So Undecided: 650s &*Two Input Amp Needed! ~$650USD

[LostChild1]

You know, Head-Fi is much like jumping into a vicious sea of suggestions, reviews, comparisons, and the like. It's so hard to find something to buy, and not have second thoughts about it.

For a while now, I've been saving up for the GS Solo SRG, but now I'm not so sure anymore, don't ask me why, I'm just not.

So, I come again, to ask the Head-Fi gods for advice.

I need something that is well paired with the HD650s, as they'll be the ONLY headphone I'll be using with this amp for a long time to come.

I need to have TWO inputs so I may switch between my Turntable and my PC.

I need to have shipping to Canada. And am looking to spend around $650USD or approx. $850CAD

I don't want my bass to drown out the other instruments. I'm no bass-head. I just want something nice, something good.

My sources are, obviously, vinyls and FLACs from my PC. I listen to mostly Alternative, Indie music, with the occasional Electronic / Electronica (No heavy hitting house though, or techno type things)

So, yeah. I hope you guys can steer me in the right direction.

 

[LostChild1]

Nobody?

 

[FallenAngel]

Strongly recommend a simple switchbox, why limit yourself by such meaningless requirements as an input selector switch.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Inputs are no big deal. Just buy or build a switchbox. Before I got a preamp, I used a $20 one from Radio Shack; it worked great. You can, of course, spend a lot more if you want.

As for an amp with inputs, I really liked the PreSonus Central Station I had. They're about $500, but you can find them used/refurbished around $400. Its amp is clean, clear, crisp, and has plenty of power for the HD-650. It also has a very good 96k upsampling DAC. Perfect if you want to run computer as source, like I used to. It has RCA jacks so you can plug in your turntable, too.

If you ever want to try Speaker-Fi, the Central Station is an excellent preamp. Its attenuator is relay-based. That is a very high end feature and a surprise that they can offer it at $500. Just add a power amp and speakers, and you'll have a great setup.

One drawback is that it's pro gear, which is regularly dismissed around here. The only difference between pro gear and audiophile gear is marketing. People like to deny it, but if something isn't pitched specifically to this market, it is assumed to be crap. Not just this, but there's also a range of superb pro headphones that almost no one listens to. They're great, but because they don't come in a fancy box and have zero advertising dollars, everyone assumes they're not as good.

 

[LostChild1]

I think I'd like to keep my DAC seperate for now, because I do plan on buying a stand alone DAC when the time (and the money!) comes.

Also, an RCA Input Selector might not be a bad idea, it won't kill my sound quality too much you don't think? Or at all?

I'm also looking into the WooAudio WA6 for 585 USD

But I'll go take a look at the Central Station in the mean time.

Thank you!

 

[FallenAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostChild1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I ...an RCA Input Selector might not be a bad idea, it won't kill my sound quality too much you don't think? Or at all?

It likely won't be worse than the input selector integrated into a multi-input amp.

 

[minimus]

Two amps to consider:

1. The TTVJ FET-A. It has preamp functionality, with two RCA inputs in back selectable from the front. It costs $650 new. This amp has gotten some nice reviews on Head-Fi, Todd's amps are well-regarded (but under-marketed), and he offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

2. Blue Circle Audio's Hat Peed Thingee. Also has preamp functionality, with two RCA inputs. This amp is not up on their web site yet. But as background, Blue Circle is a Canadian audio manufacturer whose chief designer, Gilbert Yeung, is considered to be extremely talented, especially for his speaker amps and preamps. Blue Circle also manufactures a headphone amp, the SBH, which retails for $1195. The Hat Peed Thingee is supposedly exactly the same amp as the SBH but it is built into a PVC pipe rather than a polished metal chassis. For that reason, it retails for $550 (I think). You can get an upgraded power supply with it for an extra $200. This may be one of the quirkiest/ugliest looking pieces of audio gear around, but you hopefully aren't buying an amp to look at.

 

[nigeljames]

The Solo seems an ideal match to what you want. Two imputs, tight controlled bass and high quality. Whether you can get one for the price you want when you take into account customs/delivery charges I don`t know. If its in your price range I say go for it. You can always leave the PSU1 out for now in my experience does not do much for the sound anyway.