[johangrb]

Audio-gd Phoenix + DHC Complement + Audio gd Ref 1 does the trick for my HD800s. Next stop might be Luxman P1(u).

 

[LostChild1]

I guess this is sort of a silly question, but I haven't seen it mentioned:
 
I'm about to upgrade from my HD650's and WA6 to HD800s with the same WA6. How well do these two pair?

 

[orkney]

The Luxman L505u is very good indeed with the HD800 -- all the speed and detail but a liquid top end and far more fleshed-in sound than with the other amps I've tried. If it didn't weigh about a hundred pounds I'd have it my office.
 
o

 

[MacedonianHero]

I can confirm that the WA2 and HD800s are a brilliant match. I am totally rediscovering my HD800s (and T1s/LCD-2s for that matter) with my new Woo Amp.

 

[baka1969]

I now have the WA6SE and must say I am very impressed with how it makes my HD800 sound. I brought the WA6SE to the South Jersey meet and the combo was also a hit with the Head-Fi'ers that heard it. I would really like to hear the HD800 with both the WA6SE and the WA2 to hear the differences between the transformer coupled and OTL. I've been talking to several of the Head-Fi Tube Heads and I haven't come to any consensus. What I can say is I am very much liking what I hear and is one of the best amps I've heard with the HD800.

 

[Skylab]

I spent some time recently with the HD800 and the Ray Samuels "The Stealth".  It maybe due to the tubes I am using (Mullard ECC32 and Tung sol 12BH7), but this is absolutely the best I have ever heard the HD800.  The Stealth, with these tubes, is a little bit soft in the treble, and a little bit full in the bass, and man oh man does this suit the HD800 well.  I have never enjoyed the HD800 this much.  I finally feel like I have an amp I can really enjoy them with.

 

[baka1969]

Quote:Originally Posted by Skylab 

"I spent some time recently with the HD800 and the Ray Samuels "The Stealth".  It maybe due to the tubes I am using (Mullard ECC32 and Tung sol 12BH7), but this is absolutely the best I have ever heard the HD800.  The Stealth, with these tubes, is a little bit soft in the treble, and a little bit full in the bass, and man oh man does this suit the HD800 well.  I have never enjoyed the HD800 this much.  I finally feel like I have an amp I can really enjoy them with."


I think this is a perfect example how great the HD800 truly is. It also shows that there are several top amps that can showcase these cans. I know that Frank I's Decware setup is excellent. I think the B22 pairs very well with the Senn. I am enjoying the Woo WA6SE (with some tubes that Rob suggested we'll see if that improves).

I think there are many options to tweak the HD800 to get the sound one likes best from them while still maintaining the overall character that makes them so exceptional.

 

[Noumenon]

Quote:

I can confirm that the WA2 and HD800s are a brilliant match. I am totally rediscovering my HD800s (and T1s/LCD-2s for that matter) with my new Woo Amp.

 
How does the Woo WA2 compare with the Meier Concerto in terms of power to drive them? I have the Meier Symphony and love it, but am looking for more "presence" of sound with the HD800's.

 

[twsmith]

This may have been said by someone else in another thread, but for the record the Headamp GS-X (balanced) is a very very nice match for the HD800.

 

[Asr]

I agree with the above post. The GS-X is the only amp I've heard with the HD800 that made me like the HD800! In fact, I like it enough that I sold my Qualia recently (well I didn't really need the Qualia anymore either - I only really held onto it as long as I did so I could hear it on the GS-X). In my system with the GS-X, the HD800 sounds very clear, clean, & precise. Granted, the soundstage is also the most expansive I've heard it sound - but I've since learned to embrace that part of it and use the HD800 for ambient electronica.

I've even compared the GS-X against the Gilmore Lite and if anyone thought the GL was clear, well the GS-X takes things up several notches! Ok so the HD800 isn't as good as the Qualia in terms of clarity, impulse response, or treble, but in the end I thought it didn't really matter - the HD800 is good enough while being boatloads cheaper.

