[migasson]

I think we'd all love to have a HDVA600, but not many people have $1,500 to spend on an amp. 

That's 3 times the budget of $500.   

Sorry. I didn't mean to sound like I was boasting I nit picked the thread and took it out of context. My apologies.

 

[rogerthatmand]

  I didn't say Modi2/Vali was the best option under $500. I said it was the bare minimum you need to get good sound out of HD700. I think the best Schiit combo under $500 would be Modi 2 Uber + Valhalla 2.
 
I honestly don't have the most experience with HD700 and DAC/amp pairings. I just got the HD700 2 weeks ago and have been on the search for a good DAC/amp combo like you. But I have done a good amount of research before deciding on getting the Explorer² and Vali. I'm happy with this combo. It was more than what I wanted to spend, but still under your $500 limit. 
 
Again, Bottlehead Crack has been recommended a lot as a top-notch amp for HD700. I just don't feel like spending $280 + $115 (Speedball upgrade) for a DIY kit. I don't have the tools and knowledge to solder all that stuff together.

Thank you so much. I'll look into the Bottlehead Crack... but it's just a tube amp, right? It doesn't include a DAC. What should I get with this?

 

[Click]

  Thank you so much. I'll look into the Bottlehead Crack... but it's just a tube amp, right? It doesn't include a DAC. What should I get with this?

Yes, BH Crack is just a tube amp.
 
People have said Audioquest Dragonfly 1.2 ($150) is a pretty good DAC. Again, the Modi 2 Uber ($150) is another good, affordable choice. JDS Labs ODAC is another DAC in the $150 range, but supposedly, it's a bit bright. Audioengine D3 is yet another DAC option in this crowded $150 bracket. 
 
If you can spend more, there's CEntrance DACport ($250), Emotiva XDA-2 Gen 2 (on sale right now for $270), and my personal pick, Meridian Explorer² ($300). I probably would've gotten the XDA-2 G2 (DAC/amp/pre-amp combo), but it's too big to fit on my desk and not portable at all. 
 
Do some more research and find out what suits your preferences and budget best. There's a lot of good choices out there. Good luck and report back what you chose and how it pairs up with HD700.

 

[i019791]

   
Thanks for the reply.
For now I have a Denon receiver (I'm pretty sure it's not good enough). Are you sure the Schiit combo is the best option under 500$?
What about the Aune T1 MK2? It's a tube amp and DAC combo, and it seems really great due to the reviews.

Audio Gd NFB-15 or NFB-11 are good dac/amp options under 500$

 

[Liu Junyuan]

Thank you so much. I'll look into the Bottlehead Crack... but it's just a tube amp, right? It doesn't include a DAC. What should I get with this?

Modi 2 Uber paired with a Schiit Wyrd is one of the best dac values you can buy. I ran a Modi for over a year and only sold it to upgrade to Gungnir.

Best,

 

[caracara08]

Modi 2 Uber paired with a Schiit Wyrd is one of the best dac values you can buy. I ran a Modi for over a year and only sold it to upgrade to Gungnir.

Best,

 
I have a Modi 2 Uber delivered at my work right now.  Really considering the Wyrd right now after someone I know picked one up and loves it.

 

[thedude22]

  A Magni/Modi isn't going to be a step up from a E12 and HifimeDIY.  As much as people hype those two up, they're pretty entry-level and the HD700 is definitely not that.  I'm not saying the Schiit stack isn't capable, but you have headphones that will let you appreciate the difference with better equipment, so why cheap out on the amp and DAC?  
 
I'd recommend the Audio-GD NFB-15 (or NFB-11 if you want to stick with the Sabre DAC) as a great bang-for-the-buck step up.  The DAC is the star of the show on these, but the amp that they "throw in" is actually VERY capable and I found it to be comparable to my Matrix M-stage. 

Hey, finally got around to it. I got a used NFB-12, seems comparable to the 15. It's in transit but do you suggest using any filter settings with the HD700's? 

 

[mahelun]

  Hey, finally got around to it. I got a used NFB-12, seems comparable to the 15. It's in transit but do you suggest using any filter settings with the HD700's? 

OS4 Filter 1, the best I think with my HD700. Warm, voice are energetic and touching. Solid bass plus not a super high. BTW I used anax mod to my HD700 thinking that might help the highs a little bit as well

 

[thedude22]

  OS4 Filter 1, the best I think with my HD700. Warm, voice are energetic and touching. Solid bass plus not a super high. BTW I used anax mod to my HD700 thinking that might help the highs a little bit as well

Thanks, I'l give it a try. Is it difficult at all? I have the original version where you have to make the adjustments inside the case.

 

[mahelun]

  Thanks, I'l give it a try. Is it difficult at all? I have the original version where you have to make the adjustments inside the case.

I got the lastest nfb 15 2014 it is the same thing. YOu gotta open the case and change it. On their web site, there is a manual you can read

 

[thedude22]

  I got the lastest nfb 15 2014 it is the same thing. YOu gotta open the case and change it. On their web site, there is a manual you can read
 

Thanks, can't wait. Excited to listen to some music for a while instead of a/b testing everything and reading pages of reviews. It sounds like everything I was missing from my magni / x3 / and yamaha stereo. Plus I'm excited to hear the difference between a hifimediy sabre with the pre outs.

 

[migasson]

In fact, the only thing that p*** me off about the phone is the stupid, self tangling cord. How exactly does a cord self invert itself????
 
Arrrgghh!!

 

[Click]

  In fact, the only thing that p*** me off about the phone is the stupid, self tangling cord. How exactly does a cord self invert itself????
 
Arrrgghh!!

The cable getting tangled does kinda suck, but at least it's high quality, thick, and built like a tank. Not too difficult to untangle it, but I can see how that would annoy some people.
 
I've said this before, but it boggles my mind how Sennheiser didn't include more accessories with the HD700, including an extra cable. HD700 is as bare bones as you can get for a high-end product. Just the headphone, 1 cable, and the gigantic box it came packed in. No carrying case, no extra cables, no adapters. Senneheiser usually includes a good amount of accessories with most of their products, but not HD700. 

 

[migasson]

  The cable getting tangled does kinda suck, but at least it's high quality, thick, and built like a tank. Not too difficult to untangle it, but I can see how that would annoy some people.
 
I've said this before, but it boggles my mind how Sennheiser didn't include more accessories with the HD700, including an extra cable. HD700 is as bare bones as you can get for a high-end product. Just the headphone, 1 cable, and the gigantic box it came packed in. No case, no cables, no adapters, nothing. Senneheiser usually includes a good amount of accessories with most of their products, but not HD700. 

Good point.
 
Having Audeze's in the past, yes. Absolutely!!! 
 
The cable does look/feel bombproof Funny thing, is that I would have been happy to buy the phone at full RRP. It's that good However, at full RRP, I would want the full range of accessories. I paid $600AUD for the phones, which was on special here in in Oz, so I can't complain. My HDVA was also on HUGE discount too. (Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to afford it!!)

 

[migasson]

Gonna hook this sucker up to a Matrix Mini-I Pro via my HDVA600