[up late]

The K701 and K501, although rated at 62 and 120 ohms, respectively, posed very difficult loads necessitating higher gain and more current.  Amplifier matching could be very difficult.

Not sure whether EXACTLY the same thing goes for the K812, but I am using the Fitz-improved Bada PH-12 hybrid to good effect, an amp that drove the K701 well.  In addition, the SS Lehmann BCL works well, too, with the gain setting at zero.

doubt that would be an issue with the k812 based on its specs and my audition. its rated impedance is 36 ohms. it got along just fine with the ancillary gear it was partnered with. it really is unfussy and easy to drive. similar to grados in that way.

 

[Cotnijoe]

doubt that would be an issue with the k812 based on its specs and my audition. its rated impedance is 36 ohms. it got along just fine with the ancillary gear it was partnered with. it really is unfussy and easy to drive. similar to grados in that way.

 
Cant quite agree with that statement. Source and amping makes a WORLD of difference with the K812. Yes, just about anything I've used can drive it to acceptable volumes, if not more, but the sound you get out of it varies IMMENSELY.
 
Not even comparing my desktop rig to an iphone or something, cuz that's obviously a bit unfair. Compare my HTC M8 and iphone 4S, both of which are pretty acceptable smartphone players. The sound of the K812 plugged into the M8 has a very obvious bass tilt with a smaller soundstage in comparison when driven from the iphone 4S. No need for A/Bing, its just that obvious. Of course, both are able to drive the K812 beyond volumes I would listen to as the 36 impedance would suggest.
 
Easy to drive, yes. Unfussy... I'd give it a definite no.

 

[up late]

guess i'm unfussy then coz that wasn't my experience when i switched between two sources. didn't plug it into my iphone tho.

 

[Cotnijoe]

guess i'm unfussy then coz that wasn't my experience when i switched between two sources. didn't plug it into my iphone tho.

 
Which sources were you using? Im curious to know

 

[up late]

see previous page. can't recall what dac the woo amp was hooked up to tho.

 

[Cotnijoe]

see previous page. can't recall what dac the woo amp was hooked up to tho.

 
Id would assume that once you go that high end, you're at least preserving the fidelity of what the designer wanted for the headphone. Driving the K812 from my DX90 vs my desktop amp isnt like oh my gosh they sound completely different. Yes the sig can change a bit with different sources and amps but the "idea" is there if you will. The DX90 is clearly inferior but it doesnt make the K812 sound unrecognizable.
 
On the other hand, with the M8, its kind of a... wowww where's this massive mid bass bump coming from... and its quite clear this is not how a 1000 USD + monitor should sound.

 

[Lorspeaker]

straight into my nfb10.32 dac/amp, the sound has reasonably good body n clarity...
am not fully happy yet until i can find some tubes to make it SHINE !!!!!!!

 

[up late]

@cotnijoe - that's debatable and one for the sound science boffins. think it's safe to say tho that moving up to the high end won't preserve your finances.

 

[macbob713]

  what budget headphone tube amp you reccomend for K812? Valhalla 2? Lyr? Or maybe Audio-gd dac/amp?

I contacted Schitt Audio several months ago on this question, their tech support guy recommended the Lyr 2 as their recommended match to the K812.

 

[pataburd]

Anybody tried the CARY HH-1 with the K812?
I'd like to give that combination a try!

 

[DoctaCosmos]

Definitely the lyr.

 

[DoctaCosmos]

Anyone tried taking off the ear pads and spacing the headphone away from your ears somehow to make a makeshift k1000?

 

[Lorspeaker]

hey guys...what is the right way to wear this can...
with the straight side of the "D" at the back of your ear..therefore sitting the headband forward of the top of the head? (LCD2 style)
 
or the typical headband straight upright? 

 

[pataburd]

Mine are aligned with the straight side of the "D" (embossed with the words "Sound Sealing") at the back of my ear--angled at seven-to-eight o'clock with respect to my left ear.  My headband arcs directly overhead with this alignment.

 

[DoctaCosmos]

Hello pataburd, might I ask what you think about the k812 in terms of sheer musicality compared to your high end Planars or let's say you d7000