Wanton86Jot with MB DAC and a balanced cable on my HD660S is excellent and the best I have personally heard them (also tried with Fulla 2, Magni 2U, Magni 3, Asgard 2, Valhalla 2, Little Dot MK ii, Woo WA3, . The original 4490 DAC that I got with the Jot was so-so. The new/updated 4490 DAC module is said to be much better though I haven't heard it. I replaced my OG 4490 with the MB module and that was a huge improvement. On a budget I would recommend the Magni 3. It pairs great with the HD660S so should compliment the HD58X as well. I won't have my HD58X until Tuesday, but I would expect similar pairing results as the HD660S. The Little Dot MKii was a very good pairing with the HD660S' as well. The photo was when I was A/B'ing my HD6XX with the MB Jot and the Magni 3. For the 300 ohm HD6XX the Woo dominated the Schiits
OCBobI'm not necessarily on a budget per se, but I've purchased the HD6XX and HD58X as my entry into the world of Hi-Fi Audio. I don't need something Ultra High end, but looking for something mid-range. I'm not sure where to start for these AMP/DAC combos. I joined the drop for the Massdrop x Eddie Current ZDT Jr. but that is currently delayed. Would those be just fine or should I get something else like the Magni/Modi combo?
Wanton86I'd love to tell you that the ZDT Jr is a great amp, but I haven't heard it and wouldn't want to do it a disservice. I really do like the 300 ohm Senheisers (Like the HD6XX) on tube amps though. The 150 ohm examples like the HD58X's, however, should be more flexible when it comes to powering them. I actually prefer my 150 ohm HD700's and HD660S' on the balanced end of my Jotunheim If you wanted to go with a Magni 3/Modi stack in the interim I can tell you that I think that's a great place to start, but I don't recommend any of the earlier Magnis with the HD6XX, HD650, HD600 (If you were considering the used market). In my experience with the Magni 1, 2, and 2Uber I felt that while there was adequate power available the headphones always felt small and somehow constrained by those amps. But that's not the case with the Magni 3. Even at lower volume levels My HD6XX sound great. The thing is, I knew it right away about the earlier Magnis because I'd heard those cans (well, the HD650's) on my Little Dot MK II sounding open and free. That's the thing about this hobby and about what other people like and don't like: it's all subjective. I use the Magni example because they're so popular. But, unless you try something else you really don't know how things CAN sound. I thought I knew my 300 ohm Senns, but then I plugged them into the Woo and was stunned by what I was hearing. And that was after running them on the balanced end of my Jot which I felt had taken them to a level I'd previously not heard. Then you throw in personal preferences and it's really hard know if what I like is something you'll like. I recommend looking for gear reviews that explain in detail and with comparisons as to WHY I love headphone X and/or DAC/Amp Y. Sorry this ran on so long. I hope it was helpful.