Sennheiser HD800 Appreciation Thread - Page 426  

Totally loving my HD800 amped with the Violectric V200. Can't wait to get the V800 DAC and be done with my audio quest.I might get teh LCD-2 someday but seeing as I am extremely happy with my current setup, it might not get one. Depends on the difference in sound signature but I can't prelisten the LCD-2 anywhere over here so I might just skip on this.

One quick question though, how well does the sound improve with a custom cable on the HD800? Really worth that much money?

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeAspect 

Totally loving my HD800 amped with the Violectric V200. Can't wait to get the V800 DAC and be done with my audio quest.I might get teh LCD-2 someday but seeing as I am extremely happy with my current setup, it might not get one. Depends on the difference in sound signature but I can't prelisten the LCD-2 anywhere over here so I might just skip on this.

The LCD-2 and the HD800s have a totally different sound signature.  Lucky for you it's said many times the V200 pairs very well with both.  I think the LCD-2 would be a perfect compliment for the HD800s in your system.

Would you go with the V200 or the WA6SE for the HD 800s?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olias of Sunhillow 


Of the three amps recently discussed, I would rank them with the HD800 as follows: 1. WA2. 2. V200. 3. WA6SE.

Of course, it kind of depends on what your objective is. I like tube amps that take just a bit of the shimmer off the top of the Senns. You may want the opposite. The WA2 is highly dependent on tube choice, meaning you can dial it in as you want. It's also excellent with some low-impedance cans, though it with all (great with Grados, not so much with Denons).

I want to keep the large, open, precise sound of the HD 800s but I want more bass and midrange body (I don't consider the HD 800 neutral here, so I want enough warmth to make them sound natural, not overly fleshy) and like you take off a bit of that top-end shimmer. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamescodway 


In that case, it would seem the HD800 may well not be the can for you...

X2

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamescodway 


In that case, it would seem the HD800 may well not be the can for you...

I have great experience in high end hi-fi and have heard lots of speaker systems, headphones, amps etc, including many STAX and the SR-009. The difference between the headphones have always been clearly audible and I can even swear I've heard a difference between USB cables. But I just can't hear any difference between my own sources. I have, of course, heard differences between sources and amps before (in stores when switching, the difference between my prior Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4) but my belief is that both the iPad and the M1 + dac all measure very flat with very low distortion, to a degree any difference one might hear could just be the mind playing tricks. I don't want to believe so but I can't deny what I hear. 

I have wondered if there is something wrong with my chain, like some power-related issue. I've tried getting my outlets grounded (ungrounded outlets cause problems with the M1) but without result. There might very well be something bottlenecking the audio, but I'm afraid I doubt it. 

Anyway, my hearing is not the issue :) 

I appreciate the HD 800 for what it does, dynamics and transients are very snappy and the sound is the most open and airy I've heard through headphones. But through time, I've come to realize their sound sig may not be what I truly like. So you're right about them not being the cans for me, in a way. I hope to try tubes, if that doesn't happen then I'll probably go with an LCD-2 or something instead. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lan647 

 

I have great experience in high end hi-fi and have heard lots of speaker systems, headphones, amps etc, including many STAX and the SR-009. The difference between the headphones have always been clearly audible and I can even swear I've heard a difference between USB cables. But I just can't hear any difference between my own sources. I have, of course, heard differences between sources and amps before (in stores when switching, the difference between my prior Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4) but my belief is that both the iPad and the M1 + dac all measure very flat with very low distortion, to a degree any difference one might hear could just be the mind playing tricks. I don't want to believe so but I can't deny what I hear. 

 

I have wondered if there is something wrong with my chain, like some power-related issue. I've tried getting my outlets grounded (ungrounded outlets cause problems with the M1) but without result. There might very well be something bottlenecking the audio, but I'm afraid I doubt it. 

Anyway, my hearing is not the issue :) 

I appreciate the HD 800 for what it does, dynamics and transients are very snappy and the sound is the most open and airy I've heard through headphones. But through time, I've come to realize their sound sig may not be what I truly like. So you're right about them not being the cans for me, in a way. I hope to try tubes, if that doesn't happen then I'll probably go with an LCD-2 or something instead. 

^

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxvla 


I had a WA6 for a while with my HD800. Got a new amp and it was nearly a new headphone. WA6 doesn't do it justice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olias of Sunhillow 


Of the three amps recently discussed, I would rank them with the HD800 as follows: 1. WA2. 2. V200. 3. WA6SE.

Of course, it kind of depends on what your objective is. I like tube amps that take just a bit of the shimmer off the top of the Senns. You may want the opposite. The WA2 is highly dependent on tube choice, meaning you can dial it in as you want. It's also excellent with some low-impedance cans, though it with all (great with Grados, not so much with Denons).

+1

the HD 800 pairs very well with the WA2 (the WA6-SE is a great choice too, and should be MUCH better than the WA6). the highs are silky smooth, a slightly warmer midrange (though still quite neutral and hd-800ish), and deep bass. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeAspect 

One quick question though, how well does the sound improve with a custom cable on the HD800? Really worth that much money?

cables... controversial subject...

Seeing that the HD800's cable was built pretty well (excluding the inner wire), wouldn't be too sure. The 36 gauge is rather thin, but not sure if that'd affect the sound.

Then there's our good old Placebo Effect. 

Cables don't change the sound night and day, but a different pair of headphones will. <- just something to think about.

Only time I'd get a new cable is when there's a god awful cable like the SA5000's. 

Some people recable w/ cables $1k+... and you can get another pair with that money. 

Even the ones that run for 500, can save your money towards source/amp.

Just things to think about :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose 

 

^

I could try getting my hands on a different DAC to check if my DAC is the issue? If not, then it must be something power related which I can't do anything about. I could try phase switching and power conditioners but that's it.

Any tips?  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lan647 

 

I could try getting my hands on a different DAC to check if my DAC is the issue? If not, then it must be something power related which I can't do anything about. I could try phase switching and power conditioners but that's it.

Any tips?  

I have a Stello DA100 FS in Sweden. Pairs extremely well with HD800 (been using it through a Zana Deux SE). Let me know if you're interested. Might sell it since I have a NAD M51 incoming this week.

/V