[Billheiser]

Love my HD650 and HD600 even my new HD598 are not bad.

But do I dare go up to the HD700 or HD800 will I get any better sound in doing so. I think the 650 and 600 and fantastic, never heard the 700 or 800

I also only use a Fiio E9 with the E7 or sometimes my E17 even use the D3 with the E9 from my mac for my 24 bit files and paired with the HD650 sounds great.

Really need to look into a tube amp to see what all the fuss is about, just wish I could get something good for $ 200.

The Vali is the best I know of, for under $200, that pairs well w the 700 & 800.

 

[olegausany]

I would recommend to stretch the budget and get Lyr

 

[ssrock64]

  Love my HD650 and HD600 even my new HD598 are not bad.
 
But do I dare go up to the HD700 or HD800 will I get any better sound in doing so. I think the 650 and 600 and fantastic, never heard the 700 or 800
 
I also only use a Fiio E9 with the E7 or sometimes my E17 even use the D3 with the E9 from my mac for my 24 bit files and paired with the HD650 sounds great.
 
Really need to look into a tube amp to see what all the fuss is about, just wish I could get something good for $ 200.

The HD700 and HD800 are much more technical than anything in the "traditional" HD range, and if you like the warmth of the HD5xx to HD650, you won't like the cold sound of the HD700 or HD800.
 
As for amps, a used piece of Schiit is always a solid route to go.

 

[olor1n]

 

Love my HD650 and HD600 even my new HD598 are not bad.

But do I dare go up to the HD700 or HD800 will I get any better sound in doing so. I think the 650 and 600 and fantastic, never heard the 700 or 800

I also only use a Fiio E9 with the E7 or sometimes my E17 even use the D3 with the E9 from my mac for my 24 bit files and paired with the HD650 sounds great.

Really need to look into a tube amp to see what all the fuss is about, just wish I could get something good for $ 200.

The Vali is the best I know of, for under $200, that pairs well w the 700 & 800.

I can confirm that the Vali is a great match for the HD800 for those on a tight budget. There are aspects of its presentation that I prefer over the Mjolnir/HD800 pairing.
 
A suitable dac that falls within those budgetary constraints may be more problematic though. Anything less than a Bifrost would be too much of a bottleneck for such a revealing headphone, imo.

 

[donlin]

The HD700 and HD800 are much more technical than anything in the "traditional" HD range, and if you like the warmth of the HD5xx to HD650, you won't like the cold sound of the HD700 or HD800.

Very well said.

 

[Raymate]

Thanks for your replies, just looked up the Vali not seen that before but like I say I wasn't looking. Thats cheap so I can maybe go up in the range a bit.
 
Long time ago when i first got my HD600 I once looked into a music fidelity x-can, but it looks like they no longer make that.

 

[Raymate]

The Vali is the best I know of, for under $200, that pairs well w the 700 & 800.

Does the Vali pair well with my HD600 and HD650 ?

 

[donlin]

Thanks for your replies, just looked up the Vali not seen that before but like I say I wasn't looking. Thats cheap so I can maybe go up in the range a bit.

Long time ago when i first got my HD600 I once looked into a music fidelity x-can, but it looks like they no longer make that.

Musical Fidelity makes the M1 headphone amp which is pretty good but kind of solid state sounding (thin and analytical). For someone who thinks the sennheisers are a little to dark it could be a good match.

 

[Raymate]

 
The HD700 and HD800 are much more technical than anything in the "traditional" HD range, and if you like the warmth of the HD5xx to HD650, you won't like the cold sound of the HD700 or HD800.
 
As for amps, a used piece of Schiit is always a solid route to go.

Thanks you that good to know about the clinical detail I may start to get and your right maybe not like.

 

[olor1n]

 

The HD700 and HD800 are much more technical than anything in the "traditional" HD range, and if you like the warmth of the HD5xx to HD650, you won't like the cold sound of the HD700 or HD800.

Very well said.

 
I don't understand this view at all. The two signatures aren't mutually exclusive imo. I've lived with both HD650 and H800 for some time and can appreciate one's distinct qualities without diminishing my regard of the other. I'd never describe the HD800 as "cold" either.
 

 

The Vali is the best I know of, for under $200, that pairs well w the 700 & 800.

Does the Vali pair well with my HD600 and HD650 ?

 
Yes.

 

[XERO1]

   
I don't understand this view at all. The two signatures aren't mutually exclusive imo. I've lived with both HD650 and H800 for some time and can appreciate one's distinct qualities without diminishing my regard of the other. I'd never describe the HD800 as "cold" either.

 
What he said.  

 

[Jaqn]

Trying to decide between the Vali+Modi combo or O2+ODAC for the 650's. New here. Suggestions?

 

[raybone0566]

Trying to decide between the Vali+Modi combo or O2+ODAC for the 650's. New here. Suggestions?

I have the vali/modi combo, and it's a great pairing. I also have the Asgard 2 and it drives the 650's a little better IMO.

 

[Fearless1]

  Trying to decide between the Vali+Modi combo or O2+ODAC for the 650's. New here. Suggestions?

Vali  all the way.

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

  Trying to decide between the Vali+Modi combo or O2+ODAC for the 650's. New here. Suggestions?

 
You're going to get positive comments on both in this thread.  But understand the Schiit has really piled up here....pun intended