need Amp for Sennheiser HD 650's

[xaero1ne]

hey folks...well...as the tittle suggests....i need an amp. i just bought a pair of HD 650's and so for am very impressed with the quality. i upgraded from a pair of Technics rp-dj1210's (the left ear crapped out on me...i have no warranty )
so any ways, i like the 650's but i feel i'm not giving them enough power. right now they're plugged into my computers logitech z-560 speakers, who in turn are connected to my PC Audigy 2 sound card. i feel that the best way to crank these babies up is to get a decent amp, so i'm looking for suggestions or ideas, i'd like to keep the amp under $200. i've also heard that switching to the cardas cable will make a big differance. should i get both the cable or just the amp? or vice versa. after sinking this much cash into the 650's i just wanna get the most out of them...thx for the suggestions guys. also...which do u think is a better cable, the cardas or the zu mobius? i've been doing so research and both seem to be getting great reviews

 

[sgrossklass]

Step 0: Plug them cans directly into the Audigy.
Step 1: This is where the amp comes in. Once this thread gets moved to amps you're likely to get more answers suggesting various models. IMO a decent unbuffered amp should actually drive these 300 ohm cans quite well.
Step 2: Once you have an amp, you can upgrade to a decent source with line outs only, maybe the trusty ESI Juli@ (I kinda like this one).
Step 3: If you (a) suffer from notorious upgradeitis and (b) think your wallet is far too fat, look at replacement cables.
Step 4: You might just as well skip step 3 and go right to a balanced recable and a matching amp...

Generally, expect diminishing returns for every step (except for 3 to 4, I guess).

 

[blessingx]

If your choice is buying an aftermarket or investing the extra cash towards a better amp than you'll get for $200, I'd suggest the latter. I don't know your source though.

 

[Gradofan2]

I've got both cables... and after 50% burn in on the Zu, I think I like it a bit better - faster / brighter / more impact, and bass may be a bit more extended and a bit tighter. The Zu also seems to have a bit more clarity.

Although they're both good with the HD650's.

The Cardas may have just a bit more warmth / tone body / weight.

So, if you prefer a somewhat bright / sharp / tight sound (which the HD650's need), you may like the Zu better.

If you prefer a warm, weighty sound, which still is fairly bright, with good bass impact, you may like the Cardas better.

I'd probably go with the Cardas with SS amps, and the Zu with OTL tube amps.

Oh yes... for an amp... for the money, you can't beat the PinkFloyd modded XCAN v3, or the WooAudio 3 (with the right tubes) with the HD650's. Though, you may want to try the BADA PH12, or perhaps, the SS Heed CanAmp, in the same price range. But... I don't think any of these have USB input.