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Man, you guys have me torn. I'm about to receive the HD650 (replacing the HD595) and have been trying to figure out what budget-conscious way I wanted to drive 'em (it's the ART HeadAmp4 in the meantime). I've pretty much settled in on the Sparrow (or FUN or NFB-12), but am still debating between A or B. I'll mostly be using them via USB on my laptop.
I'm seeing CEE TEE and KneelJung giving the B lots of love, but I'm also noting that you guys are HF2-slinging Gradoheads. I've got an SR60 (and my pick up an SR225i in the not-too-distant future), so I'm familiar with the Grado sound. For argument's sake, do you guys think it may be the case that the B is a better complement to Grados, but that the A may groove better in other cases? From
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/Sparrow/SparrowEN.htm
it's suggested that the AD1852 sounds more dynamic and the WM8741 more neutral. I'd love to hear peoples' opinions of both the A and the B with the HD650... especially with the DACs du jour.
Are the components on the A that much nicer than on the B? Would it be worth getting the A and ordering the DA1852 module? How much work is it to switch the DAC modules? Thanks!
alright, You have it mixed up a bit. Let me break it down for you, and then I'll tell you what I have.
Firstly, there is no difference in DAC portion of the A's and B's that are currently being produced. The dac in the current ones is known to be more dynamic/warm than the older one. But, the man that designs them obviously feels like it is an upgrade from the older. We just have some people that think otherwise, and I have the older DAC myself, and I really like it. Haven't heard the newer one and I'm not sure if my relatively noobish ears would even hear a difference.
Secondly, you have the DA chips mixed up.. The ad1852 is more neutral, with some people claiming that it brings out the highs a bit. I just think it presents a lot of detail on the upper end. I've never had my grados feel shrill coming out of any source ever, including this chip. However, I do find the highs shrill on my fostex's.. I think that is just a personal thing though. I've yet to try the 8740 with the fostex's. Which brings me to the WM8740 (older chip that is no longer offered to my knowledge, although it might be with the B version still. I'm not positive in all honesty. This chip is supposed to be warmer and more musical, I haven't given it much of a shot because I feel a source should be as transparent and neutral as possible. The WM8741 is supposed to follow in it's footsteps in being warmer and more musical from what I've read, however i'm sure its still rather neutral. Everything audio-gd makes is relatively neutral, it should all be minor differences. However, the most neutral setup as far as sparrows go would be the older chip and the ad1852 w/ it maybe bringing out the highs a notch. The most dynamic and musical pairing would be the current A version, but I'm sure it still stays very close to neutrality. There are some people on here that really didn't care for the sound and much preferred the older models, but its hardly a fact.. some people could very well prefer the current A version.
The differences between the current A and B versions could only be noticed on a very revealing system with some very revealing headphones, and even then it would be kind of difficult. The main upgrade is a nicer volume pot and some nicer caps. Once again, audio-gd only puts out fine products... So, take it how you will.
Personally I'm running an older A version with the older dac and the ad1852 with my woodied grados and other headphones as well. I have literally no complaints about the sound.. The only gripes I have would be that the gain is a bit high, I never turn the nob very much and I wish I could get it quieter than what I can sometimes. Also, there is no way to use the dac separately and upgrade the amp. I don't really ever plan on doing this myself, so its not a big deal.
Hope I answered your questions
Chris