Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Amp for HD600: Matrix M-Stage or Rega EAR?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Amp for HD600: Matrix M-Stage or Rega EAR?

post #1 of 7
12/26/10 at 4:46am
Thread Starter 

For the past year or so I tried telling myself that I wouldn't register on this site and get sucked into this expensive hobby you guys have.  Unfortunately, the untimely death of my dad's old Sennheiser HD475 has forced me to pick up some new cans..and the Sennheiser HD600 seem to fight my budget and taste :D

 

I've read that these things need amps to properly power them, and right now my choice is between the Matrix M-Stage and the Rega EAR (these are the two that are easily available here)  

 

Which amp would fit best with the HD600?  

Reply
post #2 of 7
12/26/10 at 5:52am
Thread Starter 

Or should I opt for a Predator instead?  As of right now my sources are pretty mediocre (PS3, Ipod, Computer)

 

Oh my god, so many choices.

Reply
post #3 of 7
12/26/10 at 9:12am
Thread Starter 

Anyone?  I'm open to other amps which are available internationally.

Reply
post #4 of 7
12/26/10 at 11:27am

I can't comment on the Rega, but i got an M-stage three weeks ago. It's a great amp, plenty of power for my 580s as well as my higher ohm Beyers. Selectable gain switches are a really nice touch as well. Just as good sounding (actually seems like the M stage was more powerful) as the PS Audio GCHA which I returned. I don't think you can go wrong at that price point.

Reply
post #5 of 7
12/26/10 at 4:23pm

I'd say you can use a USB DAC with those sources/transports. BUT, considering the price of the Predator, you can look around a bit. UDAC2 is about $130 online. The Ibasso D12 is about $220 if I remember correctly. Or for a little over the price of the Predator, you can get the Balanced Ibasso package: Boomslang Balanced DAC+Toucan Balanced Amp+Hirose-terminated balanced interconnect and then have your HD600 re-cabled or use the adapter (personally, I prefer the former, and keep the stock cable for single-ended use)

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ashrafazlan View Post

Or should I opt for a Predator instead?  As of right now my sources are pretty mediocre (PS3, Ipod, Computer)

 

Oh my god, so many choices.

Reply
post #6 of 7
12/26/10 at 6:59pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks, I've emailed Ray and he replied that while the Predator will drive the HD600, it's not powerful enough to make it reach full potential.  So I'm thinking I'll stick with the M-Stage, and probably get a good (but cheap) dac.  Besides the UDAC2 (and the cheaper UDAC), what other dacs are good?

Reply
post #7 of 7
12/27/10 at 5:56am

If you don't mind a pure DAC that isn't compact by desktop audio standards, I'd recommend the DAC-AH. Maverick D1 is also good, especially if you'd get  a separate amp later on. These two have a drastically different sound though.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Amp for HD600: Matrix M-Stage or Rega EAR?