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Amp/dac for disappointed HD800 owner - Page 6

post #76 of 157
7/17/12 at 11:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anaxilus View Post

O2 is cheap enough but doesn't do the HD800 justice and won't pair well.  Might as well get a SA5000, 940/1840 or T1 and pocket the difference.  Sure some people like the HD800 sound w/ cheaper gear, even a laptop HO but you aren't remotely hearing what they can do at that point so why bother. 

It's just I have a chance to get the hd800 in a trade which probably won't be available to me later so I'm going to pick them up now then worry about a higher end amp/dac after. I was just looking for something decent to use in the mean time.

EDIT: Lucky me... I'm going to a meet with people bringing the beta22, mkVI+ and some other nice amps which I will hopefully get to try with the HD800 if I get them in time.
Edited by GL1TCH3D - 7/17/12 at 11:57am
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post #77 of 157
7/21/12 at 7:30am

Sennheiser IE 800 £500 Earphones, HDVD 800 Headphone Amp Announced

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Sennheiser has revealed its most expensive IEM earphones yet. The Sennheiser IE 800 will sell for 599Euro, which will likely equate to between £499 and £599. At this price, they'll compete directly with the top non-custom sets on the market, including the mighty Shure SE535. Sennheiser's first headphone amp has also been unveiled. It's called the HDVD 800.

The Sennheiser IE 800 are - we believe (awaiting confirmation) - dual-driver earphones that match a dynamic driver with an armature driver, offering a claimed frequency response of 5-46,500Hz. The main driver measures 7mm, which Sennheiser says makes it the smallest in the world. Using such tiny drivers allows the IE 800 to remain very small-bodied compared with many top-end sets - the triple-driver Westone and Shure models are relatively chunky.

IE 800
(image credit: SlashGear)

They do seek to create a distinct image, though, with an unusual cable design and dual vents on the back. We can't yet confirm whether they use a removable cable, but when the much cheaper IE 8i earphones do, there's little chance Sennheiser won't bring the feature in here.

The Sennheiser HDVD 800 headphone amplifier has also been announced. It's not cheap at 1499Euro, but is sure to look and feel the part.

It's constructed from aluminium, with a transparent glass window up top to give you a view into its internals. It'll take digital signals up to 24-bit, 192k - so has all the audiophile cred it needs.

Sennheiser HDVD 800
(image credit: SlashGear)

Naturally, Sennheiser says it's designed primarily for use with its HD range of headphones - the HD 800, HD 700, HD 650 and HD 600. However, we can't imagine many people with anything less than an HD 800-grade headphone would be willing to spend £1000-plus on a headphone amplifier.

The Sennhesier IE 800 earphones will cost 599Euro and will be available from "Summer 2012". The 1500Euro HDVD 800 will launch in September.

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post #78 of 157
7/21/12 at 8:06am

wow very nice!

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post #79 of 157
7/21/12 at 8:50am

HIGH END 2012: Sennheiser debuts HDVD 800 digital headphone amp

5 May 2012

Sennheiser HDVD 800

We missed this new Sennheiser headphone amp when it broke cover in April, but spotted it at the High End show in Munich this week.

The digital HDVD 800 has a fully symmetrical layout and can handle sampling frequencies of up to 24-bit/192kHz. It's been developed to work particularly with Sennheiser's HD series of high-end headphones.

Sennheiser provides a specially made cable for a symmetrical connection from the headphones to the amp. The headphones can also be connected using a normal 6.3mm jack.

For use with digital sources, the HDVD 800 is equipped with a Burr-Brown digital-to-analogue converter (DAC). Digital connections include an AES/EBU input, optical, coaxial and USB sockets. The USB 2.0 port offers 24-bit data transmission at 192kHz.

Sennheiser HDVD 800

A rotary gain switch on the rear of the amplifier provides regulation of the amplifier output to the audio input voltage.

Both the housing and potentiometer control, as well as the rotary switch for source selection, are made of anodised aluminium, while the front panel and other controls are milled from solid material.

"With the HDVD 800, Sennheiser is... providing the perfect combination of Sennheiser headphones and a specially matched amplifier," says Maurice Quarré, director of Sennheiser's product lifecycle management.

The Sennheiser HDVD 800 will be available in Europe from September.

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post #80 of 157
7/21/12 at 3:49pm
My biggest problem with the IE800 is they look like they're open back, meaning they'll lack isolation.
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post #81 of 157
7/21/12 at 4:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GL1TCH3D View Post

My biggest problem with the IE800 is they look like they're open back, meaning they'll lack isolation.

 

That's precisely what I'm hoping for.  I have enough isolating IEMs already.  Give me superb low volume listening in as open a design as possible please, thx.

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post #82 of 157
7/25/12 at 4:39pm

So I've reached the point where I can put down money for two amps (for two different locations) for my HD800's. Ideally, I'm looking for an SS amp that will pair well with the hd800's. It's a challenge, but I'd prefer to avoid purchasing/replacing and matching tubes; it can get out of hand. For SS amps, I was thinking Mjolnir, Bryston BHA-1, HDVD 800 (hopefully the synergy is 'meant to be') or the SPL Phonitor.

 

I've loaned the Hifiman EF6, and found it to be a disappointment, but it was pre-production.. Also tried out the BHA-1 which wasn't actually that harsh considering it's Bryston. I liked it, but I wonder how it compares.

 

Otherwise I'd get the WA22, my initial choice... Thing is, it's pricier and it uses tubes. Maybe if I get one tube amp and one SS, I'd just settle for this.

