Superuniti /sen hd600

I found HD650s really show off differences in headphone amps, more so than some if their lower models.  It is worth trying as many amps as you can to find the one you like.  My 650s wanted more power than was provided by some built in amps; but my Denon AVR-4800 played them very well — so it can be hard to predict.

Your SU may be a pleasing match, but you would need to be the judge.

Nick

The SU analogue outputs, which you’d need for a headphone amp, are post volume control, so not really ideal. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

The SU analogue outputs, which you’d need for a headphone amp, are post volume control, so not really ideal. 

Good point.  I am always blind-sided by the lack of  Tape Out.  Digital out to e.g. a Hugo might be a winning alternative here.

Nick

Skinnypuppy71 posted:

Hi guy's just wondering if my superuniti's internal headphone amp is capable enough to drive the sennhieser hd600 headphones and if not is there a way to connect a decent hp amp to the superuniti?

Thanks.

Perhaps you could sell on your hd600 and get the latest Massdrop Sennheiser hd58x jubilee

These are 150 ohm and not really in need of a dedicated amp

Note delivery is July due to crowdfunding (dealbreaker for some)

Great offer imo for US customers, not so much for EU citizen due to added freight and custom charges

In your case hd600 would easy pay hd58x

Guess I will try them on my Rega ear HP amp and perhaps my UQ

I haven't bought the hd600 as yet...I'm just checking first to see if the superuniti was able to drive such a hp....My trusty akg k550's are starting to fall apart.lol.and I fancy a change,during a wee look see on audioaffair.i noticed they have a £100 knocked off the hd600 at the moment which looked like a bit of a bargain to me.

FWIW, I traded my minty 650s for AKG K701s for the extra bit of shimmer and neutrality they seem to offer.  I really liked the 650s, though.  I sampled some high-end Grados at the time, but liked the AKGs best of what I tried that day, regardless of price.  All tried using NDS/552/Headline/HC at the showroom.

Nick

  cheers Nick.I see the k701 has been superseded with the k702 and the k712 pro look interesting ...they might be a  alternative....do you think  the superuniti could make them sing?

Skinnypuppy71 posted:

  cheers Nick.I see the k701 has been superseded with the k702 and the k712 pro look interesting ...they might be a  alternative....do you think  the superuniti could make them sing?

You have the advantage of owning the SU.  What has been your experience using headphones with it, so far?  

My impression has been the 650s require more power than the K701s.  600s are said to be similar to 650s.  

The other experience I had was that I could not hear any benefits from the 650s over the lesser/cheaper Senns (575?) I tried at the time until I plugged them into a headphone amp instead of directly into my computer — this was the moment I understood how much even a modest dedicated amp can help.  Later I tested both with my Denon AV amp and heard the benefits of the 650s again, and loved the sound.  Years later I replaced the Denon with a Marantz AVPre for a few days and noted the HP amp on the Marantz was poor compared to the Denon.  

I would be surprised if any Naim headphone amp is not as good as the Denon was.  Not sure that helps you, though.

I would not recommend you buy any headphones you could not demo at home and return if you want.  

Let us know what you end up doing.

Nick

I have K-701 and they definately need a good dedicated HP amp

Great cans for the money

I have had both Hd650 & 600, similar, they certainly need a proper amp

To be honest I think better results will pay off by getting easier cans than HD650/600

I use the AKG Q701’s (Quincy Jones version) with my Superuniti and it drives them really well, I had the Sennheiser 650’s and thought they sounded flat and dull. I originally used the Q701’s with a dedicated headphone amp, the Superuniti is as good sound wise plus it drives them with ease.

Nick

Thanks for the response guy's..some food for thought...it would be helpful to test some cans with my superuniti....but the dealers in Glasgow tend to only have grados at hand for demo....and I never really got on with my previous 325i's.......with a headphone amp......looks like I'm gravitating to the akg k712pro......maybe!