[FatmanSize48]

Hello all-
 
I am going to be purchasing a pair of HD650s soon and am in need of a new amp for my laptop setup. Currently I am using an Arcam rPAC with my K702s-and they sound pretty darn good in conjunction with each other. However, the rPAC (I have heard some say it is not enough; I will be testing my friend's HD600s with it fairly soon, so I will see how the two pair anyway) is made for lower impedance headphones, so the HD650 definitely is not in its rotation. And so I ask for recommendations on my next amp. 
Use: Quiet areas of school, going laptop->rPAC as a DAC->amp, to be determined->HD650s
Music: Classical, rock, jazz, alternative, swing
Price range: preferably under $500 USD
 
Thanks guys!

 

[C.C.S.]

If transportable is your need, I'd suggest the Objective 2. It's a great amp. It'll easily power your HD650.
 

 

[FatmanSize48]

Has anyone heard the O2 with the 650s? Any thoughts? 

 

[proton007]

I use it with O2 and ODAC. The O2 itself is pretty neutral.

 

[C.C.S.]

Quote:

I use it with O2 and ODAC. The O2 itself is pretty neutral.

 
A little OT, but what's your overall impression of the ODAC? Is it very neutral as well? I'm planning on getting an external DAC eventually for use with my computer so I don't have to kill my iPod battery every time I wanna listen to music.

 

[proton007]

Quote:

 
A little OT, but what's your overall impression of the ODAC? Is it very neutral as well? I'm planning on getting an external DAC eventually for use with my computer so I don't have to kill my iPod battery every time I wanna listen to music.

 
It seems a lot clearer than any other source I've tried. In a way it seems to extract every bit of sound there is, however minute. The soundstage is great. But some find it harsh in songs with higher treble.

 

[FatmanSize48]

I've been reading about the O2 and from what I've heard it is a very neutral amp and does little to alleviate the "coldness" of the K702s. Are there any warmer transportable amps out there? I am willing to do DIY work.

 

[punks15]

ALO National

 

[FatmanSize48]

"The National is sort of underpowered for how big it is compared to other amplifiers. It works perfectly for IEM’s (even sensitive ones that don’t need much current at all) and earphones alike, but the problem is with full sized headphones, which need a lot more power than IEM’s. Don’t get me wrong, the National has plenty of power, but is vastly outperformed by the Continental. I’m constantly having to switch on the high gain switch for my HD650 and my Q701. While they are known to be very power hungry headphones, the National just doesn’t have the appropriate power. They sound good off the National, but still feel slightly underpowered."

 

[FatmanSize48]

Anyone else used the National with some "power hungry" headphones? (i.e. HD650s, orthos, K70x)

 

[Stoney]

I'm delighted with my Headstage Arrow (4G) which I use with an iPhone 4s analog out and HD650 or Phonak 232.  It is $400.  I'd be interested in comments about the other amps, which I have not heard (other than the FiiO E7, which indeed runs the HD650 but with a less-musical, more detail-emphatic sound).

 

[alv4426]

^^^ I can vouch that the Arrow 4G can drive the HD650 well (it drives everything I have well).

 

[CJG888]

+1 on the O2.

 

[Nando1970]

I've just ordered ODAC + O2 for my HD650.
 
The alternative I've been considering was UHA-6S MKII, since it should be better of the older UHA-4 which I happily use for my portable setup and has no problem driving the HD650 to decent levels

 

[FatmanSize48]

Oh my. It seems...well...
I think I may be going for the HE-400s over the 650s. There. I said it. Please consider this thread closed and thanks for your feedback-one of my other friends is in the same position as I was in this post, and he's leaning towards an O2 amp. So once again, thanks everyone.