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$400 amp for Sennheiser HD 800?

post #1 of 21
8/13/10 at 8:42pm
Thread Starter 

I was wondering if there were any decent $400 headphone amps that could drive the HD 800s well. The Zero Dac/amp is absolute trash now even after replacing the volume pot and modding some capacitors. The volume is completely unbalanced and it just doesn't seem to be able to drive the HD800s well. I will probably get more serious equipment in the far future, but for now, this will probably be all I can afford. Anyways, any suggestions? Thanks.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 800 Headphones
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post #2 of 21
8/13/10 at 10:09pm

Matrix M-stage

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post #3 of 21
8/13/10 at 11:33pm
Thread Starter 

I've gotten this recommended so many times and I've heard really good things about it, so I'll have to check into that.

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post #4 of 21
8/14/10 at 1:05am

I would have to say that you're probably better off waiting until you can afford an amp to match the level of the 800s.  I don't really see much of a point in slowly upgrading when you already went for one of the top headphones. Wait a couple amps and invest $1000 or a bit more in a good amp that is capable of driving the hd800 well.

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post #5 of 21
8/14/10 at 1:13am

Try to find a used M3. You won't get a better amp than it at this price range.

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post #6 of 21
8/14/10 at 1:17am

Schiit Valhalla when it comes out?

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post #7 of 21
8/14/10 at 10:42am

Dac and an amp? or just the amp?

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post #8 of 21
8/14/10 at 10:51am

Look at the Gilmore Lite/Dynalo on M^3.  THe HD-800 is a lot happier with tubes, but those are very good amps.

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post #9 of 21
8/14/10 at 11:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by caliskimmer View Post

I've gotten this recommended so many times and I've heard really good things about it, so I'll have to check into that.


Matrix M Stage did well with the HD800. It is designed after the Lehman with better caps

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post #10 of 21
8/14/10 at 12:48pm

Perhaps the Bottlehead Crack if you can DIY.

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post #11 of 21
8/14/10 at 1:44pm
Thread Starter 

I couldn't find a Gilmore lite last time I checked. At this point, I'm fine with either a Dac/amp combo or just a standalone amp. Whatever can drive the HD 800s better than a Zero.

 

@tintin47: I was tempted in getting a high end amp at first to drive my Sennheiser HD 650s, but I realized that if I did that, I probably would not have the motivation to save for the HD 800s as I am only a student at this point, yet for some strange reason, saving for an amp is a much easier task for me.

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post #12 of 21
8/14/10 at 2:03pm

What about the sound you are getting now do you want to change?

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post #13 of 21
8/14/10 at 2:11pm
Thread Starter 

Right now, from my Zero, the sound seems too bright. Also, I feel like there just way more potential with a better amp. What I'm getting now is incredible quality sound, but you can just feel that the power has not been released. Also, I would prefer a warmer sound as it sounds somewhat "cold" if you know what I mean. I'm thinking tubes right now as I heard they tend to produce a warmer sound then what you get from an SS.

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post #14 of 21
8/14/10 at 2:41pm

That describes the 800 pretty well actually.  I'm expecting my b22 early this week but on the Concerto the 800 is punchy and extends way down but it is dry with little to no fullness.  The HE-5LE in comparison is much more full while less punchy.  dB for dB the 800 sounds a lot more quiet than the meter says.  The O2 is even more full without the loss of punch and out resolves them both... so far.

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post #15 of 21
8/14/10 at 2:57pm
Thread Starter 

The HD 800s shouldn't be as bright as they are now with a different amp because I actually cut some of the filter caps (forgot the real name of them) on the Zero in order to brighten up my HD 650s. I wasn't planning to upgrade them until this past March, when I decided to get the HD 800s. So far, I've had recommendations (besides yours) for the Woo Audio 6 and the Schiit Valhalla (which isn't even out yet) from the tube section.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 800 Headphones
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