Just bought Sennheiser HD650s and need more powah. WTB amp

[blanko723]

Hello everyone. New here, and relatively new to high-end audio. I just picked up some new HD650s and right out of the box the sound is phenomenal.

However, I am finding they aren't the most efficient headphones out there. I'm sure with sufficient amplification and some break-in there is room for improvement.

With that said, I'm looking for an amp to drive these phones that isnt ridiculously expensive. $4XX headphones is already pretty steep for me! In short, my question is what is the cheapest, quality amp I can get that is sufficient for these phones? Suggestions, or if anyone has something for sale let me know.

Thanks

 

[Bullseye]

Samson S·Amp @ $55 on Amazon (if I am correct), or even behringer HA100.

They are good enough for what you need.

 

[glitch39]

a bit pricey, but the Audio-GD 2C2 amp is the first SS amp I've heard that does not sound like SS. Check out Skylab's C2C review.

 

[blanko723]

thanks for the info. The samson looks like a good amp, and the price is nice!

 

[loc4me]

Off topic: But what is/where did you get the headphone stand? I like it!

 

[pompon]

Just buy a good soundcard like Asus Xonar Essence STX ... will deliver hudge amount of juice.

If you want something very fun to listening, little dot II++, or III work very good.

 

[Bullseye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blanko723 /img/forum/go_quote.gif thanks for the info. The samson looks like a good amp, and the price is nice!

I have to get one of those myself. The input is with a 1/4'' balanced jack, so you don't need something like XLR or similar connector.

The specs are quite good (even if incomplete), but well for the price you don't need to ask for more

Hope you enjoy it, and if you get it tell me how the potentiometers feel.

 

[googlephone]

I'm curious since it is some what related, what is a typical mwatt rating I should be shooting for to drive the HD650's?

 

[brokensound]

If you've already spent $300-ish for the HD650, you need to do the right thing and get a decent amp. Otherwise, get a less demanding headphone.

If you're going to spend only $50 on a amp, is that small incremental increase in performance over your current setup worth it? To hear a noticeable difference, you may want to jump to the $200 range. There's plenty of options such as the little dot or the darkvoice 336. Get them used to save additional money.

 

[FallenAngel]

HD650 can handle about 10V and are 300R so you'll need an amp that can put above 300mW into 300R.

Personally, I would never recommend getting HD650 unless you have a good amp. I'd say the cheapest amp I would consider for the HD650 would be the SSMH (Starving Student Millet Hybrid) or CTH (Compact Tube Hybrid). Both are DIY.

 

[oneplustwo]

Agreed. I just "liked" my HD650's out of the box with my M3 and millett mini max. I "LOVED" my HD650's after plugging them into my DIY three channel Beta 22. Might be a bit out of your price range, but I would definitely think about saving up over time to take the plunge eventually.

 

[glitch39]

X3. don't underestimate what the 650 can do. many have made that mistake in the past (me inlcuded) and ended spending more since I did not listen to the knowledgeable people on this forum.

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokensound /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you've already spent $300-ish for the HD650, you need to do the right thing and get a decent amp. Otherwise, get a less demanding headphone. If you're going to spend only $50 on a amp, is that small incremental increase in performance over your current setup worth it? To hear a noticeable difference, you may want to jump to the $200 range. There's plenty of options such as the little dot or the darkvoice 336. Get them used to save additional money.

totally agree

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneplustwo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Agreed. I just "liked" my HD650's out of the box with my M3 and millett mini max. I "LOVED" my HD650's after plugging them into my DIY three channel Beta 22. Might be a bit out of your price range, but I would definitely think about saving up over time to take the plunge eventually.

Beta22 is magic with Sennheiser cans. Of course, if OP can find a deal like you have (I'm assuming you're the purchaser of the Beta in your avatar), then the time is shorter.

 

[olblueyez]

Woo Audio WA3 or WA3+

http://www.wooaudio.com/products/

 

[morfic]

The change from a 187mW into 300Ohm solid state amp to a 300mW into 300Ohm tube amp brought out so much more in my HD600s.
I enjoy my Little Dot MkII (The afore mentioned II+ successor) VERY much with the HD600, and different tubes allow further sound upgrades for little extra money (if you stick to a "$8/tube max" rule

)
$188 shipped and it has plenty of power to drive your HD650, but don't be shy, if you can swing a MkIII, IV or IV SE, go for it.
I like the look of the MkII better than the III or up, so I'll be enjoying that with my tubes and one day find out what i was missing when the HD600 are succeeded by HD650.
This is a lengthy "+1 on the Little Dot Tube amp."

Daniel

Oh yeah, don't be caught looking at the Little Dot I+ you'd be disappointed. IT's the only one they got that's better at low impedance phones.