[floydfan33]

Hello,
 
My current system is Grado 325i's through Yamaha HTR-6190 Receiver. I have always enjoyed the Grado's but find them very uncomfortable (even after trying foam mods).
 
Circumstances have allowed me to get a set of HD800 (too good to refuse price), and I am looking to run these to the best of their ability without breaking the bank.
 
The headphones are used for home theater room listening almost exclusively, 90% music listening, mainly progressive rock.
 
Source setup planned as follows:
 
1. Yamaha CD-S1000 CD Player analog out into receiver, tape out to TBD Headphone AMP
 
or
 
2. Oppo BDP83 Blu Ray Optical Out to DAC/AMP
 
I have narrowed the field to the Matrix M-Stage or the Matrix Mini-i or Nuforce HDP.
 
I like the thought of the additional flexibility of the DAC/Amp, but assume there is a compromise in performance.
 
Any users who can enlighten me on my best choice?
 
Thanks,
 
Matt

 

[FallenAngel]

What is your budget on the amp?  Are you considering a DAC as well (which I strongly recommend as I believe that having a good DAC and a cheaper amplifier is considerably better than a cheap DAC and a good amplifier as you'll just be amplifying a cheap DAC very well ).

 

[floydfan33]

My hope is to spend under $400 for an AMP or AMP/DAC.
 
Thanks!

 

[volume]

audio gd FUN, the new one are supposed to be extremely nice with the upgraded modules.

 

[FallenAngel]

Do excuse if I find it slightly unreasonable to buy $1500 headphones and run them off $400 worth of upstream components...
 
On such a tight budget, I would recommend going with used and trying to find the best deal around.
 
I came across this PPA and highly recommend it, both as a great amp and as an incredible deal, get this amp, no question in my mind that this is the best value of anything you can find.
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/507668/fs-ppav1-1a-w-discrete-diamond-buffers-loop-out-vishy-dale-gain-of-8
 
For DAC, I generally recommend older DACs that now sell for a mere fraction of their original cost.  More easily found on eBay and AudioGon generally.
 
This looks like a nice deal:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1287088661&/North-Star-Design-model-3/4
 
If you are able to stretch the budget (and indulge a little), I came across this DAC, I've owned one and think it's wonderful (and I paid considerably more for it).
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1287961477&/North-Star-Model-192

 

[jcx]

the SE upgrade of the oppo is claimed to have a  very fine ESS sabre32 stereo DAC out - you would only need a amp
 

 

[floydfan33]

These look like great suggestions....Thank You.
 
The HD800's came my way at substantial savings, so my perspective is maybe a little skewed.
 
Will continue the hunt, it may reveal some additional change in the couch!
 

 

[FallenAngel]

Grab that amp before it's too late, I'd take that over pretty much anything at the $500 price point.

 

[beamthegreat]

Can you build your own amp? If yes, then go for the M^3 or B22. If not, then you might have to look for a used M^3 amp that sells for ~300$. As for the DAC, get a decent used DAC (zero dac, for around ~100$ or save some more and get a Carat DAC. The M^3 + carat DAC is a very good combinations for the HD800 IMO.

 

[floydfan33]

Bought the recommended PPA.
 
Thanks for the advice, can't wait to try everything out!

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Do excuse if I find it slightly unreasonable to buy $1500 headphones and run them off $400 worth of upstream components...
 

Completely agree. The HD800s need (and deserve) a proper system to be set up around them...source, amp, dac, cables, etc...