[nhlducks35]

Hello my MA900 community, I was wondering which are the best DAC/Amp I could pair these with? I would like to keep the signature warm, good detail retrieval and would love to open up the soundstage even more. These headphones are 12 Ohms and very sensitive, which means I need to make sure that whatever I end up buying has very low output impedance and has great synergy with it, and there's that resistor thing. Any ideas or suggestions? I'm currently using them unamped through my iPad, my max budget is around $250.

Fiio E17 is pretty good

 

[BucketInABucket]

   
yes. I always found piano sounds magical with ma900s. so lively. and flute sounded so airy and wonderful. ma900s massive soundstage is perfect for these type of instrumental music. I think it will give you chills      

The MA-900 pairs well with anything, right? Should be no problem with my rig then!

 

[appsmarsterx]

  The MA-900 pairs well with anything, right? Should be no problem with my rig then!

 
 
it sounds great out of the box even without amping with most of the portable devices. but some might find it sound little bright and thin, without amping with some systems. and as mentioned above, it pairing well with E17. probably might sound even better with your system.

 

[BucketInABucket]

it sounds great out of the box even without amping with most of the portable devices. but some might find it sound little bright and thin, without amping with some systems. and as mentioned above, it pairing well with E17. probably might sound even better with your system.

Check my signature for the rig I'll pair it with. I'm fairly confident the 627 MICRO will sound better than the E17 but I've never tried it with the E17 so I can't really comment.

 

[appsmarsterx]

Check my signature for the rig I'll pair it with. I'm fairly confident the 627 MICRO will sound better than the E17 but I've never tried it with the E17 so I can't really comment.

 
unfortunately I haven't had any experience with 627 MICRO., just read few reviews including yours, looks like you got an excellent amp comparing with E17, after reading your 6127micro review I noticed it paired well with hd650. since both hd650 and ma900 have more dark laid back signature I think you ll probably like ma900 too despite being less refined. still I think ma900 is far more airy and has much larger soundstage comparing with hd650. ideal for orchestra, instrumental,..etc
 
 
if you want more refined, less airy, neutral sound signature for a much less price point, you can also consider AKG k612pro, it doesn't have a huge soundstage like ma900, but it scales well with better gear.
since you already found hd650 uncomfortable, ma900 could be safer choice. comfort wise, it is one of the best out there.
 
kman did an excellent detailed comparison between ma900 and k612pro some time ago. here it is. you might find it useful.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/691053/review-and-comparison-of-the-200-open-back-underdogs-the-akg-k612-pro-and-the-sony-mdr-ma900

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Having used the MA900 with the E17, and big boy amps like the Compass 2, I feel it matches better with a warmish amp like the E17.

 

[Francinha]

Do you guys think it worth 290 usd, or should i get philips x1? I'm a vocal lover.

 

[appsmarsterx]

  Do you guys think it worth 290 usd, or should i get philips x1? I'm a vocal lover.

 
I don't think it's worth $290. currently do you have any amp/dac ? 

 

[appsmarsterx]

X1 can be a fun can for a basshead, but for a vocal lover I d recommend a mid-centric headphone.  I need to know more about your amp/dac before giving some recommendations.
 
hd598 is the best alternative if you dont have any proper amp/dac.

 

[Francinha]

i'm using only a xonar u3 + fiio e6.

 

[appsmarsterx]

  i'm using only a xonar u3 + fiio e6.

 
get the hd598 or q701. hd598 might be the safer bet, q701 might not be comfortable as 598 due to it's headband bumps, but if you can live with that, q701 can be a great option, it might lack some bass response too, but if you can do the bass mod with q701, they can be exceptional for the price.

 

[Francinha]

   
get the hd598 or q701. hd598 might be the safer bet, q701 might not be comfortable as 598 due to it's headband bumps, but if you can live with that, q701 can be a great option, it might lack some bass response too, but if you can do the bass mod with q701, they can be exceptional for the price.

 
How is the hd 598 bass response compared to the ma900? I'm not a basshead, but i like to feel the kick and details in the lower notes. The HD 598 will cost me 270 usd. And i saw a lot of ma900 > 598 in comments overall. 

 

[appsmarsterx]

   
How is the hd 598 bass response compared to the ma900? I'm not a basshead, but i like to feel the kick and details in the lower notes. The HD 598 will cost me 270 usd. And i saw a lot of ma900 > 598 in comments overall. 

 
yes. overall ma900 has better extension in bass compared with 598. since hd598 is costing you $270, I'm starting to think that ma900 could be the better choice compared with hd598. but they both little overpriced in this situation.

 

[Francinha]

   
yes. overall ma900 has better extension in bass compared with 598. since hd598 is costing you $270, I'm starting to think that ma900 could be the better choice compared with hd598. but they both little overpriced in this situation.

I'm from Brazil, not that easy to find deals on headphones, so i need to buy it from accessoryjack, to avoid extra taxes, thats why it's a little higher than the "street" price. So i guess MA900 is the best option under 300 u$ afterall. Thanks for you help

 

[arecibo]

   
get the hd598 or q701. hd598 might be the safer bet, q701 might not be comfortable as 598 due to it's headband bumps, but if you can live with that, q701 can be a great option, it might lack some bass response too, but if you can do the bass mod with q701, they can be exceptional for the price.

I am probably in the minority, but I found the hd598s uncomfortable and find the k701s comfortable.  Probably due to my somewhat largish ears.  I did cut off the bumps on the k701s though.  I also agree that the bass mod is worth it.