The (new) HD800 Appreciation Thread - Page 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawrster 

 

There are two balanced dacs that I am aware of under $500 but I certainly am no expert at the price range. They are the Matrix mini-i which I have never heard and the Yulong D100. I believe the latter is just about $500 and it is a very good dac but also has an ok amp. I did not have the HD800 at the same time as the D100 but it was a pretty good dac esp at $500. It won't be perfect but a pretty versatile unit in how you want to use it. I think it might be comparable to my concero but it's been a long time since I owned it. Balanced dacs under $500 are not that plentiful unfortunately. 

For a balanced DAC under $500, a used PS Audio DLIII is a great option IMO.

For under $2500, the W4S DAC-2 is the best I've heard. For under $5k, I like the Weiss DAC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfetan44 

I'd say my budget it around $1500 for the Amp/DAC. The Mojo/Gungir is a little high but thats fine. $1700 is THE very top..

Well, the amp part is easy. Pick up a used M^3 or Dynalo. Easy to find, cheap ($300-$500), and are still the best in and significantly beyond their price range. The M^3 is very forgiving and its sound can be tailored so that would be my leading recommendation.

For the DAC, get the best you can afford. Read reviews, stick to used (DACs depreciate quickly), and pay attention to experienced folks and not newbies parroting others' opinions. Also, DAC technology moves ahead fast, so try to avoid very old digital sources.

Got mine today after dealing with Colorware for seven weeks. Doubt I'll do business with them again, but their paint job is phenomenal!  As for the HD 800s, they tend to drown out the bass in music, but I'm chalking that up to my Fiio E17/E9 combo and the fact they're fresh out of the box.  A few days of break-in and the ASUS Essence One arriving on Thursday should give them a lot more breathing room.

Initial Impressions

I'd definitely put the HD 800 in the "atmospheric" category than "performance".  I don't get the impression of a distinct sound stage in front of me like I did with the 555s; instead, it feels like I'm "surrounded" by the music, without it being "in my head" like many IEM's and cheap cans produce.  It's definitely a trippy feeling, and my brain loves it (especially with some Paul Van Dyk or Eric Prydz).  The cable feels much longer than the 555s, but nothing I can't manage (these are used in a desktop setup).  About to fire up some games and see how they fare, as I really loved my 555s for gaming.

Music Impressions

Using iTunes (no ASIO compatible gear for Foobar), playback of lossless and HD music sounded fantastic. I know a lot of people complain they sound bright, and there is that distinct sharpness on the highs, but they don't seem to live up to that reputation; could be the Fiio holding them back, though.  Paul Van Dyk's Evolution album sounds great, though the lows are restricted by my gear.  Pretty Hate Machine by NIN (1989 release) sounds very crisp and the various synths well separated; again, lack of bass by the Fiio.  Immersion by Pendulum has the same symptoms of Pretty Hate Machine: everything is well differentiated, but bass just isn't there from the little Fiio amp!

You sure it's the Fiio?

Positive. Equalization or frequency boosting does nothing to the overall sound except heavily distort what little bass there already is.

More later...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose 

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfetan44 

I'd say my budget it around $1500 for the Amp/DAC. The Mojo/Gungir is a little high but thats fine. $1700 is THE very top..

Well, the amp part is easy. Pick up a used M^3 or Dynalo. Easy to find, cheap ($300-$500), and are still the best in and significantly beyond their price range. The M^3 is very forgiving and its sound can be tailored so that would be my leading recommendation.

For the DAC, get the best you can afford. Read reviews, stick to used (DACs depreciate quickly), and pay attention to experienced folks and not newbies parroting others' opinions. Also, DAC technology moves ahead fast, so try to avoid very old digital sources.

Could I get some links for the M^3 or the Dynalo? I can't find them!! What DAC were other people thinking?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinGN 

Initial Impressions

I'd definitely put the HD 800 in the "atmospheric" category than "performance".  I don't get the impression of a distinct sound stage in front of me like I did with the 555s; instead, it feels like I'm "surrounded" by the music, without it being "in my head" like many IEM's and cheap cans produce.  It's definitely a trippy feeling, and my brain loves it (especially with some Paul Van Dyk or Eric Prydz).  The cable feels much longer than the 555s, but nothing I can't manage (these are used in a desktop setup).  About to fire up some games and see how they fare, as I really loved my 555s for gaming.

I  guess I never have enough of that "atmospheric" feeling. I've been experimenting with some dsp to push it further. The big image separation of the hd800, and the hot treble, are a bit distracting, for something "atmospheric".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxvla 

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfetan44 

Could I get some links for the M^3 or the Dynalo? I can't find them!! What DAC were other people thinking?

M3 and Dynalo are DIY type amps, but some are made commercially. Have you tried searching with those names in the Amps for sale forum?

I'd like them new. Where are they made commercially?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxvla 

I'm not sure any are in current production. Perhaps someone else will know of a source. You could always try to build one yourself too

Oh god. What a mess that would be

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxvla 

Depending on who you are meaning with price point. For Wolf that blows his whole budget without an amp.

 (I will not speed read....I will not speed read....)

What about the new Woo Firefly? Amp/Dac and under budget?

Quote:

Originally Posted by longbowbbs 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxvla 

Depending on who you are meaning with price point. For Wolf that blows his whole budget without an amp.

 (I will not speed read....I will not speed read....)

 

What about the new Woo Firefly? Amp/Dac and under budget?

I'd love to go balanced, but is it not that big of a deal: balanced?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfetan44 

I'd like them new. Where are they made commercially?

One of the best current builders out:

http://solderworksaudio.com/index.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by preproman 

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfetan44 

I'd like them new. Where are they made commercially?

 

One of the best current builders out:

 

http://solderworksaudio.com/index.html

I feel like an idiot, but I don't see prices, and I know there aren't prices there. Best way to know is to contact? Also, would that amp also work well with the LCD-3 you think?