FYI, you can get the HD650 for $425 shipped from RazorDogAudio.com (authorized dealer) with coupon code RAZORDOG75. AFAIK that's the lowest you can find them right now brand new from an authorized dealer.
Nah unfortunately my current PC setup doesn't have optical.
All I have to say atm is that I have a big stupid grin on my face listening to the new setup. Will take a while for me to collect my thoughts and say something constructive though.
EDIT: Looks like the asio4all site is down right now. You can get it from download.com. Its not the very latest version but very little has changed and it will sound just as good.
Nah unfortunately my current PC setup doesn't have optical.
All I have to say atm is that I have a big stupid grin on my face listening to the new setup. Will take a while for me to collect my thoughts and say something constructive though.
The Hifimediy Sabre DAC can drive NFB-11.32 through optical up to 24/48, "CM6631A 24bit/192khz USB to Coaxial Optical fiber by weiliang" can drive it at 24/96 http://diyhifishop.com/cm6631a-24bit192khz-usb-to-coaxial-optical-fiber-by-weiliang-p-72.html.
I don't hear difference between the two of them driving NFB-11.32, so the Hifimediy is probably a better deal (and a great DAC), but it's sold out...
Glad you are enjoying it, for me it's endgame as far the search for the best DAC goes. The built-in amplifier is great too, but it can't be used standalone.
The Hifimediy Sabre DAC can drive NFB-11.32 through optical up to 24/48, "CM6631A 24bit/192khz USB to Coaxial Optical fiber by weiliang" can drive it at 24/96 http://diyhifishop.com/cm6631a-24bit192khz-usb-to-coaxial-optical-fiber-by-weiliang-p-72.html.
I don't hear difference between the two of them driving NFB-11.32, so the Hifimediy is probably a better deal (and a great DAC), but it's sold out...
Glad you are enjoying it, for me it's endgame as far the search for the best DAC goes. The built-in amplifier is great too, but it can't be used standalone.
Some loose preliminary first-impression (~2hr listening) notes:
HE500 + audioGD 11.32 notes
~how it feels to go from something that just drives HE500 loud enough, to something with actual clean power (and a good DAC to boot)~
Treble – extends more gracefully, doesn’t sound as dulled but neither is it sharp; upper treble extension gains a ton more air
Midrange – Congestion is mostly nonexistent, mids ~ treble transition seems to be a lot smoother; vocals are much more effortless and bloom without being syrupy
Bass / sub-bass – where the power lends itself to the HE500’s needs the most; bass quantity is still the same but there is a lot more grunt and kick, and tightness (and consequently tactility) of the sub-bass that is previous lacklustre is now about on par with HE400…yep, the exceptional HE400 sub-bass tactility that I so respect is now matched by HE500.
Soundstage / imaging – still the smallest headstage of HE500s, but 3D depth is improved by a long shot; instead of somewhat of a “wall of sound”, it becomes a lot like a mini-theatre built around your head
Layering / separation – Another major benefit of the extra power; instrumental/vocal separation is much much more effortless, no trouble tracking minor background instruments in busy passages any more. Much thanks to the DAC.
Detail extraction – the Sabre ES9018 chip is pretteh, pretteh good. Yep.
Transparency / euphony – both are not mutually exclusive, and both are improved; HE500 is by itself a fairly euphonic-sounding headphone with its warm, lush relaxing sound signature, and coupled with the added transparency imparted here (due to the improvements in all aspects, especially that of improved midrange clarity, and of improved separation), euphony gets to a whole ‘nother level as well
Keep in mind these impressions are all with 2 important sonic mods I have on HE500 (full v2.0 Jergpads, and open regrilling mod).
Nice write up jerg. Glad you are enjoying it. Yes, the heat is normal. I have it in an enclosed portion of my desk with no probs at all. I have run it for hours and hours non-stop, especially when I first received it.
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