Thinking about upgrading from HD555's to HD650's
May 25, 2010 at 1:38 AM Post #46 of 49

Right now I'm torn between the Little Dot MKIV and the Little dot MKIVse. Some people claim the difference is worth the price while others say the difference is minimal. I hear the MKIV's will perform better than the MKV, but that just might be the preference of the people that like tubes.
 
Once I get my amp what would be the ideal way to connect my components: Foobar2000--ASIO--Amp--HD650 ?
I listen using the audio creation mode with bit-matched playback. Do you think I need to get any special cables to connect the soundcard and the amp?
 
Also this might seem like a really stupid question but since I'm new I'm gonna go ahead and ask it anyways. The Little Dot MKIV is an amp/preamp, what is the purpose of the preamp and how can I use it cause won't I just be the L/R Inputs?
 
Let me know how that Little Dot Q works out, isn't that the little on with the lights.
Quote:
mochan said:
The trio of rivals: HD650, K701, DT880. 
 
Regarding the amp question, definitely get an amp even if it's just for the HD555. A decent desktop amp can really open up your home cans as opposed to using onboard sound.
 
If you have a Prelude, I don't suggest getting an External DAC, instead get an amp. The Prelude's DAC is already very good in my opinion and better than many of the lower end DACs you can get.
 
Better to pick up an amp instead that can give you more juice than the Prelude's headphone out can supply so you have more headroom for your cans
 
The Littledot Mark II is pretty cheap like sub $200 and is a great amp to start with. I already sold mine because I felt it was being outclassed by my Marantz 1090, but you should be able to get good results out of it especially if you go the Senn HD650 route. I also had great results with the MkII and the K701.
 
I actually ordered a Little Dot Q and it's due to arrive this weekend, I am really wondering how it will sound.
Click to expand...



 
May 25, 2010 at 2:55 AM Post #47 of 49
Yeah the Q is the tiny one. I'm into portable stuff so I like that this is an amp with desktop power but small enough to be really transportable. I'm really interested how it will sound. I can give impressions on it compared to the MkII but that's it.
 
As for preamps... you connect the source to the Little Dot using RCAs, and then from the Little Dot another set of RCAs to your main amp. Preamping adds extra juice to the chain and lets you change the sound with the characteristics of the preamp. For instance, you have a preamp that is bassy and your main amp is bass light. You can compensate and preamp so that the resulting sound will have the sound sig of your main amp with fuller bass.
 
And for cables... well I am not a cable voodoo practitioner. I have a set of Analysis ONe cables which are pretty expensive cable-fu stuff but I personally am unable to really listen for differences in cable sound.
 
May 25, 2010 at 3:30 AM Post #48 of 49

Thanks Mochan, so since I don't have main amp on top of the Little Dot MKIV I really wont be utilizing the preamp portion of the amp right?
Quote:
mochan said:
Yeah the Q is the tiny one. I'm into portable stuff so I like that this is an amp with desktop power but small enough to be really transportable. I'm really interested how it will sound. I can give impressions on it compared to the MkII but that's it.
 
As for preamps... you connect the source to the Little Dot using RCAs, and then from the Little Dot another set of RCAs to your main amp. Preamping adds extra juice to the chain and lets you change the sound with the characteristics of the preamp. For instance, you have a preamp that is bassy and your main amp is bass light. You can compensate and preamp so that the resulting sound will have the sound sig of your main amp with fuller bass.
 
And for cables... well I am not a cable voodoo practitioner. I have a set of Analysis ONe cables which are pretty expensive cable-fu stuff but I personally am unable to really listen for differences in cable sound.
Click to expand...



 
Jun 15, 2010 at 12:44 PM Post #49 of 49
I hope you know that HD 650 are completely different than HD 555. Its maybe bit wierd, but if you want something like HD 555 in better quality, its HD 800. To me, HD 650 sound great, but they are no way neutral as HD 555, but HD 800 are completely neutral (maybe even bit too much). Though, I have no idea if there are some good neutral headphones with same price as HD 650 (AKG 701 gived me headache, so I dont count them).
 
If you can, I would strongly suggest to listen to HD650. If you want them after that, then buy it. :)
 
Its just my opinion ofc. (and my ears).
 
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