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Dilemma on what to purchase for HD650 LD MK V, LV MK IV SE or LD MK IV

post #1 of 7
11/26/11 at 10:02pm
Thread Starter 

Good day!

 

I Recently bought a used HD650 from a fellow Headfier and it wouldn’t be long until I get it. I have been a fan of the HD555 and loved it. Not only is it durable (Still with me from 2009) but also great in movies. I have been searching the forums and learned that HD650 is more harder to drive and my current setup (which is just a soundcard, I mostly listen from my PC in the office btw) would not do justice for my incoming headphone.

 

I plan to have this setup:  PC(Source)>DAC (eyeing at UDAC 2 or HRT Streamer)>Amplifier>HD650/Audio Engine A2.

 

So I narrowed down my choices to these three: – LD MK V , MK IV SE a MK IV. I know that LD MK V will complement the warm sounding HD650 and MK IV will boost the lushness of the phones. My problems now are

a) There is no way I can audition these Amps first so I’ll just blind buy,

b) I am uncertain if the $100 difference of the IV SE and non SE is justifiable,

c) I am not that good in "Audiophile" terms so in layman’s terms how would you describe the HD650 when plugged into the MK V and MK IV/SE

d) or are there any amplifiers you can recommend for a sub $450 range,

 

(LD was my choice recently because shipping is much cheaper and as i read in the forums after-sales support and warranty is good.)

 

Your comments/advice would be highly appreciated

 

-Michael

 

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post #2 of 7
11/28/11 at 3:08am
Thread Starter 

Anyone?

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post #3 of 7
11/28/11 at 6:08pm
Thread Starter 

anyone? :)

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post #4 of 7
11/29/11 at 3:57am

First of all, I'm sure someone with more knowledge will let you know how these systems sound. I'm just going to say a few things that may or may not help you.

 

I too am doing research for an AMP for my HD600.

 

From what I've gathered, If you are want the "tube" sound, are okay (or even excited) by the idea of rolling tubes, and know that tubes have to be replaced after a certain amount of time (Depends on tube, normally 5,000-10,000 hours), then go for Tube Amps like MK IV / MK IV SE / Valhalla / Lyr / WooAudio 3 etc.

 

First step for you should be choosing your "path". Decide between Solid-State and Tube.

 

From there, just look at the SS or tube amps, and it will make your life much easier. 

 

Just so you know, I have HD600 and Audioengine 2.

 

Note: Following prices don't include shipping, and you might be able to find them cheaper. I'm listing them so that you have a good idea about what AMPs you shouldn't look at (because of budgetary reasons).

While doing your research, have a look out for units that don't have the RCA outs for your Audioengine A2s (For me it's not that big a deal as I can feed my A2s with Essence ST).

 

If you want DAC/AMP combos (Solid-State);

  • DACmini CX or PX (has preamp) - $800 and $1500.
  • Yulong D100 - $400 (On sale on Ebay $100 off - Sale ends in about 3 hours). 
  • Asus Essence One - $400-$500 (Not many reviews out yet).
  • Burson HA-160DS - $1200.
  • Audio-gd NFB-12 - $200
  • Audio-gd NFB-5 - $330
  • Benchmark DAC1 - $990 (many options, which increase price).
  • Nuforce Icon HDP - $449.

 

If you just want a separate AMP (Solid-State);

  • Schiit Asgard - $249.
  • Matrix M-Stage - $280.
  • Little Dot MK V - $279.
  • Burson HA-160 - $650.
  • Meier Audio 2Stepdance - $399.

 

If you want a dedicated DAC (Some are DAC/AMP combos);

  • Schiit Bifrost DAC - $349 or $449 with USB input.
  • Burson DA-160 DAC - $950.
  • Cambridge Audio DacMagic DAC - $429.
  • Matrix Cube DAC/AMP - $300
  • Audio-gd NFB-3.1 or 2 DAC - $299 and $450 
  • Other Cheap DAC options: Fiio D3 / D5 / E10 ($30-80).
  • If you don't want many input options (versatility) and are only going to use USB, only then: HRT music streamer 2+ DAC $150, DACport DAC/AMP $399
     

Or use any of the above DAC/AMP combos as a DAC and attach your choice of a dedicated AMP to it.

 

If you want a Tube AMP;

  • Schiit Valhalla - $349 (you can't roll tubes with Valhalla) - Said to match very well with HD600/650.
  • Schiit Lyr - $449 (Only Lyr has additional outputs for your Audioengine A2s)
  • WooAudio 3 - $495.
  • Little Dot MK IV / SE - $289 and $389

 

Now, I'm a little tired :)

 

Mix and Match, narrow it down.. and I'm sure while doing that you'll read many opinions on lots of combos.

 

After your research, do post where you narrowed it down and any questions you might have...

