Amp for Sennheiser HD650 on PC

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GriMReapeRAK

Limp Gawd
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Apr 24, 2009
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I just ordered a pair of HD650s to replace HD595s that I'm selling to a friend. I've been using the headphones mostly for PC gaming, music, and movies and the audio output is coming from a SoundBlaster Audigy 4 (a dedicated sound card). I know it's sufficient to get good audio when directly plugged into the Audigy 4, but I also know that my 595s (and the 650s, when I get them) probably aren't being used to their full potential without a good amp. What amps would you all suggest to be paired with the 650s? I'm not looking to buy right away, but this is mainly for future reference. I'm looking to spend $150 max. Also, would I be able to find whatever is suggested at electronics stores like Fry's? Thanks for any help.
 
Are you looking to keep your current sound card and buy a dedicated amp? If so I do not know anything about those.

However if you are getting a soundcard with built in amp then I would reccommend Auzentech because you said you are into gaming, and the Asus cards with amps are not so much. The Asus Xonar Xense is geared for gaming, but it comes with PC350 headphones as a bundle.

For your price range I would suggest the Auzen Forte if gaming is a really big deal, or the Auzen Bravura if movies and music take slightly more priority then gaming.
 
I'll take a look at the Auzentech cards. Do all of them have built in amps, or only some of them?

Edit: I just looked at the Forte and Bravura. They look really nice. The only problem is the PCI-e. I'm currently using 2 5870s in CrossfireX, though I think I can remove one for the games I'm currently playing.
 
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Should probably listen to your current set up with the HD650 when they come in first to see if you're happy with the sound as is.

IMO, for $150, you're probably better off not purchasing an upgrade. It wouldn't make too much of a difference in driving the HD650.
 
I think there's a very appreciable difference between an amped pair of 600/650's and an unamped pair. Whether you will or not is hard to say. Everybody hears differently.

I ended up buying a Little Dot MKIII Amp for my headphones and it's definitely improved them. That it also doubles as an in-line preamp volume control for my BX5a/Sub combo is just a bonus.
 
GriMReapeRAK said:
I'll take a look at the Auzentech cards. Do all of them have built in amps, or only some of them?
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Just because a card has an amp on it doesn't mean it is a good amp or will even properly drive the HD650's. It is entirely possible you will find the HD650's will sound worse than your 595's because you aren't amping them correctly. The HD650's have a reputation for scaling with your source and equipment.

ThinJ said:
I think there's a very appreciable difference between an amped pair of 600/650's and an unamped pair. Whether you will or not is hard to say. Everybody hears differently.
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It's not that we hear differently, I think it is more to do with the fact we interpret sound differently. For instance, I've only just recently started to understand and hear differences in soundstaging between different headphones. It's more about learning about what to listen for, to distinguish differences. At least this is my current theory based on my own experiences.
 
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Well that does have a headphone amp, and it is PCI which might allow the OP to use with crossfire, but it is slightly out of his budget.
 
If you care about music reproduction and audio quality, do yourself a favor and get an external soundcard with a dedicated power supply. A noisy environment like a pc can never put out a clean audio signal. Some have amps built in. Now that you have world class headphones it's time to ditch the toys and get some proper audio equipment.
 
ThinJ said:
I think there's a very appreciable difference between an amped pair of 600/650's and an unamped pair. Whether you will or not is hard to say. Everybody hears differently.

I ended up buying a Little Dot MKIII Amp for my headphones and it's definitely improved them. That it also doubles as an in-line preamp volume control for my BX5a/Sub combo is just a bonus.
Click to expand...

I have HD600 and you are absolutely right. They need an amp to sound good. I have them paired with an Auzen Forte, which is an excellent amp for the money. Of course you can do much better with a dedicated headphone amp, but it'll cost more than a Forte (or an Asus Essence STX)
 
I think all those soundcards have only about a 60mw headphone amp and with the HD650 I would shoot for at least double that. Of course they donèt list that spec but I beleive I have looked it up before and that is all they usually have. That is what my EMU 0404 USB has and 60mw is barely enough for my DT9990pro so I use a 220mw dedicated headphone amp instead but you can,t buy the one I have anymore, plus it cost $220.00 USD anyway.
 
I ended up going with the Auzentech Bravura. I got the headphones about a day or two before the Bravura, so I had the chance to check out the sound on my old Audigy 4. While it sounded good, the headphones lacked a full sound. Once I got the Bravura and installed it, the difference between the amped Bravura and the Audigy 4 was immediate. The sound was full and had much higher quality all around. I'm still doing some burn-in on the 650s, so I'm sure it'll sound even better eventually.
 
I have mine running through a Xonar Essence ST and it was a big step up over the onboard sound. Though I do sometimes think I should have gotten something portable to use with my laptop as well, which has horrible sound.
 
Tudz said:
I have mine running through a Xonar Essence ST and it was a big step up over the onboard sound. Though I do sometimes think I should have gotten something portable to use with my laptop as well, which has horrible sound.
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A quick fix for laptop sound is the NuForce Icon uDAC-2 that Cabbs mentioned a few posts up. Great little piece of hardware. I keep one in my laptop bag.

The FiiO E7 is also good for that, and even a little cheaper than the uDac.
 
i have the hd600's and yes an amp will matter, those basterds are seriously power hungery. i use rega's headphone amp..
 
Bootleg Usher said:
This is the card I use, and it sounds like it has more juice then 60mw based on this:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/auzentech-xfi-home-theater-hd-71-soundcard-review/8
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Says it has 200mw total but not at what impedance. Standard for headphones is to use @300ohm and if they don't even list impedance then I am fairly certain that spec is misleading and you will find it is actually about 60mw @300ohm. They do that all the time with computer and car audio, say how many watts but neglect to list at which impedance. That's why you see ads for computer speakers lying all the time and saying they have 400w, sure 400w at 2ohm not at 8ohm.
 
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I have the Meier Audio Opera coupled with the HD650 and a Xonar D2X card.
Wonderful setup!
 
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