[xenithon]

Hi all. I recently paired up HD650's (balanced SAA Equinox cable) with an Apogee Mini-Dac, running them straight out of the balanced outputs. I was amazed by the results, and it got me thinking about what other headphones could work well like this.

From what I have read, I believe the ideal cans need to be high impedance. The HD650's are 300-ohm, and another high-impedance headphone I came across was the K340 (400-ohm IIRC).

Has anyone run a balanced K340 straight from the analog outs of their DAC (such as the Mini-Dac, Lavry DA10, or Benchmark DAC1)? Do they drive the headphones sufficiently?

Cheers,
X

 

[vcoheda]

i suspect these DACs lack the power to run the K340 sufficiently. i believe koolbubba has done this with his DAC1 and said something to that effect as well.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenithon /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi all. I recently paired up HD650's (balanced SAA Equinox cable) with an Apogee Mini-Dac, running them straight out of the balanced outputs. I was amazed by the results, and it got me thinking about what other headphones could work well like this. From what I have read, I believe the ideal cans need to be high impedance. The HD650's are 300-ohm, and another high-impedance headphone I came across was the K340 (400-ohm IIRC). Has anyone run a balanced K340 straight from the analog outs of their DAC (such as the Mini-Dac, Lavry DA10, or Benchmark DAC1)? Do they drive the headphones sufficiently? Cheers, X

Yes, I run my balanced 340's out of my DAC1.. My DAC1 drives them 'ok'.. Volume wise is no problem.. I can't listen with the volume on full, too loud.. But the 340's sound restrained & tiny compared to my other balanced headphones.. The 650's & SA5000.. You will still enjoy the 340's balanced. I know I do.. The mid range still shines, & is great with strings..Spacious detail, great detail.. But you won't do them justice unless you upgrade to a better amp.. I'm sure the 340's SE would sound much better on a DV332/336, BADA12, or Heedamp, then balanced through a DAC. The current isn't there. Unless you plan on getting a serious balanced rig to drive them, you are better off saving your money on Balanced cables, & buying a SE amp with the juice to power them..

The improvements between SE & balanced is hard to make.. I believe I noticed a slight difference in the mid range & the highs, but truthfully, I feel I'm trying to hear a difference.. I do believe balanced is better & I noticed a great improvement with my 650/SA5000.. But balancing the 340's to use on a balanced DAC, cancels the benefits of balanced drive cause the DAC isn't up to the task. Hope this helped!

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif i suspect these DACs lack the power to run the K340 sufficiently. i believe koolbubba has done this with his DAC1 and said something to that effect as well.

Yes.. I had very low expectations coming in, & because of this I'm pretty surprised how well they sound

 

[xenithon]

Hmmm, so you say an MDR-SA5000 run balanced straight from the DAC works well?

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenithon /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmmm, so you say an MDR-SA5000 run balanced straight from the DAC works well?

Extremely well.. I even preferred them over my 650's SE..

 

[SonicDawg]

I you think will have much better luck running them out of some good speaker amps (hint: vintage). They can soak up the power like no other!

 

[xenithon]

Thanks for the info guys....the SA5000 balanced seems like a better option, especially to partner with the HD650!

kool bubba ice - any interesting in parting with you balanced pair?

 

[tk3]

I ran them straight from my CEC-DA53, (has XLR outputs), and didn't think it sounded particularly good.
Volume-wise they are OK, but sound is compressed.

But then again, I haven't heard how they can sound with a monster amp.