[Wiza_Gab]

So I got about $2000 (could be a little bit more or less) for an amp for my Senn HD650, I was looking toward the Benchmark DAC1 but is there something better in that price range ?

It's for using with a computer (so Optical Audio or USB)


Thank you!

 

[piotr z]

the best price/performance investment in hd650 is cable ( think of Zu mobius or APS ) - they work great with my Woo4 ( had a chance to check it at meet ) but that is edging budget and without good source I wouldn't spend that much $ on amp.

 

[Hopstretch]

So, coming from the Total Bithead, you're not into the whole incremental upgrade thing then?

Does it have to be a one-piece solution? Otherwise, seeing as you're coming out of a Mac, you could go for an Apogee Duet and a Ray Samuels Raptor and still have money left over for a recable of your 650s.

That would probably make you quite happy.

 

[M0T0XGUY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by piotr z /img/forum/go_quote.gif the best price/performance investment in hd650 is cable ( think of Zu mobius or APS ) - they work great with my Woo4 ( had a chance to check it at meet ) but that is edging budget and without good source I wouldn't spend that much $ on amp.

No offense but I wouldn't take this advice at all if I were the OP. Generally speaking, headphones benefit most from amps and sources, just as with speakers; cable upgrades are often nice, but are rarely necessities or must-have options.

With that said, given the OP's budget, I'd look into a decent balanced setup a la Singlepower or Headroom amps and a nice balanced source - or perhaps an absolutely stunning single-ended setup with, say, a heavily upgraded Singlepower Extreme and an external DAC.

It would, however, be key to know whether this 2 grand encompasses a source and amp, or whether it is allocated strictly for an amp, with an entirely separate source budget. I think in the end this information will be the difference between purchasing a balanced setup (which requires a balanced source and a recable) or sticking with a single-ended setup.

Good luck,
Nick

 

[Wiza_Gab]

piotr : Why isn't it a good source ? Computer sources aren't the future ?

Hopstretch : Looks great !

 

[jamato8]

Computers as a source for the hard drive to a dac, yes. The soundcards/dacs in a computer are often wanting. What I would do is. . . there will be many suggestions here. . .

 

[piotr z]

well - heaving heard zu and stock hd650 I can only say that difference was quite dramatic in + ( You can always buy sh zu and try yourself - small lose on shipping if any ) - that was at scotland meet and more people can confirm this

--> jamato8 x2

 

[PFKMan23]

Piotr,

Your rig and the OP's rig are at very different points. For OP I agree that a source upgrade along with an amp uppgrade would offer a much more noticeable improvement over a cable upgrade.

 

[charlie1]

Now I've got a laptop as source to a BENCHMARK DAC1 USB to a RAPTOR and it is the best I've heard. That should be close to your price range. I would say try the MAXED WA6 but mine has not reached the performance of the RAPTOR yeat (and may not) It only has about 77 hrs burn in with stock tubes. I'm told it should get alot better. It is already night + day different from day one. I was rather disapointed at first. If it keeps up at this rate, I will be a very happy camper at the 400 plus hrs burn in that all suggest. I have been VERY happy with the DAC1 - RAPTOR combo for quite some time now.

 

[Happy Camper]

If just an amp, SP Platinum or a Zana Deux. If dac 1 + SP Extreme. 1k$ each. Or the first option and a used dac.

 

[M0T0XGUY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFKMan23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Piotr, Your rig and the OP's rig are at very different points. For OP I agree that a source upgrade along with an amp uppgrade would offer a much more noticeable improvement over a cable upgrade.

Indeed, I don't mean to debate over the specific improvements brought about by cables (that discussion is safe for another forum) but rather want to suggest that an amp and source upgrade will (at this point) yield a greater change in sound than even the finest cable produced.

 

[Dash]

Source first.

2K can secure an excellent source and great amp.

 

[shellylh]

I have a Stello DA100 + Singlepower Extreme (also Moon Audio Blue Dragon cable) and the 650s really sing with this setup! The Extreme is really an amazing amp!!!

 

[threed]

Apogee MiniDAC + Balanced Beta22 + Balanced Cable will be my way to go

 

[Wiza_Gab]

What is Singlepower Extreme ? I can't find it :
Singlepower Audio
And where can I see the exact price ?