[JMBNaples]

Excuse the newbie question.

I recently upgraded to the Senn 650s.
I am currently using the Practical Devices XM4 with the AD8620 (the AD822 is on the way).
I really like this amp - size, price, and the bass boost is a lot of fun.
But I am very intriqued by what a tabletop amp (say a Gilmore Lite, Little Dot mk IV, Emmeline XP-7, or a Headroom Micro) would do to the Senns that a portable amp could not.
Is it volume?
Is it more detail?
What is it that you get for another $300 over a portable amp?

I ask this because I have to choose - upgrade the amp or buy another set of phones (probably Grado RS-2s for rock).

Thanks.

 

[Ricey20]

I'd highly recommend against a portable for the HD650, they just do not output enough juice or even if they do it doesnt sound very good. But yes in general you would get more volume and detail with a home amp.
As for a home amp for the HD650, many people seem to recommend tube amps like a Darkvoice, Woo Audio, Singlepower, or Little dot. Personally I've got a Little Dot MKIV SE on order for my HD650, they sound terrible with my HA5000.

 

[boomana]

It's a beast of a thread, and you have to wade through some traditional head-fi bickering, but some great information is in here as well:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/dis...-trend-264859/

 

[tfarney]

I've been asking the same questions around here about Senn 580s. I'm getting more than one answer, but the folks who have LOTS of equipment in their signatures (don't know if that's evidence of experience or obsession or even if there is a real difference between the two...) seem to think that yes, a home amp with enough power behind it will make a difference. Seems like the consensus...or as close as I can get to it...is that it will mostly be heard in the transient response -- quickness and definition, particularly in the bass.

I'm also hearing that the HeadAmp home products (I've been asking about the G1, but I imagine this applies to the Gilmore Light as well) tend toward neutral, and have a lot of reserve power. Probably a good match to the 650s I'd say, but I'm a newbie myself. Someone who knows what he/she is talking about will be along shortly...

Tim

PS - I talk too much and type too slow, and while I was doing so, a couple of the people I was talking about came along and told you what I thought they would.

 

[JMBNaples]

I remember that thread - if I recall it had a lot of anger.

But I am never (I know that is a bad word here) going to have what many here deem a proper source. I listen exclusively in my office. Never at home. So I will always be listening from my ipod (but with Lossless)

 

[Chrispy]

I would think the xm4 can power the senns well, as it has been recommended for driving sextetts.

Man, i really need to get an amp that can drive my sextetts

 

[Ricey20]

Yah, Headamp products are well known for their transparency and neutrality. I'm on the list for their GS-X since I want to balance my W5000s. The one problem you may encounter if you went with a Gilmore Lite/GS-1 is that your source may be unable to keep up. Headamp products, because of their transparency, really brings out the faults of your source or it could sound incredible if your source is up to it.

 

[boomana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrispy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would think the xm4 can power the senns well, as it has been recommended for driving sextetts. Man, i really need to get an amp that can drive my sextetts

Chrispy, since you live in Sarasota, you definitely have to make it over to CanJam first weekend in May. Bring your Sextetts and plug them into most any amp you want to try out. You get bonus points from me if you wear the clown suit.

 

[JMBNaples]

I am in Naples Florida - I hope to make it to the head-fi meet in may too.

I, however, am too impatient to wait and test . . .

 

[boomana]

JMB, you're a part of Team Florida now! "Hope to make it" isn't acceptable.

Seriously, though, waiting is a good thing when it comes to the 650s. They are pickier than most headphones (and more than many would have you believe) when it comes to amps. Do your research, and don't just jump on a bandwagon of people saying, "Buy this. It's great!" If you have a chance to audition pretty much any amp known to have synergy with the 650s in all prices ranges in less than two months, do it. Let your ears be the guide to what you want. That this year's international meet is only a few hours a way from you gives you a shot most head=fiers will never have to choose with your own wisdom and not just borrowed from well-meaning strangers' posts.

 

[tfarney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricey20 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yah, Headamp products are well known for their transparency and neutrality. I'm on the list for their GS-X since I want to balance my W5000s. The one problem you may encounter if you went with a Gilmore Lite/GS-1 is that your source may be unable to keep up. Headamp products, because of their transparency, really brings out the faults of your source or it could sound incredible if your source is up to it.

If he were running a line out from the iPod, that's essentially lossless files running from ram. I would think that would be a pretty good source unless the DAC in the iPod introduces a lot of problems. Am I missing something?

Tim