[tdockweiler]

Seconded. If you can spring the extra $80 or so, the HRT Microstreamer will drive them better and give you a DAC worthy of pairing with a nicer amp when you can afford to upgrade; that's what I did, and with my current Microstreamer -> Schiit Asgard setup, I don't feel the need to upgrade any time soon.

 
Wait, what? HRT Microstreamer can drive an HD-650 better than an E09k? That's a joke right?

 

[Gilly87]

It does a heck of a lot better job than my E11, and its DAC is definitely superior to E07k or E17. I haven't heard the E09k at length, only briefly at a meet, but given that my Asgard is only an incremental upgrade to the uS's amped HP out, I'd be pretty surprised if the E09k was more powerful.

Wait, what? HRT Microstreamer can drive an HD-650 better than an E09k? That's a joke right?

 

[joebobbilly]

   
Wait, what? HRT Microstreamer can drive an HD-650 better than an E09k? That's a joke right?

Tdock, he meant as a DAC I believe. Yes. the E09K is very solid and has plenty of juice. But I was referring more to the DAC than the amp.

 

[Gilly87]

Ah, didn't see he already had the E09k. In that case, best bet to improve the sound is definitely a standalone DAC; the Modi or ODAC would be great options.

Tdock, he meant as a DAC I believe. Yes. the E09K is very solid and has plenty of juice. But I was referring more to the DAC than the amp.

 

[madmax1425]

Hi there, i am planing to buy the HD650 but im not sure i have the right amp for them.
 
In the future i will probable go with the Crack, but for now i have a Fisher RS-1030.
 
Does anyone know if this is a good match for the meantime? I have no specs and couldn't find them online so i don't know the output resistance.
 
Thanks a lot,
Max

 

[Barry S]

Hi there, i am planing to buy the HD650 but im not sure i have the right amp for them.

In the future i will probable go with the Crack, but for now i have a Fisher RS-1030.

Does anyone know if this is a good match for the meantime? I have no specs and couldn't find them online so i don't know the output resistance.

Thanks a lot,
Max

So that's a vintage receiver? There shouldn't be any technical issues with it driving the HD650s. It might be a great match or at the very least it should sound ok until you upgrade.

 

[NoGood]

Hey guys, I'm about to upgrade my Sennheiser HD 558 which I've been using directly from my motherboard's audio jack. It's an Asrock H77 Pro4 mobo with 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC892 Audio Codec), Supports THX TruStudio.
 
 
So what would be the best combo to pair the HD 650 with my gaming pc? Primary activities are watching movies/tv shows, music and gaming.
 
 
I read somewhere that the HD 650 and Little Dot MkII is a great combo. Also my budget for amp would be around $400.
 
Read also that the burson Ha 160d has great synergy with the hd 650 but I can;t afford such a high end amp.
 
So what would be the best thing to do to get the most out of the hd 650 and my pc? Thnx

 

[James-uk]

Burson isn't all that . Measures poorly and I had an audible noise floor on mine, it was about 70db with iems! I personally don't think you can go wrong with the O2/odac combo . It's a brilliant amp at any price point. If you prefer a warmer sound then maybe bottlehead crack with maybe a fiio dac or the odac or similar priced dac.

 

[fishbone]

Burson isn't all that . Measures poorly and I had an audible noise floor on mine, it was about 70db with iems! I personally don't think you can go wrong with the O2/odac combo . It's a brilliant amp at any price point. If you prefer a warmer sound then maybe bottlehead crack with maybe a fiio dac or the odac or similar priced dac.

 
"Measures poorly". Do you have any proof about that ?
I did test my IEM (Rock-it R50) with the Soloist, it was silent. I'll test tonight with the 160.

 

[James-uk]

Innerfidelity.

 

[tdockweiler]

  Hey guys, I'm about to upgrade my Sennheiser HD 558 which I've been using directly from my motherboard's audio jack. It's an Asrock H77 Pro4 mobo with 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC892 Audio Codec), Supports THX TruStudio.
 
 
So what would be the best combo to pair the HD 650 with my gaming pc? Primary activities are watching movies/tv shows, music and gaming.
 
 
I read somewhere that the HD 650 and Little Dot MkII is a great combo. Also my budget for amp would be around $400.
 
Read also that the burson Ha 160d has great synergy with the hd 650 but I can;t afford such a high end amp.
 
So what would be the best thing to do to get the most out of the hd 650 and my pc? Thnx

 
I'd suggest maybe getting a cheap DAC too. The ODAC/Modi does very well with the HD-650. Does your sound card have a line out? If so that might work.
 
Best amp i've heard for the HD-650 was the Headroom Micro with Astrodyne. Found it better for the HD-650 than the E9, Asgard1, Magni and even the O2.
 
I would say it's like an O2 on steroids with all the rough edges taken off. It's very transparent and as close to the O2 sound as i've found yet. Cost is $225 (was $350 last year) or so. I use mine with a Schiit Modi (upgraded/side-graded from an ODAC).
 
You can get the Micro Amp + Micro DAC for $420 with free Astrodyne power supplies (normally cost $65-99).
 
Micro has tons of power and can even drive 600 ohm headphones with ease.

 

[muzic4life]

I did test my IEM (Rock-it R50) with the Soloist, it was silent. I'll test tonight with the 160.
[/quote]

+1
I often use my soloist to drive my iems...eventhough with easy to drive iem like um3x i find no hiss/noise. Just silent. Not sure about 160 though.

 

[James-uk]

It was 160DS I had. Loud buzzing / humming noise with iems and I could just about hear it with HD800/650s but it had to be silent in the house. Put me off ever buying a Burson again. I liked it as well! Maybe I had a dodgy one.

 

[NoGood]

What would you guys say pair better with the HD 650, the Little Dot MK III or the Bottlehead crack?

 

[Miracles]

  What would you guys say pair better with the HD 650, the Little Dot MK III or the Bottlehead crack?

I haven't used the Little Dot MK III, but the Bottlehead Crack is absolutely fantastic with the HD650!