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SAA HD 800 modification ?
Aug 6, 2014 at 4:03 PM Post #31 of 118
music alchemist said:
  I intend on buying at least two HD 800s - one stock, another with the hardwired SAA Endorphin cable and ultra mod - and publishing detailed comparisons between them. Once I do so, I will try and remember to provide a link to it in this thread.
 
About the hardwired cable, James Serdechny (the owner of Stefan AudioArt) told me this in a private email:
 
@preproman That is a gorgeous HD 800!
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As for the materials used:
 
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That's gonna be interesting.
Thanks for making the effort and expense and sharing the results.
This will be the only way to find out what kind of improvement this mod. is really doing.
 
Aug 6, 2014 at 4:29 PM Post #32 of 118
icebear said:
  That's gonna be interesting.
Thanks for making the effort and expense and sharing the results.
This will be the only way to find out what kind of improvement this mod. is really doing.
Click to expand...

 
It better be interesting.
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One review was published on the ultra mod page, and others can be found on Head-Fi if you search for them.
 
Aug 6, 2014 at 8:29 PM Post #33 of 118
music alchemist said:
   
It better be interesting.
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One review was published on the ultra mod page, and others can be found on Head-Fi if you search for them.
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I have seen this customer feedback on the SAA website but I would trust a fellow head-fi member more with his judgment than a single unknown person's comment on the manufacturer website.
 
Very much looking forward to your actual review, i.e. comparison of orginal vs "SAA Ultra modded" HD800.
 
Aug 6, 2014 at 8:58 PM Post #34 of 118
icebear said:
  I have seen this customer feedback on the SAA website but I would trust a fellow head-fi member more with his judgment than a single unknown person's comment on the manufacturer website.
 
Very much looking forward to your actual review, i.e. comparison of orginal vs "SAA Ultra modded" HD800.
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It would be convenient if everyone with impressions/reviews posted in the review section here, but that'll never happen.
 
In order to find what you're looking for, it's best to use creative search engine techniques. Here is one that may help. Experiment with the wording to get even more results.
 
I hope to buy an Abyss system (also with the Endorphin cable) before the year ends. At that point, I could easily afford whatever else, including equipment to take measurements and such.
 
Aug 6, 2014 at 9:42 PM Post #35 of 118
Thanks for the search advice, some interesting info.
Some members here have the SAA modded HD800 already, if I was in a hurry I would pm them.
 
As for your adventure into the Abyss ... I take for granted that you have already heard them ?
Besides the sound (NYC spring meet with WOO amp),
900x900px-LL-2cc25d01_AbyssWoo.jpeg

sound stage (not even close to HD800 level), the weight of the phone is simply a deal breaker. After 5 min. I got a headache starting, no way I could wear them for 2hrs. But that's just my personal issue. A lot of folks have no problem with the comfort of the Abyss. Certainly something you are looking forward to, I can imagine, enjoy
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.
 
Aug 7, 2014 at 7:14 PM Post #36 of 118
music alchemist said:
   
It better be interesting.
biggrin.gif
Click to expand...

 
As much as I hate to admit it, the SAA Ultra Mod works. Considering how much some aftermarket cables cost, and the complexity of the mod (special mounting for the driver, direct wiring, etc.). $379 is not a bad price.
 
Aug 7, 2014 at 8:06 PM Post #38 of 118
It's different. The Anax mod tames the overall treble, the peak, and lessens the diffuse stage effect - and does nothing with the cable. The FR response definitely changes.
 
The SAA mod does several things at once, so it's hard to break down everything. To start, I've liked every direct wire mod on the HD800s I've heard - and cable differences are always difficult to describe - other than the stock Senn silver/copper cable is very sharp sounding. So yes, direct wire cable mod is good.

The SAA mounting and dampening scheme of the driver definitely appears to have a tangible effect. Not sure if it would show much on an FR measurement, but might see results on a CSD. Just seems smoother, more refined, blacker background. Possibly more resolving because of this. Hard to say. But there definitely was improvement all around without changing the fundamental character of the HD800.
 
There no reason you can't apply sort of a scaled down Anax mod on top of the SAA mods. Might be interesting.
 
Aug 7, 2014 at 8:18 PM Post #39 of 118
Originally Posted by purrin /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
To start, I've liked every direct wire mod on the HD800s I've heard - and cable differences are always difficult to describe - other than the stock Senn silver/copper cable is very sharp sounding. So yes, direct wire cable mod is good.
Click to expand...

 I'd heard there is an internal silver over copper wire that needs to be replaced on the HD800.  Have you heard that, or seen it done?  Maybe I'm just confused and direct wiring is about as far as it goes.  I'm considering putting together a solid OCC silver cable, maybe on a new HD800 so it would be nice to do it up right . .
 
Aug 7, 2014 at 8:24 PM Post #40 of 118
purrin said:
  It's different. The Anax mod tames the overall treble, the peak, and lessens the diffuse stage effect - and does nothing with the cable. The FR response definitely changes.
 
