hpiper said:

Which of these amps would you think best for someone on somewhat of a budget.
 1; DNA Sonett 2
 2. Bryston BHA-1
 3. One of the Bottlehead amps. either SEX or Mainline.
 or ??? Limit $1500

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The HD800s work best with tubes, IMO but I really did not care for the Sonett when I owned it. The Stratus is supposedly much better, but is more expensive. If you are only planning to use the HD800s, I would highly recommend an OTL like the Bottlehead Sex. Other options: A used Apex Peak with a warm input tube, a used Super 7 with RCA 6SN7s, or an ECP L-2 if you can find one used. All are excellent, and better than any of the Woo amps except the WA5.

souprknowva said:

   
 
 
 
 
This is a comparison I have been doing for a week or so now at my place on my own. Im powering the 009s with the KGSSHV and the 800s with the Super 7. the super 7 running single ended and the HV running balanced, both out of the Master 7.
 
My initial thoughts are that the 009s has a better overall tonal balance. With more present deep bass, and highs that are slightly subdued in comparison. On my good recordings the strengths of the 800s outshine the 009s I would say. The larger soundstage and better detail come through. But since a lot of what I listen to is not the best sounding metal, the 009s are smoother, making everything sound better. They also for some reason provide better instrument separation on the worst of my recordings, whereas the 800s do better instrument separation on anything else...its kind of weird.

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Chase,  Did I read somewhere that you are thinking about selling your 009s?

preproman said:

  Chase,  Did I read somewhere that you are thinking about selling your 009s?

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I haven't decided anything like that yet...I was hoping to be able to when I bought the 800s before the 009s arrived. And while I still think the 800s might be "better"( in that I think they more easily discern differences in downstream gear ) I think I still like the 009s more...this will take some time to figure out. In the mean time I have two amazing rigs at the same time 

souprknowva said:

  I haven't decided anything like that yet...I was hoping to be able to when I bought the 800s before the 009s arrived. And while I still think the 800s might be "better"( in that I think they more easily discern differences in downstream gear ) I think I still like the 009s more...this will take some time to figure out. In the mean time I have two amazing rigs at the same time 

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your super7/HD800 is competing with the 009/KGSSHV ....... that's interesting. 

souprknowva said:

I haven't decided anything like that yet...I was hoping to be able to when I bought the 800s before the 009s arrived. And while I still think the 800s might be "better"( in that I think they more easily discern differences in downstream gear ) I think I still like the 009s more...this will take some time to figure out. In the mean time I have two amazing rigs at the same time 

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Interesting on the detail note. I run my HD800 out of a BA and sometimes a Zana Deux and my SR009 out of a lowly KGSS, but still the SR009 extract more detail out of a given recording. It could be the Lampizator rounding off and smoothing out some of the upper and lower frequency information, not sure.

minimus said:

The HD800s work best with tubes, IMO but I really did not care for the Sonett when I owned it. The Stratus is supposedly much better, but is more expensive. If you are only planning to use the HD800s, I would highly recommend an OTL like the Bottlehead Sex. Other options: A used Apex Peak with a warm input tube, a used Super 7 with RCA 6SN7s, or an ECP L-2 if you can find one used. All are excellent, and better than any of the Woo amps except the WA5.

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I have actually heard the HD800 out of both the SEX and Mainline and it was very good on both. I am surprised no one is saying anything about the Bryston. I was reading the thread on that amp and people were falling all over themselves with praise for that amp. Was it just that new toy syndrome that soon wore off?

magiccabbage said:

your super7/HD800 is competing with the 009/KGSSHV ....... that's interesting. 

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I would say they are both very good, but they are different as well. Its going to take me a while to figure out which one to keep. part of me would love to save the money and ditch the 009s and the HV. but then I really do think I like the 009s more, especially for the majority of my music that isn't recorded particularly well. I dunno, its proving to be one of the hardest comparisons Ive ever had to do in audio...and I havent even replaced the caps in the signal path on the Super 7 yet...

souprknowva said:

 

magiccabbage said:

  your super7/HD800 is competing with the 009/KGSSHV ....... that's interesting. 

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I would say they are both very good, but they are different as well. Its going to take me a while to figure out which one to keep. part of me would love to save the money and ditch the 009s and the HV. but then I really do think I like the 009s more, especially for the majority of my music that isn't recorded particularly well. I dunno, its proving to be one of the hardest comparisons Ive ever had to do in audio...and I havent even replaced the caps in the signal path on the Super 7 yet...

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Listening to widely different genres will usually reaveal any hidden sonic traits that each headphones has.
 
