WHAT AMP do I get for my new Sennheiser HD650 HD 650?

Without an amp, your hd650 will likely get much lower volume from your ipod, cell phone, and laptop due to its 300ohms resistance. Volume is a small issue, the real issue is that you headphones won't be able to sound anywhere near its best without getting enough power. With a proper amp, you'll get much better clarity, sound separation, and fuller sound. Just as a reference, ipod and cellphones are meant to power 32ohms or below iem, and it doesn't even make good iem's sound their best.

I'm pretty much a noob too, though I've had the 650's for at least six years.

My amp is a Headroom micro, and if memory serves it's not good to be running

a speaker(or headphone) without providing enough power for the device to work.

Get something anything capable of feeding them. I recommend a WA6 or 3, they

are said to be crazy good. This or a DAC will be my next purchase..or a Schiit

Valhalla..or something.

If you want a cheap amp to drive the HD650, then try the Little Dot MKIII or the Darkvoice 336SE. Both cost around $250 and will drive the HD650 much better than a portable amp. I am yet to hear a portable amp drive the HD650 though people say that the Headstage Arrow ($250) can do so.

Why would you even use a cell phone or an iPod with a HD650? You're not thinking of taking these portable, are you?

If you intend to bring the HD650 around - like I do to the garden or with me to the our caravan - I recommend the iQube as a great amplifier for the HD650. I really like the synergy the HD650 has with the iQube. But of course it is a more expensive choice so I do not know if that is what you are looking for?

I'm in a similar predicament myself in trying to decide which headphone amp to buy for my HD650.  I often hear the Little Dot MK iii and mk iv namedropped as a good pairing for them, but I am a little worried about sacrificing clarity and that ear-tickling detail with a tube amp.  Should I go solid state?  I find my HD650 have a lovely warm, full, laid-back sound as is, and I often hear tube amps will exaggerate those kinds of qualities even moreso.  If anything I think they might need slight improvement in level of detail within the higher frequencies.   

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhHaiDere 

I've further narrowed my quest for my amp between the :

 

iQube V2 & Emmeline Predator.

 

 

Which one do you guys think I should get?!

I think you will love both of them! I never heard the Predator - but with the iQube I know you will not be disappointed.