Home Receiver Headphone Amp

[eddieyee]

Hi everybody,

I have the Sennheiser HD650, and I was looking to buy a home receiver but primarily something for my desktop PC to use for headphones at night but on the occasion to use for regular speakers in a 5.1 setup. Budget is sub 500, but if possible to keep it in the 200-400 range (best bang for buck). I would need it to take optical in, and perhaps one additional input.

Any of you have any suggestions for a good home receiver that has very good amplification on the headphone out?

Thanks!

Eddie

 

[eagle_no1]

"Budget is sub 500, but if possible to keep it in the 200-400 range (best bang for buck)."

it's hard to find one for your HD650 in this ragne.

i used to have a vintage Luxman R1050 receiver but the headphone stage is too much distortions to use for my HD580.

now i have a Mcintosh 6500 (US$4000) with headphone stage, it 's acceptable comparing with my samaudio sp-7.

 

[tfarney]

Panasonic SA-XR55. I can't explain it, I just listen to it. It drives my HD580s beautifully. Tons of headroom, definition, good bass control. If you can't find the 55, look for the 57. Order one with a 30-day return policy, if you don't like it with the 650s, you can always send it back. You should be able to find one for around $250.

Tim

 

[PrTv]

As others said, it's difficult to find a good speaker + headphone amp at this price range, especially if you want it to drive HD650. IMO it's one of the most difficult phones to drive (save for some extreme ones like K1000).

I also own this phones and it sounds horrible with my NAD C372. However, when driven by DarkVoice 332 it sounds a lot better (but not perfect).

 

[senns&nonsense]

Used TOTL Denon AVRs from the 5.1 days would be in your price range (easily) and would drive the Senns well. I have heard the 3200 and that was a very quiet and powerful HP jack

As always, using amps/receievers with cans is somewhat hit&miss. Some will be noisy or not very resolving, others will be the best possible way to spend $ on a headphone amp and will give you (as an after-thought) the quality of HP amplification that would cost several hundred $ in a dedicated unit.

 

[eddieyee]

Thanks so much for your replies.

I may head over to the local best buy or circuit city and try a bunch of the floor model displays (especially that Panasonic mentioned), although a used 5.1 AVR does sound (no pun intended) very appealing due to cost and what I need it for.

Will appreicate any other good suggestions out there

Thanks,
Eddie

(btw, I have a rockhopper mini3 on the way for my portable world).