DAC/AMP Recommendations for HD 800

[Rumiho]

Hello all,

My current setup consists of HD800 -> Chord Mojo -> Sonarworks Reference 4 (for eq) -> Roon

I'm looking to upgrade from the Mojo and have been thinking of picking up a Hugo 2 to make that upgrade. Is there anything that would be a better match for the HD800 in that approximate price range $1800~$2000 for both a dac and amp?

This would be in a desktop setup so any portability isn't necessary but being compact would be a bonus.

Thanks,
Rumiho

 

[nordkapp]

I have an Benchmark DAC3 and once owned the DAC2. Either one gets my recommendation.

 

[Rhamnetin]

Hugo 2 is a great DAC and great amp for low impedance headphones, but probably not ideal for the HD 800. I'd probably keep the Mojo as the DAC for now, since it's a fine one, and spend the entire budget on an amp. That will make the most difference. As for which amp, let's see... I would try to look for a built Bottlehead Mainline. If that search fails, maybe the Antique Sound Labs MG OTL 32 DT.

 

[BobG55]

Airist Audio Heron 5. The HD800's wide soundstage & detail combined w/ the Heron 5's soundstage depth & detail creates a unique & magical sound. The bass is also very tight.

 

[Rumiho]

Thanks for the recommendations. The benchmark products look interesting. After looking up the WA22 that Rhamnetin had mentioned at one point, I might save up a bit more for that. The Airist Audio Heron 5 also looks interesting especially at Massdrops price of $599 if it goes up again.

 

[BunnyNamedCraig]

You a tube guy?

I think knowing that about you would make my recommendations more pin point.

I think the Hugo2 is excellent all around, but like @Rhamnetin said, not sure if It will be too bright or not. I spent all my time using the Hugo 2 with the Focal Utopia and also Mr speakers Ether.

The Hugo 2 did awesome with the Utopia, but for my personal tastes I liked adding a tube amp to it to smooth it out a little bit. Details for days with that combo. I would imagine similar results with the HD800...

 

[HBen]

The HD800 is a high impedance (300 Ohm) headphone and on the bright side and therefore generally doesn't work very well with portable and sterile amps.

Sennheiser's own HDVA600/HDVD800/820 work very well with the HD800, but also quite a few other amps.

I personally found that most tube amps take away from the clarity that makes the HD800 so great, so I'd personally take a solid state amp.

SPL amps worked pretty good for me, also Schiit's Mjolnir 2 with LISST for example.

Maybe there are portable amps out there that fit well with the HD800 but those I tried didn't fit the bill. The HD800 isn't a headphone to be used on the go anyway ...

I got a used (like new) HDVA600 for a few hundred bucks and its an awesome combo for the price.

Cheers and good luck on your headphone journey

 

[Rumiho]

@MTMECraig

My only experience with a tube amp so far is a Valhalla 2, which I did like at the time paired with a Bifrost MB.

I'm using pretty extensive EQ through sonarworks to try to correct some of the issues with the HD800 so I'm not sure how much that would help the pairing with the Hugo 2 if it is too bright.

Spoiler: EQ

I do like the idea of getting something to pair with the Hugo 2 though to make the combo work better. What would you recommend in that case?

 

[BunnyNamedCraig]

@MTMECraig

My only experience with a tube amp so far is a Valhalla 2, which I did like at the time paired with a Bifrost MB.

I'm using pretty extensive EQ through sonarworks to try to correct some of the issues with the HD800 so I'm not sure how much that would help the pairing with the Hugo 2 if it is too bright.

Spoiler: EQ

I do like the idea of getting something to pair with the Hugo 2 though to make the combo work better. What would you recommend in that case?

Well I like adding tubes but that is just me... After hearing the HD800 with an OTL amp I was in LOVE. Even a hybrid amp would do the trick. Mind you those are my tastes. I think that the Hugo 2 is such a fantastic dac that I would like to own one my self. That, or I would get the Chord Cutest since I have an OTL that I pair with the HD800 now.

I think since you like to EQ it, I would find no problem with that combo. Down the road you could get another amp if you feel like you aren't driving it enough to your standards.

Are you set on an amp/dac combo btw?

 

[Rumiho]

Are you set on an amp/dac combo btw?

No, but the total for both an amp and dac would have to be in the same approximate price range under $2000. I was just leaning towards the Hugo 2 after reading a lot of reviews and the thread here on head-fi as well as being impressed with the Mojo quality.

 

[BunnyNamedCraig]

Gotcha. Hugo 2 still stands for me then ha. You already owning and being impressed by the Mojo is what solidifies it for me. Its basically the mojo, except make it better in every way, minus portability of course.