How would a Sennheiser HD650 do with C&C XO+?

[a 1/4 ua??ae]

Hello, I am a new poster here and I'm also very new to the world of "high-end" so please excuse me if I do not understand some things that might appear obvious. :-s Also sorry if my english is long-winded.

I am looking to buy my first entry into the world of high-end phones while at the same time, looking for a portable amp that can power it. My current lifestyle is very on-the-go requiring me to travel from cities to cities a lot, and so the amp being portable is a must. The XO+ also falls into my budget for portable amps.

I have asked around in stores where I plan to get my 650's if the XO+ will be able to power it well and I was given an affirmative. I have also tried the setup and it did sound very pleasing. But what I am afraid of is that maybe my inexperienced ears were just taking underpowered music as already great. I'm not looking for the best-of-the-best sound since it's a portable amp, but if possible I'd like to know if I'm getting my money's worth for the HD650+C&CXO+ combination.

In short, second opinions please?

-Zhang Kaien

 

[fatcat28037]

Having owned both , I've actually tried that combination. IMO the XO didn't have near enough power to do even minimal justice to the 650's. It was like putting $25 tires on a Ferrari.

 

[a 1/4 ua??ae]

My other option would be an iBasso D1 MAD-05. How about this?

 

[falkon72]

If you're traveling a lot, I'd guess that you'd be in a noisy environment most of the time. Any reason you chose open headphones?

 

[a 1/4 ua??ae]

I travel a lot but I use long-distance trains (20+ hours) with quiet rooms so it's fine.

As for my headphones being open, I'm thinking long-term. I'm sure there will come the time when travelling being a norm might come to a hiatus or end, so when that happens, I can just purchase a "real" table amp to use with my HD 650's.

 

[3602]

Nin hao, qing we nin shi Zhongguo ren ma?
(just asking...)

 

[a 1/4 ua??ae]

是华侨啊
可是现在上海住

 

[chews89]

I don't understand the first sentence.

But the second one says: "But now I'm living in Shanghai". Is that right? If so then I'm not a disgrace to my ethnicity! yay

EDIT: In relation to your original post, from what I've read the D1 should drive your HD650s to an acceptable level. However I don't think it will be a long term solution. You'll probably want to invest in a desktop amplifier later on anyway.

 

[chews89]

AH double post, sorry.

 

[olblueyez]

Why not get a headphone suitable for a portable amp that will sound better than a 650 when its under amped? Doesnt make any sense. Spend all that money and come away with something that will sound mediocre?

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/bef...9/#post5600823

 

[a 1/4 ua??ae]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chews89 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't understand the first sentence. But the second one says: "But now I'm living in Shanghai". Is that right? If so then I'm not a disgrace to my ethnicity! yay EDIT: In relation to your original post, from what I've read the D1 should drive your HD650s to an acceptable level. However I don't think it will be a long term solution. You'll probably want to invest in a desktop amplifier later on anyway.

First sentence means I am overseas Chinese

I have pretty much nil experience with iBassos.. so I was astonished when I (just) saw that the iBasso D2 MAD-07 was priced much lower than the iBasso D1 MAD-05 I posted earlier. Haven't gotten to the specs yet, but I guess I got confused by the higher model nomenclature... Pic below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by olblueyez /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why not get a headphone suitable for a portable amp that will sound better than a 650 when its under amped? Doesnt make any sense. Spend all that money and come away with something that will sound mediocre? http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/bef...9/#post5600823

Thank you for the reminder and the link. I have read the newbie guide before.

I had already given a reason for wanting to purchase a 650 above in this topic (future-proofing while remaining in-budget). I could buy an inferior headphone now and just get the superior one later, but I really do not wish to spend twice uselessly and rather just get something that can be "upgraded" later on.

 

[olblueyez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 張凱恩 /img/forum/go_quote.gif First sentence means I am overseas Chinese I have pretty much nil experience with iBassos.. so I was astonished when I (just) saw that the iBasso D2 MAD-07 was priced much lower than the iBasso D1 MAD-05 I posted earlier. Haven't gotten to the specs yet, but I guess I got confused by the higher model nomenclature... Pic below. Thank you for the reminder and the link. I have read the newbie guide before. I had already given a reason for wanting to purchase a 650 above in this topic (future-proofing while remaining in-budget). I could buy an inferior headphone now and just get the superior one later, but I really do not wish to spend twice uselessly and rather just get something that can be "upgraded" later on.

Like buying an amp that is too small and then having to buy a desktop model later?

 

[a 1/4 ua??ae]

When I settle down to a more location-permanent state of lifestyle, yes.