[khaine1711]

I don't quite get it either.
 
Even a 6k VPI turntable must surely be much cheaper than a yatch of that size? 

 

[LugBug1]

Or, it sounds that good you just sail away with the music..

 

[longbowbbs]

It is a metaphor for the constant cost of tinkering and upgrading....Of course, you can use the TT in the winter....

 

[palmfish]

Its the law of diminishing returns - like all things. You can get a good turntable for less than $400 (cartridge included) and be done. Beyond that, there's room to spend and tinker, but it isn't necessary.

 

[bearFNF]

How about this one instead? WOW!!!
 

 
Oh, and I did hear a change in the HD800's over the first couple of days, bass came up and treble softened, both ever so slightly.  I was also switching between about four different phones at the time comparing them all.  Now I mostly listen to the HD800 and PS500.

 

[bearFNF]

Quote:

For the more open minded folks, this article makes for great reading.

http://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/speaker-break-in-fact-or-fiction

But but but that is for speaker enclosures, headphones are a hole different thing...

 had to say it before any ones else.

 joking and sarcastic here

 
It was a good read, though interesting stuff.

 

[ericfarrell85]

Using 2 amps in a headphone chain is silly. I also don't think the Beta is a good HD800 amp at all. If shelf space is truly the problem, running 2 large double case amps is not the way to fix that.

Given the big picture and the laws of diminishing return most of what we do here falls within the purview of silly. I wasn't satisfied with the HD800 and the Zana, and neither was I satisfied with the Beta. Together they play well and cover most of the bases. Same case applied to the LCD. The Decware amps, Taboo and CSP2+, when together, provide enough of an improvement for me to justify the expenditure and shelf space. If it's silly, it's in the way that any purchase intended to improve upon a current sound is silly.

As for shelf space I've already built upwards of 7 feet vertical. Unless I plan on enshrining these amps with a 12 foot structure, a couple of them, the "redundants", should probably be sold.

 

[Takeanidea]

Given the big picture and the laws of diminishing return most of what we do here falls within the purview of silly. I wasn't satisfied with the HD800 and the Zana, and neither was I satisfied with the Beta. Together they play well and cover most of the bases. Same case applied to the LCD. The Decware amps, Taboo and CSP2+, when together, provide enough of an improvement for me to justify the expenditure and shelf space. If it's silly, it's in the way that any purchase intended to improve upon a current sound is silly.

As for shelf space I've already built upwards of 7 feet vertical. Unless I plan on enshrining these amps with a 12 foot structure, a couple of them, the "redundants", should probably be sold.

Utter madness but we love it

 

[preproman]

Quote:

Given the big picture and the laws of diminishing return most of what we do here falls within the purview of silly. I wasn't satisfied with the HD800 and the Zana, and neither was I satisfied with the Beta. Together they play well and cover most of the bases. Same case applied to the LCD. The Decware amps, Taboo and CSP2+, when together, provide enough of an improvement for me to justify the expenditure and shelf space. If it's silly, it's in the way that any purchase intended to improve upon a current sound is silly.

As for shelf space I've already built upwards of 7 feet vertical. Unless I plan on enshrining these amps with a 12 foot structure, a couple of them, the "redundants", should probably be sold.

 
So eric,
 
Don't remember any of your impressions with the HD800 and the Dynahi?  Your Dynahi is SE not balanced?  
 
I have a 2013 build coming doing a lot of things different in the build to make an attempt to pair well with the HD800s
 
Anyway would like to read your impressions of the two together.

 

[CEE TEE]

Finally sprung the amp that has been an unrelenting curiousity for me, the Balancing Act. Between the BA, Zana, balanced Beta and Dynahi I'll be able to try all kinds of combinations with this, my favorite dynamic headphone. If the preamped Zana into a 3 channel Beta was any indication, the BA unto a balanced Beta should be a real knockout. Now comes the hardest part of choosing which amps will need to go. I've run out of shelf space.

Cool, congrats! I've always wanted to live with both ZD and BA at the same time too...which output tubes will you run in the BA? I found that the Solid Plate EML 300B almost gave the extra low end and high end like a Beta 22, might be doubling up there. And I prefer the KR PX-4 and Solid Plate EML 300B to the Mesh Plate in the BA. Definitely interested to hear your thoughts on the different combos and tubes. You've got similar stuff but a lot more!

 

[MIKELAP]

Quote:

+1 
 
I recently re-aquired some K701's and my HD800's sound like HD650's in comparison. (only in brightness)
 
That said, I do know there is a tweak in the treble top. It's there but its not nearly as pronounced as some peeps exclaim. It helps bring out detail, but I've never heard them sound harsh or too bright. This is a badly beaten up deceased horse of a subject, but a subject that will always be of consideration with these phones. Its a shame because If I'd never read about the peak I really wouldn't have noticed it. Or gave it a second thought.. 

Same here . 

 

[belisk]

Got the HD800(2XXXX) today, i'm pairing it with a Concero HP(sabre 9018) portable DAC, must be a good combo because i've not found the HD800 to be bright or have any hint on sibilance of any kind, even average recordings sound good, everything sounds smooth.

 

[ericfarrell85]

Cool, congrats! I've always wanted to live with both ZD and BA at the same time too...which output tubes will you run in the BA? I found that the Solid Plate EML 300B almost gave the extra low end and high end like a Beta 22, might be doubling up there. And I prefer the KR PX-4 and Solid Plate EML 300B to the Mesh Plate in the BA. Definitely interested to hear your thoughts on the different combos and tubes. You've got similar stuff but a lot more!

Thanks, I've wanted to hear the BA for a long time now. I'll be using solid plate EML 300B with a TS round plate in the driver. I'll probably spring for an PX-4 in the future to see what all the fuss is about. I'm hoping the slightly thicker 300B will mesh well with the HD800. As for the Zana I may not have much use left for it, but it's been my favorite piece of equipment for so long that I'll likely keep it in the event I want a more OTL type sound. Besides the AD2000 and HD650 are really very close to perfect on the Zana.

 

[songmic]

Quote:

Thanks, I've wanted to hear the BA for a long time now. I'll be using solid plate EML 300B with a TS round plate in the driver. I'll probably spring for an PX-4 in the future to see what all the fuss is about. I'm hoping the slightly thicker 300B will mesh well with the HD800. As for the Zana I may not have much use left for it, but it's been my favorite piece of equipment for so long that I'll likely keep it in the event I want a more OTL type sound. Besides the AD2000 and HD650 are really very close to perfect on the Zana.

 
Although the 300B's thick warm sound may be a good match with the HD800, I've read many people saying they prefer the PX-4 far more, even with the HD800. Then again, I've never heard it myself, so I'm really curious.

 

[NightFlight]

recalled post