I actually completely agree with both of you, and understand your rationale. I agree that the HE6 would be marvelous in this system, but I am am simply looking to maximize the HD800 at this time, and with a Leviathan on the horizon, I'm mainly looking at a stop gap until it arrives. This is not a 'bad' pairing by any stretch, but I have learned a couple of things with this 'experiment' if you will, and reinforced things I already felt. The M7 is indeed the most neutral and detailed dac I've ever heard, and would be hard to beat I imagine. Easy recommendation (eveen though it just sold a minute ago btw.) I also learned however that my Eximus DP1 beat it in a few areas. Namely, transparency *gasp*, but not by much. The DP-1 really makes music sound 'live', like the performers are in the room with you, whereas the M7 simply sounds like a perfect recording of music. The DP-1 is hardly behind the M7 in detail either, despite what people who haven't lived with it have said. 6Moons, Leeperry, and others have really nailed it about the 'live performers' aspect of the DP-1, it really is 'they are here', vs. I am there. Must be heard to understand-more of a presentation thing than anything. Ampwise what can I say-even though the M8 is definitely smooth for an ss amp, the ZDSE simply knocks it out of the park with the HD800-simply a magical combo that must be heard to understand. I still hear a little shrillness on the Senn in this rig, that the Zana curbed, yet still retained the best detailed of good solid state, and beating many of them in dynamics and detail-not things you'd normally expect from tubes-but that's EC for you: ss done right lol. Can't wait for the ECL! -Daniel
