musedesign
100+ Head-Fier
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- Aug 31, 2010
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Quote:
Quote:Skylab,
Thank you, thank you! I keep coming back to your thread over and over!
I have taken the plunge and ordered a pair of Sennhesier HD650. I know they are better with a home amp, but since I travel, I would like to also have a small inexpensive amp (less than $200). It seems that people like the Hornet paired with the HD650 but that is out of my price range. What are your suggestions?
Thanks!
I find the HD650 more difficult to drive than the HD600. I own the HD600 but sold my HD650. They like an amp with higher voltage than 5v most of the time. Someone mentioned the Headsix - but I don't think the Headsix is enough for HD600, after I've heard other portables. I'd venture to say the Meier Headsix/XXS running on 9v power is slightly less powerful than the D4 with 9v, but I'd need to compare them again.
The $220 D4 in 9v mode is just enough for the HD600, but my Meier 3MOVE has more power and control for the HD600 than D4 even though it's using 9v like the D4. The 3MOVE on 9v is noticeably better at driving the HD600 than the D4. If you need portable to drive an HD650 the MOVE, 2MOVE or 3MOVE should do the job, although I've heard the 3MOVE was discontinued. A used one might go for $200 if you look hard enough. The amp on the 2MOVE is the same, and only the case is different. Battery life is actually pretty good (over 50 hours).
I have tried the new Meier Stepdance which also has great power for the HD650, but battery life with the D4 or Stepdance is poor and in the neighborhood of 8-10 hours. Stepdance does have noticeably more power than the D4, but no DAC. However it can run on as high as 15v wallwart (regulated) and offers even more power. On the other hand, the D4 can run in 5v mode via USB power if you run out of battery (which will happen). If you don't need a DAC, and the 8-10 hour battery life is okay, then the Stepdance would be a better choice for the HD650. The price is like $255 + shipping.
The Vividaudiotech.com V1 is a $99 amp that has some upper mids coloration that works well with my HD600 and Denon (but not Grado), and somehow it has gobs of power despite charging via 5v USB power. The AD8397 opamp has good output and is used in the much more expensive Pico - this amp seemed to drive HD600 better than Pico, but the Pico sounded better which not playing as loud. The optional rapid charger might operate at 9v, I don't recall. It has more power than the D4 in 9v mode when driving the HD600, and I know it runs over 10 hours on a charge (I forget the exact amount).
The V1, 3MOVE and Stepdance can make your face and ears vibrate and rattle with the HD600. They don't feel like portable amps with these phones. For me the best compromise is the 3MOVE, in terms of sound, power and battery life. Plus like the D4 the 3MOVE can run off 5v USB with no battery, although you must use the DAC as source for that. The Stepdance would give slightly better and more open sound, but the V1 sounds pretty good with HD600 if you are on an extreme budget.
Thank you ! Thank you! You are the best, wow, you may have convinced me to return the unopened HD650, get the HD600 and use the money for a better amp. Thank you!
-Mark