do I need an amp for i9 with senns 650 cans?

[bigjerrr]

Hi
I have an i9 (love it) and am purchasing senns hd650 headphones. I am wondering which portable amp would be suitable to drive the headphones?
Also would I plug the amp into the headphone or usb connection?


Thanks


Jerry

[WalkGood]

Jerry, I just read your post and it sparked my curiosity as I was currently listening to my hd650s via /pico amp DAC/laptop source. I quickly connected the hd650s to my i9 without an amp and have been listening for over 45 minutes now, the i9 drives them fine without an amp. I had to turn the volume up to 25 to 29 depending on the song and when I went outside I had to go a little above 30 on the volume control, but they sound fine. I did test all the way up to 40 but anything above 32 was too loud for my ears.

Keep in mind that using the hd650s without an amp will certainly drain the i9’s battery life much faster the louder you run them. Also the hd650s are open cans so they do leak in ambient noise outdoors and that’s why I had to turn them up louder. I honestly don’t recommend open cans for outdoor use but for indoor use they are certainly my favorite headphones and I can’t think of any others that I prefer or would recommend. Being open, they deliver a wonderful soundstage along with their clear laid back/warm sound quality ...

Now that I’ve said all that, I do prefer to listen to my hd650s amped via tubes, although as you know it's not needed. I find the harmonic distortion of tube amps more pleasing to my ears with them. I have also tested them with the tow portable amps that I own, the pico amp/DAC and the pico slim; via my portable amps I prefer the sound paired with the pico amp/DAC of the two. Also keep in mind that the hd650s are 300 ohm cans and they are very forgiving towards poor sources and/or poor quality amps (they’ll hide the short coming and amp hiss) so any inexpensive amp should do just fine if you're bound and determined to have one …


http://img.elektrokrishna.com/images/94660347124095652634.jpg (http://img.elektrokrishna.com/)


Edit: BTW I've now extened my listening over an hour and listening at 21 volume just fine ...

[bigjerrr]

Thanks that is good to know. I have adjusted the i9 with sugestions from this forum and the volume is there. I was not quite sure if they would drive the senns. Once again thanks

Jerry

[WalkGood]

Thanks that is good to know ...

No problem Jerry, I ended up listening to the combo for almost 2 hours and enjoyed it ...

Edit: You may want to read "What portable amps can accomplish (http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/showpost.php?p=365557&postcount=1)"