[Intjmastermind]

I'm currently running my Sennherise HD650 from a Nuforce uDAC-2. The uDAC-2 is rated to 300 Ohms, and the HD650's sound really good from them.
 
Would adding a discreet amp to this setup make a significant improvement? I've never tried big amps, so I don't know what I'm missing, or even if I'm missing anything.
 
I was thinking: Computer (USB) --> uDAC-2 (RCA line out) --> Schiit Asgard --> HD650

 

[juman231]

Many people say yes, since Asgard is a lot stronger than uDAC-2's amp section. 

 

[scs999]

Quote:

I'm currently running my Sennherise HD650 from a Nuforce uDAC-2. The uDAC-2 is rated to 300 Ohms, and the HD650's sound really good from them.
 
Would adding a discreet amp to this setup make a significant improvement? I've never tried big amps, so I don't know what I'm missing, or even if I'm missing anything.
 
I was thinking: Computer (USB) --> uDAC-2 (RCA line out) --> Schiit Asgard --> HD650

I use  uDAC2 > Asgard > HD600 and it sounds great.
 
The HD600's are very neutral cans and can sound a bit boring unless they are powered adequately - the Asgard provides more musical texture and soundstage than just the uDAC2 headphone outs [although these are superb for a portable amp].
 
The uDAC2/Asgard combo is also dynamite with the Grado GS100i - strings and voice are awesome with this setup.
 
I'm listening to WFMT [Chicago] with the Grados and it's hard to believe that this is just a 128K stream.

 

[add2music]

I also use Asgard with HD650. I see more refinement in the sound with Asgard and a good sound stage 

 

[kingtz]

Just to give you an idea, I used to have uDAC1 -> HD650.
 
When I switched to  uDAC1 -> Valhalla -> HD650, it was a notable upgrade.

 

[perplex1]

Quote:

I also use Asgard with HD650. I see more refinement in the sound with Asgard and a good sound stage 

does it add any coloration?  Im interested in these for analyzing/referencing music. like mixing tracks etc..

 

[add2music]

Quote:

Quote:

I also use Asgard with HD650. I see more refinement in the sound with Asgard and a good sound stage 

does it add any coloration?  Im interested in these for analyzing/referencing music. like mixing tracks etc..

 With Asgard, I could see following effect - little bit addition to bass and a small amount of  highs are rolled off ( effect of hd650, i believe ). If you are going to use hd650 for mixing / analyzing , then the effects of hd650 such as bass addition and rolled off highs may be of some concern... IMHO...

 

[addo]

Quote:

Quote:

I'm currently running my Sennherise HD650 from a Nuforce uDAC-2. The uDAC-2 is rated to 300 Ohms, and the HD650's sound really good from them.
 
Would adding a discreet amp to this setup make a significant improvement? I've never tried big amps, so I don't know what I'm missing, or even if I'm missing anything.
 
I was thinking: Computer (USB) --> uDAC-2 (RCA line out) --> Schiit Asgard --> HD650

I use  uDAC2 > Asgard > HD600 and it sounds great.
 

Is the Asgard a tube amp, or do you have to step up to the Valhalla to get tubes?

 

[kingtz]

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I'm currently running my Sennherise HD650 from a Nuforce uDAC-2. The uDAC-2 is rated to 300 Ohms, and the HD650's sound really good from them.
 
Would adding a discreet amp to this setup make a significant improvement? I've never tried big amps, so I don't know what I'm missing, or even if I'm missing anything.
 
I was thinking: Computer (USB) --> uDAC-2 (RCA line out) --> Schiit Asgard --> HD650

I use  uDAC2 > Asgard > HD600 and it sounds great.
 

Is the Asgard a tube amp, or do you have to step up to the Valhalla to get tubes?

The latter.

 

[Intjmastermind]

So, with the uDac-2 plugged to the Asgard via RCA line-out, adjusting the volume knob on the uDac-2 alters the amplitude of the line-out signal. I'm assuming that the volume knob adjusts a passive potentiometer, likely before the op-amp stage since it affects both headphone and line-out.
 
What do you recommend I leave the volume knob set to on the uDac-2? Full volume? Half-volume? Somewhere in between?

 

[addo]

Quote:

So, with the uDac-2 plugged to the Asgard via RCA line-out, adjusting the volume knob on the uDac-2 alters the amplitude of the line-out signal. I'm assuming that the volume knob adjusts a passive potentiometer, likely before the op-amp stage since it affects both headphone and line-out.
 
What do you recommend I leave the volume knob set to on the uDac-2? Full volume? Half-volume? Somewhere in between?

I have a different amp but Ive tried this, and I cant hear a difference myself so I keep the udac2 at full volume.

 

[KuKuBuKu]

Quote:

I'm currently running my Sennherise HD650 from a Nuforce uDAC-2. The uDAC-2 is rated to 300 Ohms, and the HD650's sound really good from them.
 
Would adding a discreet amp to this setup make a significant improvement? I've never tried big amps, so I don't know what I'm missing, or even if I'm missing anything.
 
I was thinking: Computer (USB) --> uDAC-2 (RCA line out) --> Schiit Asgard --> HD650

I just wanna point out that output impedance has nothing to do with drivability.
 

 

[jfrocke]

Has anyone actually had the opportunity to compare the sound of the Asgard and Valhalla on the HD600/650's?  I am looking to purchase one of these combinations.

 

[mikenike]

Quote:

So, with the uDac-2 plugged to the Asgard via RCA line-out, adjusting the volume knob on the uDac-2 alters the amplitude of the line-out signal. I'm assuming that the volume knob adjusts a passive potentiometer, likely before the op-amp stage since it affects both headphone and line-out.
 
What do you recommend I leave the volume knob set to on the uDac-2? Full volume? Half-volume? Somewhere in between?

I would recommend leaving the volume knob of the uDac-2 at half-volume; it clips after that, and quite noticeably at 1 o'clock.

 

[1adam12]

Okay noob question here...
 
As I was considering a similar setup I always assumed the purpose of line out was to bypass any amplitude changes via the volume knob. Why do they design it this way? It doesn't seem to make sense.