Good amp for HD650
Sep 14, 2011 at 10:32 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 13
buddy39914

buddy39914

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Im looking into buying the HD650 and I want a good amp for around $200. I'm mainly going to use it with my ipad and iphone. And possibly computer. So I want a kind of portable amp, yet still full or good size.

I will be listening to lossless files, of course. Mostly Pink Floyd, Led Zep, and other classics.

Oh and i currently have the PXC 450s with no amp. Are the 650s going to be a big difference in sound and quality?
 
Sep 14, 2011 at 11:14 PM Post #2 of 13
i think it will hard to find a good amp for the hd650 under 200... i feel that it needs at least a retain amount of power to drive... not saying they are really power hungry cans though...how bout an asgard for 249? it pairs rally well with the hd650 and can beat amps above its price:)
 
Sep 15, 2011 at 12:34 AM Post #3 of 13
E7/E9 i think. It drives the 650's properly. 
 
Sep 15, 2011 at 10:57 AM Post #5 of 13
An amplifier can stop and start the drivers more effectively/precisely as well as provide more power for hungry headphones (at least this is what I've been told/read). If you're  okay with used, there is an Asgard in the FS forums for $200.
 
Sep 15, 2011 at 12:58 PM Post #6 of 13
fusedpro said:
An amplifier can stop and start the drivers more effectively/precisely as well as provide more power for hungry headphones (at least this is what I've been told/read). If you're  okay with used, there is an Asgard in the FS forums for $200.
Click to expand...


Ok thank you. i'd rather buy it from amazon, its not cause its used, its because it's easier and im buying my headphones from there.

I just want a good amp (about 200-300$) for my Hd650s to use it with my iPad/Mac. Also, do you need any other kind of device besides the actual amp. Ay cables, preamps, etc?

Sorry im new to this.

Do i need a DAC, preamp, and an amp. If so, can somebody point me to some good equipment. Preferably from amazon, but if necessary, eBay.
 
Sep 15, 2011 at 2:49 PM Post #7 of 13
You don't need a pre-amp. You don't even really need a DAC, at least to start with.
Amplifiers can offer several advantages over, say, the output of your iPhone.
 
1) More power. This simply means the headphones get sufficiently loud and there is no distortion from clipping (amplifier running out of power)
2) Lower output impedance. This means that there is minimal frequency response variation with lower impedance headphones.
3) Other major flaws with output (not really applicable to iPhone), including but not limited to high distortion, audible noise or inaccurate frequency response - this is assuming the problems are due to the headphone amplifier in your source - if they are still present in the line out then the problems persist even with an external amp.
 
To drive the HD 650s you really don't need that much power relative to other "audiophile" headphones (sensitivity of 97db/mw, not to be confused with db/V), and their high impedance means the output impedance of your amplifier isn't much of an issue. An excellent amplifier choice would be the Fiio E9. It uses the TPA6120 specialised headphone amp IC, which performs superbly into high impedance loads. Even better, it can be found on Amazon and, should you find your computer's sound wanting, can be used with the Fiio E7 DAC/amp, which docks into the E9 to provide DAC functionality.
 
Both of these combined are considerably cheaper than $200-300 and would be a vastly better buy than the Asgard.
 
Sep 15, 2011 at 2:57 PM Post #8 of 13
willakan said:
You don't need a pre-amp. You don't even really need a DAC, at least to start with.
Amplifiers can offer several advantages over, say, the output of your iPhone.
 
1) More power. This simply means the headphones get sufficiently loud and there is no distortion from clipping (amplifier running out of power)
2) Lower output impedance. This means that there is minimal frequency response variation with lower impedance headphones.
3) Other major flaws with output (not really applicable to iPhone), including but not limited to high distortion, audible noise or inaccurate frequency response - this is assuming the problems are due to the headphone amplifier in your source - if they are still present in the line out then the problems persist even with an external amp.
 
To drive the HD 650s you really don't need that much power relative to other "audiophile" headphones (sensitivity of 97db/mw, not to be confused with db/V), and their high impedance means the output impedance of your amplifier isn't much of an issue. An excellent amplifier choice would be the Fiio E9. It uses the TPA6120 specialised headphone amp IC, which performs superbly into high impedance loads. Even better, it can be found on Amazon and, should you find your computer's sound wanting, can be used with the Fiio E7 DAC/amp, which docks into the E9 to provide DAC functionality.
 
Both of these combined are considerably cheaper than $200-300 and would be a vastly better buy than the Asgard.
Click to expand...




So you're suggesting both the E7 and E9?

Also, you can damage your ears if you turn up the volume on your amp a significant ammount. Right?
 
Sep 15, 2011 at 4:06 PM Post #9 of 13
I'm loving my La Figaro 339, it's a dream to me.  Haven't started tube rolling yet.  Still Sound stage if superior, instrument separation fantastic.  I paired my amp with a hrt musicstreamer II+ those together are a great combo.  Problem is it's over your budget :frowning2:  I say spend more time saving up and do it right.  or else you'll have mulitple amps and dacs like I did.
 
Sep 15, 2011 at 9:19 PM Post #11 of 13
Sep 17, 2011 at 5:31 AM Post #13 of 13
I'd go for an asgard
 
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