The (new) HD800 Impressions Thread
May 4, 2016 at 1:36 PM Post #22,561 of 28,976
That is actually hitting the nail on head, people don't usually practice it but its so true.
I have learnt it the hard way but its not easy to practice.


I'm learning it now with the HE-6s. Why oh why didn't I choose the 560 or 500.
 
May 4, 2016 at 2:16 PM Post #22,562 of 28,976
 
I'm learning it now with the HE-6s. Why oh why didn't I choose the 560 or 500.

 
You should really get a DNA Stratus. It is arguably the best for the HD800, it is also my personal favorite for the HE-6, and it's entire design was inspired by the idea of building an amp for the pain-to-drive K1K, which I've noticed on the wish list in your sig. 
 
I'd highly recommend trying one out. I've seen a lot of your posts, between here and the HE-6 thread, and I feel like this amp is the cure to your amping woes .
 
May 4, 2016 at 2:21 PM Post #22,563 of 28,976
   
You should really get a DNA Stratus. It is arguably the best for the HD800, it is also my personal favorite for the HE-6, and it's entire design was inspired by the idea of building an amp for the pain-to-drive K1K, which I've noticed on the wish list in your sig. 
 
I'd highly recommend trying one out. I've seen a lot of your posts, between here and the HE-6 thread, and I feel like this amp is the cure to your amping woes .

I sold my HE-6 after purchasing the Stratus.  While it is one of the best amps I've heard for the HD800, it's definitely not the best amp I've heard for the HE-6.  
 
Don't get me wrong, it doesn't sound bad... but it severely lacks the dynamics and visceral bass that I got when I ran it from the speaker outputs of my Parasound power amp.
 
May 4, 2016 at 2:26 PM Post #22,564 of 28,976
I sold my HE-6 after purchasing the Stratus.  While it is one of the best amps I've heard for the HD800, it's definitely not the best amp I've heard for the HE-6.  

Don't get me wrong, it doesn't sound bad... but it severely lacks the dynamics and visceral bass that I got when I ran it from the speaker outputs of my Parasound power amp.


I felt just the opposite, actually. I heard the most visceral dynamics and bass I've ever heard from the HE-6 on the Stratus. As I understand it, this has absolutely everything to do with the tube choice.
 
May 4, 2016 at 11:10 PM Post #22,571 of 28,976
   
You should really get a DNA Stratus. It is arguably the best for the HD800, it is also my personal favorite for the HE-6, and it's entire design was inspired by the idea of building an amp for the pain-to-drive K1K, which I've noticed on the wish list in your sig. 
 
I'd highly recommend trying one out. I've seen a lot of your posts, between here and the HE-6 thread, and I feel like this amp is the cure to your amping woes .

Why not just get a (much cheaper) speaker amp, and use the MJ2 as my preamp? It retails for—what, 3700? I'm not really after something that expensive short of electrostatics, and even then it's SR-009 and likely the Mjolnir-Audio balanced reimagining of the GES (which is a bit under 2k)
 
May 5, 2016 at 12:38 AM Post #22,572 of 28,976
Hey everyone it has been awhile, it is great to be back!

Finally pulled the trigger on the HD800 and bought them blind. Expected a cold and analytical sound I was very skeptical especially coming from headphones like the K701 and AT-W5000. Luckily for me I built a system around taming these headphones which in theory should synergies very nicely with the HD800. And boy was it a shock to the system... The clarity and resolution was just on another level right when I put them on. The harshness and treble hotness was not there. The soundstage is stupendous. Listening to a good classical recording was one of those "hair standing everywhere" experiences. The bass is probably the most defined and controlled I have ever heard. The slight issue would be that the vocals are very neutral in every sense and sometimes can be a bit recessed, but on some recordings it has proven me wrong (at least on the recessed part). A master-class headphone. Glad to be part of the club :) Check out this pic, my mother is never interested in anything audio but when morning I caught her enjoying them lol... That was a first.
 
May 5, 2016 at 2:06 AM Post #22,573 of 28,976
Why not just get a (much cheaper) speaker amp, and use the MJ2 as my preamp? It retails for—what, 3700? I'm not really after something that expensive short of electrostatics, and even then it's SR-009 and likely the Mjolnir-Audio balanced reimagining of the GES (which is a bit under 2k)

Because you'll get lesser sound. If you do go the speaker amp route, at least do it right. But even down your proposed upgrade path, I'd rather have the HD800 & HE-6 with a Stratus than a SR-009 & (insert whatever amp here). Don't get me wrong, the SR-009 is really good, I just don't find it to be very musically engaging.

The Stratus is $2,700, BTW. I'm not suggesting you order one on blind faith. I'm just saying, if you do get a chance to hear one at a meet or whatever, give it a listen.
 

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