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DAC/Headphone Amp For Sennheiser 650's

Folks:

I could use some input here. A good friend who is also a musician has bought a pair of Sennheiser 650's and would like a DAC/Headphone amp to partner with. He likes a very warm and musical sound--not a detail freak but rather likes instruments and voices to sound very natural. Budget is under $1K new but would like to pick something up for $500 on the used market if possible.

Thanks!
dodgealum
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
Hi Dodgealum

In the sub $500 category I say look at the Grant Fidelity DAC-11 for your 650s. I enjoyed my Sennheiser headphones with Grant Fidelity DAC-09 with a Western Electric 396A tube in place of the stock one.

From other people I've spoke too they liked pairing the Schiit Bifrost DAC and the Schiit Valhalla headphone amp with their Sennheisers. That combo new is under $1K. In the used market you can grab Schiit Audio gear for a lot cheaper.
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
I have heard that the 650s and the 600s sound alike. For my 600s I have tried several different headphone amps and I think tube amps sound the best. I am using a Bottlehead Crack and and Antique Sound Lab. I don't know what is on the market these days but recommend you go for a tubed headphone amp.
metro04
222 posts
 
Are there any sub-$1K tube HP amps that are dead quiet - lacking any stand-alone hiss/hum (no input cables inserted)? I, too, have 650's, and AKG 702's.

Thanks in advance,
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