[SEv6]

Hey I'm now entering the world of high end headphones and I was just wondering if their is a good DAC amp for my computer to my HD650s for around $300. I don't want to break my bank account, note the fact that I'm using a Fiio e7 and its ok actually but i want to know what you guys think.

 

[cswann1]

http://www.amazon.com/Essence-STX-Channels-Interface-Headphone/dp/B001OV789U/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&qid=1288844526&sr=8-27

 

[j2kei]

i really like the vividaudiotech v1 for the hd600. i dont know how it would sound w/ the hd650, but it sounds amazing for the hd600 especially for the price

 

[SEv6]

where exactly did you find the retailer, I'm having trouble finding the vendor/supplier of that product. It looks promising.

 

[ardilla]

Totally out of your budget: Grace m902 is great with the 650. Grace is a bit on the bright side and levels out the HD650s unbrightness..
 
Also - NuForce, but also a bit expensive..
http://www.head-fi.org/products/nuforce-icon-hdp-high-end-headphone-amp-usb-dac-preamp
 
matrix mini i might be good? http://www.headphonista.com/matrix-mini-i/
 
BTW - this DAC is very good - I just got it and it sounds very very nice. 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120612153492&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_2827wt_903
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/512389/mini-dac-tda1543-x-4-nos
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/514782/bryston-bda-1-dac-vs-muse-dac-reviewed
 
Pair it with the M-Stage (which I haven't heard, but reaf up on the forum)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Matrix-m-stage-Headphone-Amplifier-/360315238439?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e4763827#ht_3704wt_903
 
 

Mini Dac TDA1543 X 4 + Matrix M-stage will keep your budget 

 
 
 
 

 

[kboe]

The headroom BitHead is well within your budget.  It has amazing synergy with the Senns, and can drive them effortlessly.  You may also want to check out some of AudioGDs offerings.  They have a few units in that price range that should suite your needs.  

 

[LeChuck]

Quote:

Totally out of your budget: Grace m902 is great with the 650. Grace is a bit on the bright side and levels out the HD650s unbrightness..

With the m903 hopefully coming sometime in the next 3 weeks (can't wait to get one!), you can probably expect to see m902 prices drop. That said, it'll still be expensive.
 
Quote:

The headroom BitHead is well within your budget.  It has amazing synergy with the Senns, and can drive them effortlessly.  You may also want to check out some of AudioGDs offerings.  They have a few units in that price range that should suite your needs.  

+1 for the Total BitHead. You can often find these on the for sale forums inside of $100 (or you could just get a new one for $159, either way make sure you get the 'current' generation), and they're absolutely incredible. When I make changes to my primary rig I have to wait on components, so I rely on the BitHead to keep me going during those stretches (and when I travel, which is constantly). It always amazes me how well the BitHead stands up to rigs I put together costing 50 times as much; it really drives home the fact that we're killing for degrees of improvement here.
 
I always feel as though Headroom doesn't get enough love around here. It's tough to compete for mindshare with whatever is new and in vogue at the moment, but reality is they're one of the most important companies in headphone audio.
 
It has no problem driving full sized cans, and sounds especially great on battery power (although it runs fine on USB power).

 

[SEv6]

Would you think it would be easier to get a separate DAC and a separate amp to go along with it? As I was doing some research I found the Fiio e7 and e9 as a good combo, I don't know if this is good, but they do look as a good product what do you guys think?

 

[fenixdown110]

Yes. This. Go standalone units for each. Keep in mind, it's really hard to find a good amp to match the HD650. People go through several to find the right one. Took me personally 3 tries even with research, sampling, and asking around. You'll also want to decide whether you want a tube or solid state amp. Typically for a "faster" response, as in electronic and house genres, you'll want solid state. For the best sonic experience imo though, it's a tube amp where you get all that rich tubey goodness. Only downside is that tubes have to be replaced eventually. I settled in the middle with the KICAS Caliente, a solid state with a warm tube feel to it. It has really good synergy with HD650. People with this setup will agree.
http://www.purityaudio.biz/reviews.php
A decent tube amp that I recommend is the DarkVoice 336SE.
http://cgi.ebay.com/DarkVoice-336SE-Headphone-Tube-Amplifier-neat-technics-/110609232034?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c0d2f0a2
These will all fall more or less into the 300 dollar category.
 
As for the DAC. It's just important to get one that is crystal clear and transparent and able to support high bit output i.e. 24bit/192khz, if that's important to you.
 
Quote:

Would you think it would be easier to get a separate DAC and a separate amp to go along with it? As I was doing some research I found the Fiio e7 and e9 as a good combo, I don't know if this is good, but they do look as a good product what do you guys think?

 

[fenixdown110]

This is great if you want to go balanced on a budget. All of the Matrix products I've come across are pretty good. Too bad the cost of balanced recables and amps are through the roof, even on a budget. lol
 
Quote:

matrix mini i might be good? http://www.headphonista.com/matrix-mini-i/

 

[Jack C]

Since you already have a E7, adding a E9 should be a serious consideration for you. It certainly would be the lowest cost option. No one can promise that this combo will sound great to your ears, but listening impressions from others (including myself since I have HD650s and use it with a E7/E9, but I may be biased) has been encouraging. People say HD650 has a dark laid-back sound signature, I would think that a solid state amp with a neutral response would be the best bet in terms of "synergy".
 
Jack