[frankrondaniel]

I have stopped the equipment climbing with the oppo HA-1 which is a dac/amp.

This is the best sounding I have owned to date.

To match this level sound in separates, you have to go over $1k each on amp and dac. ($2k total)

To surpass this combo you have to go over $2k each on dac & amp.($4 total)

It powers my hd800 very well and I haven't herd the hd800 sound better yet out of anything in that price range ($1200)

This combo will be a long "pit stop" for me, as anything noticeably better would be expensive "end-game" level and I don't feel a need to spend over $5k on maybe 5% improvement. .

So at this point, I can only recommend the HA-1 for any headphone not just the hd800,
And I would skip all "mid-tier" level equipment untill you have savings to by $1k & up level stuff like the HA-1.

I would stick with a schiit Vali untill then..

Just my experience and opinion. .
Yours may vary.

 
Thanks for that feedback - I've been considering the HA-1.  Would you be able to describe the synergy with the HD800 in more detail?

 

[Maxx134]

Thanks for that feedback - I've been considering the HA-1.  Would you be able to describe the synergy with the HD800 in more detail?

Yes.
For a time I started to realize that the hd800 soundstage is actually a bit exaggerated and sometimes instruments or parts of centered music sounded unnaturally stretched out..

Once I attained the HA-1 it solved this by "filling in" the wide soundstage with more details and spacial cues and ambiance so as to not sound unnatural any more..

Then I finally did the anax2.0 mod with much less :creatology foam"(only around driver unit) so as to keep the bass soundstage and original overall signature as before.
Now I have what I feel is a balanced sound With very little loss of soundstage because of the HA-1 power when using the balanced xlr output which delivers more voltage and power to the hd800 so it has excellent control. .

The Ha-1 has very lively transparent sound without any harshness as you know the hd800 would reveal anything.

Also I use a Cardas cable and maybe makes a 0.5% improvement overall.

Also using a "Furman power station" to keep the line clean..
Gave like almost a 1% improvement

Also using an Audioquest Carbon USB cable and that made another 2% improvement. .

Check the ha1 thread everyone says it is a transparent amp and dac is top Sabre and only thing that they try to put it up against is "end game" level stuff..

 

[frankrondaniel]

Yes.
For a time I started to realize that the hd800 soundstage is actually a bit exaggerated and sometimes instruments or parts of centered music sounded unnaturally stretched out..

Once I attained the HA-1 it solved this by "filling in" the wide soundstage with more details and spacial cues and ambiance so as to not sound unnatural any more..

Then I finally did the anax2.0 mod with much less :creatology foam"(only around driver unit) so as to keep the bass soundstage and original overall signature as before.
Now I have what I feel is a balanced sound With very little loss of soundstage because of the HA-1 power when using the balanced xlr output which delivers more voltage and power to the hd800 so it has excellent control. .

The Ha-1 has very lively transparent sound without any harshness as you know the hd800 would reveal anything.

Also I use a Cardas cable and maybe makes a 0.5% improvement overall.

Also using a "Furman power station" to keep the line clean..
Gave like almost a 1% improvement

Also using an Audioquest Carbon USB cable and that made another 2% improvement. .

Check the ha1 thread everyone says it is a transparent amp and dac is top Sabre and only thing that they try to put it up against is "end game" level stuff..

 
Thanks for the info - I'll check out the HA-1 thread as well.

 

[Maxx134]

There is a review link on page 49 of the oppo ha1 thread.
The review basically said that
the HA-1 larger width and good separation qualities will accentuate the natural presentation of the hd800. .
So basically it is a recommended unit for the hd800

Edit: Funny how that review actually verified what I commented on about soundstage here and in that thread a while back. .
Edit:
Also don't agree with that review on planar headphones. .
To me the he560 is the one that changes the price point/value barrier

 

[preproman]

Battle of the All-in-ones..  Which one pairs best with the HD800
 
Sennheiser HDVD800
 
Mcintosh MHA-100
 
Oppo HA-1
 
Burson Conductor

 

[kkcc]

  Battle of the All-in-ones..  Which one pairs best with the HD800
 
Sennheiser HDVD800
 
Mcintosh MHA-100
 
Oppo HA-1
 
Burson Conductor

 
Wow looking forward to this.... not that I'm looking at any of these in particular but it would be a good shootout!  would be great if you can also throw in a NFB27/28 from audio-gd.....

 

[Canadian411]

  Battle of the All-in-ones..  Which one pairs best with the HD800
 
Sennheiser HDVD800
 
Mcintosh MHA-100
 
Oppo HA-1
 
Burson Conductor

Can't wait. anyone has all 4 ?

 

[preproman]

  Can't wait. anyone has all 4 ?

 
I sure don't - just saying it would be a good mini meet for someone..

 

[nephilim32]

Honestly, it's hard to compare.  The reason I say that is because my DHC is a balanced cable and the stock was single ended so it is not exactly an apples to apples comparison.  Having said that, switching to the new cable (and going balanced) did improve the sound.  What I noticed primarily was an increase in clarity and separation; but again, I don't know how much of that was from the interface change vs the cable.

You hear a lot of people talking about going to copper tames the highs of the HD800's, I personally did not experience that: that transition happened when I changed amps regardless of the cable or interface.  What I can tell you is that it is an extremely well made cable that looks great.  It is quite a bit stiffer and heavier than the stock cable is does get in the way.  Ergonomically it is inferior to the stock cable and the lead time is long.  

It sounds like I am bashing the cable, but I'm not.  These are just things I didn't know about it before I bought it and found.  I feel that for the quality and build of the cable it is well priced.  It looks great, feels great, and definitely ups the 'pride of ownership".  

