even if the Crack is a giant killer). That is mostly due to the sound stage being bigger and while I do not like saying the HD650 is veiled, the WA2 seems to lift “the veil” more."
 
I personally still want to get a Crack, since it uses less tubes and also for the cool factor of building it, but I thought this might be interesting to people considering the WA2+650 combo.

 
Nice review and answers the question I really had: is there a significant difference between the WA2 and the WA3 (review author is pretty clear on that one).
 
I've been buying power tubes in pairs, in anticipation of the inevitable upgrade to a WA2 or WA22. I am leaning towards to the WA2, as it will better leverage my investment in driver tubes (although these are relatively cheap to replace) and, of course, it's 1/2 the cost. I also wonder if I would appreciate the difference between the WA2 and the WA22 - especially given the reviewer's comments about the WA2's perfection with the HD-650.
 
I was a little disappointed in the reviewer's lack of commentary with respect to tube rolling. He *did* comment on how he doesn't care for the 5998, which is a hugely popular tube for pumping up the bass. In my experience with the lower-end WA3, lifting the 650 veil really happened with the right tube combination. Maybe there's less of an impact with tubes on the WA2 versus the WA3.
 
I am curious @mikoss: have you listened to a WA3? I would be curious if I am in for a big, pleasant surprise on upgrading to the next OTL amp...
 

 PS. love the new avatar @Krutsch

Thanks... I was inspired looking at a tube site (audiotubes.com), saw the Telefunken logo and decided I needed something fun 

 

 

[olor1n]

Talk of amps tend to gravitate towards tubes in this thread, but for those after that final bit of refinement for the HD650 via a solid state component should consider the Mjolnir. While I don't subscribe to the notion that the HD650 can only be appreciated through more expensive gear, there is something to be said about running it balanced from a solid state amp. That distinctive mid bass centric signature becomes less woolly. It slams much harder, yet is better defined. There's less smothering of other elements, opening up the perception of space between instruments. While vocals are still quiet forward there is a hint more depth in the soundstage. Most noticeable though is the width of that soundstage. The stereo effect is accentuated, making the overall presentation less congested and instead more textured.
 
I love the reverb like quality characteristic of the Vali, but that control over the lower frequencies is the compromise one is presented with. I loved the captivating midrange density of tubes like Orange Globes in the Lyr, but for me, it's not a filter that can be kept over all types of music. Balanced, solid state - IMO - is the HD650 as is. It still has its own distinct voice but it's free of other influences.

 

[donlin]

Talk of amps tend to gravitate towards tubes in this thread, but for those after that final bit of refinement for the HD650 via a solid state component should consider the Mjolnir. While I don't subscribe to the notion that the HD650 can only be appreciated through more expensive gear, there is something to be said about running it balanced from a solid state amp. That distinctive mid bass centric signature becomes less woolly. It slams much harder, yet is better defined. There's less smothering of other elements, opening up the perception of space between instruments. While vocals are still quiet forward there is a hint more depth in the soundstage. Most noticeable though is the width of that soundstage. The stereo effect is accentuated, making the overall presentation less congested and instead more textured.

I love the reverb like quality characteristic of the Vali, but that control over the lower frequencies is the compromise one is presented with. I loved the captivating midrange density of tubes like Orange Globes in the Lyr, but for me, it's not a filter that can be kept over all types of music. Balanced, solid state - IMO - is the HD650 as is. It still has its own distinct voice but it's free of other influences.

Totally agree regarding balanced solid state.

 

[skeptic]

Let's avoid the balanced is better generalisms. Balanced is a type of connector, not a type of amp. The topology of a given amp and its component quality are what result in the sonic differences we all love to discuss.

Mjolnir, for example, is a carefully thought out, well executed circlotron amp. It doesn't even have se inputs or outputs. We should expect it to sound good balanced because that's the only way it works. A poorly executed bridged amp or push pull, by contrast, is not going to sound as good as a well designed and executed SET amp. (Nelson Pass has written articles on this and how without susy circuits, the cons of traditional "balanced" topologies typically outweigh the pros.) Think about it in simple terms: at the same price point, would you rather have 4 channels of poor amplificaton or 2 channels of high quality amplification given that power is basically a nonissue with dynamic cans? It isn't that balanced is better. It is that some amps are clearly better than others and happen to have balanced topologies.

