[meta21]

Hi All,

This is my 1st post

Currently I get my music from my PC with HD 595. My collections most are Alternative, Blues, Rock to Metal, including AC/DC, Alanis Morissette, Black Sabbath, Bob Seger, Dire Straits, Eric Clapton, Led Zappelin, Neil Young, Pink Floyd, Santana ... ect; Some class with Pavarotti...

I'm from Melbourne, Australia. We don't have the luxury to choice many different DAC/Headphone amps as the members from the State or UK. I have my eyes on Styleaudio TOPAZ and Corda Cantate from oz dealers. I order a HD 650 and need an DAC/Amp to drive it. My budget is about $500 (or A$700).

Which DAC/Amps I should get?

Thanks

 

[GLdgShDjKsHT]

go for the cantate, it was designed for the 650

it drives them very well and it's an improvement over the topaz

 

[DarKu]

It is pretty simple.
Cantate have better amplification, Topaz have a better DAC.
I really loved my Aria (practicaly the same Cantate) but the DAC section was not so great. I would get the Cantate and then upgrade to a better DAC (Paradisea 3, Havana, or a Pico DAC if you are on a budget)

 

[Monago]

I'm currently using the Arietta to power my HD650's, and the sound is quite good. Although, this IS my first amp, so I have no basis for comparison. My general impression from reading these forums is the cantante performs a fair amount better than the arietta (With HD650's), and with a DAC included, you can't exactly go wrong.

It seems like it would be an excellent amp for the asking price.

Oh, and build quality is top notch with Dr.Meier's amps.

 

[meta21]

Thanks all!!

That will be my 1st Amps

Corda Cantate

 

[Monago]

Congrats!!

Don't forget to a) wait at least 150 hours of play for the amp to sound as intended. I found the differences in my arietta to be quite dramatic from first impressions to post burn-in. The arietta sounded pretty good out of the box, but *much* better after 200 hours. (That goes for the hd650's as well. Mine took about 200 hours to burn in). b) Give us impressions!

Enjoy your new toy!!

 

[meta21]

Just have my Corda Cantate today; and the HD650 has already burn-in just over 100 hours.

I can't wait for the Corda Cantate burn-in and listen Neil Diamond's 'Hot August Night'. What a heaven! I almost cry!!

I can't wait for the 200 hours burn-in with the amp & HD650.

Many many thanks for eroarex, DarKu and Monago from deep of my heart

I try CX500 and HD595 with the amp, they all become far too pale and I can't listen to them any more. Now I can understand why members sell the headphone!

 

[tattoou2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meta21 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just have my Corda Cantate today; and the HD650 has already burn-in just over 100 hours. I can't wait for the Corda Cantate burn-in and listen Neil Diamond's 'Hot August Night'. What a heaven! I almost cry!! I can't wait for the 200 hours burn-in with the amp & HD650. Many many thanks for eroarex, DarKu and Monago from deep of my heart I try CX500 and HD595 with the amp, they all become far too pale and I can't listen to them any more. Now I can understand why members sell the headphone!

Good for you! Dr. Meier tuned the Cantate with the Senn 600/650 in mind. Enjoy!

 

[DarKu]

Congrats! Cantate.2 is really a very nice Amp with Senns and Beyers, i really liked my Aria (close to Cantate) with my Senns, very good soundstaging, good focus and pretty detailed.
After 150-200 hours of burn-in you will get a lot more detail in the music, and no more distorsion on high-gain, also i don't know why but you'll get more volume, my Aria got 15% more volume after burn-in (strange thing)
I see an DAC upgrade in the near future for you

Hint: maybe Meier StageDAC?

 

[meta21]

Thanks all

Quote:

Hint: maybe Meier StageDAC?

I asked my daughter to try on my new toy with her favor songs. She was shock to hear far far more detail (as we all expect and 'hear it many people said the same thing before

). I have to get her a portable DAC/Amp for her notebook 1st.