[Maxvla]

With well over 100 hours on the K812, I put it head to head with the HD800 on the borrowed Asgard2. Now I'm only comparing a single disc,Dream Logic by Eivind Aarset on ECM Records, but in this matchup, the K812 was clearly better. More body to the sound, equal sound staging and better treble. Now this is one record on the Asgard 2 amp, and both cans deserve better, but a winner is a winner. I expected the HD800 to come out on top, but it fell short in this comparison. I may have to sell the hd800 and just settle in for the rest of the winter with the very cozy sounding AKG.

An expected result. The Asgard 2 is not a good match for HD800s.

 

[dleblanc343]

An expected result. The Asgard 2 is not a good match for HD800s.

Unfortunately, as good as Schiit is, only the Vali synergizes nicely with the HD800. I still love Schiit for other headphones though! 

 

[macbob713]

An expected result. The Asgard 2 is not a good match for HD800s.

No argument from me. Both phones deserve better. And yea they do sound very good with the right stuff.

 

[M-13]

Cool experiment macbob. Another data point added to our K812 knoweldge base. 

Haha.
 
I realize this is violating the whole 8 times the output impedance for proper dampening rule, but I wonder how the K812 sounds with the Vali...

 

[LifeAspect]

it would have helped to use an amp which is actually capable of actually driving the HD800 as they should, as using something lesser really does injustice to these cans while the K812 supposed to sound decent on anything. Note I used to own the Lyr and I wasn't impressed by the amp with the HD800...let alone the asgard 2 being the entry level schiit amp being able to do them justice.
 
Probably getting a pair of K812s next month or so, hopefully they are worth the fuss.

 

[nemomec]

Here are my impressions from the AKG K812 Pro with different amps in order of prefer:
 
Lehmann Audio Linear SE (7 ohm output):
positiv:
- very good strong bass
- huge soundstage on similar level as the BMC Pure Dac
- very beautiful tone colours
- very good mid- presentation
- at no time annoying treble or sibilants
negative:
- at this time nothing

B.M.C. Pure Dac (100 ohm output):
positiv:
- at no time annoying treble or sibilants
- huge soundstage
- airy treble reproduction
- beautiful tone colours
negative:
- low mid- presentation ( 100 ohms ? )
- bass less pronounced than with the other amps

SPL Phonitor 2 (0 ohm output):
positiv:
- nice balanced treble and mid- range
- very direct style of play
- very good strong bass
- generally seems to be a very powerful and controlled sound as if he has the AKG full control
negative:
- soundstage compared rather average
- tone colours not quite as nice as the B.M.C and the Lehmann
- not quite as airy height representation as the BMC and the Lehmann

Meier Audio Corda Jazz (0 ohm output):
positiv:
- slightly accentuated nice mid range
- good soundstage
- good strong bass
negative:
- minimum slightly annoying in the heights but no comparison to the Burson or Lake People
- not quite as airy height representation as the BMC and the Lehmann

Burson Soloist SL (0 ohm output):
positiv:
- beautiful contoured strong bass
- very direct style of play
negative:
- partially but annoying and borderline heights or sibilants
- soundstage rather poor
- airiness in the heights None

Lake People G100 (0 ohm output):
positiv:
- similar Burson beautiful contoured strong bass
negative:
- partially also annoying and borderline heights or sibilants
- soundstage rather poor
- airiness in the heights None

 

[Ra97oR]

Edited title to a more appropriate one.

 

[macbob713]

Here are my impressions from the AKG K812 Pro with different amps in order of prefer:

Lehmann Audio Linear SE (7 ohm output):
positiv:
- very good strong bass
- huge soundstage on similar level as the BMC Pure Dac
- very beautiful tone colours
- very good mid- presentation
- at no time annoying treble or sibilants

negative:
- at this time nothing

B.M.C. Pure Dac (100 ohm output):
positiv:
- at no time annoying treble or sibilants
- huge soundstage
- airy treble reproduction
- beautiful tone colours
negative:
- low mid- presentation ( 100 ohms ? )
- bass less pronounced than with the other amps

SPL Phonitor 2 (0 ohm output):
positiv:
- nice balanced treble and mid- range
- very direct style of play
- very good strong bass
- generally seems to be a very powerful and controlled sound as if he has the AKG full control
negative:
- soundstage compared rather average
- tone colours not quite as nice as the B.M.C and the Lehmann
- not quite as airy height representation as the BMC and the Lehmann

Meier Audio Corda Jazz (0 ohm output):
positiv:
- slightly accentuated nice mid range
- good soundstage
- good strong bass
negative:
- minimum slightly annoying in the heights but no comparison to the Burson or Lake People
- not quite as airy height representation as the BMC and the Lehmann

Burson Soloist SL (0 ohm output):
positiv:
- beautiful contoured strong bass
- very direct style of play
negative:
- partially but annoying and borderline heights or sibilants
- soundstage rather poor
- airiness in the heights None

Lake People G100 (0 ohm output):
positiv:
- similar Burson beautiful contoured strong bass
negative:
- partially also annoying and borderline heights or sibilants
- soundstage rather poor
- airiness in the heights None

Great info and extremely helpful. How do you like the 812?

 

[macbob713]

Cool experiment macbob. Another data point added to our K812 knoweldge base.  Haha.

I realize this is violating the whole 8 times the output impedance for proper dampening rule, but I wonder how the K812 sounds with the Vali...

Hopefully somebody here will match these up.

 

[nemomec]

Great info and extremely helpful. How do you like the 812?

The K812 Pro is a great headphone with a very natural sound. I prefer it to the other top cans that i owned include HD800, T1, LCD2/3.

 

[Baele]

Actually, I use K812 with Meier Corda Classic, overall is a good match except trebles which could be less energetic (however I did not notice any sibilants). That's the reason that mostly listen K812 with AK120 which is more polite

 

[WizardKnight]

Has anyone tried the K812 with the Chord Hugo? I have the Chord Hugo on order and was wondering if they are a great match together?

 

[R Giskard]

Are they available in Europe? I would love to audition them because till now, HD800 has been my reference.

 

[LifeAspect]

some German stores have some in stock, nothing locally sadly.

 

[Baele]

they are cheaper in Poland - around EUR 1150