[Holmgr3N-]

Hello.

My HD650 screams for a better system.

I wonder what would be best of: Keep my Audigy2 and buy Rega Ear I hear that they match HD650 good, for not that much money..

I found Cambridge Azur 340A + 340C this is a CD-player and a receiver.. And I really would like to know how that headphone output on that receiver is.

And will it be a nice upgrade than HD650 with A2 unamped?

 

[Thaddy]

If you want to stick with a computer-bases source, check out the EMU 0404. CompUSSR...I mean, CompUSA sells them for $100, and this is an awesome card.

As far as amps, I haven't heard anything better than a PPA, so my experience is limited. I'll let someone one recommend an amp that they have heard

 

[Holmgr3N-]

Isn't there anyone who have heard Cambridge Azur 340A + 340C ? What do you think of it then?

How is Cambridge Azur 340A + 340C vs Audigy2 + Rega Ear?

 

[bootman]

I would get the CD player and keep the ear.
Cambridge makes decent stuff.

 

[mjg]

i hear it's a pretty nice amp.

Most definatly upgrade that source, yuck poor 650s creative has been abusing 'em.


Try out an external Dac of some sort maybe, perhaps if you want to kill 2 birds in one stone a grace 901, or if u want to keep the rega ear, (not sure how it compares to the ra1 in the dac1) a benchmark dac1.


I think a 0404->grace 901 sounds like an awesome computer setup for 650s.

 

[Holmgr3N-]

I think I'l get that Cambridge CD-player and get Rega Ear or Project Head-Box.
What do you folks think? Rega Ear or Headbox for HD650?

 

[mulveling]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmgr3N- I think I'l get that Cambridge CD-player and get Rega Ear or Project Head-Box. What do you folks think? Rega Ear or Headbox for HD650?

I don't have experience with either, but I should warn you that on this site I've read only bad things about the headbox and good things about the rega ear. I'd go with the rega.

 

[boodi]

an emu 0404 soundcard + Rega Ear should give out what you need to take out some good sound from hd650

edit : this is a 300$ upgrade , so it's realtively cheap and should show some good sound too

 

[Holmgr3N-]

So, the Emu 0404 card is better than that CD-Player from Cambridge? I'd really want a CD-player, so I can use my A2 for games. Is it a huge difference from Emu and that CD-player?

 

[boodi]

I'm sorry I can't help about the azur cd player ..
EMU 0404 and 1212m are quite well known as good source for music
i suggested the amu because i saw you were on a pc setup and because it's quite a bargain. Anyway if you have reasons for needing a standalone cd player i suggest to take a tour on the source forum and use the search button, there are quite many very decent options around the 200-400$ spot (nads , marantz - and some bargain moddable toshiba that received big prise here )

 

[CingKrab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmgr3N- So, the Emu 0404 card is better than that CD-Player from Cambridge? I'd really want a CD-player, so I can use my A2 for games. Is it a huge difference from Emu and that CD-player?

If you get an 0404 you can just use that exclusively for music and the Audigy 2 for games (plus various windows noises).

 

[Natsuiro]

I didn't like the rega ear + HD-650 combo. I didn't think the rega ear had enough power to drive them, and it didn't sound that great to me.

 

[Holmgr3N-]

I came over this amp. http://www.avhifi.no/main.php3?PI=11&PNO=8964
Would that be nice upgrade over the Rega Ear? I haven't heard much about this amp here on headfi.

 

[Budley007]

See if you can audition one of the Meier Corda amps with your HD650s. I think it's a popular combo around here.

 

[chumley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budley007 See if you can audition one of the Meier Corda amps with your HD650s. I think it's a popular combo around here.

Gilmore Lite and the HD650's, with the Cambridge CDP as source, would sound pretty darn good, IMO. When using my HD650's in 'standard', unbalanced mode, I will often hook 'em up to the Gilmore (I'm now waiting on the 'Gilmore Lite Dedicated Power Supply' that Justin shipped last week) and they sound great, with a variety of sources, from my 4G iPod's L/O to my Music Hall w/PS1 mods... The Gilmore, (especially w/ the dedicated PS upgrade, I'm hoping), has the juice to really get those Senns rolling! With just the supplied 'wall wart' PS, the GL/HD650 combo sounds better than any of the Cordas or the Rega, IMO.