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TiffanyPoodleslide
1400
Aug 31, 2017
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Jackula
1731
Aug 31, 2017
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I always tell people to get an ODAC+O2 over a Schiit stack, it's more portable and sounds better watt for watt :) Power still a bit short on the O2 but I'd take quality output over power any day as long as it's not severely handicapped, it makes my setup more "versatile". And especially for the Senns, they are quite forgiving so a little bit of clipping probably isn't that apparent.
compliance
45
Aug 31, 2017
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Are you guys specifically saying over Magni+Modi or up the Schiit chain as well? How far up? JDS Labs doesn't really have anything to move up to, so it's hard to figure out where it fits within the pile of Schiit :)
Thoughts on the Element vs Jotunheim?
Thoughts on the Element vs Jotunheim?
Jackula
1731
Sep 1, 2017
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Just versus the Magni+Modi. The only other Schiit I've listened to is the Lyr, I didn't have a side by side comparison but my impression was it was better than the O2.
I haven't listened to Element, by the time I moved to the $350+ tier, I was already using DAC/amp separates. The specs of the Element is certainly better than the Jot, but the Jot has a bigger voltage swing via balanced output which would benefit the power hungry HD6XX.
I haven't listened to Element, by the time I moved to the $350+ tier, I was already using DAC/amp separates. The specs of the Element is certainly better than the Jot, but the Jot has a bigger voltage swing via balanced output which would benefit the power hungry HD6XX.
Hamrobes
72
Sep 1, 2017
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Do you know of any amp that would have similar, or better, quality output as the O2 amp, but without the power issues for the Senn hd650 that you mention? I'm willing to pay more. I want to make sure I'm getting the best amp for the hd650 under $300. I don't need a dac because I already have a Dragonfly Red, which I believe has a nice dac and people say it pairs well with the hd650 because it's bright
Jackula
1731
Sep 1, 2017
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Dragonfly Red is a good DAC for the HD650, you'll have to use a 3.5mm to RCA with most amps.
I generally recommend the Lake People G103-S for people looking in the $300 price range, quality output with all the power you'll ever need for the HD650. There's a 10% discount on them atm which comes to $283 - http://violectric-usa.com/headphone-amplifiers/g103-s
They are the best amp for the HD650, in my opinion, at this price point. Even Nwavguy, who designed the O2, once said you should use Violectric (Lake People) as your benchmark.
I generally recommend the Lake People G103-S for people looking in the $300 price range, quality output with all the power you'll ever need for the HD650. There's a 10% discount on them atm which comes to $283 - http://violectric-usa.com/headphone-amplifiers/g103-s
They are the best amp for the HD650, in my opinion, at this price point. Even Nwavguy, who designed the O2, once said you should use Violectric (Lake People) as your benchmark.
TiffanyPoodleslide
1400
Sep 1, 2017
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...well, the Lyr is a tube amp.
So it's going to be, sonically, a different kettle of fish, IYKWIM.
I like Schiit equipment very much with Sennheisers, they are a nice acoustic match up.
That being said, the OPTIMUM pairing, in many folks' thinking, is Schiit Lyr with Audeeze. Especially the older REALLY GOOD LCDs. Moving up the Schiit chain, Sound Sig doen't really change much, just power. The solid state Schiits are more accurate, more neutral, which totally makes sense, when you remove the fluidity of a tube, and knowing that SS will change with different tubes.... Matching tube amps with magnaplanars can be heaven....or hell.
But now we are talking yet another kettle of fish, what with heading down the magnaplanar path and all. ;)
My only experience with Lake People gear was a V100 because I was doing balanced. Good gear, but I decided to head back to the world of The Tube. (There's another cash vortex, btw, which folks often don't think about when purchasing, lol!)
Solid recommendation from you!
That being said, the OPTIMUM pairing, in many folks' thinking, is Schiit Lyr with Audeeze. Especially the older REALLY GOOD LCDs. Moving up the Schiit chain, Sound Sig doen't really change much, just power. The solid state Schiits are more accurate, more neutral, which totally makes sense, when you remove the fluidity of a tube, and knowing that SS will change with different tubes.... Matching tube amps with magnaplanars can be heaven....or hell.
