[CanadianMaestro]

CM there is a tentative meet in Calgary Nov 15th, if you're interested as well. Or you're always welcome to hit me up if you're in the city.

mike, I'm teaching all of November, so thanks for the heads-up, but i must pass. Enjoy your 650 and gear in any event. 

 

[krsk77]

What affordable dac/amp combo's or just the amp do you all use with your hd650? Im kinda new to this.

 

[MattTCG]

What affordable dac/amp combo's or just the amp do you all use with your hd650? Im kinda new to this.

Depends on what you consider "affordable." 
 
Most of the Schiit products work very well with this headphone. Asgard 2  is clean, neutral and pairs well at $250. 
 
Bottlehead Crack is outstanding if you are into DIY for $300. 
 
There is a lot of good amps out there. Just depends on budget and preferences. 

 

[Shaffer]

What affordable dac/amp combo's or just the amp do you all use with your hd650? Im kinda new to this.

Are you interested in tube or ss?

 

[CanadianMaestro]

What affordable dac/amp combo's or just the amp do you all use with your hd650? Im kinda new to this.

Amp: Bryston BHA-1 or Polaris
DAC: Bryston BDA-1 (with BHA-1) or Teac UD-H01 (with Polaris)
 
"Affordable" is non sequitur. Get what you can afford and can live with for a long time. 

 

[Sal1950]

What affordable dac/amp combo's or just the amp do you all use with your hd650? Im kinda new to this.

Ask 100 members you'll get 102 answers.
You really have to throw out a number to get any reasonable answer. You can get good sound starting around $200 and going WAY up from there.  I love my Emotiva Stealth DC-1 DAC,HP Amp, PreAmp for $499,  but everyone will recommend what they bought, naturally.

 

[bracko]

 
Amp: Bryston BHA-1 or Polaris
DAC: Bryston BDA-1 (with BHA-1) or Teac UD-H01 (with Polaris)
 
"Affordable" is non sequitur. Get what you can afford and can live with for a long time. 

What is the difference between "agressive" and "mellow" bandwidth on Polaris amp?

 

[iancraig10]

I would imagine 'mellow' is lower bandwidth, since that is the effect that you get. 'Aggressive' must be full bandwidth.

 

[CanadianMaestro]

  What is the difference between "agressive" and "mellow" bandwidth on Polaris amp?

Scroll down on this page:
http://www.garage1217.com/garage1217_diy_tube_headphone_amplifiers_015.htm
 
"Aggressive" curve (left) is rolled off earlier in the highs, I think. "Mellow" is less rolled off at 10-30KHz.
Methinks these terms refer to the degree of roll-off in the treble, not the final sound. As in "aggressive" rolloff, vs. less rolloff ("mellow").  A bit hairy...
 
I guess somebody at G1217 must be a treblehead! 

 

 

[bracko]

 
Scroll down on this page:
http://www.garage1217.com/garage1217_diy_tube_headphone_amplifiers_015.htm
 
"Aggressive" curve (left) is rolled off earlier in the highs, I think. "Mellow" is less rolled off at 10-30KHz.
 
I guess somebody at G1217 must be a treblehead! 

Which one do you have Maestro? 

 

[CanadianMaestro]

  Which one do you have Maestro? 

I have the "default", Chief.
 "Aggressive", I think. It sounds fine. Tweaking the different jumpers will still get you a more tailored sound.

 

[MUSICCURE]

What affordable dac/amp combo's or just the amp do you all use with your hd650? Im kinda new to this.

I use the E07k/E09k. Under 200$ all together. I was hesitant to buy a E09k because of the reviews, but I've been pleased with how good it sounds with this combo.

 

[CanadianMaestro]

I use the E07k/E09k. Under 200$ all together. I was hesitant to buy a E09k because of the reviews, but I've been pleased with how good it sounds with this combo.

   Sometimes reviews aren't that accurate or universal. YMMV etc etc.  Especially on HF. 

 

[MUSICCURE]

   Sometimes reviews aren't that accurate or universal. YMMV etc etc.  Especially on HF. 

Agreed, all the budget gear I've tried on the HD650 has worked out well. A cheap Mini Muse dac and Bravo V2 packs a punch as well, minus hi rez capability on the dac.

 

[bracko]

 
I have the "default", Chief.
 "Aggressive", I think. It sounds fine. Tweaking the different jumpers will still get you a more tailored sound.

Great. I think I will order one of those Polaris amps. Just need to decide on aluminum vs acrylic