[Sybil]

Hi everyone!~ I know there's quite a number of threads asking for amplifier recommendations for the Sennheiser HD800 but I don't seem to be able to find anything that's recent with regards to recommended solid state amplifiers for the HD800.
 
I wish to avoid tubes as I'm lazy and really am not interested in fiddling around with them either. My previous setup with speakers was fully solid state and I intend on continuing the solid state route with headphones as well.
 
The reason for limiting myself to the HD800 is that they're pretty much the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. And that's a pretty big criteria for me since there's no point having the best headphones around if I don't like how they feel on my head.
 
My absolute maximum budget is around 2,200US$, though the less the better. This budget is for both DAC and amplifier and I would like the DAC and amplifier to be a matching stack since I like my symmetry and aesthetics.
 
Operation will in all likelihood be single-ended though if balanced is available I may consider using it. Not picky about this.
 
So the obvious choices to me are:
 
* Schiit Lyr 2 LISST & Bifrost Multibit
* Schiit Mjolnir 2 LISST & Gungnir Multibit
* Violectric HPA V200 & DAC V800/850
 
Feedback seems to be quite mixed with regards to matching the HD800 with either the Lyr 2 or Mjolnir 2. If anyone can give me some feedback that's more current that would be good I guess.
 
The Violectric seems to enjoy a fair amount of praise from those who actually own it, which doesn't seem to be that many. And if I go that route I'll need to decide if I should get the DAC V800 or the DAC V850. Any opinions?
 
And finally; if there's anything else I've missed out. Feel free to chime in. Thank you for any contributions!

 

[Me x3]

  Hi everyone!~ I know there's quite a number of threads asking for amplifier recommendations for the Sennheiser HD800 but I don't seem to be able to find anything that's recent with regards to recommended solid state amplifiers for the HD800.
 
I wish to avoid tubes as I'm lazy and really am not interested in fiddling around with them either. My previous setup with speakers was fully solid state and I intend on continuing the solid state route with headphones as well.
 
The reason for limiting myself to the HD800 is that they're pretty much the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. And that's a pretty big criteria for me since there's no point having the best headphones around if I don't like how they feel on my head.
 
My absolute maximum budget is around 2,200US$, though the less the better. This budget is for both DAC and amplifier and I would like the DAC and amplifier to be a matching stack since I like my symmetry and aesthetics.
 
Operation will in all likelihood be single-ended though if balanced is available I may consider using it. Not picky about this.
 
So the obvious choices to me are:
 
* Schiit Lyr 2 LISST & Bifrost Multibit
* Schiit Mjolnir 2 LISST & Gungnir Multibit
* Violectric HPA V200 & DAC V800/850
 
Feedback seems to be quite mixed with regards to matching the HD800 with either the Lyr 2 or Mjolnir 2. If anyone can give me some feedback that's more current that would be good I guess.
 
The Violectric seems to enjoy a fair amount of praise from those who actually own it, which doesn't seem to be that many. And if I go that route I'll need to decide if I should get the DAC V800 or the DAC V850. Any opinions?
 
And finally; if there's anything else I've missed out. Feel free to chime in. Thank you for any contributions!

You should consider the Bryston BHA-1
Bifrost Multibit should serve you well with stock HD800 and SS amplification.

 

[Sybil]

Hi thanks for your answer!~ Somehow not that keen on Bryston because of high markups where I live. Also if I were to get a matching DAC... their DAC's are $$$.

I also forgot to mention that I was also looking at the Sennheiser HDVD800 which seems to have great feedback as an amplifier but as a DAC there are some who say it's average while there are others who say that it's really good enough.

So still kinda lost. Eep.

 

[Sybil]

Hello. I did think about it originally but because I'm really trying to get a matching set and the Bryston DAC is too expensive that plan did not stay on my table for very long haha. The Bryston amplifier alone will deplete most of my budget.
 
Another option I'm considering which I forgot to mention is the Sennheiser HDVD800.
 
Its amplifier section looks to be well regarded by many but the DAC section seems to be getting quite a few mixed reviews. Some say it's average at best while others are adamant that it's more than sufficient and almost indistinguishable from high-end DAC's.
 
As always, if anyone else has any more comments, let me know. Thank you!~

 

[ZGojira]

The Grace Design m920 works quite well with the HD800 if you like a really detailed sound.
Some might find it too much...

 
Do you have a balanced cable for your HD800?

 

[Sybil]

Hello. Thank you for your suggestion on the Grace Design M920. I actually read about it a little, but thought I saw that it was discontinued. Maybe not. Oops.
 
I do not have a balanced cable but I am open to buying one if its crucial to match with the amplifier.
 
Does the Grace Design M920 work well on its own with its internal DAC?

 

[ZGojira]

  Hello. Thank you for your suggestion on the Grace Design M920. I actually read about it a little, but thought I saw that it was discontinued. Maybe not. Oops.
 
I do not have a balanced cable but I am open to buying one if its crucial to match with the amplifier.
 
Does the Grace Design M920 work well on its own with its internal DAC?

 
I personally think a balanced cable does makes it sound "better". You can always get one at a later time.
The m920 works on it's own. The amp section on it's own also sounds very clean 

The ability to use an apple remote is also great

However, it can come of as sterile if you don't think the extremely clean/sharp sound...

It was designed as a monitoring tool, and I would say it's one of the best there is out there.
 
I think it's one of the best all-in-one units out there (along with a few others of course

).
But beyond this point, I would be looking at standalone multi-bit/R2R/NOS DACs and standalone balanced amps...
 
What are your sound signature preferences? That will play a huge part on what you choose....

