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B22 or EHHA for HD800?

post #1 of 47
12/27/09 at 4:56pm
Thread Starter 
Which amp should i choose for 800's
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post #2 of 47
12/27/09 at 7:47pm
Both amps would do great justice to the HD800. Both are top quality amplifiers and choosing between them would come down to personal preference.

The advantage for the EHHA is that it costs about half as much (parts cost) to build compared to the B22. The EHHA also can be tuned to your ears by playing with the amount of feedback by just switching a couple of resistors (mount them on sockets).
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post #3 of 47
12/27/09 at 9:12pm
Since I haven't heard the EHHA, my vote goes to the B22.
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post #4 of 47
12/27/09 at 9:33pm
I’m yearning for a bit more pizazz than my current balanced β22 is giving me with my HD800’s, although the combo is reference and it’s fairly neutral, I need some fire and passion in my music, it’s starting to wear thin. I’m hoping my balanced EHHA (soon to be completed build) will live up to sachu’s raves otherwise I’ll have to kill him
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post #5 of 47
12/27/09 at 9:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnwmclean View Post
I’m yearning for a bit more pizazz than my current balanced β22 is giving me with my HD800’s, although the combo is reference and it’s fairly neutral, I need some fire and passion in my music, it’s starting to wear thin. I’m hoping my balanced EHHA (soon to be completed build) will live up to sachu’s raves otherwise I’ll have to kill him
lol..look forward to your impressions john..I have no doubt that you'll be glad you built the EHHA.
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post #6 of 47
12/28/09 at 10:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sachu View Post
Both amps would do great justice to the HD800. Both are top quality amplifiers and choosing between them would come down to personal preference.
The advantage for the EHHA is that it costs about half as much (parts cost) to build compared to the B22. The EHHA also can be tuned to your ears by playing with the amount of feedback by just switching a couple of resistors (mount them on sockets).
With my budget b22 coming in at about $350 are you saying I can build an EHHA for like $175? Only kidding of course, that beta22 was built specifically to be low-budget but appears to compare well against "real" ones.

I do concur w/sachu about this being personal preference. In addition to having a reference/pure sounding amp I also like having an amp around that allows some variability in sound signature (e.g. choice of tube).
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post #7 of 47
12/28/09 at 11:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cfcubed View Post
With my budget b22 coming in at about $350 are you saying I can build an EHHA for like $175? Only kidding of course, that beta22 was built specifically to be low-budget but appears to compare well against "real" ones.

I do concur w/sachu about this being personal preference. In addition to having a reference/pure sounding amp I also like having an amp around that allows some variability in sound signature (e.g. choice of tube).
haha..seems since I bought my EHHA kit last year, the prices have gone up on the EHHA kits. Its no longer a 110$ for a stereo kit but rather 165$ the kit does come with Amperex Tubes now which alone are worth about 50$ a pair. Jeff has run out of the 5$ per tube stock he used to have..that was just an insanely good price on those tubes.

So the price gap has definitely closed by a big margin. Just getting ready to put in an order for 2 full ehha stereo kits..one to replace the set i trashed and the other just to have on standby in case i bugger up again.
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post #8 of 47
12/28/09 at 12:13pm
just flip a coin already =.="

You either have enough knowledge to decide which is superior or you realize they are both dependent only on your budget.

Our opinions of their sound means nothing

FLIP A COIN BRO.
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post #9 of 47
12/28/09 at 12:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnwmclean View Post
I’m yearning for a bit more pizazz than my current balanced β22 is giving me with my HD800’s, although the combo is reference and it’s fairly neutral, I need some fire and passion in my music, it’s starting to wear thin. I’m hoping my balanced EHHA (soon to be completed build) will live up to sachu’s raves otherwise I’ll have to kill him
john,
i hope you're enjoying the the EHHA build. Alex designs wonderful amps. i've not heard the HD800, but maybe it's not your cup of tea? "neutral" is a coloration just as "musical" is. it's about the music/performance, no?
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post #10 of 47
12/28/09 at 12:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnwmclean View Post
I’m yearning for a bit more pizazz than my current balanced β22 is giving me with my HD800’s, although the combo is reference and it’s fairly neutral, I need some fire and passion in my music, it’s starting to wear thin. I’m hoping my balanced EHHA (soon to be completed build) will live up to sachu’s raves otherwise I’ll have to kill him
You have a boring source. I've heard your combo and it was a bit on the dull side of life. It didn't have great dynamics and depth and it's because of your DAC's output stage which is flat. (The wrong kind of flat.)
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post #11 of 47
12/28/09 at 12:51pm
^
I never thought the B32s sounds boring. Ever.
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post #12 of 47
12/28/09 at 12:54pm
Mine used the IVY thing which isn't great in my opinion.

I forgot to mention that. I don't even know if it was single ended or balanced output, so forget my comment altogether.
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post #13 of 47
12/28/09 at 3:26pm
Thread Starter 
I will pass with decison till John finish his EHHA and compare this three. Im counting on You John
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post #14 of 47
12/28/09 at 7:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishski13 View Post
john,
i hope you're enjoying the the EHHA build. Alex designs wonderful amps. i've not heard the HD800, but maybe it's not your cup of tea? "neutral" is a coloration just as "musical" is. it's about the music/performance, no?
fishski13, you may be right... let me elaborate, the HD800’s are apt with dynamics, transparency and generally most other traits of a good system. What they lack is ebb and flow and the context of phasing or linking passages together, whether they distract your attention with something else I can’t answer or put my finger on exactly what it is. I do have a suspicion that the slight lack of upper bass and lower midrange could be the key, and it’s probably something that I value personally with my system and at the moment it’s not quite right for me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kuben View Post
I will pass with decison till John finish his EHHA and compare this three. Im counting on You John
Oh dear, your in for a long wait, I’m very slow at building.
Ferrari, a very talented chap has built both, he may chime in...
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post #15 of 47
12/28/09 at 8:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slash47 View Post
You have a boring source. I've heard your combo and it was a bit on the dull side of life. It didn't have great dynamics and depth and it's because of your DAC's output stage which is flat. (The wrong kind of flat.)
I was going to say the same thing.

John, perhaps you should try some other DACs.
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