Best Combo senn650 + headphone amp - Budget 600$ ???

Is the HD650 part of your budget?

Woo Audio WA6

What kind of music do you listen to?

look at the bottlehead amps.

Darkvoice 337 with money left to tube-roll!

(Disclaimer: I'm a bit biased in this opinion. See sig. )

For solid state I went with the LD MKVII+ and DAC-1. Not only a great set-up but very versatile if you want to use different sources. A little over $600 ($650->$700) but you are getting a great amp and a DAC (both balanced).

I have heard the DV-337 and it's a great amp if you want a tube amp at about that price. A friend owns both the LD set-up and the DV337; he loves them both as do I.

for $450 you can get a DAC/Amp that will play 24-bit FLAC from your computer via USB, or optical/coax/analog + an analog RCA out

NuForce Icon HDP :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bscott 

for $450 you can get a DAC/Amp that will play 24-bit FLAC from your computer via USB, or optical/coax/analog + an analog RCA out

 

NuForce Icon HDP :)

If a source is also needed, then this is indeed a great choice for the HD650.  I wasn't a huge fan of the HDP's amp portion (loved its DAC) but it shined particularly well with the HD650.

If no DAC is needed, then Gilmore Lite really does well with the HD650 for a relatively low price.  Matches very well sound signature wise and still has enough power to drive it well (note: although it MAY clip or distort at higher volume levels due to lack of voltage, but these levels IMO are harmful for your ears and should be avoided anyway).  WA6 did amazingly well with them too as long as its set up with appropriate tubes as well as powerful hybrid such as EF1/EF5.

has anyone tried an HDP > Woo Audio 6?

I've tried that with my old rig and it does indeed work very well, but for HD650s in particular, I think just going with HDP alone is more than enough.  Adding WA6 to the mix will result in soundstage increase and more smoother sound, but it's not enough of a performance increase that I'd purchase a new WA6 if I already had the HDP.  But of course if you can afford it, then by all means go for it.

Thanks :)  I will probably just stick with the HDP
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by K_19 

I've tried that with my old rig and it does indeed work very well, but for HD650s in particular, I think just going with HDP alone is more than enough.  Adding WA6 to the mix will result in soundstage increase and more smoother sound, but it's not enough of a performance increase that I'd purchase a new WA6 if I already had the HDP.  But of course if you can afford it, then by all means go for it.