 

[Sybil]

Thank you for your feedback! I've always loved my music analytical, and some would even say bright.
 
I've always used speakers with ribbon tweeters for this reason. I had to do away with my desktop speaker setup because of a relocation resulting in less space and all.
 
So now I'm looking to get a decent headphone setup again so that I can continue to enjoy my music.
 
At this point I think it's Sennheiser HDVD800 or Grace Design M920. They cost around the same, but I see the M920 is single-ended only? So I guess that would save me a little.
 
I'm open to both an all-in-one solution or having a separate DAC and amplifier.
 
Schiit might be out of the question for now as I received a mail from them stating that their solid state "tubes" are facing a parts shortage with no ETA.

 

[ZGojira]

  Thank you for your feedback! I've always loved my music analytical, and some would even say bright.
 
I've always used speakers with ribbon tweeters for this reason. I had to do away with my desktop speaker setup because of a relocation resulting in less space and all.
 
So now I'm looking to get a decent headphone setup again so that I can continue to enjoy my music.
 
At this point I think it's Sennheiser HDVD800 or Grace Design M920. They cost around the same, but I see the M920 is single-ended only? So I guess that would save me a little.
 
I'm open to both an all-in-one solution or having a separate DAC and amplifier.
 
Schiit might be out of the question for now as I received a mail from them stating that their solid state "tubes" are facing a parts shortage with no ETA.

 
The M920 has balanced outs at the rear.....just not using XLR outputs, but TRS jacks.
 
I run balanced on my HD800 out of the m920, using two TRS to XLR cables connected to the balanced XLR cable on my HD800.
If you like analytical, the m920 is made for you

I have not heard DAC/Amp that is more analytical.... I should also mention that it's not really the most forgiving 

Personally I don't find my HD800 bright, but I have an early pair. I had the chance to hear a more recent pair and found it bright

To add to the confusion, I had some other people listen to my HD800 and found it bright....
 
I too have a very strong preference for an analytical sound, which is probably why I find myself with a pair of sr-009

That's probably as analytical as you can get with headphones

 
Just to make sure that we are talking about the same product...This is the m920

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m920/m920.htm

 

[lugnut]

I too have been researching amp & dac info for the hd 800 & hd 800s . I have been doing this for several months now, with no clear cut answers.
You may receive the info you desire by asking this. However, I think your best bet is to have a notebook and read all the threads dedicated to these headphones and take notes, as their is a ton of info on this. I am at the point that I am going to have to choice a amp and move on. If it works great if not I will be even more informed and will know what I want or don't, in the sound of the amp. Good Luck

 

[ZGojira]

  I too have been researching amp & dac info for the hd 800 & hd 800s . I have been doing this for several months now, with no clear cut answers.
You may receive the info you desire by asking this. However, I think your best bet is to have a notebook and read all the threads dedicated to these headphones and take notes, as their is a ton of info on this. I am at the point that I am going to have to choice a amp and move on. If it works great if not I will be even more informed and will know what I want or don't, in the sound of the amp. Good Luck

 
May I ask which DAC you settled on? 

 

[Sybil]

I think right now I'm mostly sold on the Grace Design M920. Seems well reviewed and I like the way it looks and also love its user interface.
 
Anyone have any other suggestions or feedback to provide before I commit to an order?
 
I do admit that I am not certain I'm making the right choice yet. I was originally quite committed to Schiit as I quite buy into their DAC's.
 
However with the solid state option out of stock and nowhere in sight plus the fact that even the Mjolnir 2 is getting mixed reviews with the HD800... I don't know. Eep.
 
Thank you!~

 

[ZGojira]

  I think right now I'm mostly sold on the Grace Design M920. Seems well reviewed and I like the way it looks and also love its user interface.
 
Anyone have any other suggestions or feedback to provide before I commit to an order?
 
I do admit that I am not certain I'm making the right choice yet. I was originally quite committed to Schiit as I quite buy into their DAC's.
 
However with the solid state option out of stock and nowhere in sight plus the fact that even the Mjolnir 2 is getting mixed reviews with the HD800... I don't know. Eep.
 
Thank you!~

 
If you like analytical, they are really good.

Just keep in mind that sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for

My first reaction when I first listened to them was that I was listening to a measurement instrument 

It's definitely on the extreme end of the analytical scale.
On the HD800, you will need great recordings to make them sound great. Anything of lesser quality will be very apparent, and possibly annoy you

 
 

 

[Sybil]

 
I run balanced on my HD800 out of the m920, using two TRS to XLR cables connected to the balanced XLR cable on my HD800.

 
Hello. How did you do this? The balanced cable for the HD800 is one 4-pin XLR cable.
 
Are you using a custom balanced cable for the HD800 that goes out to two 3-pin XLR cables instead?

Thank you for your help!~

 

[ZGojira]

   
Hello. How did you do this? The balanced cable for the HD800 is one 4-pin XLR cable.
 
Are you using a custom balanced cable for the HD800 that goes out to two 3-pin XLR cables instead?

Thank you for your help!~

I use a ZY cable that terminates in two XLRs. I got mine from massdrop, but this is the cable:
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Headphone-Upgrade-Balance-ZY-045/dp/B00MXV1MUQ
 
and I use two of these (not these exact cables), to connect to the m920:
https://www.amazon.com/CableWholesale-6-Feet-Female-4-Inch-10XR-01606/dp/B00CY9Z1MW/ref=sr_1_19?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1478779007&sr=1-19&keywords=XLR+4-pin
 
You can also get 4 pin to dual 3pin XLR adapters.