[Jolfr]

Hello all,
I plan on purchasing the Sennheiser HD650's soon. I was wondering what you guys think would be a good budget to mid range tube amp for the 650's. I was looking at the Darkvoice 336SE, but if possible I would like to spend a little less. Would you guys say that the modi/magni set would be a good match for the 650's? Or do I really NEED to spend a bit more for the DV336SE?
 
Thanks!

 

[Jolfr]

I would prefer to spend about $200 if possible.

 

[KG Jag]

Look into the Little Dot line.

 

[billybob_jcv]

There's also the Modi+Vali combination.

 

[Jolfr]

  Look into the Little Dot line.

Do you think that I would need to go for the little dot mk iii (3) or would the mk ii (2) be ok?
Thanks!

 

[KG Jag]

 

  Look into the Little Dot line.

Do you think that I would need to go for the little dot mk iii (3) or would the mk ii (2) be ok?
Thanks!

I don't know their specs, but they will have to be to drive a 300 Ohm can with a sensitivity rating of 103 dB.
 
I have the IV SE.

 

[billybob_jcv]

LD II specs: http://www.littledot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=816&sid=99146c43caf08b165a19c9c0096d9ba3

LD III specs: http://www.littledot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=815&sid=99146c43caf08b165a19c9c0096d9ba3

 

[Jolfr]

There's also the Modi+Vali combination.

What would you say the difference between the vali and magni (and magni uber) is?
I noticed that the Magni has much lower harmonic distortion. Along with higher max power and switchable gain, how does that compare to the MUCH higher output Impedance in the Vali?
 
Thanks again!

 

[billybob_jcv]

I have not heard the Vali. Some folks I trust that have heard it like it. That's really all I know. The Vali is a tube hybrid amp. All the things you listed (except perhaps the higher power output) are typical for a tube amp compared to a solidstate amp. A tube amp will typically have higher THD and higher output impedance.

I offered the Vali as a low cost tube alternative because the discussion seemed to be about tube amps. The Magni is an easy recommendation - I don't know of another amp for $100 that has the clean output capability of the Magni.

 

[Jolfr]

Thank you very much!

 

[Jolfr]

Is there another DAC comparable / similar to the Modi that would be good to use?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Do you think that I would need to go for the little dot mk iii (3) or would the mk ii (2) be ok?
Thanks!

 
I wouldn't recommend the MkII - I had it before and the sound was just too dark. I even preferred the headphone output of my Marantz CD60 to it (it was clean and had good dynamic range, bass was controlled, etc). I've read the MkIII is a bit more neutral but I personally never heard it.

 

[billybob_jcv]

The Modi2 + Magni2 is my goto recommendation for $200. Excellent value for a nice looking, clean sounding, powerful output setup.

 

[Peeko2]

I've heard the 650s have a warmer sound and with the schiit stack being completely neutral it carries the warm sound over basically untouched. I have HD600s and across the board its way to neutral with the Modi2U/Magni2U, so if you're looking to add to the HD650 sound I'm not sure the schiit stack is the best choice, otherwise a great amp/dac.

 

[billybob_jcv]

So - you bought neutral headphones and now you complain that they are too neutral?? OK...