I have personally never experienced radical changes to sonic performance with any interconnect; mostly just slight refinements on the existing sound YMMV.  I guess what I am saying is that if you have a system that you already love and want just a little more transparency and effortless out of it, a quality cable like the Comp2 is a great way to squeeze out that next 0.5%.

I hope this helps.  Cables can be a tough thing...  Heck, people are still arguing if they even make an audible difference .

-Paul

So well said. Could not agree more. These are my findings as well. Cables biggest differences or improvements lie in aesthetics mainly.

 

[Canadian411]

Yape same for me. Cable upgrade is mainly for the look unless the stock cable is really really cheap.

 

[nephilim32]

I have stopped the equipment climbing with the oppo HA-1 which is a dac/amp.

This is the best sounding I have owned to date.

To match this level sound in separates, you have to go over $1k each on amp and dac. ($2k total)

To surpass this combo you have to go over $2k each on dac & amp.($4 total)

It powers my hd800 very well and I haven't herd the hd800 sound better yet out of anything in that price range ($1200)

This combo will be a long "pit stop" for me, as anything noticeably better would be expensive "end-game" level and I don't feel a need to spend over $5k on maybe 5% improvement. .

So at this point, I can only recommend the HA-1 for any headphone not just the hd800,
And I would skip all "mid-tier" level equipment untill you have savings to by $1k & up level stuff like the HA-1.

I would stick with a schiit Vali untill then..

Just my experience and opinion. .
Yours may vary.

I opinions will always vary to a huge degree when it comes to high end audio equipment. I am finding that a lot of amps and DACS out there aren't necessarily better than the other just different. Some however, are far better for the money and that is where quality research and testing really comes in handy.

I've heard amazing things about that OPPO HA-1. It's definitely major bang for your dollar. I would take it over the HDV800 anyday and I'd save around 600$!!

Actually between my system's set up for headphone use I think I spent around 200$ more than you did, and you claim that the DAC portion in the OPPO measures up to the ARCAM irDAC? That's amazing then. The ARCAM performs like a 1500$ DAC and to my ears it's not a 'mid tier' DAC. It's completely high end, so I guess you are sitting pretty with that OPPO. Sounds great. Love to try it some day. Well done and enjoy.

Lastly I'm sure the amp portion in the OPPO is every bit as good as say, the Burson soloist. I have found that amps don't make as dramatic a change compared to adding DACs into your sound chain. Getting a good DAC is far more noticeable I have found.

 

[nephilim32]

Yape same for me. Cable upgrade is mainly for the look unless the stock cable is really really cheap.

I will tell ya something, the stock cable on the HD 800 is far from cheap. It's very high end and a quality build. Cables are something you should tinker with when you've reached an 'end game' or are completely satisfied with your chain of sound. They can be a huge waste of money if one is not careful.

 

[bigfatpaulie]

I will tell ya something, the stock cable on the HD 800 is far from cheap. It's very high end and a quality build. Cables are something you should tinker with when you've reached an 'end game' or are completely satisfied with your chain of sound. They can be a huge waste of money if one is not careful.

 
Amen to that!!  

 

[nephilim32]

Hey Lug, I don't doubt you have experience.  The more gear you go through the more experience you have going through the gear. And I'm sure you've run into ones that you like and those that weren't please to your ears.  In the end, this is hobby, and for some search is the part of the fun.  Finding the right synergy as we all call it here is what we are all after so that we can get the best out of the phones.  I don't doubt you have gone thought lots of gear, and found the best that is pleasing to your ear. What is best to your ears it the best to your ears.  Transparency is on the top of the list for alot of us here, and we find it in different ways, whether it be the 800, or the right amp with it, or another setups.  Anyway, thanks for your posts, and those others that tried to help through my short journey. 

Enjoy your 800s guys.  

I'm really not looking to invest a whole lot to perfect the sound, so I will just stop like others recommended.  

Yo Silver!
It's alright to be inquisitive the way you have been, and I understand the urgency for answers when you are eager to buy some quality gear. It's certainly a lot of apples and oranges out there. Most high end equipment brands aren't necessarily better than the other...just different. These are my findings. Also. If you decide on getting the HD 800's over say, the LCD's or the crazy expensive electro static headphones Stax sr-009 certain AMP/DAC pairings are very necessary. For instance if you dig live music with a very neutral sound with fairly tight bass you go for the 800's with an SS amp. If you really dig warmth in your sound with punchy/blooming bass get the AUDEZE LCD 3's and pair it with a warm tube amp. If you want the whole grand picture where you can have any option of sound you want get the STAX and pair it with an electrostatic amp. That would be an "end game" but would cost ya 10-12 g's!!!

All in all. It amounts to sound tastes. Like I would never say the WA-SE6 woo audio tube amp is better than the Burson soloist. They are just different and both would certainly bring out all the character the 800's exhibit.

Have fun shopping around. I'm gonna take your advice and enjoy my 800's now.

 

[Canadian411]

I will tell ya something, the stock cable on the HD 800 is far from cheap. It's very high end and a quality build. Cables are something you should tinker with when you've reached an 'end game' or are completely satisfied with your chain of sound. They can be a huge waste of money if one is not careful.

Yape I don't think the hd800 stock cable is bad. I still use the stock cable but probably will get shorten or buy 4 ft balanced cable from plussound.

One thing I noticed is the grado cables.
I had sr80i and replaced with diy my own mogami quad cable and noticed the difference.

That's just one example that I can share with you where the stock cable isn't that good.

I can be wrong but grado cables are cheap I think.

Anyone has the spec on grado cables?