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What do I pair with HD660s2

Riez1984

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Feb 17, 2021
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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
 
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.
 
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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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
I tried the Fosi SK02 and really liked the build quality. It's within your budget as well.
 
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
 
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
 
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
 
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