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Which DAC+Amp for the HD800?

post #1 of 18
10/17/09 at 10:02am
Thread Starter 
Hello,

I'm looking for a DAC+Amp (integrated in one box) for the HD800.

Which one would you choose and why?

Looking forward to hearing your opinions.
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post #2 of 18
10/17/09 at 10:28am
There are no combo units I'd consider suitable to bring out the capabilities of the HD-800s.
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post #3 of 18
10/17/09 at 11:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Currawong View Post
There are no combo units I'd consider suitable to bring out the capabilities of the HD-800s.
Headroom Ultra Desktop, Meier Corda Symphony 2, Grace m-something-something might all be up to the challenge though I have not heard such a system myself. There are a few high-end all-in-one packages and damn, once again I have to comment how sweet that deal is with Meier Audio. Get the Hd-800's with 25% off any amp and free international shipping.
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post #4 of 18
10/17/09 at 12:11pm
HeadRoom Ultra Desktop would be my choice for all in one box to drive HD800. I actually had this combo for a while and it was surprisingly good.
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post #5 of 18
10/17/09 at 12:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Currawong View Post
There are no combo units I'd consider suitable to bring out the capabilities of the HD-800s.
What about Lavry, Grace, Red Wine, Meier, Head Roonm, etc.? None does justice to the HD800?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Born2bwire View Post
once again I have to comment how sweet that deal is with Meier Audio. Get the Hd-800's with 25% off any amp and free international shipping.
That sounds great! Free shipping? Really!?
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post #6 of 18
10/17/09 at 12:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ranma172 View Post
That sounds great! Free shipping? Really??
I know! That's what he says on his website. I have only heard the Symphony 2 in passing, they carry it at an audio shop here. I am waiting for them to get the HD800's back in stock and I'll give them both a whirl. I do have an Aria which I believe is the predecessor to the Cantante. If it's any indication of the Cantante though I would say that it would be insufficient. My Aria always sounded a bit thin, light in the bass, when compared to my Ray Samuels HR-2 and from what I have heard about the HD800 that is not the direction that you want to go in.
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post #7 of 18
10/17/09 at 1:47pm
I think my Isabellina HPA sounds great with the hd800s. I havent seen anybody who has tried the combo say it didnt sound good. There is better solutions with seperates but for a combo unit it should do the trick.
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post #8 of 18
10/17/09 at 1:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by KingStyles View Post
I think my Isabellina HPA sounds great with the hd800s.
Seems a good candidate. A "bit" expensive but should avoid any problems with AC noise since it's battery powered.
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post #9 of 18
10/17/09 at 2:03pm
You could take a look a the Prism Orpheus if you have 5000$ to spare. The Dac section is considered beyond excellent, I don't know much about the amp section though.

Orpheus Recording Interface Home Page
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post #10 of 18
10/17/09 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by khaos974 View Post
You could take a look a the Prism Orpheus if you have 5000$ to spare.
$5000! I already find the Isabellina HPA ($2500) quite expensive (what do they put inside these things!?).
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post #11 of 18
10/17/09 at 5:20pm
Quote:
I already find the Isabellina HPA ($2500) quite expensive (what do they put inside these things!?).
A lot of love

The Isabellina HPA is AWESOME with the HD800s and this is my reference!

Some feeeback:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/red...na-hpa-441696/

If you are in NY, I'll be attending the NY Fall Headfi Meet:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f24/ny...ficial-446482/

I'll have the Isabellina HPA and HD800s, along with some other goodies. Feel free to stop over and give an ear (or two ). If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

All the best,

Vinnie
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post #12 of 18
10/17/09 at 8:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinnie R. View Post
If you are in NY, I'll be attending the NY Fall Headfi Meet [...] I'll have the Isabellina HPA and HD800s, along with some other goodies
I wish I was near there !!!
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post #13 of 18
10/20/09 at 5:33pm
What about the Benchmark DAC1?
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post #14 of 18
10/20/09 at 7:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGreen View Post
What about the Benchmark DAC1?
People don't seem to like it too much. Or at least, other options are often preferred.
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post #15 of 18
10/21/09 at 12:18am
Have you thought about running the HD-800 off tubes? I much prefer tubes to solid state with the HD-800. I'd look into a good tube amp and a separate DAC.

Also, I'm biased against all-in-one setups.

The reason for that is because DAC technology moves much faster than amp technology. Five years on, the amp might still be fine but a much better DAC has come out. Then, you'd be stuck with something that's 50% obsolete. People won't buy it because of the old DAC or will only pay a low price for it, so it won't be easy to sell. If you buy your amp and DAC separately, then you can keep the amp and sell the DAC every year or two so you can keep up with the newer models.
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