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Amp/dac for disappointed HD800 owner - Page 4

post #46 of 157
3/22/12 at 4:46pm

If the brightness of the HD800 is the problem, the Stello HP100 amp IMO does the job of amping them at a reasonable price (can be found at $300-400 nowadays used). It's more than powerful enough, has perfectly black background, great soundstage for a SS amp, strong bass, and most important of all has a filter switch at the back that rolls off the extreme highs. I personally don't use it in my rig but the difference is definitely noticeable (actual hardware filter here) and will definitely make your experience less fatiguing.

 

I do prefer my WA6SE over it for my HD800 but the HP100 IMO comes close. And the matching DA100 DAC already has quite a good reputation for its matching with the HD800 here on head-fi. 


Edited by K_19 - 3/22/12 at 5:13pm
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post #47 of 157
3/22/12 at 5:22pm

 

 

after having owned the  HD800's for over a year and after purchasing several SS and tube amps i have come to the conclusion that the HD800's suit certain type of recordings and when those recordings are played with any good SS or tube amp they sound absolutely beautiful.

 

Some recordings just dont seem to sound good no matter what amp i use. Now whenever i listen to music i sort of split my music selection into 2 camps- HD800 compatible and HD650's for the rest.

 

In some respects the HD800's sort of ruined my listening pleasure as i was happy with the HD650's and a medium spec graham slee solo amp but after buying the HD800's my music world was turned upside down as they are so technically superior and revealing that all of a sudden a lot of my old faves sounded like noisy trash metal.  But unfortunately i cant and wont go back to the HD650's exclusively as I now know what is possible. I feel like a drug addict now on a never ending search for the highest high.

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post #48 of 157
3/22/12 at 5:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedphonz View Post

 

 

after having owned the  HD800's for over a year and after purchasing several SS and tube amps i have come to the conclusion that the HD800's suit certain type of recordings and when those recordings are played with any good SS or tube amp they sound absolutely beautiful.

 

Some recordings just dont seem to sound good no matter what amp i use. Now whenever i listen to music i sort of split my music selection into 2 camps- HD800 compatible and HD650's for the rest.

 


Care to mention the music genres/type of recordings that you find suitable for the 800's? 

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post #49 of 157
3/22/12 at 5:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedphonz View Post

 

 

after having owned the  HD800's for over a year and after purchasing several SS and tube amps i have come to the conclusion that the HD800's suit certain type of recordings and when those recordings are played with any good SS or tube amp they sound absolutely beautiful.

 

Some recordings just dont seem to sound good no matter what amp i use. Now whenever i listen to music i sort of split my music selection into 2 camps- HD800 compatible and HD650's for the rest.

 

In some respects the HD800's sort of ruined my listening pleasure as i was happy with the HD650's and a medium spec graham slee solo amp but after buying the HD800's my music world was turned upside down as they are so technically superior and revealing that all of a sudden a lot of my old faves sounded like noisy trash metal.  But unfortunately i cant and wont go back to the HD650's exclusively as I now know what is possible. I feel like a drug addict now on a never ending search for the highest high.


I don't agree on this, on my setup, both SS and tube sounds great with HD800.  The HD800 is not as forgiving as HD6xo series and a good source is needed in order for it to fully release it's potentials.

 

 

 

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post #50 of 157
3/22/12 at 7:06pm

The best amp I have heard with the HD 800 is the Luxman P-1.  Pair that with an Electrocompaniet ECD-1 or a Neko Audio D-100 and it will be about as "warmed up" as its gonna get.  In all likelihood, you simply don't like the headphone.  It happens.

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post #51 of 157
3/25/12 at 9:52am

The HD800 + A double Helix Cable + The GS-1 = Goodness like you would never think of..  In fact this amp has a range that works well with most if not all phones.  Note " I have not heard this amp with the LCD-2 or any HIFIMan as of yet"


Edited by preproman - 6/13/12 at 7:27pm
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post #52 of 157
3/28/12 at 3:57am

I would say it comes pretty darned close tongue.gif

Could This Be the Ultimate Headphone System?

