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Looking for new cans, leaning towards HD650's. Would a fiio e7/e9 combo adequately power them?

post #1 of 18
12/4/12 at 10:43pm
Thread Starter 

I currently have a pair of (broken at the moment a900's), and m50's. I have a fiio e7 dac/amp. I am looking into buying some new headphones around the 300-400 dollar range, and the description of the hd650's sound characteristics is appealing to me. However, I also hear they require a nice amp to really make them shine. I was thinking of buying the fiio e9, which is a dedicated amp that the e7 can plug into (for those who are not familiar).

 

Would this combo of e7 and e9 be able to drive the hd650's sufficiently, or should I look elsewhere?

 

On a related note, is $390 for the hd650's a price worth buying at?

 

Thanks!

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post #2 of 18
12/4/12 at 10:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregr507 View Post

I currently have a pair of (broken at the moment a900's), and m50's. I have a fiio e7 dac/amp. I am looking into buying some new headphones around the 300-400 dollar range, and the description of the hd650's sound characteristics is appealing to me. However, I also hear they require a nice amp to really make them shine. I was thinking of buying the fiio e9, which is a dedicated amp that the e7 can plug into (for those who are not familiar).

 

Would this combo of e7 and e9 be able to drive the hd650's sufficiently, or should I look elsewhere?

 

On a related note, is $390 for the hd650's a price worth buying at?

 

Thanks!

Yes, $390 seems about right for a pair of HD650s. I would not recommend using the fiio e7 and/or e9 with the HD650. The sennheisers are really picky with amps, and the fiio products can't sufficiently drive the HD650 near its full potential. You would be doing yourself a disservice by pairing it with such amp/dacs. I heard the HD650 does well with the Asgard...which you can get for ~$185-200 used. Pair that with an ODAC and you should be set.  By the way if you want an Asgard, let me know and I can sell you a fairly new one at a good price.

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post #3 of 18
12/4/12 at 10:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MartyMcFly View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by gregr507 View Post

I currently have a pair of (broken at the moment a900's), and m50's. I have a fiio e7 dac/amp. I am looking into buying some new headphones around the 300-400 dollar range, and the description of the hd650's sound characteristics is appealing to me. However, I also hear they require a nice amp to really make them shine. I was thinking of buying the fiio e9, which is a dedicated amp that the e7 can plug into (for those who are not familiar).

 

Would this combo of e7 and e9 be able to drive the hd650's sufficiently, or should I look elsewhere?

 

On a related note, is $390 for the hd650's a price worth buying at?

 

Thanks!

Yes, $390 seems about right for a pair of HD650s. I would not recommend using the fiio e7 and/or e9 with the HD650. The sennheisers are really picky with amps, and the fiio products can't sufficiently drive the HD650 near its full potential. You would be doing yourself a disservice by pairing it with such amp/dacs. I heard the HD650 does well with the Asgard...which you can get for ~$185-200 used. That's probably the cheapest class A amp available. Pair that with an ODAC and you should be set.  By the way if you want an Asgard, let me know and I can sell you a fairly new one at a good price.

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post #4 of 18
12/5/12 at 12:00am
It is my understanding people have used this combo successfully with the 650. Try posting your question in this thread and you will get a good answer.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/197776/sennheiser-hd650-appreciation-thread/9200_20#post_8926241

Yes 390 is a good price.
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post #5 of 18
12/5/12 at 11:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregr507 View Post

I currently have a pair of (broken at the moment a900's), and m50's. I have a fiio e7 dac/amp. I am looking into buying some new headphones around the 300-400 dollar range, and the description of the hd650's sound characteristics is appealing to me. However, I also hear they require a nice amp to really make them shine. I was thinking of buying the fiio e9, which is a dedicated amp that the e7 can plug into (for those who are not familiar).

 

Would this combo of e7 and e9 be able to drive the hd650's sufficiently, or should I look elsewhere?

 

On a related note, is $390 for the hd650's a price worth buying at?

 

Thanks!

 

Heya,

 

The E9 is ok. It will power them. It's not a question of having enough power here though, it's more a question of synergy and whether you will like how they sound together.

