Dac/amp hd660s

[Bob-b]

Hi Guys,

Hope I’m posting this in the right thread if not I apologise in advance.

I’m new to the forum and the hi-fi world and need some help.
Recently bought a pair of hd660s and been using the with the dac/amp from Creative the G6, bought this a while back.
While this dac/amp was serving me fine with my previous headphones dt990 250 and akg k702 but with the hd660s the sound is a bit muddy, lacking detail.
I have my eye on the jds element 2 dac/amp combo but I don’t know if that is an upgrade in terms of sound quality from the g6.
Need some help please.

thanks

 

[kiyu]

Hi Bob,
unfortunately, I can't help you.

I have a G6 as well, and I want an update, I also have a hd 58x and I found a nice offer 300$ for the 660 S so I bought them knowing that they are similar to 58x but for the price, I guess they are worth it.
I am also looking for a Dac/Amp update.
I hear really nice comments from jds element 2, but as I might get other headphones with a Balance output 4.4mm pentaconn I might go with:

Topping E30 +A50s. 400$
option 2 waiting for Amir review): Xduoo XA-10 balance ouput, nice power, nice chips, nice processor, but again, not sure the measurements.

Anyway, the element 2 is a really really good product.

 

[raistlin65]

While this dac/amp was serving me fine with my previous headphones dt990 250 and akg k702 but with the hd660s the sound is a bit muddy, lacking detail.

The HD660S is arguably a little easier to drive than your DT990. So a different dac/amp may not change what you hear in terms of more headphone amp power.

The Element II is certainly a more accurate amp/dac. How much difference you would hear is difficult to predict.

 

[Bob-b]

Ended up ordering the m500
On my way home now with it to test it

 

[raistlin65]

Hi Bob,
unfortunately, I can't help you.

I have a G6 as well, and I want an update, I also have a hd 58x and I found a nice offer 300$ for the 660 S so I bought them knowing that they are similar to 58x but for the price, I guess they are worth it.
I am also looking for a Dac/Amp update.
I hear really nice comments from jds element 2, but as I might get other headphones with a Balance output 4.4mm pentaconn I might go with:

Topping E30 +A50s. 400$
option 2 waiting for Amir review): Xduoo XA-10 balance ouput, nice power, nice chips, nice processor, but again, not sure the measurements.

Anyway, the element 2 is a really really good product.

Balanced output doesn't intrinsically offer better sound quality over a good single ended amp. The Topping L30/E30 will easily drive the HD660S (on low gain, when I tried it), as well as 99% of headphones. And it's accuracy is so good that it is easily arguable to be noise and distortion-free within the range of human hearing. In other words, the highest fidelity sound reproduction you can perceive.

So I personally wouldn't bother spending more on the A50S.

 

[kiyu]

Balanced output doesn't intrinsically offer better sound quality over a good single ended amp. The Topping L30/E30 will easily drive the HD660S (on low gain, when I tried it), as well as 99% of headphones. And it's accuracy is so good that it is easily arguable to be noise and distortion-free within the range of human hearing. In other words, the highest fidelity sound reproduction you can perceive.
So I personally wouldn't bother spending more on the A50S.

"Balanced output doesn't intrinsically offer better sound quality over a good single-ended amp" agreed 100%balanced out will help a lot in the power out rather on the sound quality.
but...
l30=150$
A50s:220$

A50s is cleaner sound comparing with L30 right? 70$ cleaner or with more power output, probably not.
but A50s comes with 4.4mm and for example Gold planar gl2000 Only came with 4.4mm, many new headphones are starting using that plug, in the future if you want a new headphone you will need an adaptor which cost 30/40$..
so then the difference is not that far away.

In my case I will go with A50s, but if only want for the power, I guess L30 can do the work as well

 

[Bob-b]

after a couple of hours with the m500 the difference is significant.
The sound is much much cleaner and precise and the sound separation is better
Volume goes up to 40 and 15 is all that I need in the majority of the tracks that I listen to
So far I am pleased

 

[raistlin65]

A50s is cleaner sound comparing with L30 right?

Nope. Both measure extremely accurate to the point where they should easily sound the same.