$400 or under amp for HD650s (portable or desktop)

[GregBe]

I have $400 to spend on an amp, and used is preferable since I can get more for my money. My biggest debate right now is to go with the Hornet M, or a desktop amp.

Would a $400 desktop amp sound leagues better than the Hornet. I really like the idea of a portable, so I can listen in various rooms in my house and not be tied to my living room. If the difference between a home amp and a cd player is miles better than the Hornet and Creative Vision M, I will probably go that route, but if the compromise is noticeable but not huge, I will probably go the portable route for the convenience factor.

Any thoughts in general, or specific recommendations would be great.
Thanks!
Greg

 

[elbrickodaviso]

I may not be the most qualified to answer this, but from what I understand the Hornet isn't much of a compromise at all , especially if the most power-hungry phones you plan on amping is maybe the HD650 or K701. From what I understand, the main purpose of the Hornet is its versatility as a portable amp and it's ability to effortless run pretty powerful cans.

 

[b7nguyen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbrickodaviso /img/forum/go_quote.gif I may not be the most qualified to answer this, but from what I understand the Hornet isn't much of a compromise at all , especially if the most power-hungry phones you plan on amping is maybe the HD650 or K701. From what I understand, the main purpose of the Hornet is its versatility as a portable amp and it's ability to effortless run pretty powerful cans.

Effortlessly power is one thing, but what about the difference in SQ?

 

[mrarroyo]

Right now there is a Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 for $375 in the for sale forum. It has the PinkFloyd Mods, so ask the seller how far did he go on the mods. That is an steal, run and get it. The MF X-Can V3 has excellent rapport with Senn and Grado. Good luck.

 

[GregBe]

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo /img/forum/go_quote.gif ask the seller how far did he go on the mods. .

What answers to this question am I looking for? Are there certain mods that made the XCan better than others?

 

[Patu]

Pretty common feeling about X-Can V3 among my Finnish headphone friends has been that it sucks with HD650. I don't know about the mods then but in stock form.

 

[909]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregBe /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have $400 to spend on an amp, and used is preferable since I can get more for my money. My biggest debate right now is to go with the Hornet M, or a desktop amp. Would a $400 desktop amp sound leagues better than the Hornet. I really like the idea of a portable, so I can listen in various rooms in my house and not be tied to my living room. If the difference between a home amp and a cd player is miles better than the Hornet and Creative Vision M, I will probably go that route, but if the compromise is noticeable but not huge, I will probably go the portable route for the convenience factor. Any thoughts in general, or specific recommendations would be great. Thanks! Greg

Since we are talking generally here and you've only mentioned the Hornet and Creative Vision M (as a potential portable rig) vs. say the $400 home amp "X" and "X" CD player, it leaves a lot of unanswered variables...

Such as what type of headphones will you be using?
What type of CD player?
(and not as important right now the interconnectors you plan to use).

Based on my experience with various pieces of gear such as my Hornet, Rio Karma (228 ogg), and E4s vs. say the EC-SS, Apollo, and the E4s. The home rig is appreciably better--noticeably so. Without a doubt, I would prefer to have the home rig. Even, if I removed the Apollo and used the Sony D-555 I would take the home rig. Even if I used the MP3 player for both I would prefer to have the EC-SS over the Hornet any day. Now if I wanted to use something like Grado or Senns--the home rig, IMO, would be substantially better (miles) than the Hornet no matter the source, but better source equals better sound. Another amp to consider the new AE-2. I've not heard it, but it does walk the line between portable and desk amp. Yet based on my time with the EC-SS, I would take it over any other amp available under $800 excluding the Dynahi that I've heard and i've heard a lot.

So here's a link to the EC-SS and the AE-2 (both can be used as desk amps and the EC-SS isn't too big either)

Portable amps can only do so much (and in my opinion, not much especially with IEM)... and most, if not all, MP3s can't match a vintage Sony portable CD player, but it would be closer if everything had been stored FLAC or something similar and it was a very good sounding player. A decent home CD is a step up from that. And IEMs unless you get ultra expensive can't even compare to a midway decent full size can.

 

[djbnh]

Re: portable amp for HD650 - I use Xin's SuperMacro-IV, and find it pairs very nicely. No problem driving the Senns.

Edit: typo

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregBe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks What answers to this question am I looking for? Are there certain mods that made the XCan better than others?

Did he replace the diodes with fast acting ones, did he include heat sinks on the mosfets, what value did he use to replace the coupling caps.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patu /img/forum/go_quote.gif Pretty common feeling about X-Can V3 among my Finnish headphone friends has been that it sucks with HD650. I don't know about the mods then but in stock form.

Patu, sorry to hear that opinion. Of course I do not share it, so I will see if a modded X-Can user in Finland lives close to you so you can hear a modded X-Can. Will keep you posted.

 

[jcx]

from the specs the Xenos 1HA amp fits the semi-portable use scenario

for $145 the EPT version leaves enough money for a second decent set of Cans - @$280 street price K701 would be an easy stretch

a selection of different good quality cans is likely to do more for listening enjoyment than going overboard on the perfect amp selected for a single set of cans - headphones differ by huge amounts compared to basically competent amps working within their I,V limits

(of course this assume the Xenos are basically compent amps - which I don't know by direct experience)

 

[elbrickodaviso]

Quote:

Originally Posted by b7nguyen /img/forum/go_quote.gif Effortlessly power is one thing, but what about the difference in SQ?

And that's where me not being totally qualified to answer the question comes in. I hear good things though, so if you need the portability you could just go for it

Pretty sure it would be hard to get a Hornet right now anyway, but yeah.