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Which amp under $500 to make HD600 sound like "M50"?

post #1 of 7
Thread Starter 

Well, that's the way I'm asking, with quotes on the M50 since I actually don't want my HD600 cans sound like the lesser M50s, but with some similar dynamics on bass/mids plus better soundstage while preserving the faster response on the HD600 (vs HD650 cans for example on the last aspect).

 

I have now an iBasso D12 amp, ATH-M50s and HD600 cans. I like the way the ATH-M50s sound on the iBasso now that both are burned, before burning the M50s were too sharp for my liking, now this cans have very fun dynamics on the bass lines and treble is smoother, i like this pair too much!

 

But, since I were using my M50s at work, I can stand this cans for long periods as they are closed and the bass lends to tire my ears after more than an hour. Then I decided to buy HD650 or HD600, after an audition I found the HD600 to be a better as an all around can while the HD650 was better for slow music as lounge, jazz, etc. Maybe the problem with this decision was I were using mainly music from my iBasso D12 and both cans were with stock cable, I'm sure with a good solid state amp and cable this cans will blown in every aspect HD600, but that's not the point now.

 

Now that the iBasso and HD600 are also burned I found this combination to be very sterile and flat, I can almost fall asleep lol! So I'm interested in getting an amp that can give life to this cans and more juice to get dynamic and fun bass, not punchy, a little more forward vocals, more soundstage and instrument separation and clearer treble, that's while I describe what I want, maybe the "ideal spec", but I don't to what to compare what I'm looking for but with the iBasso and the M50s.

 

I were thinking in a tube amp, I haven't heard one before, just solid state like the Lehmann BCL, it were nice, but I think I want something more musical.

 

I have considered AudioGD-FUN, TTVJ FET-A and Bottlehead Crack, but I think I still don't found the right choice. I have soldering skills and would go for something as higher as the FET-A amp if it's really worthy its price, its size is a big plus since I have to lock it down on a drawer at work after it's time to go home, that's also an inconvenient for a tube amp.

 

I'm planning to listen any kind of music, mainly latin music like salsa, lounge, rock, metal, jazz, classic, trance and pop like Donna Lewis, Jamiroquai, etc. I would also get the HD650 cable for the HD600 to help a little the final result. I'll be using the iBasso D12 as DAC for now or if there is a DAC/AMP combo that fits the deal then the better, but if there's an amp that's better than a combo for the price I'd rather go for just the amp by now.

 

Help me out any suggestion would be appreciated!

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post #2 of 7

If you like the M50 that little perhaps its time for a change?

 

I generally prefer the HD600/650/800 from OTL tube amps to other amps.

post #3 of 7

I would suggest switching headphones instead of amps.

post #4 of 7
Thread Starter 

I cannot imagine switching the HD600 for something like Orthos or LCD-2 for example when I'll be driving it with the iBasso D12, which is the only amp I have by now. More over, it's hard for me to be buying too much gear, I had to use half of my income of 1 month to get the HD600.

 

I do like the M50s but as I said I want to give the HD600 some of its dynamics in bass through an amp. I enjoy more the warmer sound of the HD600 but would like to give it more dynamics, maybe I shouldn't had used the word M50.

post #5 of 7
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikongod View Post

 

I generally prefer the HD600/650/800 from OTL tube amps to other amps.



Can you describe the reasons behind your choice? Are you looking for a particular sound signature?

post #6 of 7

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by pigmode View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by nikongod View Post

 

I generally prefer the HD600/650/800 from OTL tube amps to other amps.


Can you describe the reasons behind your choice? Are you looking for a particular sound signature?


I find that the vocals separate from everything else with most SS amps. The stereo image just breaks up too quickly and the illusion of sound disappears.

 

I do generally prefer sounds on the slightly smoother side of things, but value detail quite highly as well as precise localization.

 

My normal justification is in this question: have you ever seen a performance (anywhere) where the cymbals are in front of, or even close to the middle of the band? Shouldn't vocal sibilance/spity sounds come from the mouth, and not in front of that? Getting things to stay not only in their own space left to right, and front/back is another key. In many ways the 650's trump the other 2. They don't have the same treble as the 580/800 which everyone cites as more detail but then again they keep cymbals at the back of the stage and vocal sibilance/spity sounds in the singers mouth.

post #7 of 7
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikongod View Post

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by pigmode View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by nikongod View Post

 

I generally prefer the HD600/650/800 from OTL tube amps to other amps.


Can you describe the reasons behind your choice? Are you looking for a particular sound signature?


 

I do generally prefer sounds on the slightly smoother side of things, but value detail quite highly as well as precise localization.

 

 


 

Same here, as I'm starting to favor the HD600 in my new system. Since I like the HD600 with a little warmth, perhaps I should go ahead and try out the HD650 as well. The latter would probably give more flexibility if (or when) I decide to reconfigure to a particular OTL amp that is under consideration.

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