Just got a wa8 and have put a few hours on it, but too soon to say much about the sound except that it is good and enjoyable with my HD800.   A few critical notes on ergonomics - it's easy to tip the unit over because it is so slim - somekinda stabilizing feet for desktop use would be nice...

Ahh details - let's say for a the HD800, and sound is more important than looks or features. Whether it's 'synergistic' or 'accurate' is up to the poster - I have no preference.

It's been a while since I've been active so I'm curious - what are the 4 or 5 top rated amps out today? (dynamic not 'stat)

Stillhart - I've had an almost stock Havan for a number of years now -- also have a Metrum Octave. The Havana is nice, but gets fuzzy in the treble compared to the Octave. I had a Burson somnething or other for a month before I got the Octave and sold it because I preferred the Havana - more...

Gary,   Thanks for taking on a fascinating if onerous task. Clearly, we would all love to find the killer mid-level dac. And I appreciate the effort and care you're putting into this.   It does seem interesting that all the engineering and topology differences between the dacs amounts to a...

re the noise issue - I will remove the grounding wire and see if it recurs. I will also, at some point, swap in the Nationals where I originally heard it. If it recurs, I have suitable tube dampers that I will try, in addition to swapping in the original JJ's and/or Gold Lions.   And I'll...

Quote:   So what was done to it? Did Alex say?

Quote: Here ya go -- this from Donald at Cavalli, and what I did.   "This shows you which point to bridge, if you have a clip test lead, this would be the easiest way to test the theory. If you loosen the screw on the pot ever so slightly to allow a better grip and then attach the other...

Guys - I had the problem. Switched out the JJ's for a National quad, the problem appeared. Tried various things, then switched back the JJ's and problem went away. After a few weeks it came back - with the JJ's. Emailed Alex, was advised to ground the volume pot. Problem disappeared. Now running...

Quote:   I understand your concerns, and share them somewhat, but my feeling is that we have purchased an artisanal bleeding edge product, and we should expect some issues. I am prepared to ride out the rough spots, especially given the excellent support of Cavalli Audio.   As a...

Quote:   Comfy, aren't hey?

Quote:   just to be perfectly clear - We count tube #1 as the tube closest to the on/off switch and #4 as closest to the volume control?

I rolled in some Nationals (I believe) because they were supposed to have better bass -- went back to the stock JJ's.

Quote: yes, that's what tube rolling is. Just make sure to power off and use a towel when changing tubes - they get hot.   I like the amp - has a very full sound and a wide soundstage -- I like it more than the Crack I recently gave away.

I have one - the input rca's and the output headphone jack are loose. Other than that, it seems fine. I guess it's about 8 years old, maybe more, and was my main hp amp until recently.     

Quote: why 0, if i may ask?

So I wonder what I got by default...

I got my #30 direct from Cavalli, but there was no resistor option on the site. I don't know much about resistance and ohms, but jack 1 (top) is louder than jack 2, and is, I believe, recommended for high impedence like Senn and Beyer, where jack 2 is for Audeze and Grado etc. afaik.

  Quote: Me either. I adore my 800's but am always surprised how good the 600's sound fed by my ipod. Sometimes makes me wonder why I bother with the big rig, until I turn it on and say, oh. Right.

Quote: And don't forget cables - interconnects have a sound, as do power cables and usb or spdif cables. Flamers -- I'm not saying you need to spend a lot of money, just that when putting together a system you also need to consider cables.

I know this sounds crazy but I've been thinking lately that the LF fills in spaces in the music that I didn't even know existed. It's like it densely populates the entire musical experience with real information. Comparatively, my speaker system sounds, certainly not threadbare, but as if there...

  Quote:   If you're serious about buying, and buying new, you could order both from Headroom and return the one you like less.   FWIW, I've owned hd600's for a long time, and recently had the lcd2 in my system for a weekend -- I think you'd be happy with the lcd2, although for me...

Quote:   I had a well broken in pair of lcd2's for a weekend, and I felt somewhat the same as you did about the he500, except they sounded like a much improved HD600. Re the 800's, there is simply no comparing the soundstaging of the hd800 vs lcd2, just as there there is simply no...

Quote: Agreed. Had a tube problem that took the LF off line for a day - went back to my old ASL MG Head -- it was like it was playing through a pillow. I am so totally spoiled by the LF.   

My solution to the LF light issue - use an appropriate shade.