[nicolo]

  Assuming I'm right about #2, what desktop amp might make sense for both the 560 and my HD650? Is there one that would serve them both well, still keeping in mind that classical piano is my #1 listening priority? I'm pretty open to any suggestion, but if that's too wide open, I can mention that my initial bias is to not yet jump into tube land, and that I might want to stay sub $500 ... unless there's a dramatic leap I can't live without at a higher price point.

 
I would suggest getting the Gustard H10 which pairs beautifully with the HE-560. You can get it for around $370 on Amazon, or even lower if it's on Massdrop drop. There's also the Yulong A28 which's currently at $449 on the grantfidelity website. I prefer the Yulong A28 over the Gustard as i think it has slightly better separation and impact. Review links for both of them below:
 
Yulong A28:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/yulong-a28-headphone-amplifier/reviews/10808
http://www.inearspace.co.uk/inearspace/Yulong_A28_Headphone_Amplifier_Review.html
 
Gustard H10:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/gustard-h10-high-current-discrete-class-a-stage-headphone-amplifier/reviews/13232
 
IMO for sub $500, there're really no better amps with that level of performance with both dynamic and planar headphones

 

[DavidA]

 

• Assuming I'm right about #2, what desktop amp might make sense for both the 560 and my HD650? Is there one that would serve them both well, still keeping in mind that classical piano is my #1 listening priority? I'm pretty open to any suggestion, but if that's too wide open, I can mention that my initial bias is to not yet jump into tube land, and that I might want to stay sub $500 ... unless there's a dramatic leap I can't live without at a higher price point.

For an amp under $500 and for use with HE-560 and HD-650 I would get a Project Ember due to the adjustable output resistance/impedance.  For me the BH Crack is better than the Ember for the HD-650 but Ember is really close.  Unfortunate its uses a tube so as the other poster suggested the Gustard would be my next choice if I didn't have the Ember.

 

[Uriel41]

what do you guys think of the NFB 11 for the 560?

 

[Crimvel]

Hey guys and gals,
 
this wednesday I was able to get my hands on these Cans (for a steal of only 600€). Today they arrived and I took them on a ride through my "Headphone-Test-Playlist" which consists of stuff from all genres, well genres important to my listening habits". And I was blown away.
 
There was so much detail. For example in Dolly Partons - Jolene: I never noticed that there is really subtle percussion in the deep background.
 
I just had my first eargasm with these cans. Thank you HiFiMAN.

 

[Rdrcr]

^^^^
Cool.  Good to hear. 
I've been enjoying the 560's since I got them.  My other cans haven't been on my head since. 
 
Mike

 

[Audio Addict]

  For an amp under $500 and for use with HE-560 and HD-650 I would get a Project Ember due to the adjustable output resistance/impedance.  For me the BH Crack is better than the Ember for the HD-650 but Ember is really close.  Unfortunate its uses a tube so as the other poster suggested the Gustard would be my next choice if I didn't have the Ember.

 
I would suggest considering the Burson Audio Lycan with their new V5 discrete opamp.  
 
http://www.bursonaudio.com/products/lycan/
 
I have been really enjoying mine.  It holds its own with most headphone amps even double its price.  The single ended only has not even been an issue.

 

[doctorjazz]

I haven't tried it with the 560, but I just received the Liquid Carbon, it's a bit out of that range ($599), but I'd think would drive the 560 well (better than most amps about that price or less...I do like my MicroZOTL better, but now we're breaking $1k). My experience is that underpowered, the 560 can sound a bit harsh and edgy.

If you get around to trying the Liquid Carbon with the 560, don't be shy about sharing your thoughts! Thanks for the reply!

Dug out my 560s, don't have a balanced cable for it (only have a balalced cable for the HE-1000). so I have to listen single ended to it (the LC is designed to be used balanced, loses power/quality single ended). Having said that, in a quick listen, sounds just fine. I'll detail a bit more later, but the combo works (and, I'm sure, even better with balanced cables). In the middle of a Thanksgiving weekend family marathon, listen more later.

 

[SashimiWu]

Still on the fence about this purchase.  Do you guys think the HE-560 complements the LCD-2F enough to own both?
 
My main goal is to get a bit more treble air, soundstage, and speed for classical music and just faster music in general.  But I'm not sure whether or not this is different enough from the LCD-2F to warrant a purchase.

 

[TMRaven]

I'd get an HD800 to be truly different, although HE-560 and HD800 share a lot of similarities. 

 

[XenHeadFi]

  Still on the fence about this purchase.  Do you guys think the HE-560 complements the LCD-2F enough to own both?
 
My main goal is to get a bit more treble air, soundstage, and speed for classical music and just faster music in general.  But I'm not sure whether or not this is different enough from the LCD-2F to warrant a purchase.

Both are open, over-ear planars, so they should share more similar sounds than not. I would say they would be side-grades and would suggest looking at dynamic drivers or closed cans.

 

[SSL443]

  Still on the fence about this purchase.  Do you guys think the HE-560 complements the LCD-2F enough to own both?
 
My main goal is to get a bit more treble air, soundstage, and speed for classical music and just faster music in general.  But I'm not sure whether or not this is different enough from the LCD-2F to warrant a purchase.

 
Everything I've heard suggests that the 560 is the most open sounding planar after maybe the HE-1000. The Audeze offerings are pretty closed-in by comparison.

 

[Kiats]

Everything I've heard suggests that the 560 is the most open sounding planar after maybe the HE-1000. The Audeze offerings are pretty closed-in by comparison.

Don't forget the HE-6. Though it is rather power hungry. Agree on the Audezes though.

 

[SSL443]

Don't forget the HE-6. Though it is rather power hungry.

Agree on the Audezes though.

 
Good point, I did forget.

 

[Kiats]

Good point, I did forget.

Heheh! It's not something most of us think about. But seriously, the Audezes not quite up the same class of the Hifiman cans. And cost a fair bit more as well...

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Heheh! It's not something most of us think about. But seriously, the Audezes not quite up the same class of the Hifiman cans. And cost a fair bit more as well...

Disagree strongly, sold my tricked out 560 when I picked up a pair of LCD-3f, they and the LCD-X are superior headphones. While I loved my 560s, Audeze is better, IMO.