I agree with LugBug1. I have both the hd600 and the hd800 (modded). The hd600 is natural sounding, very musical and great for long listening sessions. The hd800 is very clinical and detailed, with a very wide soundstage and depth. You can pinpoint the individual locations of the instruments with...

Thanks for the recommendations on tubes and section of this forum to get info. I will need to do a lot of reading to familiarize myself with tube rolling. Sounds like a fun hobby. What tubes would you recommend for the LD mkII and a pair of sennheiser hd800?

Thanks Spider fan. Greatly appreciated the link. I can't beliveve you can get them for that price. I put in my order for a pair.

I would say it's more on the smooth and silky side with the tube amp. The hd598 signature sound is very similar to the hd600, more bright and lively (smoothl and silky) compared to the hd650.

I have to try those Focus A pads. Are they easy to install?

I have the Bravo Audio V2 and it sounds really good with hd598. You get that warm, very detailed tube sound.

My LD mkII amp just arrived today. Plugged it in and I have been listening for the last 4 hours. Awesome, better than the Bravo Audio amp that I have been using for the last two years. I am ready to try tube rolling. Any recommendations on the first tube I should try?

Where can I get replacement headband cushions and can someone post a link to video instructions on how to install them. Thanks.

I like the soundstage of the hd580, not as wide as the hd800. I have not heard the Philips model you are referring to but you will find the hd580 to have a great soundstage given that it's an open back headphone.plus it's very comfortable and non-fatiguing, great for long listening sessions.

After reading this thread and lots of reviews, I broke down and got myself one. It came yesterday and I have been listening for hours. WOW! It is what everybody says it is: balanced, neutral and very comfortable. Does not have the detail and imaging of the hd800, but more enjoyable and relaxing...

This is an awesome thread. Thanks DoA for the extensive review and for starting this thread. I am a newbie on tube rolling, and this is a gold mine. I just ordered my first LD mkII with the upgraded tubes based on this review.

Radio Shack carries the adaptor. Or you can go to Amazon and search for 1/4 adaptors.

It would be nice if we could objectively measure the difference. Sometimes the placebo effect is quite evident given the advertising hype. In the end, of course, what matters most is how satisfied we are with the sound we are getting!

Yeah, I have since quite a few used HD800 cans that have paint chips on them.  My HD700 still looks good with no paint chips after quite a few years of use.

I get great sound using the Bravo tube amp.  Very detailed and soundstage is excellent.