[S Crowther]

Terminator + Xduoo TA-20 with Bugleboy tubes.
Don't like the HD800s balanced from V281 which I also own and used for about 1 year. The sound is more lifelike, open and transparent from the Xduoo.

 

[JTori]

I have the benchmark dac1 and dac2 and I totally agree. The 800 and S sound great with them, but they're even better with my newly acquired icon audio hp8 MKII. Truely amazing.

The Icon looks like a great amp; well designed and built.

 

[sysyphos]

I am wondering about your opinions for a head to head comparison between HDV 820 vs. ADI-2 DAC - V280 combo to pair with HD800S, especially in terms of bass quality and soundstage. Thanks in advance..

 

[Arniesb]

I am wondering about your opinions for a head to head comparison between HDV 820 vs. ADI-2 DAC - V280 combo to pair with HD800S, especially in terms of bass quality and soundstage. Thanks in advance..

V280 is very good pairing, just dont get warm dac and youre good to go.

 

[340519]

I just bought the smsl 888 which will be paired with my benchmark dac1. The reviews are very good for the amp, so the 800 and S should be interesting through it.

 

[zek4u]

Want to say the HDV820 and V280 were very similar especially when running balanced like I did with the HD800S headphones. Maybe the HDV820 was just the smallest amount more alive like the V281 was when compared to the V280. I personally like the smaller profile of the HDV820 and V280 but man was the big knob on the V281 was so nice!

 

[sysyphos]

Thanks for your replies, I am glad. Do you have any information or experience about the harmony between ADI-2 DAC and V280?

 

[Amberlamps]

I have the HD800S and they sound great when connected to my Chord Hugo TT 2 dac/amp.

Great synergy.

 

[Quinto]

I use my HD800S with ADI2- DAC and V280 amp..

I fiddled around with polarity, crossfeed, filters, and some EQ setting..in the end I prefer default settings for most recordings I guess
The 'width' setting was a revelation for me, since I listen to quite some older Jazz recording, now I can turn say, the left sax to the middle (being 100% mono) of the stage or even further to the right
Fun stuff..

 

[sysyphos]

I use my HD800S with ADI2- DAC and V280 amp..

I fiddled around with polarity, crossfeed, filters, and some EQ setting..in the end I prefer default settings for most recordings I guess
The 'width' setting was a revalation for me, since I listen to quite some older Jazz recording, now I can turn say, the left sax to the middle (being 100% mono) of the stage or even further to the right
Fun stuff..

Oh, That's great. How do you find the bass, especially in progressive rock. As you know, the weakest side of HD800S is bass quality, I am trying to improve it without using tube amps.

 

[sysyphos]

I have the HD800S and they sound great when connected to my Chord Hugo TT 2 dac/amp.

Great synergy.

Thanks for your reply, but Hugo TT 2 is out of my range due to its price. I am trying to evaluate the synergy of ADI-2 DAC with HD800S.

 

[Wesbound]

I use adi 2 dac as a dac plus Lake People G100W as power amp. Adi 2 dac has a clean sound and i would say on the clinical way (which i like), no color in sound,not cold not warm. As sincere as the adi 2 dac is also the lake people amp, clean, no color, transparent and crystal clear and man, very powerful. The adi 2 can drive the 800S easily but i prefer to use the amp, it can drive the 800 with authority and i can hear the bass coming out more robust and full. i would say it's a very good synergy (adi 2 dac + 800S) i',m happy so far, it has a lot of feature but i suggest you to use an amp if your main headphones is the 800S or other hungry gear. Sorry for my English, it's not my main language.

 

[sysyphos]

I use adi 2 dac as a dac plus Lake People G100W as power amp. Adi 2 dac has a clean sound and i would say on the clinical way (which i like), no color in sound,not cold not warm. As sincere as the adi 2 dac is also the lake people amp, clean, no color, transparent and crystal clear and man, very powerful. The adi 2 can drive the 800S easily but i prefer to use the amp, it can drive the 800 with authority and i can hear the bass coming out more robust and full. i would say it's a very good synergy (adi 2 dac + 800S) i',m happy so far, it has a lot of feature but i suggest you to use an amp if your main headphones is the 800S or other hungry gear. Sorry for my English, it's not my main language.

Thanks, it would be good to use ADI-2 DAC with a powerful amp, like Lake People and Vioelectric..

 

[inseconds99]

Looking for some opinions on pairs for my soon arriving HD800S:

Grace Sdac Balanced & Smsl SP200 THX
Smsl SU-8 V2 & Smsl Sp200 THX
LCX+SDAC
Topping DX7 Pro

Looking for A dac/amp with the least amount of coloration without adding extra brightness or harshness.

 

[JTori]

Looking for some opinions on pairs for my soon arriving HD800S:

Grace Sdac Balanced & Smsl SP200 THX
Smsl SU-8 V2 & Smsl Sp200 THX
LCX+SDAC
Topping DX7 Pro

Looking for A dac/amp with the least amount of coloration without adding extra brightness or harshness.

I know it's not on your list, however, given your criteria, I can heartily recommend the Benchmark DAC3, either DX or HGC. They are astounding with the 800S! Neutrality, space, sense of realism, PRAT .... They're all present.