30-60min of classical listening (string and full scale)
30-60min of vocals (female and male)
30-60min of jazz and blues (instrumental and vocal)
30-60min of pop (old and new)
30-60min of rap (if you can stand it)
30-60min of trance, techno and dubstep
30-60min of rock and heavy metal
 
Let's call it the "7h-Method", and if you do this and take notes you should have a pretty fair idea of the the strenghts and weaknesses of each device. The way you would do it in practice is that you pick a number of songs and then you listen to each song twice, while switching headphone in between.
 
I'm actually in a similar boat, I'm very happy with my HD800 rig but if I was to upgrade I'm not sure if I should keep going the HD800 route or go for the SR-009. The SR-009 is expensive but when you start comparing whole systems the price difference is probably minimal.

Hi,
 
Has anyone here heard the Krell KSA-5 with the HD800?
 
Long story short, I'm looking for a SS amp to pair with this headphone but I'm stumped. I have tried both the AURALiC Taurus MK2 and HeadAmp GS-X MK2 and they did not really do it for me. The AMB Beta 22 is quite better than those two but it's DIY only.
 
Your suggestions will be kindly appreciated.
 
Cheers,
Jeremiah

jeremiahs said:

   I have tried both the AURALiC Taurus MK2 and HeadAmp GS-X MK2 and they did not really do it for me. The AMB Beta 22 is quite better than those two but it's DIY only.

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They do come up for sale, if you're patient.  That said, your listening tastes clearly run completely counter to my own, and to most listeners here.  I'm not sure you want my suggestions.

jeremiahs said:

  Hi,
 
Has anyone here heard the Krell KSA-5 with the HD800?
 
Long story short, I'm looking for a SS amp to pair with this headphone but I'm stumped. I have tried both the AURALiC Taurus MK2 and HeadAmp GS-X MK2 and they did not really do it for me. The AMB Beta 22 is quite better than those two but it's DIY only.
 
Your suggestions will be kindly appreciated.
 
Cheers,
Jeremiah

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A violectric V200 or Luxman P1 might work for you.
 
There is also the Burson HA-160. It does make the HD800 a little flabby in the bass, like a tube amp. But on the other hand it is very warm and inviting and has some punch to it. It is a bit of a strange amp, and very seldom recommended for the HD800. But hey.... if you don't like the Taurus and MK2 your tastes are clearly not like other people so what the heck, give it a try.

jeremiahs said:

  Hi,
 
Has anyone here heard the Krell KSA-5 with the HD800?
 
Long story short, I'm looking for a SS amp to pair with this headphone but I'm stumped. I have tried both the AURALiC Taurus MK2 and HeadAmp GS-X MK2 and they did not really do it for me. The AMB Beta 22 is quite better than those two but it's DIY only.
 
Your suggestions will be kindly appreciated.
 
Cheers,
Jeremiah
 

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http://www.head-fi.org/t/707050/beta22-3-channel
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/616399/3-channel-beta-22-with-backplane-2nd-price-reduction
 
If you like the B22 sound, then you may also like the V200

Let's hope Ragnarok will join the party! 

maxvla said:

I'd go BHA-1 out of those choices, but if you can extend to $1700, the new Schiit Ragnarok (shipping this month) is expected to be excellent with HD800s. Wait and see what people think of that before buying, IMO. Another one to keep an eye out for is the ECP Audio Black Diamond ($1600) that is also shipping this month. Reviews and impressions of it's prototype say it's a great match for the HD800s. I will have the GS-X2, Ragnarok, and Black Diamond side by side for a review soon.

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I'll wait for your impressions with great trepidation!

Hi i opted for the new Woo WA7 with the new PSU. I only use the amp section and actually plug my classe audio omega preamp into the WA7, keep the sound on my WA7 at 11 o'clock and use the classe volume control as it is remote controlled. Once i did the "Anaxilus" mod on my HD800 which tamed the highs and boosted the lows (a prerequisite in my opinion for the few dollars it costs) the sound now attained a perfect balance: non fatiguing, dynamic, impactful, detailed, airy, great out of head sounstage, great layering, grain free. I finally attained my goal of having a great substitute to my main speaker rig whenever i need it. Have compared the standard and upgraded PSU for the WA7 at the montreal Son & Image audio show in march and the upgrade was a no brainer. Presently have the upgraded tubes on the PSU but still awaiting delivery for the upgraded tubes on the amp itself which were backorder for a little while. The internal dac was surprisingly good but since is use an Emm Labs dac2 in my system, it rendered the internal dac obsolete. The amp section though is in my opinion extremely good and makes an ideal combo with the HD800 that scales very well with high end stuff.