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

 


Edited by Jogiya - 11/29/11 at 6:46am
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post #5 of 7
11/29/11 at 2:15pm

i am also in the same situation with you.

however, i bought the amp before i buy the headphone.

the amp i chose is bottlehead crack

 

apparently it matches with the HD650 amazingly, like it was made for t.

 

it is a DIY amp though, which is why it allows it to be priced at $219.

however, if u add 150USD more, i think they can assemble it for u

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post #6 of 7
11/29/11 at 8:01pm

That's a very good choice..

 

But only if the OP is willing to DIY.

 

Bottlehead Crack and Bottlehead S.E.X both are very popular DIY choices.

 

Reply
post #7 of 7
12/2/11 at 7:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jogiya View Post

First of all, I'm sure someone with more knowledge will let you know how these systems sound. I'm just going to say a few things that may or may not help you.

 

I too am doing research for an AMP for my HD600.

 

From what I've gathered, If you are want the "tube" sound, are okay (or even excited) by the idea of rolling tubes, and know that tubes have to be replaced after a certain amount of time (Depends on tube, normally 5,000-10,000 hours), then go for Tube Amps like MK IV / MK IV SE / Valhalla / Lyr / WooAudio 3 etc.

 

First step for you should be choosing your "path". Decide between Solid-State and Tube.

 

From there, just look at the SS or tube amps, and it will make your life much easier. 

 

Just so you know, I have HD600 and Audioengine 2.

 

Note: Following prices don't include shipping, and you might be able to find them cheaper. I'm listing them so that you have a good idea about what AMPs you shouldn't look at (because of budgetary reasons).

While doing your research, have a look out for units that don't have the RCA outs for your Audioengine A2s (For me it's not that big a deal as I can feed my A2s with Essence ST).

 

If you want DAC/AMP combos (Solid-State);

  • DACmini CX or PX (has preamp) - $800 and $1500.
  • Yulong D100 - $400 (On sale on Ebay $100 off - Sale ends in about 3 hours). 
  • Asus Essence One - $400-$500 (Not many reviews out yet).
  • Burson HA-160DS - $1200.
  • Audio-gd NFB-12 - $200
  • Audio-gd NFB-5 - $330
  • Benchmark DAC1 - $990 (many options, which increase price).
  • Nuforce Icon HDP - $449.

 

If you just want a separate AMP (Solid-State);

  • Schiit Asgard - $249.
  • Matrix M-Stage - $280.
  • Little Dot MK V - $279.
  • Burson HA-160 - $650.
  • Meier Audio 2Stepdance - $399.

 

If you want a dedicated DAC (Some are DAC/AMP combos);

  • Schiit Bifrost DAC - $349 or $449 with USB input.
  • Burson DA-160 DAC - $950.
  • Cambridge Audio DacMagic DAC - $429.
  • Matrix Cube DAC/AMP - $300
  • Audio-gd NFB-3.1 or 2 DAC - $299 and $450 
  • Other Cheap DAC options: Fiio D3 / D5 / E10 ($30-80).
  • If you don't want many input options (versatility) and are only going to use USB, only then: HRT music streamer 2+ DAC $150, DACport DAC/AMP $399
     

Or use any of the above DAC/AMP combos as a DAC and attach your choice of a dedicated AMP to it.

 

If you want a Tube AMP;

  • Schiit Valhalla - $349 (you can't roll tubes with Valhalla) - Said to match very well with HD600/650.
  • Schiit Lyr - $449 (Only Lyr has additional outputs for your Audioengine A2s)
  • WooAudio 3 - $495.
  • Little Dot MK IV / SE - $289 and $389

 

Now, I'm a little tired :)

 

Mix and Match, narrow it down.. and I'm sure while doing that you'll read many opinions on lots of combos.

 

After your research, do post where you narrowed it down and any questions you might have...

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

 

Thanks for the list, saved me hours in researching for the prices. I would remove your list for the DAC/amp combo because i was thinking of having a dedicated dac too.
 

 



Quote:
Originally Posted by Hughkk View Post

i am also in the same situation with you.

however, i bought the amp before i buy the headphone.

the amp i chose is bottlehead crack

 

apparently it matches with the HD650 amazingly, like it was made for t.

 

it is a DIY amp though, which is why it allows it to be priced at $219.

however, if u add 150USD more, i think they can assemble it for u


 

 



Quote:
Originally Posted by Jogiya View Post

That's a very good choice..

 

But only if the OP is willing to DIY.

 

Bottlehead Crack and Bottlehead S.E.X both are very popular DIY choices.

 

Im not good at DIY. I have clumsy hands so yeah no DIY for me. Thats $150 more to get them assemble it for me.

 

Ive pulled the trigger and bought the MKiv SE. I found out that there are many interested buyers here in my place if ever i didn't like the amp. Thanks for your help :)
 

 

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