Amp or DAC/Amp recommend

[coinbasecustomerservice]

Hi

I have a Cambridge Audio MXN10 streamer and it has I believe a moderately acceptable DAC in it. I am no longer using it in my main system and I want to take it into the living room to use with my Sennheiser HD650 headphones only. I am sort of looking at the Fiio K11R2R which is available at a reasonable price at the moment, but I wonder if I really would notice much difference between the DACs these two have - and I suspect not.

Should I go for a headphone amp only and use the DAC in my MXN10 or is it really not cost - effective and should I just go with something like the Fii0/

Also, is there a better match for my MXN10 and headphones? I am not changing either of these.

Thank you for your help

 

[Integralista]

Hi, first of all, you have very good headphones. Sennheiser HD650 are best in class. But...with source like CA MXN10 you hear their sonic potential for 30-40%. Academic debate, if Fiio is here better, I think not. CAMXN10 is again classleader. But still my message is, such headphones deserve a full class better streamer and amplifier. E.g. Naim Audio Atom or similar. If anything try to go into some good hifi shop with your headphones and listen some other amps, streamers...by yourself. This is the best you can do. BR.

 

[PieterG]

I just ordered a K11 R2R. What it does have, is a good headphone amplifier with different gain settings depending on the needs of your headphones. The R2R sound will probably make your HD650 sound a bit warmer and thicker, so less neutral/analytical, which is a matter of taste.

The Fiio DAC might not be better, just different. It comes down to which DAC you prefer. In terms of cost, a good headphone amp is probably in the same price range as the Fiio anyway. Your headphones do deserve a good amp.

 

[RoA]

I use a Sennheiser HD58X Jubilee amongst others with FiiO's K11 (non R2R version). I had both here but found the R2R too diffuse and soft. The K11 bettered the internal headphone sections of all my integrated amplifiers.

 

[Jasonovich]

It really depends on how much you wish to put aside for a headphone amp. Greater budget means wider choice.

Tube amp like the XDUOO TA-66 (£250 with original tubes) would add a touch of warmness to your Sennheiser's, which isn't a bad thing, if you listen to mainly vocals, Jazz, Blues etc.
If it's contemporary stuff, that's fine also. If it's rock and electronic music, perhaps solid state is better suited.

If you're on a tighter budget, check out the iFi Zen CAN 3 or Pro-Ject Head Box S2 Headphone Amplifiers, these are excellent value.

 

[RTHerringbone]

Hi, first of all, you have very good headphones. Sennheiser HD650 are best in class. But...with source like CA MXN10 you hear their sonic potential for 30-40%. Academic debate, if Fiio is here better, I think not. CAMXN10 is again classleader. But still my message is, such headphones deserve a full class better streamer and amplifier. E.g. Naim Audio Atom or similar. If anything try to go into some good hifi shop with your headphones and listen some other amps, streamers...by yourself. This is the best you can do. BR.

I personally wouldn't recommend a near £2,000 Naim solution when the OP proposed a spend of about £150 on a more modest alternative. I know this hobby spirals out of control, but really......

 

[Gray]

The R2R sound will probably make your HD650 sound a bit warmer and thicker, so less neutral/analytical, which is a matter of taste.

...but found the R2R too diffuse and soft.

Tube amp like the XDUOO TA-66 (£250 with original tubes) would add a touch of warmness to your Sennheiser's, which isn't a bad thing, if you listen to mainly vocals, Jazz, Blues etc.

I wouldn't want to be adding any more 'warmness' or 'softness' to the 650, than it already has.
(But those are qualities I go out of my way not to add to anything).

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Hi

I have a Cambridge Audio MXN10 streamer and it has I believe a moderately acceptable DAC in it. I am no longer using it in my main system and I want to take it into the living room to use with my Sennheiser HD650 headphones only. I am sort of looking at the Fiio K11R2R which is available at a reasonable price at the moment, but I wonder if I really would notice much difference between the DACs these two have - and I suspect not.

Should I go for a headphone amp only and use the DAC in my MXN10 or is it really not cost - effective and should I just go with something like the Fii0/

Also, is there a better match for my MXN10 and headphones? I am not changing either of these.

Thank you for your help

Promotion of a business is not permitted, can you change your name please? Otherwise moderation will intervene. Apologies for seeming unfriendly, but them's the rules...

 

[PieterG]

Tube amp like the XDUOO TA-66 (£250 with original tubes) would add a touch of warmness to your Sennheiser's, which isn't a bad thing, if you listen to mainly vocals, Jazz, Blues etc.
If it's contemporary stuff, that's fine also. If it's rock and electronic music, perhaps solid state is better suited.

Now i feel less certain about my choice... hopefully the R2R won't disappoint my rock guitars and drums loving ears.

 

[Jasonovich]

Now i feel less certain about my choice... hopefully the R2R won't disappoint my rock guitars and drums loving ears.

Ah don't listen to me! 😎

I also have the FiiO K11 R2R, loving the richness of the sound, works well with my Klipsch R-50M, Velodyne SPL Series 2, Pro-Ject Maia S3 amp setup in the diner.

 

[Integralista]

Hi

I have a Cambridge Audio MXN10 streamer and it has I believe a moderately acceptable DAC in it. I am no longer using it in my main system and I want to take it into the living room to use with my Sennheiser HD650 headphones only. I am sort of looking at the Fiio K11R2R which is available at a reasonable price at the moment, but I wonder if I really would notice much difference between the DACs these two have - and I suspect not.

Should I go for a headphone amp only and use the DAC in my MXN10 or is it really not cost - effective and should I just go with something like the Fii0/

Also, is there a better match for my MXN10 and headphones? I am not changing either of these.

