Good cheap amp for HE400i

[thighmaster69]

Right now I'm looking at either the Schiit Magni 2 or O2, both will be ~$160 CAD

My question is, which suits each better? And which will scale better with other headphones, say, if I decided to get the sennheiser HD650s in the future or get balanced armature IEMS?

From what I've heard, the O2 has more bass, while the magni has more treble. But which has more soundstage? Which sounds airier? Is the difference in the bass especially noticeable on planars?

 

[squee116]

Have you thought about hybrid amps like the Vali 2 or something from Garage1217?

 

[thighmaster69]

Have you thought about hybrid amps like the Vali 2 or something from Garage1217?

No, not especially since the Vali would cost about $250 I don't think it's worth it

 

[BeardedAlbatross]

They will both sound the same. They're competently designed solid state amps. The Magni 2 has more power, so technically it would scale better with any future purchases like a hard to drive fostex mod.

 

[thighmaster69]

They will both sound the same. They're competently designed solid state amps. The Magni 2 has more power, so technically it would scale better with any future purchases like a hard to drive fostex mod.

That's the general impression I get. However, is the lesser bass extension of the magni noticeable at all on planars?

 

[Levanter]

Well if you don't mind spending a bit more, I just jumped on audio-gd nfb-11 for my HD6XX and future purchases

 

[Trunks159]

You could literally just flip a coin on those two.

 

[buke9]

You are not going to find these that different. Your not going to get some extended bass out of one over the other if there is it will be slight improvement not world shaking . The 400i's are not bass heavy and no amount of amplification will make them what their not. It will help but they still will not give you the bass response of the 400S and many others. When you want more bass out of something the headphone is where you start. A amp can only add to what is there and it will not change the headphone some will add a bit of bass or soundstage but only if the headphone can do it.

 

[Guidostrunk]

Emotiva Basx a-100 if you can swing $200. It's well worth the little extra cash. Put the jumpers in and you're good to go.

Right now I'm looking at either the Schiit Magni 2 or O2, both will be ~$160 CAD

My question is, which suits each better? And which will scale better with other headphones, say, if I decided to get the sennheiser HD650s in the future or get balanced armature IEMS?

From what I've heard, the O2 has more bass, while the magni has more treble. But which has more soundstage? Which sounds airier? Is the difference in the bass especially noticeable on planars?

 

[BeardedAlbatross]

That's the general impression I get. However, is the lesser bass extension of the magni noticeable at all on planars?

Is there a frequency response chart that I'm not aware of? Where have you seen the Magni 2 under-performing in the bass department?

 

[thighmaster69]

Is there a frequency response chart that I'm not aware of? Where have you seen the Magni 2 under-performing in the bass department?

The frequency responses appear to be the same down to 20 hz, but many who have AB'd the two have mentioned the O2 has punchier bass. The only explanation I can think of is that other differences in the sound may result in the perception of more bass.

 

[thighmaster69]

You are not going to find these that different. Your not going to get some extended bass out of one over the other if there is it will be slight improvement not world shaking . The 400i's are not bass heavy and no amount of amplification will make them what their not. It will help but they still will not give you the bass response of the 400S and many others. When you want more bass out of something the headphone is where you start. A amp can only add to what is there and it will not change the headphone some will add a bit of bass or soundstage but only if the headphone can do it.

In the context of these two amps, at the same price and each with a set of drawbacks and advantages, I think the only relevant point we can reliably compare them on is the sound, however minuscule the differences are. Saying "there's no appreciable difference" doesn't help in making a decision in any way.

So, is the difference in bass levels appreciable in any way? What about the soundstage, which has been noted as the single biggest difference in their sound?

 

[buke9]

In the context of these two amps, at the same price and each with a set of drawbacks and advantages, I think the only relevant point we can reliably compare them on is the sound, however minuscule the differences are. Saying "there's no appreciable difference" doesn't help in making a decision in any way.

So, is the difference in bass levels appreciable in any way? What about the soundstage, which has been noted as the single biggest difference in their sound?

Well don't own or have had either. I have heard both many times at meets. They were with different headphones and dacs so it would be impossible for me to say. You are going to have to find someone that has both on hand and can do a volume matched a/b of the two. For soundstage as far as I know there is no measurement that can tell you which has more than another so it will be up to whoever says it is and that is their subjective view and you might hear things differently. What you are asking for is almost impossible. Everyone hears things differently and there is only one person that can say for sure and that is you. Reviews and impressions are great tools pointing you in a direction but can not take you all the way. Sometimes if you can't audition them with your setup it is just a shot in the dark and hope you get lucky that is what it is. Everyone has bought that sandwich or meal or desert that sounded really good but tasted like crap. Same thing here I know you just want to get the best for your hard earned money but you are taking someone else's word on what they hear. Just saying.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

The frequency responses appear to be the same down to 20 hz, but many who have AB'd the two have mentioned the O2 has punchier bass. The only explanation I can think of is that other differences in the sound may result in the perception of more bass.

Normally I'd attribute that to the lower noise floor, since amps with very low noise floor like the O2 and Meiers have more audible bass that doesn't sound boosted, but I'd find it odd that it would be observable vs the Magni or any other Schiit considering they have a relatively low noise floor as well (apart from tube microphonics on some amps and some problem with one run of the original Asgard).