[larry.said]

Hey,
I'm looking to upgrade. Ihave about 1250$ to spend on an amp. Anyone have any suggestions. My setup right now is in my sig. I was looking for a tube amp, doesn't have to be portable nor balanced.

Thanks guys,

 

[jantze]

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry.said /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey, I'm looking to upgrade. Ihave about 1250$ to spend on an amp. Anyone have any suggestions. My setup right now is in my sig. I was looking for a tube amp, doesn't have to be portable nor balanced. Thanks guys,

One option would definitely be Woo Audio WA6 Special Edition. I do enjoy my modified WA6 with HD650's.

 

[manofmathematics]

Your signature says that you WA6 is maxed out, which is a good deal over the OP's budget. Did you get a chance to hear your HD650's with a stock unit? If so, how was the performance?

 

[yuckymucky]

I have mine running through a Woo Audio 3+ which is well under your budget, however the Woo Audio 6 SE is supposed to be pretty nice and is closer to the max you are looking at spending.

 

[jantze]

Quote:

Originally Posted by manofmathematics /img/forum/go_quote.gif Your signature says that you WA6 is maxed out, which is a good deal over the OP's budget. Did you get a chance to hear your HD650's with a stock unit? If so, how was the performance?

Sorry, can't remember all the details. I had my Sennheisers such a short time when my WA6 was in stock form. I did enjoy my WA6 stock, but all the upgrades made it a lot better. A good rectifier tube makes a big difference too.

I'd read these threads first:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/mod...oo-6-a-299795/
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/upg...io-6-a-247382/
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/tub...oo-wa6-307423/
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/woo...ptions-242539/
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/wa6...olling-233222/

 

[onform]

I enjoy my earmax pro with my HD650's but you do have to be careful with valves and these cans because they can become over emphisized in the bass region if not careful a bright interconnect or source usually ballances nicely..

 

[breakfastchef]

I will recommend the Woo Audio WA6 SE plus the Sophia Princess 274b rectifier tube. That pretty much meets your budget. As you can see in my signature, that is what I own. The soundstage is magnificant and the power is plentiful to really open up the HD650's. I do not recommend paying for the $500 in upgraded caps, rather the Princess is the less expensive way to go for the most 'bang for the buck'. There are many Singlepower and Zana Deux fans out there that will recommend their amps. In any case, you would not make a wrong decision going with any of the three.

 

[nikongod]

Singlepower MPX3

and a few nice tubes.

My second vote would go to any of the woo-amps, I like how he voices his amps. I suppose I will stand alone and recommend the woo-2: VERY good for BOTH high and low impedance headphones WITHOUT a transformer.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Wait for the Little Dot MkVI to come out, balanced tube amp at less than 1K, it should be a hit. It's due later this month.

 

[number1sixerfan]

The hd650s really sound great out of the woo 6. It really is something special, but I think the hd650's out of any decent tube amp will sound very lush, warm, and involving.

If you are looking to bring out the detail and clarity of the senns, maybe look at a good SS amp like the beta 22 or GS-1.

 

[larry.said]

Thanks guys, I was leaning more towards the WA6 SE. Just wasn't sure if the upgrades were worthwhile...I guess people really enjoy the difference though.