How is this headphone amp ?

A cMoy is usually a good beginning step into the world of headphone amps. You could probably start with this, and then gradually start looking at higher-up models. Not really sure if it will do justice enough to the HD600/650, but the guy seems to have added quite a few tweaks of his own.
 
Umm yeah, talk to the guy and get him to tell you a bit more about the pairing with your cans. The Senns aren't that difficult to drive, but a Cmoy isn't a wonderful high-current design either.

Sounds like they'll be fine with this basic Cmoy. I would suggest ask him to build one amp for you, and send over a couple of chips for you to try. Different chips have different sonic signatures (mostly emerging from their relative ability at driving a load) and you may find you like one over the other. Since he provides sockets it is easy to switch one for the other.

I would ask for a default amp with the 2227, and ask for one 2604 and one 4562. I'm using 4562 as a replacement opamp for all my soundcards, and it is the most wonderful opamp I've heard to date - sounds like no opamp in the signal chain at all. Very open and detailed sound.

Try it, it's not much cash gone anyway!
 
Thanks for the replies. Though first thing first I need to get the HD650 !

I think once I get the Senns I will get this amp for starts & ask him for the set of chips like Sangram suggested.
 
if you are getting the HD650 , dont expect to get a lot of play time from the amp as it runs on 9V. then you got to invest in a charger & 9v rechargables.

get a better amp instead.
 
Hi, actually this amp has a DC socket. So you can plug it into a socket ! The charger is separate, but it should be cheap.
 
Damm ! So I have to get an expensive DC charger as well ! I guess I have to get some other headphone amp ! Any suggestions guys ? I need something cheap (< $100). Or should I get this only and get a charger from here?
 
a 9v rechargeable should do fine :)

EDIT: it doesnt mean significantly more expensive. It just needs to be a bit more complex than your run off the mill adapter. They are just transformer -rectifier- passive (capacitor) filter.

something with active regulation is preferred , its just a 10 rupee IC :P , ask for a regulated dc power supply

you need a regulated, non-switching wall adapter with a 1/8" (or 3.5mm) power plug (same as the mini headphone plug) that can supply anything between 9-15 volts DC.
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Why don't you build a Cmoy yourself? I'm sure you and your dad could whip up something ;)

I had put up a link to a nice site which had all the basics - starting from if you didn't know how to solder. You can get the 5532 opamp in Mumbai at 12 bucks each, they work well for this application. You'll also learn a thing or two about how electronics work.

As for the potential hum from a supply, just use a regulated supply. These are available on the cheap from music instrument houses, but ask for a regulated supply as both types are available.

When you talk to the guy who's making the amp, ask him to ensure that the amp can take 12V from the regular 9V (this shouldn't be a problem, the chips can take upto 24-36 volts and the caps are normally rated 16V). Then run it off a 12V supply. this will give you a bit more headroom for the amp. I find that chips run better with higher rails. The 9V is a way to get the amp to be truly portable - if you don't mind being tied down to a wall outlet, better go for the higher voltage.
 
OMG 48 Dollars ? i could probably make it for the price of the op amp + shipping :lol:

^^ sangram's got good advice there. if you use the normal stripboard and '5532, the whole thing wouldnt cost more than 100 bucks (cost of soldering iron extra :D)
 
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