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Cheap amp for HD 650 ?

post #1 of 23
10/10/04 at 12:21pm
Thread Starter 
Hi
My boss gave me a pair of Sennheiser HD 650's ( nice guy ) and now I need an amp for it.
Most of the time they will be plugged to my M-audio audiophile 24/96 soundcard.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a cheap amp ?
I would prefer to get one thats available in the EU.
I looked at the Rega EAR, it's rather cheap and gets some nice words on the way, but it's still a bit over my current budget.
In other words... I'm very close to broke.

Thanx in advance.
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post #2 of 23
10/10/04 at 1:56pm
Thread Starter 
It could be a DIY-project too. If there's any good ones in the 100-150$ range
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post #3 of 23
10/10/04 at 10:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gungrefjaert
My boss gave me a pair of Sennheiser HD 650's ( nice guy )
VERY nice guy!
Actually, I don't think there is such a thing as a cheap amp for HD650s. At least not REAL cheap. I'd say at least $300, unfortunately for their true potential to even start coming out.
But, hey, you got the 650s for free so you're way ahead of the game already.
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post #4 of 23
10/10/04 at 10:50pm
rega ear
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post #5 of 23
10/11/04 at 4:46pm
Thread Starter 
Thanx for your answers. I think I'll just wait until I've got the money for the Rega EAR.
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post #6 of 23
10/11/04 at 7:01pm
I'd say unless you want to get a decent amp, the hd650s don't and won't sound good coming out of anything that isn't worthy. That includes your sourd card and a rega ear. Not to sound snobbish, but the 650s aren't know for flatterining lackluster gear in the first place.
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post #7 of 23
10/11/04 at 7:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjg
I'd say unless you want to get a decent amp, the hd650s don't and won't sound good coming out of anything that isn't worthy. That includes your sourd card and a rega ear. Not to sound snobbish, but the 650s aren't know for flatterining lackluster gear in the first place.

So what would be your idea of a "budget" HD-650 amp? Budget meaning lowest $$ while still retaining good sound quality with the 650's?
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post #8 of 23
10/11/04 at 7:16pm
A few that I have heard them with that were pretty good:

Eddie Current
Headroom Little
Headroom Cosmic
XP-7
SR-71 Sounded good but I would not wear them around as a portable setup.
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post #9 of 23
10/11/04 at 7:30pm
A used gilmore lite would be a nice match and close to your budget. Check out the for sale forum as they come up for sale periodically. They run about $300 new and $200 or so used. www.headamp.com
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post #10 of 23
10/11/04 at 7:32pm
Or, if you want, an alternative is to try to sell those 650s, then buy HD 555s, or 595s or 600s, and get a cheaper amp that will work better with them...
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post #11 of 23
10/11/04 at 8:11pm
I didn't like the rega ear and 650 combo.. I just felt the rega ear didn't have enough power to drive them properly
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post #12 of 23
10/11/04 at 8:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gungrefjaert
It could be a DIY-project too. If there's any good ones in the 100-150$ range
How about a pimeta in that case?
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post #13 of 23
10/11/04 at 11:24pm
I don't think i'd like the gilmore amps with hd650s.
My minimum suggestion, would be a resonably well built PPA, with the trimmings for around 400-500 they go for.
I'd also consider other amps(headroom amps wil mate well, so will anything from ray samuels, corda, single power, or one of the amps other guys can suggest) , but unfortunatly everything i have to suggest, and have tried i can't define by price. If you wanted my take on it, don't consider prices with hd650s. You are not dealing with a bargain component, don't expect amazing sound from them when you mismatch them with a comprimised choice of amp. Frankly, i'd buy a better source first of all. Then worry about your amp.

I say if your ready to bone up on an amp and source take the plunge, otherwise your hd650s will sound like they are being insulted, and upset with you ; )
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post #14 of 23
10/11/04 at 11:31pm
To keep it that cheap I would use the headphone jack of a stereo receiver. They aren't all bad. Maybe get one second hand if you don't already have one.
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post #15 of 23
10/11/04 at 11:35pm
i don't mean to sound like a snot, i was just offering my sincere opinion. I don't hold back if i have something to offer.

My best opinion is a PPA with some decent options. I still do think a power supply is really important, but i suppose u can cheap out on that, and add on later. Atleast with PPA, it can always be upgraded.
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