[Chaimera]

Hey everyone. I'm new here and looking for a little help.
 
I'm currently sitting on a mid-ish range set-up my current set-up is as follows. 

1. Sennheiser HD558's
2. Astro Gaming Mixamp with TOSLINK connection

 
I'm looking to spend around £400 ($615) on upgrading it. I mainly listen to Deadmau5, Linkin Park and Red Hot Chilli Peppers and mid to high volume. All of which being .flac files also.
 
Following on I have been looking into some Sennheiser HD650's though I don't know what amp I should look for.
 
All suggestions welcome. Thank you for you're time !

 

[jackwess]

Ultrasone PR0 750. 
You can go with the Matrix m stage, + the HRT streamer Dac. 

 

[Chaimera]

Quote:

Ultrasone PR0 750. 
You can go with the Matrix m stage, + the HRT streamer Dac. 

 
Ultrasone PR0 750
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/ultrasone-pro750-closed-back-professional-headphones?utm_source=google+shopping&utm_medium=google+shopping
 
Matrix M Stage
http://www.ampcity.co.uk/matrix-m-stage-headphone-amp.html
 
 
HRT Music Streamer II
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0038O4UFQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_g23_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=000NXZKTSPVA3D7P71BP&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294
 
Total £553.59
 
Its a bit too expensive, also I don't like folding headphones I have a tendency to break things like that no matter how careful I am. While I was waiting for a reply I was looking around and found this.
 
Sennheiser HD650's
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD-650-Reference-Headphone/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1RFKOGW98T8U9&colid=YTKDNHJBTWJV
 
FiiO E9
http://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-Desktop-Headphone-Amplifier-Dock/dp/B004M172FY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?
ie=UTF8&coliid=I2KXJ7NJFHROBZ&colid=YTKDNHJBTWJV
 
FiiO E7
http://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-Portable-Headphone-DAC-Amplifier/dp/B003N0XDT4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I26OXHT11PEILX&colid=YTKDNHJBTWJV
 
Total £411.72
 
I kinda like this one so I can use the E7 on my android too. But I have no idea how good it is. 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

I'm currently sitting on a mid-ish range set-up my current set-up is as follows. 

1. Sennheiser HD558's
2. Astro Gaming Mixamp with TOSLINK connection

 
I'm looking to spend around £400 ($615) on upgrading it. I mainly listen to Deadmau5, Linkin Park and Red Hot Chilli Peppers and mid to high volume. All of which being .flac files also.
 
Following on I have been looking into some Sennheiser HD650's though I don't know what amp I should look for.

The HD558s are open headphones, do you care if newer headphones are open or closed?
 
Any reason your using a gaming device (Astro Mix-Amp) for listening to music?
 
Might be helpful to know what source(s) your plugging into?
PC?, Mac?, iPod?, PS3?, xBox?
 
Have you tried removing the black rubber tape from inside the cups of the HD558?

 

[Chaimera]

The HD558s are open headphones, do you care if newer headphones are open or closed?
 
The 558's are nice cans I like the open nature and I'm usually alone so the leak isn't bothering anyone so in all it makes little difference to me.
 
Any reason your using a gaming device (Astro Mix-Amp) for listening to music?
 
I had bought the entire Astro system a while ago for the 360 as time went on and I upgraded to PC I used it for its optical input. Still play games here and there but I'm growing up a lot and moving away from that sort of thing.
 
Might be helpful to know what source(s) your plugging into?
PC?, Mac?, iPod?, PS3?, xBox?
 
I uses a PC and Android. Also using a REGA Planar 3 Turntable hooked into Linn Intek Amp (no idea of the model)
 
Have you tried removing the black rubber tape from inside the cups of the HD558?
 
No i have not tried that though. I have heard about the modification.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

The HD558s are open headphones, do you care if newer headphones are open or closed?
The 558's are nice cans I like the open nature and I'm usually alone so the leak isn't bothering anyone so in all it makes little difference to me.
Any reason your using a gaming device (Astro Mix-Amp) for listening to music?
I had bought the entire Astro system a while ago for the 360 as time went on and I upgraded to PC I used it for its optical input. Still play games here and there but I'm growing up a lot and moving away from that sort of thing.
Might be helpful to know what source(s) your plugging into?
PC?, Mac?, iPod?, PS3?, xBox?
I uses a PC and Android. Also using a REGA Planar 3 Turntable hooked into Linn Intek Amp (no idea of the model)
Have you tried removing the black rubber tape from inside the cups of the HD558?
 
No i have not tried that though. I have heard about the modification.

Could just get Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250-Ohm or DT880 Pro 250-Ohm headphones.
I believe the Astro Mix-Amp. can decently power those headphones.
(Sennheiser HD650 I'm guessing would need (should get) a better DAC/Amp. then the Astro.)
 
A very low cost DAC upgrade
SMSL SD793 ($65) or SMSL SD-1955 ($100)
 
With an low cost amplifier.
SMSL SAP-100 ($65)
or a single tubes headphone amplifier, sold on eBay, priced from $70-$90, ships from China.
 
If you still want to be able to game or watch movies, the Asus Xonar Essence STX would be a nice (all in one) choice.
 
Not sure what to do with the Android?

 

[Chaimera]

Quote:

Could just get Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250-Ohm or DT880 Pro 250-Ohm headphones.
I believe the Astro Mix-Amp. can decently power those headphones.
(Sennheiser HD650 I'm guessing would need (should get) a better DAC/Amp. then the Astro.)
 
