Schitt Asgard + Sennheiser HD650?

Many people say yes, since Asgard is a lot stronger than uDAC-2's amp section. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intjmastermind 

I'm currently running my Sennherise HD650 from a Nuforce uDAC-2. The uDAC-2 is rated to 300 Ohms, and the HD650's sound really good from them. :)

 

Would adding a discreet amp to this setup make a significant improvement? I've never tried big amps, so I don't know what I'm missing, or even if I'm missing anything.

 

I was thinking: Computer (USB) --> uDAC-2 (RCA line out) --> Schiit Asgard --> HD650

I use  uDAC2 > Asgard > HD600 and it sounds great.

The HD600's are very neutral cans and can sound a bit boring unless they are powered adequately - the Asgard provides more musical texture and soundstage than just the uDAC2 headphone outs [although these are superb for a portable amp].

The uDAC2/Asgard combo is also dynamite with the Grado GS100i - strings and voice are awesome with this setup.

I'm listening to WFMT [Chicago] with the Grados and it's hard to believe that this is just a 128K stream.

I also use Asgard with HD650. I see more refinement in the sound with Asgard and a good sound stage 

Just to give you an idea, I used to have uDAC1 -> HD650.

When I switched to  uDAC1 -> Valhalla -> HD650, it was a notable upgrade.

Quote:

Originally Posted by add2music 

I also use Asgard with HD650. I see more refinement in the sound with Asgard and a good sound stage 

does it add any coloration?  Im interested in these for analyzing/referencing music. like mixing tracks etc..

Quote:

Originally Posted by perplex1 

Quote:

Originally Posted by add2music 

I also use Asgard with HD650. I see more refinement in the sound with Asgard and a good sound stage 

does it add any coloration?  Im interested in these for analyzing/referencing music. like mixing tracks etc..

 With Asgard, I could see following effect - little bit addition to bass and a small amount of  highs are rolled off ( effect of hd650, i believe ). If you are going to use hd650 for mixing / analyzing , then the effects of hd650 such as bass addition and rolled off highs may be of some concern... IMHO...

Quote:

Originally Posted by scs999 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intjmastermind 

I'm currently running my Sennherise HD650 from a Nuforce uDAC-2. The uDAC-2 is rated to 300 Ohms, and the HD650's sound really good from them. :)

 

Would adding a discreet amp to this setup make a significant improvement? I've never tried big amps, so I don't know what I'm missing, or even if I'm missing anything.

 

I was thinking: Computer (USB) --> uDAC-2 (RCA line out) --> Schiit Asgard --> HD650

I use  uDAC2 > Asgard > HD600 and it sounds great.

 

Is the Asgard a tube amp, or do you have to step up to the Valhalla to get tubes?

Quote:

Originally Posted by addo 

Quote:

Originally Posted by scs999 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intjmastermind 

I'm currently running my Sennherise HD650 from a Nuforce uDAC-2. The uDAC-2 is rated to 300 Ohms, and the HD650's sound really good from them. :)

 

Would adding a discreet amp to this setup make a significant improvement? I've never tried big amps, so I don't know what I'm missing, or even if I'm missing anything.

 

I was thinking: Computer (USB) --> uDAC-2 (RCA line out) --> Schiit Asgard --> HD650

I use  uDAC2 > Asgard > HD600 and it sounds great.

 

Is the Asgard a tube amp, or do you have to step up to the Valhalla to get tubes?

The latter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intjmastermind 

So, with the uDac-2 plugged to the Asgard via RCA line-out, adjusting the volume knob on the uDac-2 alters the amplitude of the line-out signal. I'm assuming that the volume knob adjusts a passive potentiometer, likely before the op-amp stage since it affects both headphone and line-out.

 

What do you recommend I leave the volume knob set to on the uDac-2? Full volume? Half-volume? Somewhere in between?

I have a different amp but Ive tried this, and I cant hear a difference myself so I keep the udac2 at full volume.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intjmastermind 

I'm currently running my Sennherise HD650 from a Nuforce uDAC-2. The uDAC-2 is rated to 300 Ohms, and the HD650's sound really good from them. :)

 

Would adding a discreet amp to this setup make a significant improvement? I've never tried big amps, so I don't know what I'm missing, or even if I'm missing anything.

 

I was thinking: Computer (USB) --> uDAC-2 (RCA line out) --> Schiit Asgard --> HD650

I just wanna point out that output impedance has nothing to do with drivability.
 

Has anyone actually had the opportunity to compare the sound of the Asgard and Valhalla on the HD600/650's?  I am looking to purchase one of these combinations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intjmastermind 

So, with the uDac-2 plugged to the Asgard via RCA line-out, adjusting the volume knob on the uDac-2 alters the amplitude of the line-out signal. I'm assuming that the volume knob adjusts a passive potentiometer, likely before the op-amp stage since it affects both headphone and line-out.

 

What do you recommend I leave the volume knob set to on the uDac-2? Full volume? Half-volume? Somewhere in between?

I would recommend leaving the volume knob of the uDac-2 at half-volume; it clips after that, and quite noticeably at 1 o'clock.

Okay noob question here...

As I was considering a similar setup I always assumed the purpose of line out was to bypass any amplitude changes via the volume knob. Why do they design it this way? It doesn't seem to make sense.