[EK95]

   
IMO, you should go with the Modi and the Vali 2.

Agreed, about the 2. Even on tight budget, I suggest don't be tempted by the original, now on closeout, with this particular headphone. 
Synergy is critical, and as I have read over and over, everyone’s experience differs. I bought the original Vali (only to see the very NEXT day the Vali 2 came out). Reviews in the V2 forum suggest to me it could be a good match, in contrast to my experience with the original.
 
As mentioned previously I had a hard time with the HD 600’s in most cases, but the original Vali brought out the best in them. The soundstage seemed a little narrow and distant, but listening was magical as I like a less forward, even experience. I was very surprised that to me the 650’s are muffled and flat sounding through the Vali, not in the least enjoyable. I am looking to sell the Vali. Again, comparisons on the Vali2 thread indicate it is by far the livelier of the two amps.

 

[ContractorHei]

Currently have a HD598 and am looking at step up to either the HD600 or HD650. Which one would be the better choice?
I generally listen to electronic, trance, soundtracks, etc. And 90% of the time when there's a vocalist it's a female, so I'd love to keep some good dynamics in that range. Source is a Dragonfly Red atm.

 

[mysticstryk]

Currently have a HD598 and am looking at step up to either the HD600 or HD650. Which one would be the better choice?
I generally listen to electronic, trance, soundtracks, etc. And 90% of the time when there's a vocalist it's a female, so I'd love to keep some good dynamics in that range. Source is a Dragonfly Red atm.

Hd650. The little extra mid-bass will serve your electronic well and I have never heard a headphone render female vocals better than the 650.

I moved up from a 595(predecessor to 598) when I first bought my 650 and was very pleased.

 

[penmarker]

I'm assuming we can't post photos anymore ?
Sennheiser HD650
Kimber Kable Axios for 650's
Little Dot MK3 tube amp
Marantz CD5004 CD transport
Schiit Bifrost Über
Core Power Technologies EQUI=CORE 300
Luminous Audio Monarch 2 RCA interconnects
280 fibre glass Toslink

Other gear:

Beyerdynamic DT990 600ohm
Beyerdynamic Tesla T1 (2nd gen)

How is the CD transport working for you?
 
I might need one soon.

 

[spiderking31]

The Marantz is a pretty decent transport (CD5004) This model was discontinued, but its successors are probably better in performance

 

[Letmebefrank]

The Marantz is a pretty decent transport (CD5004) This model was discontinued, but its successors are probably better in performance

I was thinking about a transport for a while but I only really listen at my desktop pc, so I don't see it being worth the money for me.

 

[penmarker]

My main rig is a laptop, and for some reason it doesn't come with a CD drive. I can't even rip CDs to play through Foobar, so I've been thinking about getting a decent CD transport into my Matrix Mini-I.

 

[DavidA]

  My main rig is a laptop, and for some reason it doesn't come with a CD drive. I can't even rip CDs to play through Foobar, so I've been thinking about getting a decent CD transport into my Matrix Mini-I.

External CD/DVD drives are fairly common and are quite cheap these days.
 
https://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-Portable-Rewriter-GP60NB50/dp/B00C2AMK2M/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1475728181&sr=1-4&keywords=usb+dvd+drive

 

[penmarker]

  External CD/DVD drives are fairly common and are quite cheap these days.
 
https://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-Portable-Rewriter-GP60NB50/dp/B00C2AMK2M/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1475728181&sr=1-4&keywords=usb+dvd+drive

Been toying with that idea for a while too. Especially now LG has those good looking DVD and BluRay drives that can stand and comes in multiple colours. Well I don't know, I'm a sucker for equipment.

 

[spiderking31]

I've never been too much into digital audio. I have a vast CD collection, so I chose to stay with the format. The funny thing is, CD's sound much better than most people will say!

 

[RickB]

I've never been too much into digital audio. I have a vast CD collection, so I chose to stay with the format. The funny thing is, CD's sound much better than most people will say!

CD is a digital format.

 

[EK95]

If one can spend a little more than an external drive to the computer, and has room for a stand-alone cdp, consider the Onkyo C 7030. It is momentarily $175 Amazon and $145 Walmart (no judgement using either).
 
Of course, if you own a nice DAC used from your computer, this recommendation may not apply. Otherwise, the Onkyo sounds surprisingly sweet for the price. It has a robust transformer and very, very good DAC – I prefer analogue out. Even better, the headphone output is great on its own, even more of a surprise. Even though the soundstage is not as expansive as from my Yamaha Aventage receiver, I actually gravitate more often to the cd player’s jack. This would make a wonderful little system for an old-fashioned cd listener like me – One $350 headphone and one $150 disk spinner.
 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RZN7NUL44AUKX/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B004UR487A

 

[CanadianMaestro]

 The funny thing is, CD's sound much better than most people will say!

 
 

  CD is a digital format.

 
Far superior to that other format that some people rave about.....

 

[Lorspeaker]

  Hi, guys.  By next week (or the week after) I would receive my own pair of HD650.  I have read so many about HD580/600/650 after having this hobby around 2 years ago.  Last week I found there was an online sale and I jumped at the chance buying one HD650 immediately, without thinking about the set up.  Still I am super-excited now, wanting to hear what the legend may sound.
 
I don't have a desktop amp to drive the HD650, and my budget is tight (after spending on this pair).  I need a budget set up and may need to buy one item first and, after saving enough, then another.  I am thinking of three different buying options.  
 
1st: Laptop > [Existing] Nuforce uDAC 3 > [To Buy] Little Dot MK2 Tube Amp > HD650
 
or
 
2nd: Laptop > [To Buy] Aune X1S > HD650 -  then buy another desktop power amp after saving up enough money.
 
or
 
3rd: Laptop > [To Buy] Schiit Magni / Modi combo (not uber) > HD650
 
Any suggestions from you guys?

 
if i must get an amp now...
i would go for option 1...
or the dv336se from massdrop for about 200bucks.

 

[spiderking31]

I apologize. I worded it wrong. I prefer redbook format over FLAC format. I hope this response is a bit more accurate. I apologize for the confusion