if you wish to have a portable player
i recommend you get a x3ii to use it portably and get a proper desktop amp to really make it shine
portable dac amp simply dont have enough voltage swing to really drive the hd650
i've tried having a good on the go setup with my hd600, dx90 with a shonyun 306a. Improvement isnt quite there for me.

For me the HD600/HD650 is one of the worst headphone to begin the audiophile headphone journey. Too many times I've seen aspiring head fi splurge almost RM1.7k for the HD650 only to be disappointed when plugged into their Samsung/iPhone. Heck one time my brother borrowed my HD650 only and plug into his pc audio out only to find that a sub RM1k Sony headphone sounded better than the HD650.

The HD6xx was created for hi fi speaker users who wants discrete listening when needed(hence the super long cable of the HD650) Most Pre amps and integrated amps comes with their own amplified headphone output,so for these audiophiles getting the headphones is sufficient,as they already have the accessories to power these demanding headphones.

For newbies without existing amplifiers,they would at least need to fork out an additional RM500 at least to get even a decent drive out of the HD6XX,which puts the effective cost of owning a HD650 to at least RM2.2k(or even RM3k if you're looking for cable upgrades)

This post has been edited by Kaerna: Apr 21 2015, 09:31 AM

lol. bro, 300Ω is no portable lo. Unless some dick n heads straight away intro these to amateurs who want to listen songs on their phones. I guess you wanted to say :To begin Portable Audiophile Headphone Journey, and your statement will be much closer to my experience. Yeah, even the lowly PX200 or HD2xx series are easier to sing with smartphones and low powered audio player compared to the high ohms brethren. Just imagine spending 5k on HD800 and say it sucks on iphone 3.5mm out? LOLOL.

Any good desktop DAC and amp to recommend? Must not be crazily expensive la... Just a normal working level here...

I tried X1, X3k and X5 with my entry level headphone, HD650.

X1 - Simple, lighter and fast energetic sound. Must is enjoyable.
X3k - Sound like output from PM6005... like technically correct across freq responses, but nothing attractive to me at all.
X5 - Good sound stage from high to low. Sound like good thing... but it lack the excitement from X1.

Well.. Here my comments;

(1) I am not disappointed with my smart phone powering HD650. Maybe expectation is low? So far with all the headphone tested with my phone, HD650 is the only one that I can accept. I never have chance to test HD800 with phone thought...

(2) I consider myself as from hifi... maybe mainstream level rather than high end level due to limited budget. Working level is working level after all... I tried the HD650 with PM6005, the sound is more technically 'correct' with smother lower freq response, but nothing attracted me. To be honest, I consider PM6005 headphone output as no good.

Well, if I can afford HD800, I might consider using it on my phone as well.. Or maybe using Fiio X5 only

This post has been edited by chanhin: Apr 21 2015, 11:12 PM

I won't... touch HD800... with phone... or even X5. LOL. It's in no way looking down on either playback systems. It's just that HD800... is HD800. U know, that beech which is so hard to please.

Hahahaha....

budget

give few budget la... like RM500, RM1k, RM2k

Hi guys, I was wondering where can I buy the Momentum 2.0 (Over the Ear) for the IOS. Tried their flagship store at BSC but they only had one for Androids. Cheers.

Apple version is pre-order model.
http://goo.gl/Az9Mj0

Hi guys, where can i get HD 380 pro ear pad in KL?
Thanks in advance.

Dear sifus here,

Pliz recommend an amp that goes well with a HD800.

Sennheiser HDVA600.
Mass Kobo 394
Cavalli Liquid Crimson.
Benchmark DAC2 HGC
Cambridge AZUR851D

The Benchmark is nice but if the build quality of the DAC1 HDR USB is anything to go by (as I own one) I'll give it a pass.

I doubt the Cambridge's headphone amp is any good, but the Cavalli is very nice and extremely interesting. I think I'll have a closer look at that.

Tube amp:
Woo Audio WA2,22 or 7
Schiit Vali

Solid state:
Violectric V200, V281 if your budget can stretch further
Matrix M stage (tolerable but not ideal)

Cambridge was more of a cheaper alternative to the DAC2. The DAC2 has only gotten mostly positive reviews so far so should be okay.

And yes, ill happily get a Cavalli as well if only I had the budget. Solid build, solid sound.

But Problem's tube suggestions are great as well.

Was thinking of going overkill and building an even more lavish B22 balanced like I did for my HD650s. But I don't have the luxury of time I guess.

Another contender would be the Gracedesign M920 but I haven't seen much of it around.

O.O B22 now that's epic DIY stuff. How much does one unit usually entail?

Not really a fan of Grace Design. Haven't tried 920 but the 903 felt underpowered.

Fully balanced just for the PCB and core active components you're looking at about 500 USD inclusive of shipping.

Throw in the cases (even if they're cheapo Hammonds), Elna Silmic Capacitors, VishayDale RN50C (or if you're nuts, Caddock) resistors, Wima capacitors, Neutrik connectors and a balanced stepped attenuator, silver wire.....well 1500 to 2000 USD is the general figure, especially if you want max performance and thus want to crank the voltage up to 60V rail to rail.

Hi guys, totally new to the whole audiophile environment. I just purchased a 598 recently and i was thinking of getting a portable amp+dac. Do i require any additional cables? and i know this gonna sound silly but i normally listen with my phone (im on the go alot so yeah @_@) so anything extra to top on that?