[Axel]

I've been using the Lehmann Black Cube Linear with my HD800 for quite some time now and I'm looking for a change.
The Lehmann/HD800 combo sounds very clean, detailed, spacious and fast - but, to my tastes, a bit dry and lifeless.
I'm looking for a more smooth (maybe on the expense details) and full-sounding amp (with a meatier mid-bass) to match the neutral sounding HD800.
 
Budget is ~$1500-1800.
 
Thanks!

 

[hodgjy]

Woo Audio 2 and a good set of tubes.

 

[BournePerfect]

m-Stage. Yes it's a BCL clone (kinda), but definitely has some warmth, impact, and tonality that many other ss amps lack. An absolute steal of an amp for those on a budget. If you're looking for something more along the pricing of the BCL, you may as well try the popular V200 or Soloist...but you may be surprised what the little m-Stage can do.
 
-Daniel

 

[hodgjy]

It's said the lead engineer who designed the HD800s voiced them using the V100, so there's that as well.

 

[NA Blur]

Do you already have an external DAC or good source?  If so then the Balanced Ultra Desktop Amp is a great option if Headphone.com has any left.
 
Some listeners like the Grace Design m903 with the HD800, but to my ears and according to the measurements the amp is a tad lean on the low end and too dry sounding.
 
If it were me and I already had a dry sounding amp I would go with a tube amp like the WA3 or WA6.

 

[thecourier]

Soloist SL, or the full size Soloist. Lovely combination. 

 

[barid]

It sounds good with soloist and wa2...but better on the wa2 imo.

 

[Axel]

Thanks guys!
I'm more into tubes, I think that's the way to go to get the sound I'm looking for.
I know that in the past Sennheiser demo'd the HD800 with the BCL and the result is not what I'm looking for so I'm not sure it's right to take Sennheiser's reference amp as an option.
 
Looking at the Woo Audio website, I've noticed the WA3, WA3, WA6 & WA6SE - can anyone tell me which will work best with the HD800 and what is the sonic differences between these models?
 
BTW, I can get a very good price on the Luxman P-1u - is it any good? Will it have that smooth, meatier sound I'm looking for?

 

[teknikk7]

WA6-SE or WA2 plus tubes should put you right at budget.  Best way to go IMO.

 

[Dubstep Girl]

Quote:

I've been using the Lehmann Black Cube Linear with my HD800 for quite some time now and I'm looking for a change.
The Lehmann/HD800 combo sounds very clean, detailed, spacious and fast - but, to my tastes, a bit dry and lifeless.
I'm looking for a more smooth (maybe on the expense details) and full-sounding amp (with a meatier mid-bass) to match the neutral sounding HD800.
 
Budget is ~$1500-1800.
 
Thanks!

 
another vote for Woo Audio 2. this is exactly what the WA2 gives the HD 800. as Ardilla once described it, smooth as silk 

 
i have heard the hd 800 on the black cube linear and hated it, cold and lifeless. 
 
i do enjoy the HD 800 on the WA6-SE as well, but its more SS sounding with that.
the WA2 is more focused on tone, musicality, naturalness. the WA2 improves in detail and soundstage as well with tube rolling.

 

[technica18]

Does the WA2 have bass slam comparable to an SS amp like the Soloist? I'm thinking about getting a WA2 to tame the highs on the HD800 but I don't want to lose the slam the Soloist SL gives me.

 

[barid]

In my experience the solid states handle bass slam better than the wa2. That being said, my criticism of the soloist is that it seams to lack the bass / low end quantity the 160d had. It bothers me a bit.

 

[teddybro]

people on the WA7 topic said that it has a really nice bass punch, i'd take a look of i were you!