Best balanced amp for HD650

[Fidel]

I am ready to purchase an awesome amp for my Sennheisers. I currently run the 650s balanced from the DAC1 USB. I am currently thinking of:

-Headamp GS-X
-Beta22
-Headroom Home
-RSA Apache

Does Justin have the new modules ready for the GS-X? Are there amps that will give me a better bang for the buck?

 

[aaron313]

Bang for buck? HR Desktop Balanced. No qualms here.

 

[Jerrycan]

Another strong vote for the Headroom Desktop Balanced.

 

[4N6]

BE PATIENT and save your pennies for the RSA B-52 or TTVJ 307A. In the end you will save money (no need to upgrade) and have one of the best headphone amps going.

Also, lots of threads on this topic. Do a search and you should come up with some really good information.

 

[Jerrycan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4N6 /img/forum/go_quote.gif BE PATIENT and save your pennies for the RSA B-52 or TTVJ 307A. In the end you will save money (no need to upgrade) and have one of the best headphone amps going.

Yeah right, very nice amps, but over 5,5k for the RSA B-52 and 6K!!! for the TTVJ 307A is a lot of money to say the least.

 

[Akabeth]

I was fortunate enough to audition a B-52 and balanced Senn 650, 600, and RS-1's last night [Friday] at my team mate's apartment this weekend in Ann Arbor. I also brought my un-balanced SA-5000's and AKG-701's.

Hmm... I would say, I had trouble describing the listening experience. From memory, the 650's and 600's sound amazing; crazy-good mids, and it just sounds "full" with every music track me and him and come up with.

 

[dreamwhisper]

The problem with headamp is you have to wait minimum 3 months for a GS-X.
I almost went that route.

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerrycan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah right, very nice amps, but over 5,5k for the RSA B-52 and 6K!!! for the TTVJ 307A is a lot of money to say the least.

don't underestimate the aural bliss of tubes.

 

[Dreadhead]

I have a GS-X, I got it second hand so I didn't have to wait too long (6 weeks). The amp is amazing! I also had a beta22 (it's almost on it's way to dreamwhisper) and it's amazing too.

I'm not a tube person in fact I'm about to buy a measurement mic to calibrate my digital equalizer so all my headphones have board flat response, so I'm about the antithesis of a tube fan. If you're looking for transparent power you need not look farther than those two.

For the guys in AA: GO BLUE, I got my PhD at UofM.

 

[pabbi1]

If you have any DIY skills at all, you can balance a MillettMax for about $500. The 650s like it very much.

 

[Fidel]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I've heard the buzz regarding the B-52 but I think for that price I can get a really nice electrostat setup instead. A HR Home balanced is what I want but it's simply over my price range (I'm thinking ~$2200 max). I really want the headphone amp to perform as a good preamp too.

Is the GS-X a balanced Dynalo? I just can't quite justify the price jump from the GS-1, which is supposedly a Dynalo too.

 

[PFKMan23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fidel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is the GS-X a balanced Dynalo? I just can't quite justify the price jump from the GS-1, which is supposedly a Dynalo too.

With the current modules, yes it is a balanced Dynalo.

 

[sethk]

The GS-X is a very well executed dynalo and the price step up from the GS-1 seems in line with the increased costs and labor.