Onkyo A800 – "MASTER CLASS"

Mar 29, 2023 at 12:20 AM Post #137 of 299
Getting to know. But these are rather nice sounding.

One has to wonder what might have followed if Onkyo kept at it

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Mar 29, 2023 at 12:50 AM Post #139 of 299
That is a gorgeous Onkyo A800! Looks like a new stock too!

Yeah, the Onkyo A800 sound is pretty unique, who knows what direction Onkyo would have taken if they never went bankrupt...

It's practically new. Bought if from online auction in Japan, and these users often baby their headphones. It was a nice surprise to find it in practically like-new condition 🙏
 
Mar 29, 2023 at 2:36 PM Post #141 of 299
try them balanced

(1) I have a bunch of 3.5mm after market cables I can try. Haven't yet. Assume any regular 3.5mm will work?

(2) These are relatively sensitive headphones (100 dB/mW). I've tried it with a variety of SS and TC tube amps and found it very easy to drive. What's the benefit of balance for this one?
 
Mar 29, 2023 at 3:56 PM Post #142 of 299
I will probably make one of my last post in this thread and maybe headphones in general maybe Sunday morning ET. Getting a special streamer (final piece of the puzzle) tomorrow that is going to boost the clarity on my entire setup.

This last post is going to be my 5 month review of the Onkyo A800. Spoiler, Mystique Evo DAC + My OTL/OCL Tube Amp + Onkyo A800 = Best Satisfaction I Ever Had In This Hobby

If the streamer turned out to be a dud, then dang, that will suck. The server and streamer is just clarity buff and just to avoid those annoying computer noises. So I hope the streamer is going to be sick lol.

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Mar 29, 2023 at 4:15 PM Post #143 of 299
(1) I have a bunch of 3.5mm after market cables I can try. Haven't yet. Assume any regular 3.5mm will work?

(2) These are relatively sensitive headphones (100 dB/mW). I've tried it with a variety of SS and TC tube amps and found it very easy to drive. What's the benefit of balance for this one?
Honestly my tube amp doesn’t make a difference for balance vs SE output. But Balance vs SE input, I always go Balance input. Reason is because it get a lot more juice in my amp and the music just seems more lively and has more bass. But obviously I could just turn up the volume pot using SE, but I just feel more bass blast and get some placebo musical energy from Balance input with my amp. Output, I don’t really care, whichever is more convenient. YMMV depending on your amp and it’s design.
 
Mar 29, 2023 at 4:19 PM Post #144 of 299
I will probably make one of my last post in this thread and maybe headphones in general maybe Sunday morning ET. Getting a special streamer (final piece of the puzzle) tomorrow that is going to boost the clarity on my entire setup.

This last post is going to be my 5 month review of the Onkyo A800. Spoiler, Mystique Evo DAC + My OTL/OCL Tube Amp + Onkyo A800 = Best Satisfaction I Ever Had In This Hobby

If the streamer turned out to be a dud, then dang, that will suck. The server and streamer is just clarity buff and just to avoid those annoying computer noises. So I hope the
Honestly my tube amp doesn’t make a difference for balance vs SE output. But Balance vs SE input, I always go Balance input. Reason is because it get a lot more juice in my amp and the music just seems more lively and has more bass. But obviously I could just turn up the volume pot using SE, but I just feel more bass blast and get some placebo musical energy from Balance input with my amp. Output, I don’t really care, whichever is more convenient. YMMV depending on your amp and it’s design.

Balance vs SE input, other than noise if issue (usually not with short range well shielded cables, but sometimes can be), usually impacts voltage fed to gain stage (usually DACs output higher voltage to XLR vs RCA but can vary). This can have an impact, not always in the same way, depending on specific amp and headphones. For tube amps, not really (unless noise issue).

Re output to headphones, other than power (e.g. current hungry planars feeding off a balanced circuit) not sure why would impact
 
Mar 29, 2023 at 4:34 PM Post #145 of 299
Re output to headphones, other than power (e.g. current hungry planars feeding off a balanced circuit) not sure why would impact
Just more juice/more power. I like listening at a loud level for bass slam sometimes. And whatever convenience cable you have terminated.

I read on the other A800 thread that it uses LCD1 wiring.
I'm sure any reputable cable maker can make it.

For what cables to use, see the above.
 
Mar 29, 2023 at 4:38 PM Post #146 of 299
For what cables to use, see the above.

Thanks!

I assume then that regular 3.5mm cables (e.g. as used with Susvara) should be avoided?
 
Mar 29, 2023 at 4:44 PM Post #148 of 299
Yeah, it doesn’t work. Only one side of the headphone will play music. You will a converter mod like I have to use regular 3.5mm cables.

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May I ask where you got those? I might order too and try
 
Mar 29, 2023 at 5:09 PM Post #150 of 299
I got it from Xerath in headfi. His friend homemade it. His friends also do other headphones converter to 3.5mm too. You got to ask him if he could sell you some.

Edit Add On: I feel like I should also mention that he is from Thailand

oh yea, we've chatted before.. thanks for the tip..!
 
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