[bigbelly]

  I just picked one of these up (received it today) and paired it with the HiFiMAN HE-560 headphones. So far I'm really enjoying the sound, has anyone else tried this pairing? If so, thoughts?
 
- tret

Just wondering if you've got any more comments on how this is working out for you. I've got the DAC1 and I'm thinking of getting a pair of HE-560s.
 
I've got Audeze EL-8C and the Marantz is doing great job with them but I'm still searching for the right sound for me so I'm exploring options.

 

[tretneo]

I have nothing but good things to say about this pairing.
 
That said, after reading so many threads with people practically drooling over the Gustard H10 or Lyr 2 pairing with their HE-560s and claiming that the abundant power has "opened them up", etc. I decided to return my HD-DAC1 and join the H10 Massdrop. We'll see if what they say is true. In the meantime I am using my Aune B1 portable amp but I must say I already miss my Marantz...

 

[bigbelly]

Thanks...that deal on the H10 looks very interesting. Now you've got me thinking the same thing....drat.

 

[giedrys]

Anyone ever found HD-DAC1 for less than MSRP from authorized dealer?

 

[2leftears]

  Anyone ever found HD-DAC1 for less than MSRP from authorized dealer?

Yes,
 
£600 from a local authorised dealer vs. £679 RRP.  I got a similar good deal from them on an SA11S3 and PM11S3 a couple of years ago (£3,000 each vs. £3,600 each RRP).  Marantz are one of the brands they specialise in and they are one of the limited number of dealers here that are authorized by Marantz to sell their Premium range.  As I understood it, Marantz sometimes gives them authorisation to supply the first few samples they sell of a new product at a discount, a promotion to get the ball rolling so to speak...
 
Unfortunately I am in the UK, so probably not much use to you...

 

[tretneo]

 
Thanks...that deal on the H10 looks very interesting. Now you've got me thinking the same thing....drat.

 
Yeah, I actually kind of wish I had just "enjoyed the music" with my Marantz and stopped doing so much head-fi reading.... Not the first one to have come to this realization I'm sure

 

[audionewbi]

K812 and maratnz can be the setup to end it all for a sane non headfi member. Most of us take what we have front of for granted. But I suppose before one settles they must try as much as they possibility can,right?

 

[tretneo]

K812 and maratnz can be the setup to end it all for a sane non headfi member. Most of us take what we have front of for granted. But I suppose before one settles they must try as much as they possibility can,right?

 
Seems to be the case, this site is good at making a person wonder what they are missing out on.
 
Curious why you picked the K812 to pair with the Marantz HD-DAC1 for a "sane" non head-fi member end game combo btw. Could the same be said for any flagship (or something like the HE-560 that some people feel can hang with the big boys) headphone in your opinion?

 

[audionewbi]

   
Seems to be the case, this site is good at making a person wonder what they are missing out on.
 
Curious why you picked the K812 to pair with the Marantz HD-DAC1 for a "sane" non head-fi member end game combo btw. Could the same be said for any flagship (or something like the HE-560 that some people feel can hang with the big boys) headphone in your opinion?

My sonic preference varies greatly. At first I was an analytical listener for a long time, starting with ER4S for 4 years than moving to k702 for another 2, and to a large extend those two remain my favourite but with years that gone by I realise that those type of listening does not cover everything. The safest option is a gear that has a warm undertone with medium/large soundstage with treble which is present but not over-emphasised. Such tonality will cover all genera with ease (ofcourse some better than other) and that includes live recording which tend to be brighter than conventional studio recording. 
 
AKG k812 offers that sound, I have no issue with its treble and its bass decay is something that is truly musical without losing control. Pair that with already natural tonality of HD-DAC1 which already has plenty of headroom to power K812 one has nothing to worry about. Truly with this setup amp is not needed.

 

[Jeff Y]

K812 and maratnz can be the setup to end it all for a sane non headfi member. Most of us take what we have front of for granted. But I suppose before one settles they must try as much as they possibility can,right?

@audionewbi , can you compare the HD-DAC 1's sound and the Hugo's sound for me if you don't mind? Thank you.

 

[audionewbi]

  @audionewbi , can you compare the HD-DAC 1's sound and the Hugo's sound for me if you don't mind? Thank you.

It will be a tough one as I no longer have a neutral desktop amplifier to do it correctly.
 
Basically HUGO is full sounding but lacks dynamic as a stand alone and you need to either increase the volume past your comfort listening or compromise on reduce bass quantity at lower volumes. Add an amp (like O2) and things improve alot. HUGO is more IEM friendly than Marantz even at lower volumes and for most the lack of lower end extension at lower volumes might be a non issue as overall the incredibly open sound of HUGO is very engaging for a first time listener however for headphones like K812 I like HD-DAC1 more then HUGO. The amp section of HD-DAC 1 combined with its DAC provides a nice musicality which does not lack any detail and offers great dynamic (better than stand alone HUGO at any volume).
 
The price we pay for HUGO is what it can offer you arguably anywhere and it can scale up greatly with better amp, I cannot test that right now to see which DAC as stand alone can offer more but as a stand alone unit with headphones like TH900/K812/HD600 HD-DAC1 is a much better choice than HUGO simply for its much better amp section.

 

[Poimandres]

Are the side panels real wood or plastic?

 

[audionewbi]

I dont think so but it feels real to touch but not as dense, which got me thinking might not be.

I honestly love the K812 and marantz pairing. Sadly Maratnz is not queit friendly with low impedance, not a hissing issue but it plays around with the tuning of the lower impedance (bloated midbass with very rolled off highs). However swap to K812 I cannot pick fault at all, at all!

 

[Poimandres]

Low impedance or high sensitivity? I am wondering how it will pair with the ethers.

 

[audionewbi]

For me low impedance, I plugged he highly sensitive EQ-8/IQ and both played with a very black background, minimum hiss at past 50% volume. I think the amp section is best suited for dynamic drivers than anything else.