Comments on Profile Post by rlow

but would it be worth it to have an updated recommended list of best amps for the 650 at various pricepoints? I’d certainly be interested. Maybe there are already posts out there like this that I’m just not finding so easily.

I did find this thread and post from @zonto in 2016/2017:

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/sennheiser-hd650-m-compendium.3188/#post-94646

There can be only one...Bottlehead Crack. Really...mod it with proper parts and you'll be amazed.

@rlow I'm thinking of two reasons why the thread you want doesn't exist. (1) Amps for hd650 won't much differ those for dynamic headphones in general; (2) I found "last bit" for 650 varies a lot person to person while 800 has certain "consensus" about what ideal amps sound like.

would be interesting what TOTL amps there are for 650 since EC is no longer. We have DNA amps but not sure what else. The nice thing about the Crack is it can be tuned however you like.

@m17xr2b so if you get it with proper parts, could Crack be the end game amp for 650? does it resolve like your other higher priced tube amps?

@RobS don't forget Beezar T4.

The ZMF Pendant was specifically designed for 300-ohm dynamic headphones.

@YMO, yeah. My experience with the HD650 and the ECP T4 is that one gets more and better bass that one ought to expect with the HD650s. Of course everything is good, but that is what stands out as a big win using that amp.

better bass? 650 is already mid-bassy

@RobS the crack is a fun amp with the HD650, but it’s not technically at the level of the higher end tube amps. Modded it can have amazing tonality and slam, which makes it super engaging.

@RobS let me ponder with the idea. A full film psu would be a start and better filtering. Some precision bypass caps with copper foil with really low ESR outputs. But then it's a high end amp...for the HD650 mostly.

@m17xr2b dude your bottlehead rules. im jelly of your other tube amps as well lol.

OTL all the way! Decware CSP3 is the best I've heard with HD650. The tone is dark, but somehow it still manages to have wonderful microdetail. My educated guess (based on experience with the ZD series and HD600) is that ZDS would easily beat it due to its far superior staging. Best luck!