Thank you for your help

Hi, here you can find solide review of fiio-k15 desktop dac and headphone amp. It includes also comparison with comperitors:

FiiO K15 Desktop DAC and Headphone Amp Reviewed

The FiiO K15 Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier is an affordable way for audiophiles to make their wired headphones come to life

futureaudiophile.com

 

[RoA]

Hi, here you can find solide review of fiio-k15 desktop dac and headphone amp. It includes also comparison with comperitors:

FiiO K15 Desktop DAC and Headphone Amp Reviewed

The FiiO K15 Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier is an affordable way for audiophiles to make their wired headphones come to life

futureaudiophile.com

How did we go from a 120 or so quid to 500?

 

[RTHerringbone]

It's an improvement on £2,000!

 

[Integralista]

How did we go from a 120 or so quid to 500?

To put Headphones like Senheiser HD 650 at the end of somerhing for 120 bucks is a joke. This (Fiio K15) dac/amp is recommendable from me with one eye closed and second semiclosed. But is up to the gentleman to make some listening test and decide. In the past I have tuned engines and cars. So I upgraded my Lancia Delta Evo2 Integrale to some 450 HP. But budget was gone. Still was using general czech Barum tyres. Yes it was horrible drive, just due to tyres. Later I used racing Slick Yokohamas on forged Alu discs. Totaly different experience, different car... This is similar. It has no sense wasting of money on Hi quality headphones, if you do not connect proper source, dac and headamp. One of reasons, I have used Beyerdynamic DT990 headphones for some 23years. Senheisers are a lot more demanding on anything connected. BR.

 

[RTHerringbone]

You can get HD650s for £230. They're a well reviewed headphone that measure well and respond to EQ so that excites a proportion of the population, but I don't think they warrant disproportionate spend on an amp and DAC. They're not *that* good.

 

[RoA]

To put Headphones like Senheiser HD 650 at the end of somerhing for 120 bucks is a joke. This (Fiio K15) dac/amp is recommendable from me with one eye closed and second semiclosed. But is up to the gentleman to make some listening test and decide. In the past I have tuned engines and cars. So I upgraded my Lancia Delta Evo2 Integrale to some 450 HP. But budget was gone. Still was using general czech Barum tyres. Yes it was horrible drive, just due to tyres. Later I used racing Slick Yokohamas on forged Alu discs. Totaly different experience, different car... This is similar. It has no sense wasting of money on Hi quality headphones, if you do not connect proper source, dac and headamp. One of reasons, I have used Beyerdynamic DT990 headphones for some 23years. Senheisers are a lot more demanding on anything connected. BR.

Fret not. As the OP will be removed soon it doesn't really matter 😉

Sure, there are plenty of reviews that 6 series Sennheisers require Tube amplification etc.

As long as the amp is capable of powering a 300 ohm load sufficiently, and there are many that do, there is technically no need for esoteric equipment. The only 'issue' is personal taste.

 

[Integralista]

You can get HD650s for £230. They're a well reviewed headphone that measure well and respond to EQ so that excites a proportion of the population, but I don't think they warrant disproportionate spend on an amp and DAC. They're not *that* good.

Have you heard them? They are very good. Way better than older version which has legendary status. As for me Senheiser will not be my choice. Focal is better in their complexity, more neutral and Beyerdynamic my old preference...What is good or not for me is just decided by my ears sir. Today, I will propably jump to Focal vagon. With proper Naim streamer and headamp and cable of course. This as full pack you may get with nice discount in my country. And they are also good in keeping value. Selling new Senheiser HD650S for 230£ is very negative for brand image. I do not like such trading practices. BR.

 

[RTHerringbone]

Have you heard them?

I haven't. But I tried the HD660 S2 last year and whilst I can't compare the sound to the HD650s, it was enough to show that for me I don't like the materials Sennheiser use nor the build quality in general. They were just rather plasticky and bland, and tonally that specific model was also a bit middle-of-the-road - no real oomph or appealing qualities for my taste.

 

[Integralista]

I haven't. But I tried the HD660 S2 last year and whilst I can't compare the sound to the HD650s, it was enough to show that for me I don't like the materials Sennheiser use nor the build quality in general. They were just rather plasticky and bland, and tonally that specific model was also a bit middle-of-the-road - no real oomph or appealing qualities for my taste.

Yes, this I fully agree. And this way they make headphones for decades. This is a lot like many "hifi" brands today, e.g. JBL, Klipsch, B@W...based on very good marketing first. Than design, cost reduction, just then sound quality. In first 6 months after production start selling for creazy prices, than "Black Friday" and than "clearing stock" for few bucks. Just like old Nokia mobiles or VHS videorecorders...And if you were the Dumm one purchasing fresh new dish for full price, you can sell it for...value of packaging. Therefore I recommend more those traditional brands with are not so global, not based on so much marketing hype, producing and developing here in Europe. Brands like Atoll, Electrocompanient, Thorens, Xavian, Canor, Rega, Naim, Focal... go in the oposite direction of this trend. And some others. Reason I respect them and use their equipment. BR.

 

[DougK1]

You can get HD650s for £230. They're a well reviewed headphone that measure well and respond to EQ so that excites a proportion of the population, but I don't think they warrant disproportionate spend on an amp and DAC. They're not *that* good.

For many years, before the arrival of the HD700&800 series, the HD600&650 were Sennheiser's premium range headphones. I've always admired Sennheiser build quality, my 650's are twelve years old and no sign of them wearing out yet, unlike a pair of Grado's of the same age whose ear pads turned to dust years ago.

I run both my Sennheiser's with a Topping A90D head-amp. Personally, I've found little difference between the headphone jack in my main amp and that of the Topping.