Amp and DAC for HD800 - Page 4

 

 

So, would the HD800 be a good combo with my V200 and Rega DAC? My LCD-2 is amazing with them.

Hi there,

I own a pair of HD800s and a Violectric V100 and it's as though they were made for each other, it's just pure bliss. The V100 has more than enough power to drive them to insane levels if you wish, but it's the quality of Violectric Amps that really makes the difference. When it comes to neutral Amps, of those I've heard of course, only the HeadAmp GS-1 and the Anedio D2 DAC (and Amp) really rival Violectric, but when it comes to the overall Amp specs (Anedio's DAC is better than the optional and internal 24/96 DAC module for the V100/V200), I think the V100/V200 have the advantage.

I first heard about the HD800 when a friend of mine visited the HighEnd fair in Munich in 2009. He told me that there were only 3 HD800s available at the HighEnd fair 2009; one at the Sennheiser booth, a second one at the booth of German record label TACET, and a third one at Violectric/Lake People's booth. The third one, Axel Grell, the engineer behind the HD800s, personally handed over to the Lake People/Violectric booth, because he personally thought the Violectric Amps were the most worthy ones to present the new HD800s.

I could hardly come up with a better recommendation than that, when it comes to pairing the HD800s with a V100, and If you won't be needing the extra power of the V200, you can even get their 24/96 DAC module installed in your V100 and still dish out less than the price of the V200.

Cheers!

Edited by Zakir - 9/21/12 at 2:20pm

Has anybody tried a hd800 and violectric v100 paired together? Do they work well together?

Just look at the post above..you may find your answer there..

Hi jc9394

 

I have not tried all tube amps or SS amps with the HD800 so I cannot make a sweeping statement about them

 

But so far, I found that tube amps tend to work better with the HD800--I used RCA, Mullard and Telefunken to good results with the RWA Corvina, and even with the venerable Melos SHA-Gold.

 

Among SS HPA that are in production and available, I found the Vioelectric HPA V200 to be a great match for the HD800, followed closely by the HPA V181 (balanced).  The HD800 is not power hungry when compared to the Hifiman HE-6 so the slightly more sophisticated sound of the V200 edges out the more impactful sound of the V181.  The reverse is true with the HE-6.  Next year our friendly Lake People will come out with the balanced version(s)  of the V200 so you would need only one amp for both the HD800 and HE6 if you want to go the SS route.

 

Ultimately, it's the combination of  amp-cable-headphone together that you have to choose--yes, unfortunately, the cable makes as much sonic difference as the amp.  I have done more listening to the HD800 with UPC (Cardas type), OCC copper, silver-coated UPC and silver-coated OCC copper and pure OCC silver with the RWA Corvina or V200.  In these systems, it became apparent that the HD800 does not sound its best with silver-containing wires, which appears to further exagerate the weaknesses of these headphones.  I do not believe it's good vs. bad wires but rather it's a matter of compensating strengths and weaknesses.  The combination HD800/Silver sounds harsh and somewhat thin with overly taut bass, not a pleasant sound.  Copper, especially OCC from Toxic Cables (Copper Venom), excels in smooth highs and full bass thus compensating for the weaknesses of the HD800.  The combination HD800/Copper Venom with either the Corvina or the V200 sounds smooth and yet detailed with wide soundstage and surprisingly full and tight bass.  It's pure magic! The only rivals to this combination I've found are the LCD3/Silver Poison/Corvina and HE-6/Copper Venom/V181. 

I made mention of this in one of the HD800 threads, but it's more pertinent here: I'm heavily leaning towards purchasing an Emmeline II "The Raptor" Headphone amp to go alongside my HD800. I'd say 12-1500 is my spending limit. I intend to use it for all kinds of music. Someone recommended the V200 over it, but from what I've read thus far, I'm not quite sold on it, even though it is a bit cheaper. Thoughts?

Edited by Instrumental - 9/27/12 at 10:38am

I never tried V200 for a long period of time except during a meet, it is a great amp and pair very well with HD800.  IMHO, I like the HD800 with tubes much better, particular with WA6SE, I like the female voice presentation much better.  I'm using beta22 now, not because I like it better and still have the WA22, it is my 18 months daughter she love to turn the knobs whenever she see one.

 

How does the V200 and the B22 compare with the HD800?

Beta22 is the best SS amp I ever heard, not sure anything can beat it. With beta22, headphone cable choice is very critical and finally end up with Q Cable. With that being said, I like it much better than V200 but it also cost more and like I said before I did not spent too much time with v200 is take it with gain of salt.

I've heard many of the truly great SS amps for the HD800s and IME, I'd take the GS-X fully balanced with a Q Audio Cable. Simply the most transparent SS amp I've heard with the HD800s. A close second was the B22 and honourable mention to both the GS-1 and V200 (in that order). I hear very good things about the Soloist though, but I haven't heard it yet.

Peter,

 

How does the B22 fit in between what some say are the same amps?

 

GS-X  and GS-1

The B22 is a great amp with the HD800s, very musical while still tight. But I still find the GS-X more transparent and a clearer window into the recording. Its a quicker sounding amp with slightly tighter bass and the treble doesn't seem as pushed back. That said, I would put the B22 in a close second to the GS-X, but ahead of the GS-1.

MH, what DAC you are using? I did a very long comparison between beta22 and GS-X and finally decided to keep the beta22. I'm using PWD MKII.

 

Both the Bryston BDA-1 and W4S DAC-2. Depends what you're looking for. A more musical presentation with rounded off edges and boomier bass with a bit off the top, then the B22. For an ultra transparent/true to source wire with gain sound with tight bass with laser imaging, then the GS-X. 

 

 

I can see this.  I found the same with the GS-1 as well.  The B22 is just a more fun listen.  However, the M^3 with the HD800s is funner not better technically but sounds fuller more akin to a tube amp - but not..   When I had the GS-1 everything was a tad bit clearer but not as fun to listen to.  That said the GS-1 was one of the best technically sounding amps I've heard.

 

Can't wait to get the new GS-X.