[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

^ Really? More important issues than fast internet? Far out, I guess I'm a simpleton It would be nice if the political system was less susceptible to BS and more actual benefit to everyone though, whole thing needs a good revamp for sure.

 

[musicinmymind]

AK 100 ii and HD-650 is made for each other...pure musical bizz...forward sounding AK 100 ii paired with darker HD-650 make them sound very special. Hard hitting bass with good weight, very good imaging, sound stage,sparkling highs (never expected this from HD-650), ohh boy I am liking them a lot.
 
Newly arrived IE-800 and my HE-6 rig completely ignored.  
 
I wanted to try balanced cables with HD-650 but worried that lower watts from balanced port, may not drive them as good as unbalanced...please suggest.

 

[dpastern]

  ^ Really? More important issues than fast internet? Far out, I guess I'm a simpleton It would be nice if the political system was less susceptible to BS and more actual benefit to everyone though, whole thing needs a good revamp for sure.

 
Agreed, but we are way off topic.  We are best to keep it to the AK discussion topic  

 

[pekingduck]

  AK 100 ii and HD-650 is made for each other...pure musical bizz...forward sounding AK 100 ii paired with darker HD-650 make them sound very special. Hard hitting bass with good weight, very good imaging, sound stage,sparkling highs (never expected this from HD-650), ohh boy I am liking them a lot.
 
Newly arrived IE-800 and my HE-6 rig completely ignored.  
 
I wanted to try balanced cables with HD-650 but worried that lower watts from balanced port, may not drive them as good as unbalanced...please suggest.

I've been thinking about getting a pair of HD650 so it's nice to know.
 
I wonder why the balanced output has less power than the unbalanced one, it's simply puzzling. Perhaps it's a mistake on their website and should be the other way round!

 

[Skyfall]

My early impressions might help

 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/718321/brand-spanking-new-a-k-ak120ii-and-ak100ii/1770#post_10969721
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/718321/brand-spanking-new-a-k-ak120ii-and-ak100ii/2100#post_11039596

  AK 100 ii and HD-650 is made for each other...pure musical bizz...forward sounding AK 100 ii paired with darker HD-650 make them sound very special. Hard hitting bass with good weight, very good imaging, sound stage,sparkling highs (never expected this from HD-650), ohh boy I am liking them a lot.
 
Newly arrived IE-800 and my HE-6 rig completely ignored.  
 
I wanted to try balanced cables with HD-650 but worried that lower watts from balanced port, may not drive them as good as unbalanced...please suggest.

 
Now, with "AKT5p" settings everything seems fuller, more full bodied. Similar to using copper but with transparency and details of silver. Once again heaven to my ears.

 

[Dopaminer]

   
I wanted to try balanced cables with HD-650 but worried that lower watts from balanced port, may not drive them as good as unbalanced...please suggest.

 
It must be a misprint.  Doesn`t balanced output always increase power ?   If the 120ii goes from 2.1v to 2.3v singe ended/balanced, why would the 100ii to go from 2.0 to 1.7 ?  
 
 
 
And speaking of the AKT5P eq, I spent a long time today listening to it on a T5P: pure heaven !  

 

[musicinmymind]

Thanks for all suggestion, I am planning to split stock cable into two and mold for balanced and unbalanced cables.
 
Will update my findings between them 

 

[Dopaminer]

Red Buttero case for 120ii for sale on Yahoo Auction here in Japan. . .   
I like the orange, or brown,  better . . . 
 

 

 

[CasperBxl]

   
It must be a misprint.  Doesn`t balanced output always increase power ?   If the 120ii goes from 2.1v to 2.3v singe ended/balanced, why would the 100ii to go from 2.0 to 1.7 ?  
 
 
 
And speaking of the AKT5P eq, I spent a long time today listening to it on a T5P: pure heaven !  

 
 
The AK100II has only 1 amp section in it, it is not dual, dual like the AK120II.

 

[danelmix]

Any of you guys use the HD 650 or similar priced over the ear with the ak100ii. I have the se846, no amp. Just thinking of getting a pair for home use.

 

[musicinmymind]

 

  AK 100 ii and HD-650 is made for each other...pure musical bizz...forward sounding AK 100 ii paired with darker HD-650 make them sound very special. Hard hitting bass with good weight, very good imaging, sound stage,sparkling highs (never expected this from HD-650), ohh boy I am liking them a lot.
 
Newly arrived IE-800 and my HE-6 rig completely ignored.  
 
I wanted to try balanced cables with HD-650 but worried that lower watts from balanced port, may not drive them as good as unbalanced...please suggest.

I've been thinking about getting a pair of HD650 so it's nice to know.
 
I wonder why the balanced output has less power than the unbalanced one, it's simply puzzling. Perhaps it's a mistake on their website and should be the other way round!

 
 

Any of you guys use the HD 650 or similar priced over the ear with the ak100ii. I have the se846, no amp. Just thinking of getting a pair for home use.

 
This page itself has many comments, check it out.

 

[kennybobenny]

I'm not sure if this is the place to ask this question but here i go. I have tried Fiio X5, iBasso dx90 and the new sony walkman. I come away disappointed each time. The X5 interface was not  friendly and the looked  was too much like an iPod. The sounds was pretty nice but not breathtaking. The DX90 for me had better sound but i had two fail in thirty days. The sony sound is pretty good for its size. Interface is the best i have seen. The sony feels like a cheap kids toy. The best portable-ish setup i have had is my mac with Audirvana, Fiio E17 and the companion desktop amp with a SPDIF cable.  It is just a drag to lug into work every day. I am thinking of getting the AK100 II. For me it about $300 more than what i planned to spend, so a big move. Based on what i have i have written can anyone give me any insight? I do not have a place to try one out. I am using ATH-A900x cans and flac or wav.

 

[Dopaminer]

For your budget the DX90 has got to be the way to go.  I had the 50 and it was trouble-free.  Buy a 90 direct from iBasso; I believe their warranty service is good.  I bought several things directly from them over the years without problems. 

 

[mike7898]

I just updated to version 1.12, Wow what difference in the SQ, Didn't think my Oppo PM-1 could sound even better then they first did, More air and wider soundstage + deeper lows, Enjoy Elton John, Goodbye yellow brick road 24bit/96kHz sounds unbelievable, Just wanted to shout my joy!

 

[kennybobenny]

I can swing the extra $300 (to add to $600) but wasn't sure if i would my moneys worth. Thanks.