SAA HD 800 modification ?
Jan 17, 2014 at 11:32 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 118

icebear

Headphoneus Supremus
Joined
Jan 9, 2014
Posts
1,640
Likes
362
http://www.stefanaudioart.com/shop/stefan-audioart-hd800-ultra-mod/
 
Is this mod. by Stefan Audio Art brand new or has anyone already heard a modded version?
The short description doesn't reveal too much what he is exactly doing but it would be interesting to compare the effect of this treatment.
 
 
Just listening to:
Geri Allen "Grand River Crossings" via HD800 of course
wink.gif
 
 
Jan 18, 2014 at 12:31 AM Post #2 of 118
I was not aware of this mod.  Given the shockingly high prices of his Sennheiser cables, I would have thought a headphone mod would cost more than $380. 
 
I did once own a Stefan Audio Arts headphone cable for my HD650s, which had an "ice pick" like presentation that made the headphones unlistenable.  I think I will stick with the stock version of the HD800.
 
Jan 18, 2014 at 8:40 AM Post #3 of 118
  I was not aware of this mod.  Given the shockingly high prices of his Sennheiser cables, I would have thought a headphone mod would cost more than $380. 
 
I did once own a Stefan Audio Arts headphone cable for my HD650s, which had an "ice pick" like presentation that made the headphones unlistenable.  I think I will stick with the stock version of the HD800.


I have had a totally different experience. I have been using the Stefan Audio Arts Endorphin cable for my HD800 and I am extremely happy with the results. The sound is more delicate than the stock cable, and the sound stage is wide and open. The transparency is simply awesome, and performers and instruments are placed within the sound stage with pin point accuracy. The music just flows, and listening to my HD800 in this set up has been a delightful experience (only when the recording is well made though...this set up is just like a microscope, and will expose flaws in badly recorded music).
 
Of late, I bought a OCC silver cable for my HD800 (after a very long wait, might I add). This cable has received much exposure and praise in these forums. I played music and pink noise through this cable for 2 weeks continuously...and listened. Oh dear! The bottom end has gone; the treble is exaggerated. I listen to a lot of baroque and chamber music, and I find the silver cable's presentation unnatural. I am an amateur violinist and I have performed with an amateur orchestra. I also attend classical concerts regularly so I believe I have a fair idea of what sounds right and what sounds unnatural. I am definitely staying with the Endorphin. As for the silver cable...I am thinking seriously of selling it.
 
Jan 18, 2014 at 9:25 AM Post #4 of 118
I have the HD800 just since beginning of this week and it's not yet broken in apperantly and I am only driving it with my e20 DAC. That said... the conditions are far from optimized [and of course I'm using the infamous stock cable
wink.gif
] I have nothing to complain about.
 
I do not have the impression of aggressive highs or lacking bass but I am coming from 20 years of Stax.
So in my small booklet there is nothing about the HD800 that needs correction. A lot of cables or the damping mod. are trying to modify certain characteristics in the FQ range (e.g. less treable, more bass). I think I don't need any of this.
 
Cables or modifications that improve on the strength of the HD would be interesting though. I am in the 2014 batch of a GS-X Mk II and at some point laaaater this year
redface.gif
, I will need a balanced cable for the HD for the XLR connection to the headamp. That's why I was screeing info on cables and stumbled over this "HD800 Ultra mod".
 
I agree, the Endorphin range is way out there in terms of price (I'd need 12 ft) but I have not seen any negative comments but one, if I remember correctly. And in case you don't like the sound, they come with a money back guarantee.
 
I am not a musician who can ultimately judge how natural the presentation of audio equipment is (great to have such opinions here ! ). I enjoy live concerts in the NYC Metro area, mostly classic and Jazz in the smaller clubs. When listening to recordings I look for that live feeling with all the details that are happening, a closeness that ultimately will give you the excitement and goosebumps as if you have been there that night.
 
Looking forward to hear some experiences / comments on the SAA mod. of the HD800.
 
Jan 18, 2014 at 9:32 AM Post #5 of 118
Given my positive experience with the SAA Endorphin cable, I am definitely keen to try their HD800 mod. I shall be contacting them soon. Thanks for posting this information
o2smile.gif

 
Jan 19, 2014 at 1:37 PM Post #7 of 118
Some more thoughts on the SAA "Ultra mod." since I stumbled over it ...
 
When a product is developed in research, they go for what is possible technically but once it comes to a product that gets actually launched in the market, it will need to be modified for :
 
1. price
2. availablity of parts
3. a standard production process
4. reliability
5. robustness in handling
6. not "too good" - there needs be some room for improvement left over for the HD850 / HD900 ...
 
So there might be some aspects of the "Ultra mod." that undo some of the above "harm" and push the HD800 even further.
I'm really curious about reviews on this work.
 
Jan 19, 2014 at 6:50 PM Post #8 of 118
Two thoughts. First, this mod better be good, as a headphone that has been modded by SAA would be difficult to sell used. In fact, it could sell for less than a stock version, given that the sale obeys the law of the "market for lemons" (everyone knows that the seller knows a lot more about the product than the buyer, and that asymmetry depresses the price.). Second, when all is said and done, a SAA cable plus this mod would cost $1100. For most people (unless they already own a top of the line amp), their money would be better spent on a better amp, not mods and new cables. I own two really good amps -- the Apex Teton and the ECP L-2 -- and the stock version of the HD800 sounds fantastic with them. No sibilance. No fatiguing highs. Plenty of great bass. With these amp, I have zero interest in modding the HD800.
 
Jan 20, 2014 at 8:52 AM Post #9 of 118
I completely agree.
First optimize source and amp and if you feel there is still room for improvement consider something like the Ultra mod.
Actually I am so happy with the SQ I am already getting from the HD800 with the stock cable hooked to the e20 DAC, I am wondering how much better can it get with a GS-X MkII but I'm in...
 
Jun 20, 2014 at 1:19 PM Post #12 of 118
I own two really good amps -- the Apex Teton and the ECP L-2 -- and the stock version of the HD800 sounds fantastic with them. No sibilance. No fatiguing highs. Plenty of great bass. With these amp, I have zero interest in modding the HD800.

 
Have you by chance posted impressions comparing these two amps in the past?  I would very much like to read them if so.
 
Jun 28, 2014 at 12:39 PM Post #13 of 118
No impressions on this mod here I see.
I only read of one poster impressions in another site,
Which was positive but also useless as no details were posted..
 
Jun 28, 2014 at 12:55 PM Post #14 of 118
Until you get a third party to measure and review your mod properly, you're an unknown quantity. Talk is cheap ... I can blab about vibration control with the best of them. :)

You need to sell modded headphones with a no questions asked return policy for me to take you seriously anyway.

Also, these guys are an outfit that sells thousand dollar cables and they also claim hard-wiring the cable is audible. :)
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top