HD650 or HD600?
Jan 28, 2012 at 11:29 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 45
NDyse10

NDyse10

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I listen to rock mainly, but also some other things such as hip-hop, rap and pop.
 
My source will mainly be a Macbook pro.
 
Is the 650 worth the extra $ over the 600?
 
Also, I need an amp/dac with these. For the amp I was thinking $250ish and then as cheap as possible for the DAC.
 
Any suggestions are welcome.
 
Jan 28, 2012 at 11:43 PM Post #2 of 45
If your into rock, I'd say go with the HD600. Better speed and sparklier treble presence and works well with Hip-Hop, Rap, and Pop. For a DAC/Amp combo I would go with the Audinst HUD-MX1.
 
Jan 29, 2012 at 2:28 AM Post #4 of 45
The 650 is not necessarily an upgrade to the 600 as they have different sound signatures. The question then becomes do you want the darker sound of the 650 or the snappier sound of the 600. I would personally go for the 600. Keep in mind, the 600 does pop okay, hip-hop pretty well as long as you dont need a lot of bass impact, well recorded rock sounds great, but unfortunately a lot of rock sounds bad on any headphone due to poor mastering and compression.

 
Quote:
ndyse10 said:
I listen to rock mainly, but also some other things such as hip-hop, rap and pop.
 
My source will mainly be a Macbook pro.
 
Is the 650 worth the extra $ over the 600?
 
Also, I need an amp/dac with these. For the amp I was thinking $250ish and then as cheap as possible for the DAC.
 
Any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...



 
 
Jan 29, 2012 at 3:09 AM Post #5 of 45


Quote:
ndyse10 said:
I listen to rock mainly, but also some other things such as hip-hop, rap and pop.
 
My source will mainly be a Macbook pro.
 
Is the 650 worth the extra $ over the 600?
 
Also, I need an amp/dac with these. For the amp I was thinking $250ish and then as cheap as possible for the DAC.
 
Any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...



 Which ever one you choose ~ I recommend the Audio GD NFB12 + Audio GD Digital Interface.
 
 The NFB12.1 has a decent amp section, beefier than most if you check the specifications and the
 DAC uses 2 x Wolfson WM8741 which is just crazy for the $215USD they're asking.
 
 The Digital Interface is to clean up the USB signal and it converts it to SPDIF ~ all you need is
 a reasonable Coax/SPDIF cable to run back to the NFB12.
 
 Nothing will touch this for the cash spent. NFB12.1 (out next week) also features 8 different filter
 settings to fine tune your final sound preferences.
 
 Here's a review by a bloke who knows what he's talking about, 
 
 http://www.digitalaudioreview.net.au/index.php/audio-reviews/digital-source-reviews/item/177-audio-gd-nfb-2-dac-19-series
 
Jan 29, 2012 at 3:27 AM Post #6 of 45


Quote:
gwarmi said:
 Which ever one you choose ~ I recommend the Audio GD NFB12 + Audio GD Digital Interface.
 
 The NFB12.1 has a decent amp section, beefier than most if you check the specifications and the
 DAC uses 2 x Wolfson WM8741 which is just crazy for the $215USD they're asking.
 
 The Digital Interface is to clean up the USB signal and it converts it to SPDIF ~ all you need is
 a reasonable Coax/SPDIF cable to run back to the NFB12.
 
 Nothing will touch this for the cash spent. NFB12.1 (out next week) also features 8 different filter
 settings to fine tune your final sound preferences.
 
 Here's a review by a bloke who knows what he's talking about, 
 
 http://www.digitalaudioreview.net.au/index.php/audio-reviews/digital-source-reviews/item/177-audio-gd-nfb-2-dac-19-series
Click to expand...

 
think you've got the wrong link there
rolleyes.gif

 
 
Jan 29, 2012 at 3:27 AM Post #7 of 45
I've owned HD600's for nearly 8 years and through that time I would say about 85% of my listening has been some type of rock or metal music of all subtypes and I've always been impressed with the way it sounds with this type of music. I've never heard the HD650 but I doubt you would be disapointed with the 600's if you decide to go that route. As for the other genres I don't listen to much hip hop, rap or pop. My two cents anyways.
 
Jan 29, 2012 at 4:15 AM Post #8 of 45
I've owned both, then sold my 650s. I personally found the 600s better in every way and with every genre of music I played on them. I'd suggest the 600s. 
 
Jan 29, 2012 at 4:43 AM Post #9 of 45


Quote:
kingoftown1 said:
 
think you've got the wrong link there
rolleyes.gif

 
Click to expand...



 Damn I do too, looks like John took it down ~ anyhow 3.5+ stars just for the DAC from him. He's more of a 2Ch guy.
 
Jan 29, 2012 at 1:00 PM Post #10 of 45
I have decided the headphone I am going to get is the HD600, but still don't know what to do for an AMP/DAC.
 
I was thinking something like this:
 
HD600
Schiit Valhalla or Asgard
Nuforce Icon uDAC-2
 
Would this work? Keep in mind I don't have a desk to put this on so it will be on a table near my TV and then I will be listening from a nearby chair about 10-12 feet away.
 
What sort of cables will I need?
 
Jan 29, 2012 at 3:34 PM Post #11 of 45


Quote:
ndyse10 said:
I have decided the headphone I am going to get is the HD600, but still don't know what to do for an AMP/DAC.
 
I was thinking something like this:
 
HD600
Schiit Valhalla or Asgard
Nuforce Icon uDAC-2
 
Would this work? Keep in mind I don't have a desk to put this on so it will be on a table near my TV and then I will be listening from a nearby chair about 10-12 feet away.
 
What sort of cables will I need?
Click to expand...


 Strange you have a stand alone amp lined up with a standalone DAC/amp with the uDAC-2.
 
 It could work via the Nuforce RCA output into the Valhalla but it would be less than ideal.
 
 I'd just get a Nuforce HDP and be done with it.
 
 
Jan 29, 2012 at 3:45 PM Post #12 of 45


Quote:
gwarmi said:
 Strange you have a stand alone amp lined up with a standalone DAC/amp with the uDAC-2.
 
 It could work via the Nuforce RCA output into the Valhalla but it would be less than ideal.
 
 I'd just get a Nuforce HDP and be done with it.
 
Click to expand...


I ended up going with an Asgard and a Bifrost. I think I will be quite happy with this selection.
 
 
Jan 30, 2012 at 2:25 AM Post #14 of 45
i listened to both the 600 & 650 on a violetric v100 and i peferred the 600, i heard the 650, which i enjoyed but then i put on the 600 and DAMN! i just had to buy a pair :)
everything just sounded right and natural
 
Jan 30, 2012 at 2:50 AM Post #15 of 45
The HD650 is a killer jazz and acoustic headphone. For those genres, it is better than the HD600. What I mean is, it isn't as good an all around headphone, but it does its strengths better. It's also a better scaler to higher end gear from my experience with both. It has a thicker sound that gives instruments and vocals a meatier presentation than the HD600.

For rock though, I'd go with the faster HD600. The presentation of the HD650 that makes it such a great slow music headphone is also its downfall for faster genres.  Do note that they're much much more similar than they are different.
 
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