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Budget Amp for HD650: Better than O2, E9, Asgard, P4... - Page 2

post #16 of 20
8/31/12 at 10:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZARIM View Post

The iBasso D7 are pretty good entery level DACAMPs.........

Have you tried the D7 with the HD650? Is the synergy good? 

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post #17 of 20
9/1/12 at 1:51am

Quote:
Originally Posted by imackler View Post

 

How did the HD650 go with the 5.2? Its a DAC/AMP I'm really interested in now. Thanks for pointing me in a new direction! 

 

 

I tried this combination today: to my ear it is a very good, maybe even a perfect match. The HD650 sounded warm, but not dark. Lots of detail, clarity and space. I'd be very happy with this combo.

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post #18 of 20
9/1/12 at 2:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by imackler View Post

Yup, I'm a picky one. All of the above amps are fine. But I still think I liked my Just Audio AHA-120 (now sold off... sigh) better than all of the above amps w/ the HD650. The dynamics of the AHA-120 were just really good for a portable and I thought I'd have no problem getting a budget desktop better than a portable, since I didn't need an expensive portable amp! I really liked the synergy between the AHA-120 and the HD650. It was a remarkably transparent amp that still had some sparkle in the treble and heft in the bass, while letting the HD650 mids be themselves. It was a winner and now I need to replace it. 

 

I know lots of you haven't heard the AHA-120 but here I am. The O2 was not bad but felt thin and constrained; the E9, Asgard and P4 were all fine, with lots of raw power but were lacking finesse. They all seemed less nuanced than the AHA-120. 

 

I've read a ton of threads. What am I missing? Am I out of options? 

 

Probably looking under $200, with maybe some flex. I've got an ODAC now but I'd be willing to get a combo unit if it were the best option ($300-350). No desire for it to be portable, though am fine if it is. 

If a desktop unit is no problem go for a good stereo amplifier with a good headphone out. New, used and vintage you can find good good stuff within your budget...

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post #19 of 20
9/2/12 at 11:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by imackler View Post

Have you tried the D7 with the HD650? Is the synergy good? 

The D7 is my least favourite DAC that I have tried so far. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. As for the pairing, I don't think that would be good even if you did want it because the D7's amp is pretty dark. From what I know of the HD650 that's not really what you want to improve it. The only positive thing I can say is that it seems to drive harder to drive headphones better than sensitive ones.

 

Here's my review of the D7: http://noblehifi.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/ibasso-d7-sidewinder-review.html


Edited by Quadpatch - 9/2/12 at 11:48pm
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post #20 of 20
9/3/12 at 1:47am

Besides a Lovely Cube or supposedly a NFB,why don't you try out a Sicphone amp? http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1682246865/sicphones-a-high-end-silicon-carbide-headphone-amp Tyll talked about it in his September updated on Innerfidelity.

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