[froger]

Quote:

Staten Island in April

Thanks Kazsud. I think the Stratus you listened to was really fitted with the EML tubes, in which quite a few Stratus owners had commented the combi being too in your face and aggressive for HD800, but perfect for LCD-3. 

 

[Dubstep Girl]

Quote:

Hello everyone,
 
I am a current He500 owner suffering from upgraditis and hoping the HD800 will be the cure.  I also own a LF339 OTL amp but I have heard it does not pair well with the HD800.  My issue is soundstage and imaging. I listen to a lot of jazz and a little classic and some classic rock. I really want that out of your head sound.
 
Now I am thinking of selling the LF339 and buying an amp that pairs well with both.  I prefer a tube amp like a WA2 but I have heard the bottlehead crack with speedball upgrade is another good option.  Then there's the V200 which is fantastic as well, but I love the look of a tube amp and I already have 5998s, 6AS7G and Bendix 6080 in possession so a tube amp that uses these tubes and works wonders with the HD800 would be the way to go for me. 
 
The other bonus of a WA2 is it pairs well with the He500.  So while I save up for the HD800, I can still enjoy the He500s on it.  Is there any other options that pair well with HD800 & He500 and use 6AS7 tubes?
 
I have a M-DAC as my standalone DAC.
 
Thanks

 
 
my WA2 would never drive an HE-500, though some people seem to have been able to drive LCD-2/LCD-3/HE-500/HE-5LE off the WA2, now i think thats impossible, its never worked for me. if it did, i probably wouldn't own any other amp or be looking for an upgrade anytime soon, because i love the sound of the WA2. for me, it clips with low impedance and planars, doesn't get loud enough before distorting with even high sensitivity headphones like TH-900, though it does drive them slightly better.
 
the WA2 however, is absolutely amazing with HD 800s, especially when you have fully upgraded tubes like the GEC 6AS7G. its warm, sweet, transparent, clear, detailed, with great full sounding deep bass and rich mids. its very very good i think. warm and silky smooth but without sacrificing much detail at all.

 

[Curse]

Quote:

Did not like HD800 with Gung/mjo.
Did like HD800 better with Soloist.
Did not like Soloist with Audezes. 
Did like Mjolnir with Audezes.

Thanks.
 
MacedonianHero says it fairs ok with the Schiit, and i'll happily see which side i favor today (receiving HD-800).
I hope it does OK, otherwise i'll switch over to something else that's balanced/solid state.

 

[lugnut]

Quote:

BH Crack. Get it without the Speedball.

Why without speedball ?

 

[LugBug1]

Quote:

Thanks.
 
MacedonianHero says it fairs ok with the Schiit, and i'll happily see which side i favor today (receiving HD-800).
I hope it does OK, otherwise i'll switch over to something else that's balanced/solid state.

How exciting!! 
 
Keep us informed

 

[DarKen23]

Thought this would be a interesting read
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=04fea777994d26cd84e01a5e54f4c01d&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.head-fi.org%2Fmessages%2Fmessages%2Fview%2Fid%2F2099532%2Fbox%2F978649&v=1&libId=ce44c7e4-9922-4a3d-9035-b9452591fd1a&out=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.passdiy.com%2Fproject%2Famplifiers%2Fbuild-the-amazing-fet-circlotron&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.head-fi.org%2Fmessages%2F&title=Private%20Message%3A%20Hello7&txt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.passdiy.com%2Fproject%2Famplifiers%2Fbuild-the-amazing-fet-circlotron&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13781976716608

 

[Curse]

Quote:

How exciting!! 
 
Keep us informed

Will do my friend! Fingers crossed!

 

[Girls Generation]

Good luck ~.~ Try Anax modding it if you think there's too much sibilance. Also toss the stock cables and try proper ones. I'm all for vocals and somehow the HD800 satisfied me, although it sounded heavenly with the Stratus vs. Mjo.
Quote:

Will do my friend! Fingers crossed!