The SAA mod does several things at once, so it's hard to break down everything. To start, I've liked every direct wire mod on the HD800s I've heard - and cable differences are always difficult to describe - other than the stock Senn silver/copper cable is very sharp sounding. So yes, direct wire cable mod is good.

The SAA mounting and dampening scheme of the driver definitely appears to have a tangible effect. Not sure if it would show much on an FR measurement, but might see results on a CSD. Just seems smoother, more refined, blacker background. Possibly more resolving because of this. Hard to say. But there definitely was improvement all around without changing the fundamental character of the HD800.
 
There no reason you can't apply sort of a scaled down Anax mod on top of the SAA mods. Might be interesting.
Click to expand...

 
Invaluable insights as always! I know you've done lots of measurements in the past, but I'm definitely not a tech guy.
 
When you say that it's smoother and more refined without changing its fundamental character, do you mean it's just as accurate/neutral/balanced as the stock HD 800?
 
...Now to find people who have the Endorphin cable for the Abyss!
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Aug 7, 2014 at 8:37 PM Post #41 of 118
rico613 said:
   I'd heard there is an internal silver over copper wire that needs to be replaced on the HD800.  Have you heard that, or seen it done?  Maybe I'm just confused and direct wiring is about as far as it goes.  I'm considering putting together a solid OCC silver cable, maybe on a new HD800 so it would be nice to do it up right . .
Click to expand...

 
 I assume it's the last leg of the stock Senn wire from the jack to the driver. I think a lot of cable guys think that is the weak link. With a standard cable swap, you only replace the cable from the phono plug to the jacks.
 
Aug 7, 2014 at 9:35 PM Post #42 of 118
purrin said:
   I assume it's the last leg of the stock Senn wire from the jack to the driver. I think a lot of cable guys think that is the weak link. With a standard cable swap, you only replace the cable from the phono plug to the jacks.
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I wonder if 18 AWG would be too heavy for re-cabling?
 
Oct 19, 2014 at 1:32 PM Post #43 of 118
music alchemist said:
   
It would be convenient if everyone with impressions/reviews posted in the review section here, but that'll never happen.
 
In order to find what you're looking for, it's best to use creative search engine techniques. Here is one that may help. Experiment with the wording to get even more results.
 
I hope to buy an Abyss system (also with the Endorphin cable) before the year ends. At that point, I could easily afford whatever else, including equipment to take measurements and such.
Click to expand...

I am also looking at the SAA HD800 mod and I was wondering if you had been able to realize your test. Comparing also with the Abyss ?? Would be surprising that this mod could upgrade the Senn to Abyss level. $379 for a $4000 price difference....
 
Oct 19, 2014 at 2:08 PM Post #44 of 118
cladane said:
  I am also looking at the SAA HD800 mod and I was wondering if you had been able to realize your test. Comparing also with the Abyss ?? Would be surprising that this mod could upgrade the Senn to Abyss level. $379 for a $4000 price difference....
Click to expand...

 
For me the HD800 is much better - apart from the fact that I can't wear the Abyss for more than 10 min. w/o getting a headache from the weight. The HD800 has a much better sound stage and the Abyss clearly produces an "inside the head" impression for me. An absolute no go in my book.
 
At a level of HD800, Abyss, SR-009, LCD-3 it's about personal preference in sound signature and personal music preference and not about the price sticker. The sound of the HD800 and Abyss are pretty different and the SAA will not turn the HD800 into something that sounds like the Abyss ... just a guess
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, as I haven't had my HD800 modded
wink.gif
 
 
Oct 19, 2014 at 2:28 PM Post #45 of 118
cladane said:
  I am also looking at the SAA HD800 mod and I was wondering if you had been able to realize your test. Comparing also with the Abyss ?? Would be surprising that this mod could upgrade the Senn to Abyss level. $379 for a $4000 price difference....
Click to expand...

 
I actually decided to focus on an SR-009 system first, since that's what I was going to upgrade to anyway.
 
icebear said:
  For me the HD800 is much better - apart from the fact that I can't wear the Abyss for more than 10 min. w/o getting a headache from the weight. The HD800 has a much better sound stage and the Abyss clearly produces an "inside the head" impression for me. An absolute no go in my book.
 
At a level of HD800, Abyss, SR-009, LCD-3 it's about personal preference in sound signature and personal music preference and not about the price sticker. The sound of the HD800 and Abyss are pretty different and the SAA will not turn the HD800 into something that sounds like the Abyss ... just a guess
biggrin.gif
, as I haven't had my HD800 modded
wink.gif
 
Click to expand...

 
The only conclusion I can make is that you barely spent any time with the AB-1266. (And you did imply that you only heard it for a few minutes.) You have to get a proper fit by adjusting the headband and ear pads, at the least. This is a similar phenomenon as the HD 800: many people get a bad first impression, but those who spend much more time with them typically end up being very impressed.
 
Cables obviously won't make a headphone sound like another, and that's not what anyone should be going for anyway. Each of the top-tier headphones have plenty of unique things to offer. Even if I had all the others, I would still be interested in the HD 800.
 
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