 

Anyone have good recommendations of SS amps for the HD800's. Doesn't necessarily need to warm the sound/tame the highs; but if it doesn't, I'd like something as transparent as possible that wouldn't boost the highs.
 

Schiit Mjolnir/ Bryston BHA-1/ HDVD 800/ SPL Phonitor/ Woo Audio WA22. Opinions, feedback and recommendations are up for discussion!

 

gs1000.gif


Edited by dleblanc343 - 7/25/12 at 4:42pm
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post #83 of 157
7/25/12 at 4:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dleblanc343 View Post

So I've reached the point where I can put down money for two amps (for two different locations) for my HD800's. Ideally, I'm looking for an SS amp that will pair well with the hd800's. It's a challenge, but I'd prefer to avoid purchasing/replacing and matching tubes; it can get out of hand. For SS amps, I was thinking Mjolnir, Bryston BHA-1, HDVD 800 (hopefully the synergy is 'meant to be') or the SPL Phonitor.

 

I've loaned the Hifiman EF6, and found it to be a disappointment, but it was pre-production.. Also tried out the BHA-1 which wasn't actually that harsh considering it's Bryston. I liked it, but I wonder how it compares.

 

Otherwise I'd get the WA22, my initial choice... Thing is, it's pricier and it uses tubes. Maybe if I get one tube amp and one SS, I'd just settle for this.

 

Anyone have good recommendations of SS amps for the HD800's. Doesn't necessarily need to warm the sound/tame the highs; but if it doesn't, I'd like something as transparent as possible that wouldn't boost the highs.
 

Schiit Mjolnir/ Bryston BHA-1/ HDVD 800/ SPL Phonitor/ Woo Audio WA22. Opinions, feedback and recommendations are up for discussion!

 

gs1000.gif

 

 

There's the GS-1 / GS-X- They're as transparent as your going to get.  I like the M^3 with the HD800s, the M^3 is a very warm SS amp - pair vary well with bright headphones.  I heard good things about the V200 and the Soloist as well. 

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post #84 of 157
7/25/12 at 5:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dleblanc343 View Post

So I've reached the point where I can put down money for two amps (for two different locations) for my HD800's. Ideally, I'm looking for an SS amp that will pair well with the hd800's. It's a challenge, but I'd prefer to avoid purchasing/replacing and matching tubes; it can get out of hand. For SS amps, I was thinking Mjolnir, Bryston BHA-1, HDVD 800 (hopefully the synergy is 'meant to be') or the SPL Phonitor.

I've loaned the Hifiman EF6, and found it to be a disappointment, but it was pre-production.. Also tried out the BHA-1 which wasn't actually that harsh considering it's Bryston. I liked it, but I wonder how it compares.

Otherwise I'd get the WA22, my initial choice... Thing is, it's pricier and it uses tubes. Maybe if I get one tube amp and one SS, I'd just settle for this.

Anyone have good recommendations of SS amps for the HD800's. Doesn't necessarily need to warm the sound/tame the highs; but if it doesn't, I'd like something as transparent as possible that wouldn't boost the highs.

 
Schiit Mjolnir/ Bryston BHA-1/ HDVD 800/ SPL Phonitor/ Woo Audio WA22. Opinions, feedback and recommendations are up for discussion!

gs1000.gif

You will not disappointed with either beta22 or WA22, I love both pairing with hd800.
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post #85 of 157
7/25/12 at 5:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jc9394 View Post


You will not disappointed with either beta22 or WA22, I love both pairing with hd800.


I slightly preferred the wa22 over the beta. The beta is SS, but it's too big for my desk area lol! redface.gif

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post #86 of 157
7/25/12 at 5:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dleblanc343 View Post


I slightly preferred the wa22 over the beta. The beta is SS, but it's too big for my desk area lol! redface.gif

 

With WA22, you will need to upgrade the tubes.  The stock one does not pair well with HD800.

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post #87 of 157
7/25/12 at 5:50pm

yeah that's the thing. The one I had on loan had upgraded tubes, that's why I liked it. And that's also why I'd prefer not getting it because I can imagine the stock tubes not quite doing the job. I think I actually preferred the bha-1 when compared next to the b22. Audio memory is literally nothing though, so I can't quite confirm this either.

 

Any experience with the Phonitor guys?
 

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post #88 of 157
7/25/12 at 5:53pm

You say you liked the Bryston better than the Beta?blink.gif

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post #89 of 157
7/25/12 at 5:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by preproman View Post

You say you liked the Bryston better than the Beta?blink.gif

 

Not sonically, maybe he mean the size wise.

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post #90 of 157
7/25/12 at 6:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dleblanc343 View Post

yeah that's the thing. The one I had on loan had upgraded tubes, that's why I liked it. And that's also why I'd prefer not getting it because I can imagine the stock tubes not quite doing the job. I think I actually preferred the bha-1 when compared next to the b22. Audio memory is literally nothing though, so I can't quite confirm this either.

 

Any experience with the Phonitor guys?
 

 

If you do you research, the upgrade tube are not that bad.

 

TS 5998 ~ 150/pair

Treasure ~ 150/pair

USAF 596 ~ 40/each

 

My preference for HD800 with budget

GEC 6080 or TS 5998 

TS 6F8G

USAF 596 or EML 5U4G

 

Money no object

GEC 6AS7G

TS 6SN7 BGRP 

USAF 596 or EML 5U4G

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