[Uptown193]

I am about to purchase the HD650 but I would like to do some homework first. I have a Onkyo 705 AVR and I would like to know can I use the headphone jack in the 705 alone or do I need/preferred a headphone amplifier? If I do need a headphone amp, which one would be good to use with the 650. I am looking to spend about $200 give or take a few dollars.

 

[palmfish]

Why did you choose the HD650? I think the HD598 might be a better choice for listening directly from your Onkyo.
 
On my Pioneer Elite SC-25, the headphone jack sounds very similar to the jack from my iPod. Good dynamics but a little flat and dry.
 
You can try them without an amp first and see how you like them.

 

[fabio-fi]

Fiio E7/E9 works good with the 650's (in your price range) your receiver is able to drive them as well. 

 

[puresilence]

NFB-12 also is around the $200 price-range.

 

[Unfie]

After giving these HP's some time to burn-in, they certainly are sounding better. Maybe it's just my ears getting used to the sound signature too. Whenever I go back to my earphones with my Cowon J3 or listen to music in my car, things are just so different.

 

[Uptown193]

I choose the 650 becasue reviews say it give more bass and that they sound better all around. Yea I guess I can try the 650 without amp and take it from there as well.

 
Quote:

Why did you choose the HD650? I think the HD598 might be a better choice for listening directly from your Onkyo.
 
On my Pioneer Elite SC-25, the headphone jack sounds very similar to the jack from my iPod. Good dynamics but a little flat and dry.
 
You can try them without an amp first and see how you like them.

 

 

[Uptown193]

So you think my Onkyo 705 heasphone jack will be able to drive them enough?

 
Quote:

Fiio E7/E9 works good with the 650's (in your price range) your receiver is able to drive them as well. 

 

 

[Uptown193]

What would be better a Fiio or a NFB? I thought the fiio was only for a computer set up not for receiver becasue it said desktop amp, so I figured computer only. Am I being a noob by assuming that?

 
Quote:

NFB-12 also is around the $200 price-range.

 

 

[puresilence]

Quote:

What would be better a Fiio or a NFB? I thought the fiio was only for a computer set up not for receiver becasue it said desktop amp, so I figured computer only. Am I being a noob by assuming that?

 


 

Here's a link: http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB12/NFB12EN.htm
 
I'd also check out the local thread here: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/524263/audio-gd-nfb-12
 
NFB-12 has optical, coax, and USB, while the E7/E9 is USB only.
 
Also, I believe the NFB-12 is considerably more powerful amp-wise in comparison to the E7/E9. It has a dual WM8741s as opposed to the WM8740 in the E7, but I'm not sure what the difference is exactly sound-wise between those two models. I believe the sound is fairly neutral. I'd recommend the NFB-12 if you don't need the portability of the E7/E9 combo, which has the hassle of being two separate parts.
 
 

 

[jtaylor991]

like someone else said, you buy Schiit stuff directly from them at schiit.com 
I know headphone.com (HeadRoom) sells Cardas cables, and maybe others, I haven't looked.
 
Quote:

Where do you guys buy all your amps/cables? E.g where do u buy cardas/mogami and schiit Asgard amps?

 

 

[Uptown193]

Quote:

Here's a link: http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB12/NFB12EN.htm
 
I'd also check out the local thread here: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/524263/audio-gd-nfb-12
 
NFB-12 has optical, coax, and USB, while the E7/E9 is USB only.
 
Also, I believe the NFB-12 is considerably more powerful amp-wise in comparison to the E7/E9. It has a dual WM8741s as opposed to the WM8740 in the E7, but I'm not sure what the difference is exactly sound-wise between those two models. I believe the sound is fairly neutral. I'd recommend the NFB-12 if you don't need the portability of the E7/E9 combo, which has the hassle of being two separate parts.
 
 
Hi. Thanks for the response. Yea I do not need the portability being that it more for home use and I am lookign to hook it up to my Onkyo 705. I was hoping that my 705 would be sufficient but I guess not. Ima have to splurge for an amp, this sucks.

 

 

 

[olor1n]

Just buy the cans first and see how it sounds with the receiver. It's true the HD650 will scale with the gear it's hooked up to, but there may be very good synergy with the Onkyo. Give it a try.

 

[Sorensiim]

Just a dry run pre-assembly of the cable I'm making for my HD650's - and a second one for the very nice guy who let me borrow his 650's
 

 
Mogami 2893 (I friggin love that cable!) with bright red TechFlex, terminated with a Neutrik NP3XB. The other end will off course be terminated in Cardas Sennheiser plugs 

 

[DrHouse]

best amp for hd 650 between matrix m stage and asgard/valhalla? or whats the best recommendation up to the valhalla's price range
I'm coming from an E7 E9 combo.

 

[aroldan]

 

I've been lurking around this site for a while and found that the Bottlehead Crack + Speedball is one of the best amps for the HD650. The kit is around $320. I'm saving up to make it mine.
 
It is also is ranked above the Valhalla by Skylab in this thread http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/402585/review-summary-a-ranking-of-32-tube-and-tube-hybrid-headphone-amps. YMMV.
 

​

Quote:

best amp for hd 650 between matrix m stage and asgard/valhalla? or whats the best recommendation up to the valhalla's price range
I'm coming from an E7 E9 combo.