But now we are talking yet another kettle of fish, what with heading down the magnaplanar path and all. ;)
My only experience with Lake People gear was a V100 because I was doing balanced. Good gear, but I decided to head back to the world of The Tube. (There's another cash vortex, btw, which folks often don't think about when purchasing, lol!)
Solid recommendation from you!
Jackula
1731
Sep 1, 2017
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Thanks!
Lyr isn't really a tube amp, it looks like a hybrid with pre-tube and SS power, it's also got a PCB instead of PTP as with most good tube amps. Know what you mean by cash vortex, like the Amperex PW 6922 costs $300 a tube, two of these would cost more than the Lyr itself!!
Funny you say the Lyr are good with Audeze, when I listened to one the LCD-2 was plugged in and I had the option between it and the HD650. It was the first time I heard the HD650 and it surprised me how different it sounded to my HD600. I completely ignored the LCD-2 as I was so much more impressed with the HD650. It's probably just me though, I've never really got into orthos, they just sound incoherent to me on some level, whether it's headphones or speakers.
I'm with you on tube amps, they are just in a different category. I see a good SS as neutral and accurate, OTOH I see a good tube amp as euphonic but far from accurate :)
Lyr isn't really a tube amp, it looks like a hybrid with pre-tube and SS power, it's also got a PCB instead of PTP as with most good tube amps. Know what you mean by cash vortex, like the Amperex PW 6922 costs $300 a tube, two of these would cost more than the Lyr itself!!
Funny you say the Lyr are good with Audeze, when I listened to one the LCD-2 was plugged in and I had the option between it and the HD650. It was the first time I heard the HD650 and it surprised me how different it sounded to my HD600. I completely ignored the LCD-2 as I was so much more impressed with the HD650. It's probably just me though, I've never really got into orthos, they just sound incoherent to me on some level, whether it's headphones or speakers.
I'm with you on tube amps, they are just in a different category. I see a good SS as neutral and accurate, OTOH I see a good tube amp as euphonic but far from accurate :)
TiffanyPoodleslide
1400
Sep 2, 2017
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CORRECT.
about the Lyr.
However... it's got a tubular goodness about it that makes me put it into a tubie category...something definitely not quite SS about the way it sounds.With the right glass in there, it's luscious, even.
Wasn't that a DREAM match up with the 650's?!?
Orthos are not for everybody. (If nothing else, they can break your frickin' neck) And not every ortho is as good as every other ortho, not even close. Even if it's the bestest ortho EVER, the wrong amp will tank that sucker.
This is why I try to be as helpful as I can with folks who are just learning gear. It's SO hard and confusing to get it right, and very easy to have a real crap first experience that then can kill it for you forever.
Fun chatting back and forth with you, man! Happy Weekend at ya!
Orthos are not for everybody. (If nothing else, they can break your frickin' neck) And not every ortho is as good as every other ortho, not even close. Even if it's the bestest ortho EVER, the wrong amp will tank that sucker.
This is why I try to be as helpful as I can with folks who are just learning gear. It's SO hard and confusing to get it right, and very easy to have a real crap first experience that then can kill it for you forever.
Fun chatting back and forth with you, man! Happy Weekend at ya!
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You should, however, visit the JDS Labs site, see that what they want for the O2 DAC/Amp combo in the "B" stock section,(minor blems, new gear), is only $239, VERY NICE equipment. You will not go wrong with the JDS power and sound. I've been reviewing the O2 here,(in the O2 amp drop section), and I have found that I am liking the O2 better than Schiit....SPOILER ALERT; I am finishing up the Sennheiser and Grado section... and the O2 is beating Schiit sound on my Senns.
Here's a handy link; https://www.jdslabs.com/store#b-stock
Hope this helps you. Hope to have the rest of the O2 review finished off tomorrow sometime, BTW. :)
After that, you will have to start saving for a tube amp. Da BOM with a decent set of Senns and live music...