I have the HA-1 (since launch roughly) as well as HD800s for about 6 months now (non s 1st gen, I wish they hadn't called it HD800s, now how the hell am I supposed to pluralize it without confusing everything damnit? Hence forth, first gen = HD800(s)). Got the HD800(s) for $850 shipped used but were NIB with an additional Charleston Balanced cable, and am completely satisfied with the deal. I waited several years for the prices to go lower, wasting many hours deal hunting and bargaining, and regret all of it. It definitely would have been worth a couple hundred for me to avoid all of that deal hunting where I could have been enjoying these cans instead. If you have the $$ and prefer the HD800s, go for it so you don't wonder later. The quoted price isn't a bad deal considering new, with a return policy (and I am assuming warranty), the balanced cable, the tweaks that are supposed improvements, and IMHO the better aesthetics and what is hopefully a more durable finish. Now that I have pretty much talked myself into getting the HD800s damnit...
I am quite happy with the cable I got, and they start at $160 for 3' with Neutrik 4pin XLR connector, Canare cabling, headphone side connectors that seem just as good as the OEM, and from a US company that I read lots of good things about. Or, you can use their configurator and go nuts. If there is a better option for their price I am not aware other than used or DIY, and I looked for a long while. The used cables that are priced well go QUICK, so if I hadn't gotten my cable in my package (before I knew about Charleston), I would have posted a wanted ad and hoped for the best.
http://www.c3audio.com/store/p27/Sennheiser_HD_800_Headphone_Cable_--_CANARE.html
I am also very happy with the HA-1 / HD800s combo. I have both other stacks and other cans that are in the same league, but this one of my most frequent pairings, so it isn't because of a lack of options. Also, if you game, or listen to or watch 5.1 material down-mixed to 2ch and presented in virtual surround, but IMHO the precision, resolution, and soundstage of this pairing is incredible. I have experimented with many other combos (see my profile for a list of just some of those other combos, the stuff I still own), and IMHO this combo is a clear winner. Note that my HD800(s) are stock. I have everything needed to mod them and am not nervous or whatever about modding them at all, but I don't want to screw with their signature. Sure they are a bit thinner sounding on the low end compared to say LCD3's, but IMHO the low end is still excellent, and I don't want to modify the IMHO relatively unique and incredible high freq. performance and precise sound stage that makes the HD800(s) one of my favorite cans.
Finally, the HA-1 has been in frequent use since I received it, including a more than few gaming marathons for 16+ hrs straight driving these fairly demanding HD800(s) at probably louder levels than I should be listening at
. It runs in a room that is probably average 80F. I have never once had any of the issues described here including USB no longer recognized by PC, scratchy volume, unbalanced channels, unexpected shutdowns, garbled display... those are all that I remember reading anyway. Even after reading about them, I wasn't worried as every single post I read about issues was resolved by Oppo quickly and painlessly. Maybe there are bad experiences with Oppo support out there (how can there NOT be?), but I can't remember seeing one, so I think they are rare.