 

[Red Jacket Mike]

Quote:

I now have the WA6SE and must say I am very impressed with how it makes my HD800 sound. I brought the WA6SE to the South Jersey meet and the combo was also a hit with the Head-Fi'ers that heard it. I would really like to hear the HD800 with both the WA6SE and the WA2 to hear the differences between the transformer coupled and OTL. I've been talking to several of the Head-Fi Tube Heads and I haven't come to any consensus. What I can say is I am very much liking what I hear and is one of the best amps I've heard with the HD800.

I'm also using the HD800s with a WA6SE; for my favorite jazz and classical piano recordings, its a great pairing.  For material that I want a darker, bassier feel from, I have D7000s, and LCD-2s (which just arrived today; haven't plugged them in yet!).
 
But, regarding the opinion of many here that the HD-800s are bass-shy, they aren't; it's not exaggerated, but it's certainly there.  The other night, I dug out an old favorite recording of The Pines of Rome (Telarc, Louis Lane & the Atlanta Symphony, from the mid 1990s) and listened with the HD-800s.  The 2nd movement, Pines Near A Catacomb, features some very deep organ pedal tones along with the orchestra.  I'd never listened to this with any kind of a headphone rig before, and I was amazed at the depth of the bass the HD800s were producing.  The dynamic range of this piece is huge, as well; the Woo amp was up to the task.  
 
HD800 + WA6SE (and the PInes recording!) = great combination.

 

[baka1969]

Quote:Originally Posted by Red Jacket Mike 

"I'm also using the HD800s with a WA6SE; for my favorite jazz and classical piano recordings, its a great pairing.  For material that I want a darker, bassier feel from, I have D7000s, and LCD-2s (which just arrived today; haven't plugged them in yet!).
But, regarding the opinion of many here that the HD-800s are bass-shy, they aren't; it's not exaggerated, but it's certainly there.  The other night, I dug out an old favorite recording of The Pines of Rome (Telarc, Louis Lane & the Atlanta Symphony, from the mid 1990s) and listened with the HD-800s.  The 2nd movement, Pines Near A Catacomb, features some very deep organ pedal tones along with the orchestra.  I'd never listened to this with any kind of a headphone rig before, and I was amazed at the depth of the bass the HD800s were producing.  The dynamic range of this piece is huge, as well; the Woo amp was up to the task.  
HD800 + WA6SE (and the PInes recording!) = great combination."


It's been my experience that the bass is quite amp dependent. I know the B22 went a long way with bass impact over the Gilmore Lite. The WA6SE goes even further still. Does it have the impact of the LCD-2? Hell no. The LCD-2 is a different animal and has stellar impact, extension and control. Still, the HD800 with the right amp has pretty damn good bass on it's own. I know there's no (I mean none) issue with extension or control. The impact is to my taste and isn't thin by any stretch. I can feel it as well as hear it. It's got slam with the WA6SE. I just ordered 6FD7 fat bottle tubes for it and based on several tube guys I have asked (Frank I and Skylab) the 6FD7 should give it even more thump. I also ordered a pair of 6DE7 that are supposed to split the difference between the 6EW7 I have with it and the 6FD7. I don't think I'll be worrying about and lean bass. LoL

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

I spent some time recently with the HD800 and the Ray Samuels "The Stealth".  It maybe due to the tubes I am using (Mullard ECC32 and Tung sol 12BH7), but this is absolutely the best I have ever heard the HD800.  The Stealth, with these tubes, is a little bit soft in the treble, and a little bit full in the bass, and man oh man does this suit the HD800 well.  I have never enjoyed the HD800 this much.  I finally feel like I have an amp I can really enjoy them with.

I love my HD800 with my WA5-LE (EML 300B Mesh, TSRPBG 6SN7GT, EML 5U4G Mesh) but I want those Mullard ECC32 in my amp!!!

 

[Skylab]

In amps where they can be used, they are worth every penny.

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

AIn amps where they can be used, they are worth every penny.

I can use them in my WA5-LE so I need to save the $600-$700 and look for a pair. Hopefully soon. Any trusted sources for these???