[dakanao]

  I listened to the two songs and with my HD-650 and the vocals are upfront to me, but the HD-650 is not a headphone I would consider for rap, its too slow sounding and I don't think any DAC or amp will change this.  I would think a E-Stat or planar might be a better choice for rap but its hard to say since I don't listen to rap

I'm wondering if the Vali 2 will be worth it, because I already think that the resolution, clarity, separation and imaging are excellent. Don't necessarily need more of that.
 
However, if the Vali 2 gives the vocals more presence, I definitely want to get them. Or any amp/DAC around $200 that gives the vocals more presence.

 

[dakanao]

Would this amp make the HD 650 sound full? How does this one compare to the Vali 2? Because they're both around the same price range.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/837657/little-dot-mk-i-in-like-new-condition-with-upgrade-tubes-and-opamp

 

[raybone0566]

Would this amp make the HD 650 sound full? How does this one compare to the Vali 2? Because they're both around the same price range.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/837657/little-dot-mk-i-in-like-new-condition-with-upgrade-tubes-and-opamp

Vali2 is much better than that. Scratch the little dot amps off your list. They can't compete

 

[CanadianMaestro]

I find that Polaris (SE) and BHA-1 (balanced) really make the 650 SING effortlessly. With all music, except for symphonies -- soundstage is too compressed there.

 

[dakanao]

Vali2 is much better than that. Scratch the little dot amps off your list. They can't compete

Is the stock tube of the Vali 2 enough to make the HD 650 sound full?

 

[Dobrescu George]

  Would this amp make the HD 650 sound full? How does this one compare to the Vali 2? Because they're both around the same price range.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/837657/little-dot-mk-i-in-like-new-condition-with-upgrade-tubes-and-opamp

 
Wa22 and chord hugo give more fullness to HD650 in my opinion. 
 
FiiO X5-3 gives it depth, if you want a protable setup 
 
 

  Is the stock tube of the Vali 2 enough to make the HD 650 sound full?

 
By the way, what do you mean by full? 

 

[dakanao]

   
Wa22 and chord hugo give more fullness to HD650 in my opinion. 
 
FiiO X5-3 gives it depth, if you want a protable setup 
 
 
 
By the way, what do you mean by full? 

Those are waaaay out of my price range unfortanetly.
 
I mean like more body to the vocals, so they stand out more to the forefront 

 

[Dobrescu George]

  Those are waaaay out of my price range unfortanetly.
 
I mean like more body to the vocals, so they stand out more to the forefront 

 
I see... Vocal forward. 

Hm... Chord Mojo would be interesting to try if you have where to demo. 
 
I do think that FiiO X5-3 would be a very interesting fit to them. Or FiiO X5ii. those don't seem like this from a distance, but they actually drive HD650 really well. 

 

[HungryPanda]

no way, I run a Little dot MKII with Voskhod tubes and it knocks socks off many other more expensive tube amps

 

[CanadianMaestro]

   
 
By the way, what do you mean by full? 

Almost 3-D -- vocalists and instruments are properly scaled, separated, and like a live performance 5 rows from the front. Less blurring or "blobby" merging of multiple performers/instruments.

 

[Dobrescu George]

  Almost 3-D -- vocalists and instruments are properly scaled, separated, and like a live performance 5 rows from the front. Less blurring or "blobby" merging of multiple performers/instruments.

 
Whoa. Thank you for the explanation 

 
 

  no way, I run a Little dot MKII with Voskhod tubes and it knocks socks off many other more expensive tube amps

 
Now you make me wish I hear one! Never heard this one so I've no idea how good it is... 

 

[Solrighal]

  Those are waaaay out of my price range unfortanetly.
 
I mean like more body to the vocals, so they stand out more to the forefront 

 
I feel your pain mate. To be honest it's getting kinda depressing to have to keep plugging this in what has become a virtual Schiit fanboy forum but you should seriously look at the Garage 1217 Project Polaris. It's not a tube amp but it has way more flexibility as regards tuning than any amp on the market. It will do anything you want it to at a very reasonable cost. The back-up is second to none in my experience and, no, I don't own one. I have heard it back to back with the Project Ember (which I eventally bought) and there was very little in it. I fancied the idea of changing tubes to suit my music but in reality I've found one I like more than everything else & I've settled for that. Seriously, life is too short. Buy a Project Polaris and then buy lots of music. You will not be disappointed.

 

[PinkyPowers]

Oh yes, I've heard good things about the Garage 1217 Project Polaris. Sadly, I haven't had the chance to try it myself.

 

[gefski]

At every meet I get to listen to at least one of the Garage amps. They're great! If you're on their site be sure and check out the power curves, which for the different amps are aimed at different nominal impedance headphones low > mid > high. Great approach, not one size fits all.

 

[Solrighal]

The Project Polaris fits all, which is why I mentioned it.