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post #53 of 157
3/28/12 at 6:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by grokit View Post

I would say it comes pretty darned close tongue.gif

Could This Be the Ultimate Headphone System?


He did end the review with "The HD800's have a little more air and space; the T1's have a slightly lusher presentation, but the Edition 10's sound, "just right"."
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post #54 of 157
3/28/12 at 6:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by preproman View Post

The HD800 + A double Helix Cable + The GS-1 = Goodness like you would never think of..  In fact this amp has a range that works well with most if not all phones.  Note " I have not heard this amp with the LCD-2 or and HIFIMan as of yet"


I've heard the HD800 with stock cable on GS1, must say it sounds quite refined and tonally just a touch lean; much better than I imagine from a moderately priced ss amp.
Edited by sonq - 3/28/12 at 6:59am
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post #55 of 157
3/28/12 at 7:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanHell View Post

I am looking for a solution form the source side and do not have a big budget.

So might thinking about get a real DAC for my PC.

 

I am using RPX-35 right now and currently looked into the following dacs:

 

Benchmark DAC 1

CA DacMagic Plus

W4S DAC2

Music Hall DAC 25.3

PS Audio Dlink iii

 

I was looking for a warmer sound since the HD800 is a bit bright.

 

Anyone have good recons?

 

 


I use HRT MS2+ and Anti-IC; both warm sounding.
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post #56 of 157
3/28/12 at 7:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sonq View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by grokit View Post

I would say it comes pretty darned close tongue.gif

Could This Be the Ultimate Headphone System?


He did end the review with... the Edition 10's sound, "just right"."


Yeah he's a bit off... rolleyes.gif

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post #57 of 157
6/8/12 at 6:46am

I have done some research on the HRT MS2, and it seems to only support up tp 96khz. I do have many SACDs coming form my old sony 999ES player, so I am more leaning towards an 24/192 DAC.

 

Do you have any recon on D100 Mk2 + Red wine Audio Corvina Balance pair?

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post #58 of 157
7/11/12 at 7:36am

Any one have any idea about HDVD800 system?

 

Looks very very sexy~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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post #59 of 157
7/12/12 at 10:20pm

I bought the HD800's as an upgrade to HD650's and haven't regretted the purchase at all.

 

I own a Burson 160D and a Woo WA6.  The Woo WA6 with stock tubes is underpowered and can't drive the HD800 well at all.  However the WA6 with tubes upgraded has made it a worthy component.  I upgraded the drivers tubes to 6SN7's and I'm using a GZ34 (1957 metal base) for the rectifier.  I'm hearing that a holy grail tube would be a Western Electric 422a 274B, but it's in the $650 - $1400 range.  Plenty of power and the detail and soundstage is very nice.  The Burson 160D I've found to be quite harsh by comparison-- particularly through the upper midrange of the signal.  I much prefer the Woo over the Burson, and the 160D is now relegated to being a D/A converter for the system, until I sell it for a dedicated D/A.  

 

I am looking to greener pastures.  I think the WA6SE would be a decent upgrade, but I think I'm going to hold out and buy a WA5LE down the road.  By many accounts this is a very formidable match for the HD800.  Other amps I'm considering are the LiquidFire amp and the Dark Star from Ray Samuels (though admittedly, quite a bit out of my price range).  

 

My thoughts anyway-- avoid the Burson.  I wouldn't do that purchase again.  Also-- the Burson is not very well shielded.  If you have a CFL bulb or device (like a flat screen monitor) anywhere near it, you will pick up a hum unless you unplug it.


Edited by reeltime - 7/12/12 at 10:24pm
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post #60 of 157
7/13/12 at 2:05am

the WA6-SE is definitely much better than the WA6. has more than enough power to drive the HD-800 and really good dynamics. several times more powerful than the WA6

i use the sophia princess 274b and 6ew7 tubes on it.


Edited by Dubstep Girl - 7/13/12 at 2:08am
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