Need a good portable amp for my HD 650's

The E11 actually has a better amp than the E7. For that price range, I feel that the UHA-4 (includes DAC) and the C421 (amp only) will be your best bets for a truly portable amp, while the O2 will be great for something you can throw in a bag.

I guess that makes sense. Read here.

 

http://www.headfonia.com/the-upgrade-fiio-e17-alpen/

 

Honestly, the FiiOs are ok.  Not GREAT but for your budget I'm not sure you'd find anything to be great.  I have both E7 and E17 and didn't like either.  ALO's National is a decent pairing, but again not great.

 

If you must, PA2V2 sounded better to me then the either the E7/E17, but again not great.  If you go PA2V2, be sure to tell Gary that you want to drive HD650s.

I'm in the same situation as the OP (having upgraded from the 555 to the 650) however, I've refined my search down to two separate AMPs. I've been looking at the JDS Labs C421 and the Leckerton Audio UHA4. The only comparison between the two I've seen, I read on these forums and it was informative however I was wondering if I could get any further input on the subject before I pull the trigger and buy either one of them. I'd also be open to consideration of any other portable AMPs that can compete with the two listed in the general price range, give or take 50 bucks.
 

 

 

I think tzjin has it right.  You had said you would spend up to $200, and the two he mentions are about the best you can do in that price category.  Save your Amazon gift card for a couple of DVD's or Blu-rays or something (a couple of nice concert Blu-rays would sound nice on your new gear!) and choose from those two. That's my suggestion.  Either is going be a noticeable upgrade over the E17.

Is the DAC a factor in your decision? 

Impressions (not mine): http://www.head-fi.org/t/536982/leckerton-audio-slimline-uha-4/870#post_8320289

Fiio E17 offer a lot, great for plugging into your laptop's USB port, but you can't use the E17's DAC feature with the iPod or cell phone.

The E11 ($65) does not come with a DAC, but I think it puts out a little more juice at 300-Ohm then the E17.

For around $13, off eBay, for the E11, you can get two spare batteries (BL-5B) and a simple AC battery charger.

 

For around $60, off eBay, you can get the Dac Destoryer, USB-DAC, that can plug into your laptops' USB port (and the E11 into the Dac Destoryer).

 

$65 + $13 + $60 equals $138.

(maybe another $5 for a cable).

I used to use a mini 3 diy amp for my senn hd580s and was impressed with the results.
 

Why not an o2 amp.
I use one from jds and have eccellent result with my hd 650.
But it is not extremly portable and if your primarly interest is portability go for a fiio.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

I just got HD580's and was also on a very tight budget.  For the time being I have a JDSLabs cMoy and I'm very happy with it so far.  It sounds nice (best as I can tell) and provides ample power for the headphones on my quietest tracks.