A very low cost DAC upgrade
SMSL SD793 ($65) or SMSL SD-1955 ($100)
 
With an low cost amplifier.
SMSL SAP-100 ($65)
or a single tubes headphone amplifier, sold on eBay, priced from $70-$90, ships from China.
 
If you still want to be able to game or watch movies, the Asus Xonar Essence STX would be a nice (all in one) choice.
 
Not sure what to do with the Android?

Don't worry about the android i only use it as a phone and i have some buds i use for it anyway.
 
Sennheiser HD650's
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00018MSNI/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_g23_i3?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0B1BRXXRT81FMEMAF9P9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294
 
As for everything else. I like the idea of getting a complete audio set-up so I'll go for the 650's
 
SMSL SD-1955
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMSL-SD-1955-DIR9001-AD1955-DAC-Optical-Coaxial-Decoder-Power-Adapter-Black-NE-/180770398813?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_CDPlayerSeparates&hash=item2a16c1625d
 
Here are the 2 Amp choices though i need you're help if the second AMP is actually an AMP or a Pre AMP
 
SMSL SAP-100
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMSL-SAP-100-portable-Headphone-amplifier-for-CD-DVD-MP3-PC-power-adapter-/220916568973?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item336fa7538d#ht_6962wt_1163
 
Class A Hybrid Tube Headphone Amplifier 6922EH Pre AMP
(AMP I need help with)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Class-A-Hybrid-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier-6922EH-Pre-AMP-/110661863333?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item19c3f607a5#ht_7945wt_1163
 
Total £407.19 (with the SMSL SAP-100)
 
Thanks for all you're help so far <3

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Don't worry about the android i only use it as a phone and i have some buds i use for it anyway.
 
Sennheiser HD650's
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00018MSNI/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_g23_i3?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0B1BRXXRT81FMEMAF9P9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294
 
As for everything else. I like the idea of getting a complete audio set-up so I'll go for the 650's
 
SMSL SD-1955
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMSL-SD-1955-DIR9001-AD1955-DAC-Optical-Coaxial-Decoder-Power-Adapter-Black-NE-/180770398813?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_CDPlayerSeparates&hash=item2a16c1625d
 
Here are the 2 Amp choices though i need you're help if the second AMP is actually an AMP or a Pre AMP
 
SMSL SAP-100
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMSL-SAP-100-portable-Headphone-amplifier-for-CD-DVD-MP3-PC-power-adapter-/220916568973?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item336fa7538d#ht_6962wt_1163
 
Class A Hybrid Tube Headphone Amplifier 6922EH Pre AMP
(AMP I need help with)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Class-A-Hybrid-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier-6922EH-Pre-AMP-/110661863333?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item19c3f607a5#ht_7945wt_1163
 
Total £407.19 (with the SMSL SAP-100)
 
Thanks for all you're help so far <3

It is a headphone amplifier and a pre-amp. (I have the Muse 6922 EH Head Amp only)
I like the Indeed design a little bit better, but the Muse is like half the price of the Indeed.
(I could not tell the difference sound wise between my Indeed and Muse)
 
Those amplifiers sound a little better if you adjust and balance the voltage (12 volts?), a cheap digital multi-meter (DT830) is needed (and a small Philips head screwdriver).
There are a few head-fi threads on these amps (Bravo, Indeed, Muse. etc)
Also the website Rockgrotto has some good threads on these amps in their headphone amp. section.

 

[Chaimera]

Quote:

It is a headphone amplifier and a pre-amp. (I have the Muse 6922 EH Head Amp only)
I like the Indeed design a little bit better, but the Muse is like half the price of the Indeed.
(I could not tell the difference sound wise between my Indeed and Muse)
 
Those amplifiers sound a little better if you adjust and balance the voltage (12 volts?), a cheap digital multi-meter (DT830) is needed (and a small Philips head screwdriver).
There are a few head-fi threads on these amps (Bravo, Indeed, Muse. etc)
Also the website Rockgrotto has some good threads on these amps in their headphone amp. section.

So the one I linked here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Class-A-Hybrid-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier-6922EH-Pre-AMP-/110661863333?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item19c3f607a5#ht_7945wt_1163 will work fine with the SMSL SD-1955 ?
 
If so I know what I'm buying ;D

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

So the one I linked here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Class-A-Hybrid-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier-6922EH-Pre-AMP-/110661863333?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item19c3f607a5#ht_7945wt_1163 will work fine with the SMSL SD-1955 ?
 
If so I know what I'm buying ;D

Ok, the listing say headphone amplifier and pre-amplifier, the pictures just show the headphone amplifier only model
So they are using the wrong picutres or it's a head amp. only
I think it's the Muse Mk2 model that is head amp, and pre-amp.
 
Just about any external DAC works with just about any headphone amplifier.
It's just a simple one way 2-channel analog (wave) signal between them, usually RCA cables.

 

[Chaimera]

Quote:

Ok, the listing say headphone amplifier and pre-amplifier, the pictures just show the headphone amplifier only model
So they are using the wrong picutres or it's a head amp. only
I think it's the Muse Mk2 model that is head amp, and pre-amp.
 
Just about any external DAC works with just about any headphone amplifier.
It's just a simple one way 2-channel analog (wave) signal between them, usually RCA cables.

Awesome looks like I know what I'm getting ;D thanks again for all you're help !