 

[perrew]

Quote:

Good luck ~.~ Try Anax modding it if you think there's too much sibilance. Also toss the stock cables and try proper ones. I'm all for vocals and somehow the HD800 satisfied me, although it sounded heavenly with the Stratus vs. Mjo.

What is a proper cable for the HD800?

 

[Contrails]

the WA2 however, is absolutely amazing with HD 800s, especially when you have fully upgraded tubes like the GEC 6AS7G. its warm, sweet, transparent, clear, detailed, with great full sounding deep bass and rich mids. its very very good i think. warm and silky smooth but without sacrificing much detail at all.

 
That is exactly the sound I am after! How far would the 5998s/6080wb be in comparison of sound quality to the GEC?
 
I think the BH crack would be the way to go with aftermarket cables and anaxilus mod for the HD800.  I will then see how it pairs with the LF339.  I have read before these two do not like each other but I find it odd as the LF339 goes so well with literally every headphone, except the hd800 maybe.
 
If anyone has already tried this, could you please take the time to write exactly what is wrong with this pairing? Too bright? No bass? Soundstage/Imaging not right?

 

[wink]

Quote:dleblanc343

The problem with the HE adaptor is that it's 8-10 ohms and made for the Hifiman orthos whereas the HD800 is 300 ohm and a dynamic.

That is no real problem if the amp is built for a 8 ohm output.
 
The headphone impedance is immaterial if it is 30 ohms or over.

 

[Dubstep Girl]

Quote:

 
That is exactly the sound I am after! How far would the 5998s/6080wb be in comparison of sound quality to the GEC?
 
I think the BH crack would be the way to go with aftermarket cables and anaxilus mod for the HD800.  I will then see how it pairs with the LF339.  I have read before these two do not like each other but I find it odd as the LF339 goes so well with literally every headphone, except the hd800 maybe.
 
If anyone has already tried this, could you please take the time to write exactly what is wrong with this pairing? Too bright? No bass? Soundstage/Imaging not right?

 
haven't tried 6080WB, but the 5998 seems a little more veiled, its still a great tube especially compared to the cheaper more common 6AS7G/6080s , but lacks the ultra transparency of the GEC, both are on the warmish side, but the 5998 has stronger bass, the GEC seems to have a more beautiful midrange with better tone, very rich and organic, yet with extended treble that works with HD 800 quite well. the 5998 seems to roll off the treble slightly more, its a little warmer.
 
i just find that the GEC loses a tiny bit of bass compared to 5998 (bass extension is still good though), in exchange for bass texture, sweeter midrange, more natural tone, more treble extension, and while having a similar wide soundstage, its more holographic with more dimension and space, its a very lively tube, more airy and detailed too than 5998. very smooth too, non fatiguing and natural with hd 800, despite the extra treble and air
 
in my case, i prefer the 5998 with the Beyerdynamic T1, seems to pair better cause of the bass and the smoother treble. the GEC is too bass light with T1 and the extra detail doesn't really do a whole lot other than just make the beyers treble a little too bright for me.
 
the GEC is much better than the 5998 with the HD 800, theres some crazy synergy going on with HD 800 and the GEC tube. its very very good.

 

[LugBug1]

Quote:

Good luck ~.~ Try Anax modding it if you think there's too much sibilance. Also toss the stock cables and try proper ones. 

Or... 
 
He might just like the HD800's 

 

 

[MickeyVee]

The Dragonfly is just OK with the HD800. In a pinch, it will do. It goes as louder that I would ever want but the soundstage is constricted, sounds a little thin and the bass a little flabby but surprisingly strong.  

How are the HD800 with dragfly

 

[magiccabbage]

Brought my rig to a store today to hear the HD800. Was using WA2 with 5998 tubes. It sounded amazing. I think I prefer it to my T1's. I will definitely be buying it soon. Also, I was really impressed with how it looked, photographs do not do it justice.