What do I pair with HD660s2

[Riez1984]

I recently sold my 660s and bought an open box HD660s2.

At the moment I am mostly listening to music with my Fiio KA11 dongle on my phone.

I was wondering if a Fiio K11 would be worth buying for on the bedside table? I could connect my phone to it through the USB C connection while it's being charged wirelessly at night.

I was also looking at some other options as an upgrade to my current dongle with a balanced output to get the most out of the headphones like:

Fiio KA15
Fiio BTR13
Tempotec Sonata BHD pro
Fosi DS2

If you guys think neither of these are an upgrade om happy to hear as well. I did try some dongles like a ka13 but it seemed to drain my battery a lot faster vs the ka11 and being a lot bulkier.

I am not using a desktop at the moment so the use case is mostly with a mobile phone aroudn the house or in bed at night.

Thoughts and advice are appreciated

 

[watchnerd]

You want an amp that has low noise, has <30 ohm output impedance, and can put enough juice into a 300 ohm load, but don't need too much power as the 660S2 are modest sensitivity.

Everything else is just features, build quality, and cosmetics.

 

[Riez1984]

You want an amp that has low noise, has >30 ohm output impedance, and can put enough juice into a 300 ohm load, but don't need too much power and the 660S2 are modest sensitivity.

Everything else is just features, build quality, and cosmetics.

Any recommandations for my use case?

 

[masterhw]

I'm happy with Fosi DS2. You don't need hardware PEQ right?

 

[watchnerd]

Any recommandations for my use case?

I don’t know what features and looks you prefer.

Or budget

 

[Riez1984]

Budget+/- €125,-
DS2 has problems with cutting off music, right?

Hardware Peq is not a must. I want something with 4.4 balanced as an option. Either small and portable or something I can put on my bedside table and can connect to my phone as source through usb-c.

 

[Riez1984]

Since I have an usb dongle I bought the K11.
I'll keep the KA11 usb dac for now if I want to connect my HD660s2 with my phone.

I'll place the K11 unit on my bedside table and connect an old Samsung phone to it with usb c for Spotify etc. I'll be able to plug my Sennheiser in there when I want to listen in the bedroom.

 

[watchnerd]

Budget+/- €125,-
DS2 has problems with cutting off music, right?

Hardware Peq is not a must. I want something with 4.4 balanced as an option. Either small and portable or something I can put on my bedside table and can connect to my phone as source through usb-c.

Does it need to have a DAC, too, or just an amp?

 

[Riez1984]

Does it need to have a DAC, too, or just an amp?

I just ordered the Fiio K11. Looks like a nice little unit. I'm gonna put it on the bedside table and connect it to an old phone with usb c. This way I can enjoy listening to my HD660s2 when I'm lying in bed as I often do. I can permanently connect my 4.4 cable to it and keep the SE one with the KA11 dongle for when I want to listen in the living room or something. If the situation changes I can always connect speakers to it or put in on a desk with my MacBook air

 

[ceedee]

I need PEQ so I use the Qudelix 5K with my iPhone and iPad. Using the balanced output it has plenty of power for me so far, even with the -9.3 dB gain needed with the corrective EQ. No 4.4 connector though.

 

[Riez1984]

I need PEQ so I use the Qudelix 5K with my iPhone and iPad. Using the balanced output it has plenty of power for me so far, even with the -9.3 dB gain needed with the corrective EQ. No 4.4 connector though.

Looked at the Qudelix but its a bit overpriced here at around €150,- and it has No 4.4 indeed.

 

[ceedee]

I tried the Fosi SK02 and really liked the build quality. It's within your budget as well.

 

[Riez1984]

I tried the Fosi SK02 and really liked the build quality. It's within your budget as well.

Well I ordered the Fiio K11 and will see how it goes. I can keep the KA11 and maybe get a Fonsi DS2 later

 

[Riez1984]

I got the K11 but sending it back. It doesn't add much to besides bulk. I think I will await for a deal on a qudelix here or maybe some other dongle that would be and upgrade over the ka11 and still be small. What I would like to see is something similar but with a PEQ, the JA11 has this but is significantly less powerfull and uses an inhouse dac instead of the CS chip

 

[PeakDodger]

I got the K11 but sending it back. It doesn't add much to besides bulk. I think I will await for a deal on a qudelix here or maybe some other dongle that would be and upgrade over the ka11 and still be small. What I would like to see is something similar but with a PEQ, the JA11 has this but is significantly less powerfull and uses an inhouse dac instead of the CS chip

Did you try it with the balanced cable? K11 should have a lot more voltage swing than KA11 and should sound a bit better. But it's good that the difference was negligible to you, K11 is already enough to drive them so you definitely can spare the money. I want PEQ so I think I'll suck it up and get the Qudelix. I don't think we'll ever see deals for it in Europe... Fiio K17 is another alternative, a bit more powerful but no bluetooth, no battery and a bit jankier software. I think I already ruled out desktop amps for my 660S2