[lenroot77]

If you ever have a spare $140 try to find a used Vali with some tubes on the side, it's a great and cheapish step into tube audio. Compared to my Fiio k5 it really added a great deal of space and responded very well to different tubes, 6sn7s are especially good on it but require adapters to use.

As far as trying to manipulate a recording's overall presentation and spacing, I found OOYH to be a great tool. The various speaker effects each provide different layering and spacing of the music, but I found EQ must also be utilized in conjunction to it as some of the settings have unfavorable dips and peaks. It also greatly benefits from another software to upmix from 2 channels to 8 channels, which can be feed into OOYH to utilize the full 7.1 effect.

My guess is the Vali 2 and Modi multibit are the best budget setup for the hd800's?

 

[MikePio]

 

   
The most I do with my HD800 is add slight crossfeed and I have a pair of black treasures CV181-Z from a buffer (actually makes the sound slightly fuller and wider) though doesn't impart any major tube flavor like a traditional tube amplifier since from what I know it is a cathode follower with 100% negative feedback. I am happy with the sound on majority of recordings, but some few albums are so well produced that the difference is truly stunning. I don't think I have another headphones that does that... but perhaps EQ would remedy that to some degree. One day I would really like to purchase a real tube amplifier, but right now I really like the HA-5000 amplifier and it is top quality for SS. Detailed, airy and smooth just missing a bit of substance or fullness to the sound. I think to better the performance in a tube amplifier, I would have to spend lots of money... 

If you ever have a spare $140 try to find a used Vali 2 with some tubes on the side, it's a great and cheapish step into tube audio. Compared to my Fiio k5 it really added a great deal of space and responded very well to different tubes, 6sn7s are especially good on it but require adapters to use.
 
As far as trying to manipulate a recording's overall presentation and spacing, I found OOYH to be a great tool. The various speaker effects each provide different layering and spacing of the music, but I found EQ must also be utilized in conjunction to it as some of the settings have unfavorable dips and peaks. It also greatly benefits from another software to upmix from 2 channels to 8 channels, which can be feed into OOYH to utilize the full 7.1 effect.

 
Thanks for the recommendation! I could just use the black treasures I have now, just have to get the adapter. Will definitely put it on my watch list, just to see how it sounds. I currently have the Hifiman EF5 amplifier that uses 12AXU7 tubes (it is a hybrid amp) and I did not like the HD800 through it. So hopefully the Vali 2 will be different. 

 

[TheRealMVT]

Not to spoil it, but it will sound great.

Man oh man! You weren't kidding! Fantastic sound.

 

[Allanmarcus]

In case anyone cares, here's the HD800 in a Sentey GS-1401 Universal Black Carrying Case. Good case for lightweight protection 
 

 

[Hansotek]

My review for the DanaCable Lazuli is live. I know a few people were interested when I mentioned I was reviewing it, so here it is:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1116/Danacable_Lazuli_Reference_Headphone_Cables_Review.htm
 


 

 

[longbowbbs]

  My review for the DanaCable Lazuli is live. I know a few people were interested when I mentioned I was reviewing it, so here it is:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1116/Danacable_Lazuli_Reference_Headphone_Cables_Review.htm
 


 

@musicman59 handed me his new Focal Utopia's with the Dana Cables using the Wells Audio Headtrip at CanJam this month. Crazy good. I had a long talk with Dana about his cables too. I am a cable believer and his description of what he does is very compelling.

 

[FLTWS]

OK folks,
 
I just submitted my first review here (or anywhere for that matter)
 
DanaCable Lazuli SH HP Cable versus Moon Audio Black Dragon HD800 HP Cable  
 
LOL, I don't know how or if I can link for you.
 
Edit: Maybe this will work?
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/danacable-lazuli-sh-for-sennheiser-hd800-800s/reviews/17192 
 
What do you know, it works!

 

[shultzee]

Thanks FLTWS.  Good info there.

 

[McClelland]

@Allanmarcus. Just what I was looking for. Thanks

 

[twiceboss]

Can anyone here compare the piercing highs between HD800 and TH600?

My limit is TH600 highs, i cant go more than that. I want to buy HD800 but people keep telling the highs is too piercing

 

[icebear]

Can anyone here compare the piercing highs between HD800 and TH600?

My limit is TH600 highs, i cant go more than that. I want to buy HD800 but people keep telling the highs is too piercing

What type of music are you typically listen to?
The HD800 is telling it like it is, plain and simple. When the recording is great and wasn't messed up in all the production steps to sound great on low end consumer speakers and $10 ead buds, then it will sound great on the HD800. This is a great headphone for jazz and classic as these are usually good quality recordings. If you use a source that boosts treble to suggest "high rez" then the HD800 will let you hear that and this is what people claim is piercing highs. If you listen to a lot of rock and pop, better stay away from the HD800. Just my $0.02

 

[twiceboss]

 
What type of music are you typically listen to?
The HD800 is telling it like it is, plain and simple. When the recording is great and wasn't messed up in all the production steps to sound great on low end consumer speakers and $10 ead buds, then it will sound great on the HD800. This is a great headphone for jazz and classic as these are usually good quality recordings. If you use a source that boosts treble to suggest "high rez" then the HD800 will let you hear that and this is what people claim is piercing highs. If you listen to a lot of rock and pop, better stay away from the HD800. Just my $0.02

Im finding a headphone that can handle 320kbps and above. Mainly searching vocal emphasis songs like celine dion, adele, sia and also any new hit songs that have good vocals.

 

[Thenewguy007]

Can anyone here compare the piercing highs between HD800 and TH600?

My limit is TH600 highs, i cant go more than that. I want to buy HD800 but people keep telling the highs is too piercing

I owned a Fostex TH-900 & a HD800 at the same time.

The HD800 was NOWHERE as sibilant or piercing. A bit on the bright side, but I haven't heard any sibilance like I did with the Fostex.

 

[twiceboss]

I owned a Fostex TH-900 & a HD800 at the same time.

The HD800 was NOWHERE as sibilant or piercing. A bit on the bright side, but I haven't heard any sibilance like I did with the Fostex.

What kind of music you find sibilant on Fostex?

 

[Youth]

  What kind of music you find sibilant on Fostex?

 
Everything.