If not K701 or HD650 for the predator, then what?

[LeeMark]

Consensus in general, great portable amps like the predator or the pico can not drive the K701 or 650 to all its glory. Well, if you have a predator like me and take your source with you and can't spring for a desktop set just yet, what great pair of headphones would you get. I would exclude the IEMs and such at this point, I have the TF10s, but was wondering if there was a better solution while sitting at your desk. The Ultrasone edition 9 looks nice, but boy, that is just way too much money. So people, what do you think?

 

[eraser_svk]

HD 595 ? (if you are not heavy-bass demanding listener)

Or Denons D2000

 

[Cool_Torpedo]

I wouldn't dismiss the Predator to drive the Senn HD600/650 so quickly. It's true that it might be "not enough" for the Senns and that a huge amp could drive them better, but you're gonna have a so much better sound than from the Tri.fis, that IMHO they're still good phones to consider. If in the future you saved some cash to get a bigger amp, you'd already have some good phones.

OTOH there're nice cans that the Predator could drive well, probably D2000/D5000 are two of them, but many Audio Technica models as well as Beyers would be nice things to try that the Predator should manage quite well.

Rgrds

 

[LeeMark]

What do you think of the ATH ESW9, they seem cool and semi-portable.

 

[Cool_Torpedo]

I'm sorry, I haven't listened to them by myself. I have good reports of their SQ and they're easy to drive, but my take is that they're less neutral and accurate than HD6xx, which doesn't mean you wouldn't be liking them better. You know, it's all a matter of personal preference

Rgrds

 

[Duggeh]

The Ergo 2 is an easier drive than the HD6x0 and K701 and sounds better into the bargain. You've just got to get past its looks. An Orthodynamic would also be an option.

 

[frozncore]

Get some grados. They are easy to drive and have synergy with the predator.

 

[LeeMark]

What level, I would think 325 at least?

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Pico has more than enough juice to drive HD650, K701, or DT880. They do sound better out of GLite and GS-1, but not because Pico lacks power, just the other two are better amps. Same applies to low impedance cans, and even IEMs, which do sound better out of big brothers. But for the size Pico does an amazing job with Senns or Beyers, obviously it's not GS-X but will keep you quite happy.

 

[YtseJamer]

Try the Ultrasone ALO-780 with your Predator

 

[Gu Sensei]

Get some Grados. Scale up depending on your budget.

 

[CMasten]

Predator has MORE than enough juice to drive my 600s my 650s or my Beyer DT880s...cleanly with no problem not sure where this comment comes from.

 

[TheMarchingMule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMasten /img/forum/go_quote.gif Predator has MORE than enough juice to drive my 600s my 650s or my Beyer DT880s...cleanly with no problem not sure where this comment comes from.

Yes, it may have the power, but does it drive them with authority? From my first-hand experience, portable vs. home amps is like comparing IEMs to full-size headphones; the price

erformance is heavily skewered with the former choices when compared to nice home amps around the same price point.

 

[LeeMark]

Everytime I think about trading in the 701 (which generated this thread in my mind) I stat hearing incredible things, like now, Laurie Anderson, Home of the Brave, My Chemical Romance, Jack Johnson, Enya, Death Cab. These are all well recorded and I found that the quality of the recording is extremely important in how it sounds out of my big rig, GIGO - Garbage In Garbage Out. I find good lossless files are essential to hear how good these phones are. Well upgrade-itis may hit me soon so thanks for all the advice. Lee

 

[bjarnetv]

x2 on the ergo2; just got mine today, and they are a steal!
build quality and sound are way above what i had expected, and they are easily driven through my c&c box+.
its a shame so few dare try them out instead of the ordinary senn/akg choices.