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Help with a BUDGET Amp for HD800

post #1 of 11
8/26/10 at 8:10pm
Thread Starter 

Hello,

 

My current system is Grado 325i's through Yamaha HTR-6190 Receiver. I have always enjoyed the Grado's but find them very uncomfortable (even after trying foam mods).

 

Circumstances have allowed me to get a set of HD800 (too good to refuse price), and I am looking to run these to the best of their ability without breaking the bank.

 

The headphones are used for home theater room listening almost exclusively, 90% music listening, mainly progressive rock.

 

Source setup planned as follows:

 

1. Yamaha CD-S1000 CD Player analog out into receiver, tape out to TBD Headphone AMP

 

or

 

2. Oppo BDP83 Blu Ray Optical Out to DAC/AMP

 

I have narrowed the field to the Matrix M-Stage or the Matrix Mini-i or Nuforce HDP.

 

I like the thought of the additional flexibility of the DAC/Amp, but assume there is a compromise in performance.

 

Any users who can enlighten me on my best choice?

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Yamaha CD-S1000BL Natural Sound Super Audio CD Player (Black)
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Sennheiser HD 800 Headphones
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post #2 of 11
8/26/10 at 8:19pm

What is your budget on the amp?  Are you considering a DAC as well (which I strongly recommend as I believe that having a good DAC and a cheaper amplifier is considerably better than a cheap DAC and a good amplifier as you'll just be amplifying a cheap DAC very well :p).

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post #3 of 11
8/26/10 at 8:26pm
Thread Starter 

My hope is to spend under $400 for an AMP or AMP/DAC.

 

Thanks!

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post #4 of 11
8/26/10 at 8:36pm

audio gd FUN, the new one are supposed to be extremely nice with the upgraded modules.

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post #5 of 11
8/26/10 at 9:04pm

Do excuse if I find it slightly unreasonable to buy $1500 headphones and run them off $400 worth of upstream components...

 

On such a tight budget, I would recommend going with used and trying to find the best deal around.

 

I came across this PPA and highly recommend it, both as a great amp and as an incredible deal, get this amp, no question in my mind that this is the best value of anything you can find.

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/507668/fs-ppav1-1a-w-discrete-diamond-buffers-loop-out-vishy-dale-gain-of-8

 

For DAC, I generally recommend older DACs that now sell for a mere fraction of their original cost.  More easily found on eBay and AudioGon generally.

 

This looks like a nice deal:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1287088661&/North-Star-Design-model-3/4

 

If you are able to stretch the budget (and indulge a little), I came across this DAC, I've owned one and think it's wonderful (and I paid considerably more for it).

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1287961477&/North-Star-Model-192

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post #6 of 11
8/26/10 at 9:21pm

the SE upgrade of the oppo is claimed to have a  very fine ESS sabre32 stereo DAC out - you would only need a amp

 

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post #7 of 11
8/26/10 at 9:24pm
Thread Starter 

These look like great suggestions....Thank You.

 

The HD800's came my way at substantial savings, so my perspective is maybe a little skewed.

 

Will continue the hunt, it may reveal some additional change in the couch!

 

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post #8 of 11
8/26/10 at 9:45pm

Grab that amp before it's too late, I'd take that over pretty much anything at the $500 price point.

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post #9 of 11
8/27/10 at 6:27am

Can you build your own amp? If yes, then go for the M^3 or B22. If not, then you might have to look for a used M^3 amp that sells for ~300$. As for the DAC, get a decent used DAC (zero dac, for around ~100$ or save some more and get a Carat DAC. The M^3 + carat DAC is a very good combinations for the HD800 IMO.

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post #10 of 11
8/27/10 at 8:14pm
Thread Starter 

Bought the recommended PPA.

 

Thanks for the advice, can't wait to try everything out!

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post #11 of 11
8/28/10 at 7:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FallenAngel View Post

Do excuse if I find it slightly unreasonable to buy $1500 headphones and run them off $400 worth of upstream components...

 


Completely agree. The HD800s need (and deserve) a proper system to be set up around them...source, amp, dac, cables, etc...

 

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Yamaha CD-S1000BL Natural Sound Super Audio CD Player (Black)
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Sennheiser HD 800 Headphones
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