[pp312]

Glad you like the sound with the Yamaha. I used my 650 with a Yamaha Rx-396 receiver for some time and was very happy--plus you can use the variable loudness control (sparingly) to boost the extreme treble a little. Don't imagine this needs to be a halfway step as it could very well be as good as you'll ever need--as long as the Yamaha holds up, of course. As for building an amp, that would be a Cmoy, I guess, for a beginner, and in my experience Cmoys are no better and often worse than good integrateds like the Yamaha. If you felt a need later to move on from the Yamaha I would be looking for an integrated that compensates for the slightly over-warm, slightly veiled characteristic of the 650. I did that and ended up with a Cambridge Audio A340SE, with which I'm very satisfied (indeed I've never heard the 650 sound better). But the improvements are incremental, and with your music, your ears, they may not be worthwhile. A step at a time, as they say, but remember that any one of the steps may be good enough to linger on indefinitely.    

 

[Somebody007]

Seems like I'll be keeping that yamaha for a while although I might be giving the entire stereo system away soon which means I would need an amp which I would preferably build. 
 
Can you reccomend parts for building my own amp or should I look into tried and tested plans? I would want an amp that's similar to or better than the yamaha, but costs under 100euros.

 

[Somebody007]

I tried my ipod today withou any amp or anything. And yes with and ipod it really does suck.

 

[Slides]

Would the HT Claro Halo be able to drive the HD-650?

 

[serious7]

Quote:

I tried my ipod today withou any amp or anything. And yes with and ipod it really does suck.

 I can confirm it does too.

 

[MuuMuu]

if you got two sources that can bring them to the same SPL, then the only real marked difference will be the difference in sound signature of the sources, which is a matter of preference.  It's pretty much impossible to attain somewhat crazy levels that some people listen to headphones at, which will automatically make these sound 'bad' out of a more portable source.

 

[pp312]

Quote:

Seems like I'll be keeping that yamaha for a while although I might be giving the entire stereo system away soon which means I would need an amp which I would preferably build. 
 
Can you reccomend parts for building my own amp or should I look into tried and tested plans? I would want an amp that's similar to or better than the yamaha, but costs under 100euros.

Sorry, I've lost track again. If you like the sound of the Yamaha why are you giving it away? And where did you get this weird idea of building your own amp? There's nothing to be gained from that except burn spots where the solder drops on your fingers. It's a specialised thing to be attempted only by experienced constructors or people who are terminally bored; sensible people let others do their constructing for them, people who know what they're doing.   

 

[Somebody007]

Well the yamaha is paired with a stereo system which I don't need anymore really because one of the mid-range speakers blew, but the rest is still very good and it gos wasted on me really as I only use the headphone out of the amp the rest I just leave to age.
 
But anyways about building an own amp I wanted to do it simply because it seems intresting, but I suppose when you put that way I'll just buy an amp when I need one
 
So thanks all for your help I think I got everything figured out now.

 

[pp312]

You're quite welcome. And don't forget to meditate every night to keep your thoughts clear and your intention true.