[tbonner1]

Here is a brilliant Stello review by Iron Dreamer:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...ghlight=stello

 

[bwarfel]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I can't seem to find the Singlepower SS1 on any websites including the SinglePower site. What is the price range for the amp? My price range is $1000-$2000. I know that range sounds wide, but I have found you get the law of diminishing returns with much audio equipment meaning you can pay toward the top of the range and not get the increased resolution for the additional dollars. The Zana Deusx is not available for audition until the middle of next month. I also have my SLI80 in for repair. My two year old son became a bit over zealous with some of the tubes and may have damaged the tube socket, so when that is repaired, we'll see how the unit sounds.

How does one audition some of the models you have mentioned in your posts? Thank you for all of the advice. This is a great forum!

 

[tbonner1]

The Singlepower solid state amp may be in the process of being redesigned.

Look at ASR's loaner program where there have been a few reviews.

 

[bwarfel]

Who is ASR?

 

[Nebby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwarfel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Who is ASR?

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/member.php?u=11064

 

[Asr]

The Singlepower SS1 is way beyond your budget, that was a custom two-chassis amp that was built specifically for a Head-Fier and I believe it cost $15K.

As far as the original question of the "best" solid-state for the 650, there isn't one. It really depends on your sonic preferences, your source, and the features you need, since there are many <$2K amps and they all have different feature sets. I can only speak for HeadAmp Gilmore Lite & GS-1, Heed CanAmp, Eddie Current EC/SS, and Lehmann Black Cube Linear. They all do a fine job of amping the HD650 - the specifics of each pairing really depends on what you want and can only be up to your ears.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbonner1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Singlepower solid state amp may be in the process of being redesigned. Look at ASR's loaner program where there have been a few reviews.

The amp that tbonner1 is referring to is the Square Wave, and the mentioned loaner/review is in this thread: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=246258

 

[Bootleg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiza_Gab /img/forum/go_quote.gif What about the Benchmark DAC1 ?

x2

 

[Bootleg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by granodemostasa /img/forum/go_quote.gif but you must understand that tube amps do things that SS amps don't...

that is a mouthful, really.

 

[esuko]

I quess Corda ha-2 MKII SE could be found 2nd hand in that prize range.

Works for me paired with Stello DA100.

 

[riceboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asr /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Singlepower SS1 is way beyond your budget, that was a custom two-chassis amp that was built specifically for a Head-Fier and I believe it cost $15K. As far as the original question of the "best" solid-state for the 650, there isn't one. It really depends on your sonic preferences, your source, and the features you need, since there are many <$2K amps and they all have different feature sets. I can only speak for HeadAmp Gilmore Lite & GS-1, Heed CanAmp, Eddie Current EC/SS, and Lehmann Black Cube Linear. They all do a fine job of amping the HD650 - the specifics of each pairing really depends on what you want and can only be up to your ears. The amp that tbonner1 is referring to is the Square Wave, and the mentioned loaner/review is in this thread: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=246258

Wow 15k. In any case I liked the EC/SS for driving the HD650s as well as the DAC1 did a good job as well. Like ASR put it, it really depends on you ears. Good luck

 

[pageman99]

I gotta admit, my balanced 4 board Beta22, though at the top of your price range is far and away the best bang for the buck amp I've ever heard with the Senn 650's. Yes, it is DIY, but it can be bought finished from various builders.

In my experience, the Senn's become a totally different headphone balanced, able to compete with the kilobuck headphone legends.

Unbalanced they are simply a very good headphone. So if you do nothing else, try to get a listen to the 650's balanced. Then, and only then, make your decision.

 

[Icarium]

Yup HD600s/650s scale better than any other headphone that I know of. Except the K1000. I am extremely skeptical of how well the D5000 scales since my meet impression was that it wouldn't scale well at all.

 

[sachu]

I am toying with the idea of building either an M3 or a Cavalli Kumisa III. Read that both pair well with the Senns and both are pretty much in the same price range. Waiting to hear them both before i decide.

 

[coho66]

might i suggest Ray Samuels HR-2? i've never heard it in person, but in general it's a highly regarded unit, both with and without the 650's...

in fact so much so i'm wanting to find one myself for my 650's/600's/880's, but their surfacing in the for sale forum has been sparse as of late....soooo if anyone's selling one

 

[Audio-Omega]

What about Perreaux SXH2 ? The amp is under $1000 though.