Amping Sennheiser HD 650

Get the headphones, worry about another amp if you have problems. The E11 can apparently manage 35mW into 300 ohms on high gain, which is plenty. I don't know how it measures at that kind of output, but it'll be plenty loud and probably better than a lot of other stuff you could buy.

Probably. They're a highly regarded headphone. Get it somewhere that takes returns if you can, in case you don't like the sound signature.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jukebox 

So if I do get the HD 650, I will notice a considerable/enjoyable sound upgrade?

You're in luck ~ possibly some of the best luck actually.

If you think the HD 515 sounds great then be prepared to be blown away.

Sorry, I rarely ever slate a headphone and call it 'rubbish' but the HD 515

is terrible in my opinion, even amped.

The only way is up, let us know your thoughts after the upgrade.

The e11 will probably be fine in all regards for your headphone use and can drive the hd650 to extremely loud volumes.  I wouldn't use high gain if you don't plan on using it with a portable player as the signal will likely end up clipping.

High gain is fine for ipods and portable sources which have lower voltage capabilities compared to desktop sources.  A higher gain for a weaker signal of portable sources at 0.5-1V is fine as this will get to you similar voltage swings of desktop sources.  However, when you are using a desktop source which is capable of higher voltage outputs and you continue to use high gain you can possibly clip on your amplifier where your amplifier cannot produce the full sine wave due to the fact that it requires your amp to push more voltage than it can output.  Don't worry about your headphones in this scenario, the fiio cannot put out enough power to damage your drivers.

Don't be too hasty to judge if it doesn't sound great from the FiiO. There's a reason these cans are so well regarded and people have chosen to build rigs around them.

What olor1n is suggesting here is that they 'scale' up and up as you upgrade your equipment.

I can personally testify this is the case after first hearing them out of a reasonable Onkyo receiver

and then trying to give them more juice when I brought around my solid state full sized Counterpoint

amp - they sounded good, but once I heard them through a Lehmann Black Cube - it was a different

story. They seemed faster, with more attack.

This should not deter you from buying them, rejoice in that the fact that they will respond to better

equipment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jukebox 

Better equipment? I bought the e11 cuz it was reviewed as one of the best portable amps for that price.

 

Numbers wise it should be quite serviceable at LEAST.

I almost bought it too for portable use on the go but the added line noise was too much for me, its a great

product for the price but there is a tendency for a lot of portables to add graininess.