sennheiser hd800 amp in the $500-$1000 range - Page 2

Antique Sound Lab....with proper tubes, it sounds magic with my HD800

http://www.divertech.com/aslmgheaddt.html

Denys

Quote:

Originally Posted by dudefromearth 

How do you get the proper tubes? (sorry if a newbie question)

Hi,

I tested a few.....for the two 6BQ5, I bought two RCA, but they do not have a big impact on the sound. You will see a huge improvement with the 12AX7 tube, The stock tube is a low quality chinese tube. I replaced it with a Mullard tube SV4004 and it completely changed the sound. Plus, you may use this amp on either OTL mode or Transfo mode....you choose the one you prefer...

Denys

Violectric HPA V200

DAC + AMP by The Lake People

http://www.violectric.de/Pages/en/products/hpav200.php

I have one with my Sennheiser HD800 and it works magic. You can spend a lot of time here reading "this op-amp" "that op-amp" and all sorts of stories - the sound is in the design, good components and power supply.

You will not be sorry - try to get one for a listen

:)

Stef

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denys 

Antique Sound Lab....with proper tubes, it sounds magic with my HD800

 

http://www.divertech.com/aslmgheaddt.html

 

Denys

I used one of the early models of the MG Head with my HD600's and it did have a fantastic synergy. I should probably sell it if any of you guys are interested ($120?). It's one of the early models without the separate PS but with the OTL and feedback switches. PM me.
 

corda concerta

wa6 from woo audio with sophia tube and psuedo powersupply. Goes well with hd800, lush mids but doesn't sound too tubey.

ALO Amphora.

http://www.wooaudio.com/products/wa6se.html

Woo Audio wa6se a very nice tube amp, very friendly for tube rolling to get the performance you are looking for. Very versatile when rolling tubes for different headphones that you may own.

Also see :

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/461618/wooaudio-wa6-se-wa6se-vs-headamp-gs1-as-the-best-all-around-amp-in-the-1000-price-range

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/323293/anyone-buy-the-woo-audio-wa6-se

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yonv 

http://www.wooaudio.com/products/wa6se.html

 

Woo Audio wa6se a very nice tube amp, very friendly for tube rolling to get the performance you are looking for. Very versatile when rolling tubes for different headphones that you may own.

 

Also see :

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/461618/wooaudio-wa6-se-wa6se-vs-headamp-gs1-as-the-best-all-around-amp-in-the-1000-price-range

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/323293/anyone-buy-the-woo-audio-wa6-se

I own this one too...but it's way over the budget when you include the tubes upgrade. However, if Dudefromearth is willing to start with a stock one an upgrade later on, it would be an excellent choice....this is the one I choose to go along with my HD800, and I do not regret it...

Denys
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Phat 

Violectric HPA V200

DAC + AMP by The Lake People

http://www.violectric.de/Pages/en/products/hpav200.php

 

I have one with my Sennheiser HD800 and it works magic. You can spend a lot of time here reading "this op-amp" "that op-amp" and all sorts of stories - the sound is in the design, good components and power supply.

 

You will not be sorry - try to get one for a listen

 

:)

Stef

I agree with you Stef. I just picked up a V200 and think it sounds great with my HD800's. Is also sounds really great with my new LCD-2's. Definitely one of the better amps for under a grand. Check Robert at AphroditeCu29 for a good deal, that's where I got mine.

I'll second the Crack/Speedball with the HD800. I've had that combo for about six months now and am very happy, even with the standard 6080 tube. (I refuse to pay the $200 and up that people often get for the WE 421A, so it may be a while before I nab one of those, but I'm keeping my eyes open.) The Crack is very easy to build. The Bottlehead people and their amazingly active user forums provide really good support, and an endless stream of upgrade ideas. One caveat: warm the amp up for a minute before plugging in the phones, as it puts out a fair amount of DC for a moment or two during the first 30 seconds after being powered up. I've forgotten that a couple times, and it hasn't hurt the phones, but when you spend such a ridiculous amount of money for headphones, it pays to be careful.

WW