[Anavel0]

And also, can anyone comment on how good iTunes AAC files will sound out of the HD650s? Or would it be necessary for me to replace all of the tracks I have of them with lossless?

iTunes AAC files sound fine with the HD650. It's a lot more forgiving than other headphones. I also enjoy iTunes Radio a lot. Apple equalizes the volume on all the songs on iTunes Radio. So, new poorly mastered songs that are all volume loudness are toned way down. It makes for a more enjoyable listening experience.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Well recorded, intricate, "sparse" maybe, jazz, rock, classical, country, I really love all music through my 650's. Enjoyed with my Fiio E09K, and now my new Schiit Asgard 2 (brand new due to recommendations on this thread-THANK YOU!!!).

 

[pez]

Yeah, I don't think you'd be one bit of disappointed with a Modi/Magni or Modi/Vali combo along with the HD650.  I plan on letting the Asgard 2 and HD650 combo spoil me for quite a bit longer .

 

[B-Dawk20]

Yeah I say price wise, unless you already have a competent DAC or Amp, you are looking at $700 total for the whole package. $400-500 for the 650's and $200-300 for your amp/dac combo. But the latter will make it so that you can get other headphones and not have to worry about powering them. Well, at least for intro stuff. My amp/dac combo was $200 and $20 for the new op amps and I got lucky with a cheap $650 deal for $350.

 

[Zojokkeli]

Looking to maybe see if I want these. 

I'm kind of choking on the price a little though... $499 for headphones and that's not including the price of a DAC or amp. Any thoughts on the total $$$ needed to get a decent setup? A friend recommended to me the $99 Schiit amp and DAC combo. 

And also, can anyone comment on how good iTunes AAC files will sound out of the HD650s? Or would it be necessary for me to replace all of the tracks I have of them with lossless?

Modi/Vali combo is very reasonably priced and sounds great with 650's.

 

[Xeculus]

Ah ok, thanks for the responses. So I'm looking at least a solid $700+ *gulp*
 
I guess it comes down to the new iPhone or HD650s now...

 

[Lorspeaker]

dv336se....delicious...
 

 

[calipilot227]

I guess it comes down to the new iPhone or HD650s now...

 
If it helps, the new iPhone will become obsolete within two years. The HD650s will easily last five years or more.

 

[Xeculus]

   
If it helps, the new iPhone will become obsolete within two years. The HD650s will easily last five years or more.

 
A valid point. I'm gonna go check out a local hi-fi shop this weekend and give them a listen. It'll actually be my first time listening to anything of that caliber so needless to say I'm pretty excited. 
 
Will report back on my thoughts. 

 

[grrraymond]

I got a used pair of eBay in great condition for about $250. I fully recommend the Bottlehead Crack. For its price, it's leagues ahead. For a DAC, I'm just running the Fiio E7 so don't yet know how much difference an upgrade will make there.

 

[Solrighal]

I've been a big fan of Yello for what seems like forever. I like the music & the production is generally excellent. Recently Dieter Meier released a solo album called Out of Chaos. It's not good at all.

On the other hand, Boris Blank has also released a "solo" album with Malia. This is a superb album. The sound is perhaps the best I have ever heard & the music is great too. Malia has a gorgeous voice and the sparse arrangements fit the sound of the 650's perfectly.

 

[Amictus]

I'm dropping this in out of the blue! I bought a JK Audio Pureformer to try and cure a persistent hum in my Schitt Lyr, and all I managed to do was to make the whole setup sound WAY better. The crispness of the bass through my HD650s is amazing. I have now bought a second one for the Creative SB/JRiver 19 > M-DAC > Lehmann Linear SE > HD800 setup upstairs. It improves sound from a CD player as well as from a computer, and what it does to the 650s is wonderful. Lucky folk in the USA can get the Pureformer quite cheaply. I can hear the hum on the Lyr far more clearly now LOL.

 

[Lorspeaker]

http://www.jkaudio.com/pureformer.htm
 
interesting

 

[ethong]

Just got myself a pair from a user here! Schiit took forever to ship my Modi/Magni so they should be coming in today. They sound decent on my Asus Xonar DG and hope the Modi/Magni will bring it out more.

 

[Solrighal]

Just got myself a pair from a user here! Schiit took forever to ship my Modi/Magni so they should be coming in today. They sound decent on my Asus Xonar DG and hope the Modi/Magni will bring it out more.

Time will bring it out more.