[whirlwind]

Bottlehead Crack with the speedball upgrade, seems to be the amp of choice.
 
I use a Mad Ear+HD

 

[AnalogSavior]

I forgot to add the Bottlehead Crack to my list, its another I'm looking at.  Older threads always bring it up but I've never heard it myself.  On the other hand I've heard Woo Audio and Schiit amps, thought not specifically the ones I'm looking into, so I have only a general idea of their sound.

 

[Byronb]

  I'm curious as to what you all use to amp your HD650s.  I like tubes, and I'm looking getting some 650s (or 600s...still need to do some more auditioning) in the near future.
 
What do you guys use, and what has worked well?  The three I've looked at in my budget are the WA3, WA6, and Valhalla.  Anyone have experience with these and the 650s?
 
EDIT: I would also consider the Bottlehead Crack + Speedball, though I have no experience in DIY.

 
Mjolnir here!

 

[awsanderson]

I have used the Lyr, I liked it and never even rolled tubes.  Switched to a full SS amp with my RSA Apache and like it a lot also

 

[Anavel0]

Mjolnir here!

Care to elaborate on the pairing. I've been thinking about getting Mjolnir myself.

 

[pdrm360]

  I'm curious as to what you all use to amp your HD650s.  I like tubes, and I'm looking getting some 650s (or 600s...still need to do some more auditioning) in the near future.
 
What do you guys use, and what has worked well?  The three I've looked at in my budget are the WA3, WA6, and Valhalla.  Anyone have experience with these and the 650s?
 
EDIT: I would also consider the Bottlehead Crack + Speedball, though I have no experience in DIY.

 
IMO: Mjolnir >= Crack + Speedball > Crack >= Valhalla > Lyr > Vali

 

[AnalogSavior]

   
IMO: Mjolnir >= Crack + Speedball > Crack >= Valhalla > Lyr > Vali

 
Interesting.  Can you elaborate on you came to these conclusions?  What sound differences made one stand out over the other?
 
Funny enough, when I got to audition the 650, it was with a Mjolnir...and frankly they were quite bright! Not in a bad way, but in a surprising way. Kinda threw all my preconceptions of the 650s out the window.

 

[JamieMcC]

Just seen the Oppo HA1 is going on sale in the UK next month priced at £699 it looks a very interesting amp hopefully we will get a few reviews.

 

[MattTCG]

  Just seen the Oppo HA1 is going on sale in the UK next month priced at £699 it looks a very interesting amp hopefully we will get a few reviews.

 
Dang, that HA1 is sexy. Looking forward to more...
 
 

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

ooooo, 4 pin XLR, nice....

 

[James-uk]

That oppo looks the business and if it does retail at £699 it would be a relative bargain given it's features. Very impressive.

 

[JamieMcC]

Oppo's has built up quiet a reputation for excellent sounding gear.

 

[pdrm360]

   
Interesting.  Can you elaborate on you came to these conclusions?  What sound differences made one stand out over the other?
 
Funny enough, when I got to audition the 650, it was with a Mjolnir...and frankly they were quite bright! Not in a bad way, but in a surprising way. Kinda threw all my preconceptions of the 650s out the window.

 
They are based on my taste and preference.
 
1. Mjolnir is very detailed, clean and natural vs. Crack+SB is very enjoyable and musical, also pretty clean. 
2. Crack: Very musical and pretty warm vs. Valhalla is bright (not as bright as the SS amps) but pairs well with the HD650
3. Lyr is warm, punchy, and dynamics 
4. Vali does the job
 
If you like the warm sounding amps, Woo WA3 is also a good choice, IMO.

 

[cddc]

  Curious to know if anyone has compared the Modi/Vali combo to the ODAC/O2 combo, when paired with HD650 and paired with other headphones? Thanks.

 
Modi/Vali vs ODAC/O2, anyone can help? 

 

[Zojokkeli]

Would love to hear Vali vs Asgard 2 impressions with 650's. Crack with speedball is definitely a thing somewhere down the road, but meanwhile I have need for inexpensive SS-amp that can drive powered speakers and sensitive headphones.