Dude there's already quite a few threads about this...

Hey man, I know you said closed preferred but I really have to say that you may benefit from some open eared.    I have a wide variety of musical tastes, including quite a bit of classical, though typically of the string variety, where as, correct me if I'm wrong, you seem to be focused on...

didn't quote right.... redo later  

If anybody could bring a balanced setup for HD600/650 that would be awesome, I'm looking into building a balanced rig, but I haven't even seen one yet.

Well I couldn't resist, I bought some HD600's. Best money I've spent on audio so far, I'm amazed by them constantly. Next step is a sound card then amp/dac, preferably balanced. Hopefully some of you here could help me with that, I'm planning on building the balanced, and following audio science...

Quote: I could do the same, I'll be back in Portland for winter break, so I could ask then.

Quote: I just saw that at ALO, not much of a store, more like a warehouse, but that doesn't really matter. If you ever have the chance I highly suggest going there, there were some amazing looking amps and dacs, a couple Woo's and a Manley Stingray, man that thing is beautiful...

I'll have some HD600's, and that's about it. If anyone is interested I'll bring 'em.

There's more to it than loudness, if an amp is poor quality, it'll sound bad coming out of it, same for the DAC. Look at the NFB-12 from Audio GD

And if anybody has some Denon's, preferably in the D2000-D7000 variety, I'd really appreciate it if you brought them, I can't find them in any brick and mortar stores out here.

Quote: Most of the new ones at least, and if it has any av out then audio will be part of that. The Atrix eh?

Quote: I got an extra power strip and extension cord if anyone needs it, I don't have any powered equipment yet.

Quote: Hahahaha, glad I could be of service buddy, I'll definitely have to check it out when I'm down there. Pretty good selection?  

Alright, how about some HD 650's with a NFB-12?

I've done the whole HeadRoom comparison a few times, not lately though, I'll have to look again.   But I'll be doing some direct comparisons between a few brands in a week or so when I head to 32 Ohm Audio. They carry most the major brands, they good ones anyway, except for Denon, which is...