[ZaWorld]

Currently have a set of grado sr 60s with a fiio e5 amp. I want to upgrade to a hd 650 or d2000s. Will I notice a significant difference in audio quality when I upgrade? With my fiio e5 amp I barely noticed any difference so I don't know if my ears are bad.

 

[jageur272]

Personally, I found the E5 to be only used for convenience or for a decent bass boost. It makes thing louder, but doesn't really provide sufficient amping for anything really. There's a big difference up from the SR60's. If you like the SR60 sound, the HD650 will be a shocker. I personally disliked the SR60's, but I really like the Alessandro MS-1i, I found it to be a significant difference.

 

[jjinh]

yes you will hear a difference with the cans you mentioned - but as jageur272 mentions the e5 isnt a good amp - and you'll sure need a decent one if you're going with the hd650s

 

[apatN]

I too have heard the Fiio is not much of an amp. If you were to upgrade your pair of phones you will surely hear a difference though.

 

[boomana]

When upgrading, don't just think about the headphones. You really need to think about the system as a whole, and plan for that.

 

[Drubbing]

I'm hardly surprised you don't notice any improvement in SQ from a Fiio. Besides, lower end Grado's don't really gain much from amping.

A Fiio doesn't even deserve to be called an amp; it's a loudness button. And phones that require desktop powered maps aren't going to get anything from it.

As already suggested, if you want to upgrade to something like a 650, you need to consider your source, as well proper amplification.

 

[charliex]

If you're looking to take that magical upgrade step to a pair of 650's and such, then you must also consider getting a worthwhile amp and DAC or amp/DAC combo - look to spending at least what you spend on headphones on the other components in the chain.