[Solrighal]

If you don't hear a positive difference from the amp, that's ok, return it and have more brass in pocket.

This.

 

[Sonic Defender]

Ditto, save your money if you don't hear any positive sound quality gains. I would be shocked if any capable amplifier didn't offer some sonic improvement as compared with say the amplifier in a smart phone, but that doesn't mean everybody will notice it or even care so trust your ears.

 

[Xeculus]

  Streaming from Spotify

 
Are you using the 96 kbps bitrate? 

 

[LxJLthr]

Are there any reasonably priced portable amps that can drive these?  I travel for business a lot and already know I will want to bring these along for more extended periods.  Obviously putting tub amps in my carry ain't exactly an option Haha
 
I am currently looking at FiiO E12 Mont Blanc...from doing a quick search within this thread it seems to work well and it is only $129.  I didn't see any objections to it unlike E11 or some other FiiO offerings.  Any other suggestions?
 
As far as desktop amps, Massdrop currently has DarkVoice 336SE OTL Headphone Amp for $219 (if enough people commit).  So thinking about that one.  I know Bottlehead Crack seems to be a popular suggestion for these, but I absolutely and utterly suck at electronics.  I would probably burn down my house with a solder.
 
Still very much researching...

 

[Juandv9307]

has any of you guys used the hd650 with the sony pha-3 amp? I can get at an excellent price.

 

[Malfunkt]

Are there any reasonably priced portable amps that can drive these?  I travel for business a lot and already know I will want to bring these along for more extended periods. 

For portable JDSLabs C5D. Clean and accurate, with hardware selectable bass boost.

It's a DAC too - measurably transparent.

 

[LxJLthr]

For portable JDSLabs C5D. Clean and accurate, with hardware selectable bass boost.

It's a DAC too - measurably transparent.

 
Thanks! I will look into it and start saving my pennies...broke enough from this holiday season.

 

[Tuneslover]

I got a really pleasant surprise when I plugged my HD650's into my ancient Yamaha DVD-S2300 (combo DVD-A and SACD player) headphone input. This beast has a very nice headphone amp! A little bit forward but very dynamic and detailed. Hi-Res discs sound terrific. My HE500's didn't sound near as nice as the 650's did on the S2300.

 

[Liu Junyuan]

Sorry, you're correct that the nominal impedance specified is 300 ohm not 600.

No worries.

 

[Krutsch]

  Are there any reasonably priced portable amps that can drive these?  I travel for business a lot and already know I will want to bring these along for more extended periods.  Obviously putting tub amps in my carry ain't exactly an option Haha
 
I am currently looking at FiiO E12 Mont Blanc...from doing a quick search within this thread it seems to work well and it is only $129.  I didn't see any objections to it unlike E11 or some other FiiO offerings.  Any other suggestions?
 
As far as desktop amps, Massdrop currently has DarkVoice 336SE OTL Headphone Amp for $219 (if enough people commit).  So thinking about that one.  I know Bottlehead Crack seems to be a popular suggestion for these, but I absolutely and utterly suck at electronics.  I would probably burn down my house with a solder.
 
Still very much researching...

For travel, I use a FiiO E11K with my 650s and it sounds great (best $59.00 US you will ever spend on head-fi). At high gain and high volume, it will knock the fillings out of your mouth (plenty of grunt).

 

[ejwiles]

  Are there any reasonably priced portable amps that can drive these? 

Check out the Schiit Fulla, it's just been released so not many reviews yet though.

 

[Krutsch]

 
I think you misunderstood.  You don't need a dedicated amp, you need a really expensive amp to hear a difference.

 
Funniest post I've read in some time... 

 

[Androb]

  Are there any reasonably priced portable amps that can drive these?  I travel for business a lot and already know I will want to bring these along for more extended periods.  Obviously putting tub amps in my carry ain't exactly an option Haha
 
I am currently looking at FiiO E12 Mont Blanc...from doing a quick search within this thread it seems to work well and it is only $129.  I didn't see any objections to it unlike E11 or some other FiiO offerings.  Any other suggestions?

Look up ifi idsd nano!

 

[Lceaucx]

I'm using geek out 450 with mine, and I think they're great, but if you're looking to ear busting volume, the Geek Out 1000 could be a good match

 

[LxJLthr]

 
For travel, I use a FiiO E11K with my 650s and it sounds great (best $59.00 US you will ever spend on head-fi). At high gain and high volume, it will knock the fillings out of your mouth (plenty of grunt).

  Check out the Schiit Fulla, it's just been released so not many reviews yet though.

  Look up ifi idsd nano!

 
Thanks guys!  I will look into all of these as well.  Such question probably gets asked to death, so apologies...but reading and searching through 1,395 pages of comments is