[Anavel0]

No way, I can't stand the sound when my pads start going flat. *shivers* No sir, I don't like it. I don't like it one bit.

Also, side note, washing the pads can cause the foam to break down prematurely.

 

[Pistolero]

I just got my HD650's and love them..Been listening to AKG K702'S for a while and love them too.. The HD650's are so comfortable and sound so good I see why so many people rave about them...

 

[Unfie]

I had to wash my pads. It's a necessary evil. I went 2 years without doing so, and so much dirt/oil had collected from it.

 

[joespride]

Ok I think I'm getting all the praise behind the 650's now.  I just received my Schiit Valhalla today and have been listening for about 3 hours now
 
and I'm listening to music that was my reference material on previous systems spanning more than 10 years (Damien Rice, Live at
 
Fingerprints)  and I am hearing things I've never heard before,  I can actually now hear the venue acoustics, echo on live recordings.  Also on
 
some percussion tracks i can replicate the best attack I've ever heard from a speaker's mid bass (Prism by King Crimson off Sometimes God Smiles)
 
This is Exciting 

 

[pdrm360]

  Ok I think I'm getting all the praise behind the 650's now.  I just received my Schiit Valhalla today and have been listening for about 3 hours now
 
and I'm listening to music that was my reference material on previous systems spanning more than 10 years (Damien Rice, Live at
 
Fingerprints)  and I am hearing things I've never heard before,  I can actually now hear the venue acoustics, echo on live recordings.  Also on
 
some percussion tracks i can replicate the best attack I've ever heard from a speaker's mid bass (Prism by King Crimson off Sometimes God Smiles)
 
This is Exciting 

 
What DAC do you use?

 

[joespride]

   
What DAC do you use?

I dont have one yet this is straight out of my laptop, which only has a realtek high definition audio card (stock cheapo in my vaio), my plan is to buy the Bifrost ultra when funds clear up

 

[pdrm360]

  I dont have one yet this is straight out of my laptop, which only has a realtek high definition audio card (stock cheapo in my vaio), my plan is to buy the Bifrost ultra when funds clear up

So you will have another exciting moment in the future. 

 

[joespride]

  So you will have another exciting moment in the future. 

I certainly hope so

 

[jimmers]

  I certainly hope so

You could always grab a HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC for < $50 in the mean time, when you get your Bifrost ultra (Uber ?) you can throw it in your lappy bag.

 

[ThurstonX]

  You could always grab a HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC for < $50 in the mean time, when you get your Bifrost ultra (Uber ?) you can throw it in your lappy bag.

 
+1
Great little DAC.  Add the USB Isolator for $30 and it's an excellent combo.  Still, Bifrost Uber for a birthday present later this year.  I can't resist, but I can wait 

 

[JamieMcC]

Yesterday I swapped the stock volume pot on by BH Crack+Speedball for a Valab 23 step attenuator and it has really opened up the top end on the HD650's I am quiet simply amazed at the change in presentation and clarity from just changing the volume pot definitely hearing more details in the top end now. No need for those RCA Clear tops now.
 
Short version of a longer post on the BH Crack bb about fitting the Valab http://www.head-fi.org/t/476650/crack-bottlehead-otl/3480
 
Tubes, Mullard 12au7 and Tung-sol 5998

Most noticeable is an improvement in clarity particularly to the mids and top end.  Music seems to have more of a crispness and openness and to it.

Placement within the soundstage seems a little more precise. Instruments have a little more attack and bite to the leading edges of notes.

I can hear some woodiness texture to certain wind instruments I had not noticed before.
 
Listening as I type to Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham’s “I’m so afraid” one of my favourite tracks, is more forceful, darker and moody the bass is tighter and has a touch of presence to it rather than just hearing it.

IMHO the Valab has taken my BHC+Speedball +Tung-sol 5998 to a level of refinement easily above which I had been experiencing when running with the expensive 6AS7G GEC brown base without the Valab fitted. My perception of performance of the GEC is likewise improved.
 

 

[JacobLee89]

I may be on the wrong thread to say this; maybe I can (potentially) whet my appetite on the HD650's I will be acquiring very soon, by listening to what you guys think. 

 
Considering my current setup is an ODAC + O2 (on 1x and 2.5 gain), how much of a jump am I expecting from a DT250 - 80 Ohm?

 

[pdrm360]

I don't know about the DT250 but I don't like the (ODAC + O2) for the HD650. I know a few here use this combo for the HD650. 

 

[pdrm360]

  I may be on the wrong thread to say this; maybe I can (potentially) whet my appetite on the HD650's I will be acquiring very soon, by listening to what you guys think. 

 
Considering my current setup is an ODAC + O2 (on 1x and 2.5 gain), how much of a jump am I expecting from a DT250 - 80 Ohm?

 
Maybe the DT880 - 250/32 Ohm would be a better upgrade. 

 

[Lorspeaker]

I may be on the wrong thread to say this; maybe I can (potentially) whet my appetite on the HD650's I will be acquiring very soon, by listening to what you guys think. 

Considering my current setup is an ODAC + O2 (on 1x and 2.5 gain), how much of a jump am I expecting from a DT250 - 80 Ohm?

Dt250, neutral balanced sounding...Had it for the longest time.
Vs hd650 mellow , more body...to seductive on a tube amp.