Amp/dac for disappointed HD800 owner - Page 7

Well, like I said, I barely remember each of their respective sound sigs; but I did try the Bryston for a longer period with more tracks. The b22 was not balanced, whereas the bryston was. From what I remember, the Bryston was more transparent and imaged a bit better. I'm gonna have to compare again!

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll be doing a bit of research I guess. If I can get a worthwhile upgrade in sound over stock while maintaining tube budget under 500$, then I may just buy the WA22 and whatever other SS that synergizes well with the HD800

I just noticed on your profile that you own both. Owning them makes it much easier to get a consensus. What are your opinions on each in comparison to one another? Have you compared them side by side at any point?

 

The Bryston is on it's way soon.  It's going to have to be a really good one to beat this Beta.

Edited by preproman - 7/26/12 at 1:46pm

I use my hd800s with a adl gt40 amp/dac in my loft recording studio.. i thought about getting a wa6 after a good read through all the threads on headfi and the woo audio amp coming out as the top choice for the hd800s i but didn't in the end through lack of space i know it's $120 over your budget but if you look on the for sale forums one just might pop up..

Edited by our martin - 7/26/12 at 1:45pm

Just wait for 20 more days, you will see how good the HDVD 800 is~~~~~ For me, I am going to buy it right away. I trust a company that can pull off the HE90 system is capable of design an headphone amp that works ultra good with there own headphones.

Why is the BHA-1 being talked about as if it can't compete on transparency?  It kills the V200, Burson, Phonitor in that regard.  It's one of the most transparent SS amps I've heard.  People have been saying the GS1/X is perhaps less so.  I'm hoping to hear the BHA-1 versus the Luxman P200, GSX and production Mjolnir soon.

 

Umm, are you aware of the bad HE90 amps they released or just the good ones?

 

 

I agree with this statement 100%  

 

Though I do find the GS-1 as being one of the most transparent amp I have ever heard.  The BHA-1 is running side by side with it in that regard.  As Anaxilus said.  The BHA-1 just kills those other amps in transparency.  It's really in a different league all together.

Edited by preproman - 8/9/12 at 11:48am

 

 

Well, I siad this two weeks ago before I got the BHA-1.  Now I have to said the BHA-1 beat the Beta in more ares than the Beta beat the BHA-1 in.  The only real thing the Beta has over the BHA-1 IMHO would be Bass impact, and Attack.  Now with that being said.  The BHA-1 is no slouch when it comes to these areas - not at all, in fact it has a different level of Bass quality than any amp I've heard.  It will make you love the HD800 on a SS amp for this very reason.

Edited by preproman - 8/9/12 at 11:48am

This. Yes, their are synergistic qualities with certain combos but in general, amps give more of seasoning or flavoring if you will. Not a total over haul in sound.

The HD800 does not have a lot of bass impact compared to other high-end options and it has been documented in several places that there is a bit of funkiness (6kHz spike) in the treble.

Sure tubage can add some soothing fuzz to quell the harshness (at the cost of transparency if you ask me, but I'm not a tube guy). That's the whole draw of tubes.

I owned the HD800 for several months and then sold it. Its a great headphone but not for everyone.

Negakinu gave you the best advice. Sell it and look for something that is more your sound profile and matches the music you listen too.

 

Well, at least now my statement makes sense! I was honestly very surprised by the Bryston, I know people would have a hard time believing me when I said I preferred it to the Beta but it seems like you can even agree now.

 

Wonder how the mjolnir stacks up against the BHA-1

I saw one guy that had both amps in his sig.  I'm not sure if he really has both or not.  I asked him to compare them, no reply as of yet.

 

Don't get me wrong.  The Beta is still the funner amp to listen to.  But that's because of the color it adds, where as the BHA-1 does not add color, if it does it's very little.

How would you rank the Bryston, soloist and the beta in terms of transparency? 

 

Well, IMHO the Beta is not a transparent amp.  However, the BHA-1 excels in transparency.  I have not heard the Soloist.