[olor1n]

Quote:

I am in the can't wait till they get here mode. Just picked up a set from JRs for $329. This forum is costing me a fortune now what amp would pair nicely with these in the 500-1200 range? Thanks

I just received my Lyr and although I've not spent enough time with it to impart more detailed impressions (I also only have the stock tubes in place), it's clear this amp presents great bang for buck. It's solid, much smaller than anticipated and has great aesthetics.
 
Initial findings are that it responds very well to changes up the chain. With the upper limit of your range, you should be able to budget for a very good dac.
 
I agree that synergy is key with these cans. If you can put together a setup you're mostly happy with, an aftermarket cable will provide a subtle but worthwhile refinement.

 

[Shahrose]

Quote:

I am in the can't wait till they get here mode. Just picked up a set from JRs for $329. This forum is costing me a fortune now what amp would pair nicely with these in the 500-1200 range? Thanks

First of all, congrats! That's a great price.
 
I'd shoot for an M^3 or Dynalo (Gilmore Lite/GS-1) in that price range. You could even find a 2 or 3 channel Beta22 and stay within that budget.
 
If you can find a good vintage integrated amp or receiver, those will work wonders too.

 

[MickeyVee]

Quote:

I am in the can't wait till they get here mode. Just picked up a set from JRs for $329. This forum is costing me a fortune now what amp would pair nicely with these in the 500-1200 range? Thanks

Me too! HD650's on their way.. I know what you mean..
Started the year with Grado SR-80i & uDac2 and since January, went to HD600, HD25-1 II, FiiO E7/E9, Black Dragon cable and now the Matrix Mini-i.
I'm sure I'll be selling off stuff to recover some costs. The Grado's are already gone.
 

 

[FearSC549]

Just got a HD 650 for $90($55 for drivers with plastic ear cup, cables, ear pads, and $35 for headband) and I have to say these sounds pretty much like a refined version of the HD 535/545/565. The only problem I have is that they sounds very warm; a lot of bass. 
 
I haven't give them an in-dept listening but so far(~20minutes), they sound like Sennheisers lol, but with more details.

 

[mayassa]

Thanks for the suggestions, looks like HeadAmp is about 40 minutes from me in [size=x-small]Charlottesville, Virginia, maybe it would be worth a short roadtrip to check out the GS1[/size]

 

[mayassa]

Just spotted a Ray Samuels Audio "The Raptor" 5687 in the for sale forum, what do you guys think?

 

[matchuk28]

olorin have u tried comparing the fun's amp to the lyr?
 
are there any tangible differences?
 
Quote:

I just received my Lyr and although I've not spent enough time with it to impart more detailed impressions (I also only have the stock tubes in place), it's clear this amp presents great bang for buck. It's solid, much smaller than anticipated and has great aesthetics.
 
Initial findings are that it responds very well to changes up the chain. With the upper limit of your range, you should be able to budget for a very good dac.
 
I agree that synergy is key with these cans. If you can put together a setup you're mostly happy with, an aftermarket cable will provide a subtle but worthwhile refinement.

 

 

[olor1n]

I haven't had the Lyr long enough so take this with a huge grain of salt, but the Fun holds up very well versus the Lyr. I only have the stock tubes at the moment and have found (as expected) they aren't as bad as what others have made them out to be. The Lyr doesn't appear as transparent as the Fun's discrete amp section, but it does present a more musical and layered sound, with seemingly better body and slam. It's subtle, and certainly shouldn't be read to indicate the Fun is outclassed. Another way to look at it is that the Fun is closer to a neutral "wire with gain" sound than the Lyr's meaty, but less balanced presentation. No doubt the Lyr would quickly distinguish itself with more demanding cans, though with the HD650, I liken the subtle (at this stage) differences to the slight variation in presentation cables offer. These subtleties are discernable to me, but others already at a given level with the HD650 may not agree that the Lyr is a worthwhile expense.
 
This may sound like a negative post but l do like the Lyr a lot. I think more than anything, it highlights to me how good the Fun is. I'm certain the Lyr can improve with better tubes, but I still find it very engaging, particularly when tempered by the Earth hdam's neutrality and resolve.

 

[MrScary]

Quote:

I haven't had the Lyr long enough so take this with a huge grain of salt, but the Fun holds up very well versus the Lyr. I only have the stock tubes at the moment and have found (as expected) they aren't as bad as what others have made them out to be. The Lyr doesn't appear as transparent as the Fun's discrete amp section, but it does present a more musical and layered sound, with seemingly better body and slam. It's subtle, and certainly shouldn't be read to indicate the Fun is outclassed. Another way to look at it is that the Fun is closer to a neutral "wire with gain" sound than the Lyr's meaty, but less balanced presentation. No doubt the Lyr would quickly distinguish itself with more demanding cans, though with the HD650, I liken the subtle (at this stage) differences to the slight variation in presentation cables offer. These subtleties are discernable to me, but others already at a given level with the HD650 may not agree that the Lyr is a worthwhile expense.
 
This may sound like a negative post but l do like the Lyr a lot. I think more than anything, it highlights to me how good the Fun is. I'm certain the Lyr can improve with better tubes, but I still find it very engaging, particularly when tempered by the Earth hdam's neutrality and resolve.

Tubes are key in the Lyr the stock JJ's just don't do it justice

 

[Kees]

Quote:

I am in the can't wait till they get here mode. Just picked up a set from JRs for $329. This forum is costing me a fortune now what amp would pair nicely with these in the 500-1200 range? Thanks

Earmax Pro. I find this amp hands down the best match for HD650 (or 600) single ended.
 
 

 

[holychau]

the hd650s are very relaxing, but not boring

 

[holychau]

the hd650s are very relaxing, but not boring

 

[[OverDrive]]

 
Me the HD650s I combine her with the Burson HA160. A lot of sinergia among them.
 

 

[olor1n]

Really liking the HD650 through the Lyr. Never felt these cans were bass deficient, but the slam they deliver with this amp is surprising. No doubt those with big ticket headphones and gear will scoff and proclaim it as muddy and flabby, but the sum of the parts I'm hearing through my modest gear is quite something imo.

 

[Feynman]

What about the Bottlehead Crack, I'm using one right now and it sounds great. Very warm but still precise sound!