[iFi audio]

I was just looking at iFi Hip-dac Portable DAC Headphone Amp on Amazon. It's only $150. I want to get something good the first time around.

As a budget portable DAC/amp with plenty of power it'd be a good start.

 

[omniweltall]

Try Bottlehead Crack with Speedball for these high-ohm Senns.

 

[buke9]

So now my choices have narrowed to zen can signature (and zen can dac signature) and topping a90. If I get either, what cables will I need to buy? I'm running music from my phone (lgv40 with quad dac). I will get a standalone Walkman-like device in a few weeks.

The Zen Can Signature 6XX is a very good amp for the 6XX’s/650’s . I do think the Bottlehead Crack is a bit better but if you want to run planars as well it is a no go for them as they are just a bloated mess. The Zen Can on the other hand can run them just fine as well as say my old 600 ohm AKG k240 Monitors with ease. It is a very good amp indeed. The Analog EQ for the 6XX’s is very good and the XSpace is not over done either and though I don’t tend to like spacial enhancements this I’m like 50/50 on as it’s very light in it’s effect so not in your face.
Edit: Changed the DSP EQ to reflect what it actually is a Analog EQ sorry for any misunderstanding.

 

[silent-circuit]

I am getting a L&P W2 this weekend. That's a bit more pricey at $300, but it looks promising on paper. I am really interested in comparing the Chord Mojo to the L&P W2.

Curious to hear your take on this.

 

[Connectz]

So, I purchased the Topping A90 which is arriving Sunday, and I just pulled the trigger on a Topping D90 which is arriving mid April to may.

Next I want a portable player, hybrid amp, and Arya's. My HE4XX sound amazing on my phone, so I can't wait to try them properly powered on the A90-D90.

They are my first planars. I really like the sound of them so I'm looking forward to the Arya's.

Any suggestions for a portable flac player (budget $1000)?

 

[iFi audio]

The Zen Can Signature 6XX is a very good amp for the 6XX’s/650’s . I do think the Bottlehead Crack is a bit better but if you want to run planars as well it is a no go for them as they are just a bloated mess. The Zen Can on the other hand can run them just fine as well as say my old 600 ohm AKG k240 Monitors with ease. It is a very good amp indeed. The DSP EQ for the 6XX’s is very good and the XSpace is not over done either and though I don’t tend to like spacial enhancements this I’m like 50/50 on as it’s very light in it’s effect so not in your face

Thanks! Though I have to say that over the years I've read a ton of positive comments about Bottlehead Crack, especially given its price, so I assume that there are multiple reasons why is it so liked in here and on other forums.

And just to clarify, our EQ is always analog regardless of its type, so not DSP

 

[buke9]

Thanks! Though I have to say that over the years I've read a ton of positive comments about Bottlehead Crack, especially given its price, so I assume that there are multiple reasons why is it so liked in here and on other forums.

And just to clarify, our EQ is always analog regardless of its type, so not DSP

Sorry for the misleading quote of mine I just assumed it was so will correct that and makes me like it even more.

 

[iFi audio]

Sorry for the misleading quote of mine I just assumed it was so will correct that and makes me like it even more.

It's OK! We use DSP in i.e. Pro iDSD to upsample everything to DSD1024, and our GTO filter is also digital. But all boosters for headphones we do in the analog domain

 

[Connectz]

Ok. So I have the Topping A90 and D90 stack (D90 arrived today). How do I connect these two devices together? I have RCA cables, and one XLR female to 3.5mm male cable. I suppose I'm missing some type of cable?

 

[kumar402]

Bottlehead crack with Modi Multibit as starter pack.

 

[silent-circuit]

Ok. So I have the Topping A90 and D90 stack (D90 arrived today). How do I connect these two devices together? I have RCA cables, and one XLR female to 3.5mm male cable. I suppose I'm missing some type of cable?

You'll want a pair of 3 pin XLR cables. Topping sells a short set, model TCX1, but any 3pin male to 3pin female will work. In the meantime a pair of normal RCA cables will work.

 

[iFi audio]

Ok. So I have the Topping A90 and D90 stack (D90 arrived today). How do I connect these two devices together? I have RCA cables, and one XLR female to 3.5mm male cable. I suppose I'm missing some type of cable?

Both these products feature 3-pin XLRs, so that's what I would use as per @silent-circuit 's suggestion.

 

[boomhaur]

Hello, I need an amp recommendation for Senn HD650. I also have HE4XX. I mainly use my LG v40 phone (quad dac) to listen to music and podcasts while I drive all day. So, I'd like an amp I can take with me, and I also want an at home only amp. I am looking at the Darkvoice 336se.

Also, I have Grado SR125. They sound great but the build quality is TERRIBLE. They completely fell apart. The cans still work but the pins that hold the cans in place are done for. And the cable broke. Anyone have any repair guide for these? I want to restore them with a better cable.

A bit late but I believe on ASR the audioengine d3 was tested with the sennheiser 650 and Hifiman HE-400i which are basically two of the headphones you listed and performed quite well. I think there is slight improvements to the d3 since the review.

In the past you could buy it refurbished for $45 with a 3 year warranty I believe, which is what I did. It’s currently driving my sennheiser 58x quite well.

 

[Connectz]

I figured out how to connect the A90/D90 stack via RCA. Is the RCA connection balanced? (I been out of the game a while, forgive my ignorance). Right now, I have on order some Peripapt cables for the Hifimans and HD650s. Currently, I'm listening through the stack bluetooth LDAC and both the Arya's and 650's sound amazing.

I notice the Arya's are cleaner and have more bass while the 650's (mine are almost 12 years old) have an amazing midrange but less bass.

Now I'm looking at the iBasso DX300 and the Shanling M8. Any thoughts on these 2 players?

 

[iFi audio]

Is the RCA connection balanced?

It's single-ended. For a balanced connection you'd have to use XLRs.