 

Other amps to consider:

 

JDS Lab Objective 2 (O2)

Little Dot MK III & IV

Darkvoice 336SE

Schiit Asgard, Valhalla, Lyr

AVR (receivers; any really)

Maverick TubeMagic D1 & A1

 

Very best,

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post #6 of 18
12/5/12 at 3:00pm
Thread Starter 

Yeah I've heart that the Lyr is supposed to pair very well with the 650's, unfortunately I just can't afford that right now (struggling student still lol). Maybe some point down the line though. Is it still worth it to buy the 650's if I only plan to use something like a e7/e9 combo for dac and amp for now?

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post #7 of 18
12/5/12 at 5:32pm
in a word. yes
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post #8 of 18
12/5/12 at 5:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregr507 View Post

Yeah I've heart that the Lyr is supposed to pair very well with the 650's, unfortunately I just can't afford that right now (struggling student still lol). Maybe some point down the line though. Is it still worth it to buy the 650's if I only plan to use something like a e7/e9 combo for dac and amp for now?

 

Heya,

 

If you know for sure you want the HD650's, the E9 will power them fine. Again, power output is not the issue. Simply synergy. The E9 has good power output, plenty to make the HD650 dynamic with room to spare. It's often confused when people say something will not power a headphone enough, when that's completely false, the reality is simply the preference and popularity attached to an amplifier in regards to specific headphones. To think the HD650 is under powered by something that has the output to obviously power it just fine, equivalent to other more "prestigeous" amps in terms of power output, which are not labled as not being able to power them properly, just goes to show how much this is simply preference.

 

Very best,

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post #9 of 18
12/5/12 at 8:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregr507 View Post

Is it still worth it to buy the 650's if I only plan to use something like a e7/e9 combo for dac and amp for now?
Yes, I use the E9 with my HD650s. IMO it has good synergy and great value (88 on amazon). Later on when you have the money and enjoy the 650's character (they are somewhat love/hate for people) you can top them out with a Lyr or Crack or whatever.
Edited by Draygonn - 12/5/12 at 8:10pm
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post #10 of 18
12/5/12 at 8:38pm

Like MalveauX said this is all preference... I'd say just go for the coolest looking amp tongue_smile.gif

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post #11 of 18
12/6/12 at 5:43pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the responses everyone, I just ordered the hd650's! I'm pumped, they'll be here tomorrow. 430$ plus a free 50$ amazon giftcard. Gotta love amazon prime.

 

Can't wait for them to come, I'll probably add an e9 to go with my e7 pretty soon. Maybe down the line I'll upgrade to a better amp, but I think this setup will work nicely for now.

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post #12 of 18
12/6/12 at 9:34pm
E
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregr507 View Post

Thanks for the responses everyone, I just ordered the hd650's! I'm pumped, they'll be here tomorrow. 430$ plus a free 50$ amazon giftcard. Gotta love amazon prime.

Can't wait for them to come, I'll probably add an e9 to go with my e7 pretty soon. Maybe down the line I'll upgrade to a better amp, but I think this setup will work nicely for now.
Enjoy 'em man!
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post #13 of 18
12/6/12 at 10:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfetan44 View Post

E Enjoy 'em man!

Thanks! I broke down and ordered the e9 as well lol, both should be here tomorrow. Can't wait
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post #14 of 18
12/6/12 at 11:36pm

I'd say no, get an amp you can use with any headphone you have or will get.  The E9 has a 10 ohm output impedance, making it unsuitable for any headphone with an impedance lower than 80 ohms.  I'll be using the Schiit Asgard with the HD600 when I get them, personally. (Christmas present, yay :3)

 

Edit: saw you ordered it lol, by the numbers it should provide enough power for the HD650, so no reason to cancel/change.


Edited by IzzyAxel - 12/6/12 at 11:38pm
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post #15 of 18
12/6/12 at 11:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by IzzyAxel View Post

The E9 has a 10 ohm output impedance, making it unsuitable for any headphone with an impedance lower than 80 ohms.

 

 

It is, however, amazing that many things that are considered not suitable are often highly sought after because people simply like the sound of it.

 

Oh wait, we're talking about high fidelity here.

 

Very best,

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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Looking for new cans, leaning towards HD650's. Would a fiio e7/e9 combo adequately power them?