 

[62ohm]

Let's avoid the balanced is better generalisms. Balanced is a type of connector, not a type of amp. The topology of a given amp and its component quality are what result in the sonic differences we all love to discuss.

Mjolnir, for example, is a carefully thought out, well executed circlotron amp. It doesn't even have se inputs or outputs. We should expect it to sound good balanced because that's the only way it works. A poorly executed bridged amp or push pull, by contrast, is not going to sound as good as a well designed and executed SET amp. (Nelson Pass has written articles on this and how without susy circuits, the cons of traditional "balanced" topologies typically outweigh the pros.) Think about it in simple terms: at the same price point, would you rather have 4 channels of poor amplificaton or 2 channels of high quality amplification given that power is basically a nonissue with dynamic cans? It isn't that balanced is better. It is that some amps are clearly better than others and happen to have balanced topologies.

 
Schiit Mjolnir do have SE-in
 
 

 

[Mr Rick]

Let's avoid the balanced is better generalisms. Balanced is a type of connector, not a type of amp. The topology of a given amp and its component quality are what result in the sonic differences we all love to discuss.

Mjolnir, for example, is a carefully thought out, well executed circlotron amp. It doesn't even have se inputs or outputs. We should expect it to sound good balanced because that's the only way it works. A poorly executed bridged amp or push pull, by contrast, is not going to sound as good as a well designed and executed SET amp. (Nelson Pass has written articles on this and how without susy circuits, the cons of traditional "balanced" topologies typically outweigh the pros.) Think about it in simple terms: at the same price point, would you rather have 4 channels of poor amplificaton or 2 channels of high quality amplification given that power is basically a nonissue with dynamic cans? It isn't that balanced is better. It is that some amps are clearly better than others and happen to have balanced topologies.

Agreed. Better is up for debate. Different topoligies is not. There is more then one way to skin a cat. ( Sorry pet lovers.)

 

[olor1n]

Lol. My intent wasn't to open that balanced vs se can of worms. Sure, there are horrid solid state executions, as there are tube amps free of those colorations people attach to them. It's worth pointing out though that there are options for the HD650 beyond the Woos and Cracks and their purty glowing glass.

 

[donlin]

All I can say is of the many tubed and solid state headphone amps I've owned over the years, the three best have all been balanced solid state. Sennheiser, Bryston, and Mjolnir. So based on my experience, very good balanced amps have sounded better than very good single ended amps. Of course I'm not talking about any channels of poor amplification.

 

[TeddyShot]

Does anybody here have experience with the Lyr 2 and 650s combination. I have said amp with the stock tubes and I'm not sure if the tubes are on the bright side or Sennheiser did a driver tweak on the 2014 Rev lol. They sound really neutral and a little bit bright, which is okay, but I like the slight bass emphasis I use to get on the older pair (Latest Silver Box Model) I returned. At that time I owned a Cayin C5 amp, a very nuetral amp, which did wonders with the 650s, it was almost perfect. But then I decided to upgrade and sold it for the Lyr 2...

 

[kman1211]

Does anybody here have experience with the Lyr 2 and 650s combination. I have said amp with the stock tubes and I'm not sure if the tubes are on the bright side or Sennheiser did a driver tweak on the 2014 Rev lol. They sound really neutral and a little bit bright, which is okay, but I like the slight bass emphasis I use to get on the older pair (Latest Silver Box Model) I returned. At that time I owned a Cayin C5 amp, a very nuetral amp, which did wonders with the 650s, it was almost perfect. But then I decided to upgrade and sold it for the Lyr 2...

I have the Lyr 2 and used the HD 650 extensively on it, one that came in the new packaging. The stock tubes are a bit dull in the bass compared to the Voskhod Rockets I use. I never had problems with the bass, everyone who has tried my system always comments on how physical and powerful the bass is. But honestly it could be my DAC and cleaner power improving the bass moreso than the amp, I remember feeling quite mixed about the Lyr 2 after getting it, it sounded dull after my previous amp, the hyper Ef2A but I did recognize the amp sounded better. I do remember the newer HD 650 sounding brighter than the older pair I tried. Though it could simply be pad wear differences.