[R Scott Ireland]

The HD800 does very well with the Pan Am. I am listening to this combo now (with Cifte tubes) and the sound is lush, warm, detailed and thoroughly engaging. Recommended!!

Also, the volume is on 10 o'clock (high gain setting) for full volume. Plenty of power to spare.

 

[FatmanSize48]

Also, the volume is on 10 o'clock (high gain setting) for full volume. Plenty of power to spare.

Great to hear! I see you have a pair of LCD-2s as well--does the Pan Am the HD800 as well as it does the LCD-2?

 

[Twinster]

I received the external battery pack from Anker (Model Astro Pro 14400 mAh) and I'm confirming that it's powering the PanAm quite well. I've only listened for 20 minutes so it's too early to report any differences.

 

[mediumraresteak]

Quote:

I received the external battery pack from Anker (Model Astro Pro 14400 mAh) and I'm confirming that it's powering the PanAm quite well. I've only listened for 20 minutes so it's too early to report any differences.

Oooo please post updates when you can.  I see it's on sale for $60 from Amazon and would pick this up over the Passport/Gateway if possible.

 

[Currawong]

I noticed that the tubes don't glow as brightly with the Passport as they do the Gateway, so I would guess less power is being supplied.
 
We had a mini-meet on the weekend and the surprise match was the Passport (with Mullard tubes) and the Shure SH-1840. Plenty of comments on how good the DAC is in it.

 

[mentt]

[size=9.5pt]I find Pan Am with Gateway more powerful than with passport, sound is more energetic.  [/size]

 

[R Scott Ireland]

Great to hear! I see you have a pair of LCD-2s as well--does the Pan Am the HD800 as well as it does the LCD-2?

I have an LCD-3, but no LCD-2. I actually prefer the HD800 with the Pan Am, although the LCD-3 does well with it too.

 

[ninewalker]

I have a Pan Am with the gateway. I've been on the fence about the passport ever since I even first contemplated about getting the Pan Am. 200 for a battery is a bit steep and the Pan Am was staying on my desktop. But since getting the amp and using it I've always wondered whether I was missing out on sound quality. I mean, I'm perfectly happy with it right now. I just can't help but wonder.

 

[mentt]

Quote:

I have a Pan Am with the gateway. I've been on the fence about the passport ever since I even first contemplated about getting the Pan Am. 200 for a battery is a bit steep and the Pan Am was staying on my desktop. But since getting the amp and using it I've always wondered whether I was missing out on sound quality. I mean, I'm perfectly happy with it right now. I just can't help but wonder.

[size=10pt]I actually think that Gateway is better with LCD2s than Pan Am/Password or at least at the same level... [/size]

 

[mediumraresteak]

ALO's Josh just responded back to me with this:

"If you are not planning on using the portable capabilities of The Passport, The Gateway is really a great option and it sounds quite good. The Passport will sound better if you have noisy AC in your place, but if the AC is fairly clean you'll get a nice, quiet experience out of your Pan Am with The Gateway. I mainly use the Gateway as I use my Pan Am here at my desk and it works very well for me. 
 
At this time we do not have a replacement program for The Passport, we haven't had any trouble with the batteries so far  
 
Let me know if you have further questions, I'm happy to help."
 
Guess I'll go for the Passport since my house is a bit old and I'm sure AC source isn't clean.  Or I'll get the Model Astro Pro 14400 mAh as twinster posted earlier.
 
 

 

[FatmanSize48]

I have an LCD-3, but no LCD-2. I actually prefer the HD800 with the Pan Am, although the LCD-3 does well with it too.

Very interesting! I just assumed LCD-2 from the tiny, pixelated avatar pic on my iPhone.

 

[R Scott Ireland]

I have an LCD-3, but no LCD-2. I actually prefer the HD800 with the Pan Am, although the LCD-3 does well with it too.

I must revise this a bit. Today I listened to the LCD-3 with the Cifte tubes, and it was just as nice as it was with the HD800. Different, but equally enjoyable. The LCD-3 bass is stronger but still very detailed. Overall, the LCD-3 has a warmer, smoother presentation, but all of the detail is there, and the soundstage is similar to the HD800 (medium-wide for lack of a better description). Both headphones are very good with the Pan Am, certainly with these tubes.

 

[FatmanSize48]

I must revise this a bit. Today I listened to the LCD-3 with the Cifte tubes, and it was just as nice as it was with the HD800. Different, but equally enjoyable. The LCD-3 bass is stronger but still very detailed. Overall, the LCD-3 has a warmer, smoother presentation, but all of the detail is there, and the soundstage is similar to the HD800 (medium-wide for lack of a better description). Both headphones are very good with the Pan Am, certainly with these tubes.

Thanks for the updated impressions. As much as a fan of Audez'e I once was, I now prefer the sound signature of the HD800s.

 

[R Scott Ireland]

Thanks for the updated impressions. As much as a fan of Audez'e I once was, I now prefer the sound signature of the HD800s.

You can't go wrong with HD800's!

What's remarkable is how well the diminutive Pan Am handles all of these different headphones so well.

 

[FatmanSize48]

Went out and listened to the HD700s yesterday. Let's just say I was disappointed.