[Dummedanne]

Hi!

I just bought my first serious headphones and need som help.

Im looking for a headphone amp for hd-650, used at most $200.

Since i like an analytic sound id like an amp with lots of details and a no color. Im afraid that if a pair the hd-650 with a tube amp it will be too dark for me since the hd-650 are a bit dark themself. Correct?

So suggestions for clean, bright, analytic amp for sennheiser hd-650, in the price range max $200 are very welcome!

Thanks for helping out, fantastic forum this.

 

[MisterMoJo]

OOOO! OOOO! OOOO! I know!!! You should like the little dot mark V. It has all the features you are looking for! I have that amp and a pair of HD650's. If you like cold and analytical, that's your combo.

Look in the for sale forums for a used one.

 

[cswann1]

I think the easier thing to do would be to swap the 650's for a pair of 600's.

Trying to EQ a headphone with amps can be frustrating and expensive and usually you'll still not quite get the sound you're after.


Also, It's far from popular around here, but using a quality AV receiver as a hp amp can be very nice and receivers usually have at least some bass and treble boost/cut ability.

 

[nikongod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cswann1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think the easier thing to do would be to swap the 650's for a pair of 600's.

agreed.

 

[jh4db536]

just buy a pair of HD600 drivers from senn then you can have both : )

the DAC1 is also known for it's slight brightness and analytical sound, but it's way above your budget...

 

[jc9394]

Agreed on swap the HD650 to HD600, I owned both at one time and end up selling the HD650 within a week.

For analytical amp, I highly recommend Gilmore Lite but it is over your budget.

 

[moodyrn]

I also suggest changing them out for some 600s. It would be extremely difficult to power the 650s with your budget. Let alone something that's going to be completely neutral. The 600s IMO are a more neutral sounding can anyway. They are still hard to drive, but a little easier to drive than the 650s. You might be able to get away with power them with a 200.00 amp. Well if you sell your 650s and get some 600s, you'll be able to increase your amp budget to around 300-350.00. At that price range, there are some viable options, and IMO you would have a much better setup than some 650s and a 200.00 amp. One thing you will learn around here. Having expensive headphones is meaningless without the proper amp to drive them.

 

[Dummedanne]

hmm, maybe i was a bit too fast when i wrote.

I like the sennheiser 650´s but i wouldnt like them to be darker when buying an amp, rather brighter in that case.

 

[Gradofan2]

See this thread...

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/hd-...p-best-480689/

Also... if you want to "tune" your Senns - the best tool I've found to "tune" them to your liking, which really wakes them up is this thing...

Aphex | 204 Aural Exciter with Big Bottom | 204 | B&H Photo Video

It's magic with Senns!

 

[Dummedanne]

will i notice a big difference in quality compared to the headphone amp in my EMU 0404 if i buy a used amp for $200 or is it to little t spend?

 

[SubieMan09]

I recently got the Matrix M because of project86's excellent review (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/mat...ellent-475618/). I got it at ebay for ~$230 after Microsoft bing cash back. It is an amazing amp for the price/value and paired with my HD650 so well. To my untrained ears, the voice is cleared and the bass is tight and fast.

 

[dcpoor]

dynalo / sheeraudio ha-006+

around $300 though.

 

[carledwards]

I honestly don't think you can do the 650 justice in the price-range specified. You'd be better off with different cans, as has been suggested, if you're stuck in that price range.

 

[Mescalamba]

I would rather suggest to get AKG 701/702 for more analytical and neutral sound. I dont think that HD 650 is even able to sound like that..