[Badas]

Taurus is an amp not a DAC. Perhaps u mean the Vega?

Opps. Right you are. I'm always doing that. Old age I think. Yes Vega.

I will edit my post above.

 

[SpudHarris]

I like a lot of phones fed from the balanced output of the HA-1 but the last 3 nights I have really begun to appreciate what a great pairing it is with the PM-1.

I hadn't given the PM-1 too much air time as I just didn't expect it to compete with the likes of the HD800, LCD3 or HE6. Not saying it's better than these technically but with the HA-1 there is a definite synergy which is something I guess Oppo have worked hard to achieve.

Any of you guys loving the combo?

 

[tuatara]

I like a lot of phones fed from the balanced output of the HA-1 but the last 3 nights I have really begun to appreciate what a great pairing it is with the PM-1.

I hadn't given the PM-1 too much air time as I just didn't expect it to compete with the likes of the HD800, LCD3 or HE6. Not saying it's better than these technically but with the HA-1 there is a definite synergy which is something I guess Oppo have worked hard to achieve.

Any of you guys loving the combo?

Hoping to very soon once the PM-3 arrives and I can swap the PM-1 back out to my music room. I've spent very little time with that combo so far-mainly using the HA-1 with Audeze phones.

 

[Dougr33]

I like a lot of phones fed from the balanced output of the HA-1 but the last 3 nights I have really begun to appreciate what a great pairing it is with the PM-1.

I hadn't given the PM-1 too much air time as I just didn't expect it to compete with the likes of the HD800, LCD3 or HE6. Not saying it's better than these technically but with the HA-1 there is a definite synergy which is something I guess Oppo have worked hard to achieve.

Any of you guys loving the combo?

Loving HA-1/PM-2 a LOT.  Coming from Benchmark DAC1 HDR and AKG K-712s. Surprised at the improvement, and as a PreAmp too.

 

[Raptor34]

I like a lot of phones fed from the balanced output of the HA-1 but the last 3 nights I have really begun to appreciate what a great pairing it is with the PM-1.

I hadn't given the PM-1 too much air time as I just didn't expect it to compete with the likes of the HD800, LCD3 or HE6. Not saying it's better than these technically but with the HA-1 there is a definite synergy which is something I guess Oppo have worked hard to achieve.

Any of you guys loving the combo?

Yup,  it's my end game set up.   

 

[zilch0md]

I like a lot of phones fed from the balanced output of the HA-1 but the last 3 nights I have really begun to appreciate what a great pairing it is with the PM-1.

I hadn't given the PM-1 too much air time as I just didn't expect it to compete with the likes of the HD800, LCD3 or HE6. Not saying it's better than these technically but with the HA-1 there is a definite synergy which is something I guess Oppo have worked hard to achieve.

Any of you guys loving the combo?

Yes! The HA-1 > PM-1 is perhaps the best combo I've had for doing a great job across all genres.

When my goal is to make an emotional connection to the music, to just enjoy listening, without getting "ambushed" by any annoying traits, I go for this pairing. There simply are no annoying traits, nothing to disturb even an analytically inclined listener. I don't have to "work" at getting into the music. It just happens.

Mike

 

[SpudHarris]

Yup,  it's my end game set up.   

I had yet another immersive evening with this combo last night and I'm beginning to feel the same way. For the first time I think I could just stick with this combo and free up some cash by thinning the herd so to speak.

 

[AudioMan2013]

Since the HA-1 makes an excellent dac and volume control, what do you think about using multiple units with the minidsp nanodigi digital crossover for a 2 or 3 way speaker setup?

 

[Dougr33]

If you know someone ready to pull the trigger, MusicDirect.com has a silver HA-1 'demo' (full warranty) for $959.  Was tempted cause I got my black demo for only $100 off and wanted silver! But think I'll stay pat rather than going thru hassle of selling the black one

 

[goldendarko]

Good price, was able to pick mine up for $800 in black, shoots well above that price level. I'd say it compares with Amp/Dacs up to 2k

 

[SpudHarris]

That's it.... Listening with 24bit studio masters of the Ultimae catalogue thus far and yet another night of bliss with the HA1/PM1 combo. Really feel like I've arrived at the end of a very long and expensive (sometimes painful) journey. Will probably keep HD800 and HE6 and possibly DT880 (600 ohm Manufaktur) as these are matched to other kit or have sentimental value but all other phones will be up for sale soon.

 

[billhickok]

  If you know someone ready to pull the trigger, MusicDirect.com has a silver HA-1 'demo' (full warranty) for $959.  Was tempted cause I got my black demo for only $100 off and wanted silver! But think I'll stay pat rather than going thru hassle of selling the black one

Okay I just pulled the trigger, thanks for the heads up. Had it sitting in my cart for a while, deliberating on whether I should check out. They don't have any details whatsoever about it's condition, i'm hoping there are no major/noticeable scratches or marks on it 'cause i'm a bit OCD when it comes to those things. Eventually couldn't pass up on +$200 off with full Oppo warranty.
 
Excited for it to arrive but the only headphones in my possession right now is the Sony MDR 7506 

. Been fishing around for the HD 800's to hit ~$1,000 before pulling the trigger on those...

 

[goldendarko]

Congrats on your new HA-1, word of caution though I honestly don't think the HD-800 is going to be the best pairing with the HA-1 since the HA-1 already trends towards the bright side it wouldn't be an ideal match for the HD-800, IMO. If you prefer that sound signature (wide soundstage for example) I really find the HE-560 to be a good pairing with the HA-1 myself, similar in some ways to the HD800 but also similar to planars which work better with solid state gear like the HA-1.

 

[theblueprint]

Congrats on your new HA-1, word of caution though I honestly don't think the HD-800 is going to be the best pairing with the HA-1 since the HA-1 already trends towards the bright side it wouldn't be an ideal match for the HD-800, IMO. If you prefer that sound signature (wide soundstage for example) I really find the HE-560 to be a good pairing with the HA-1 myself, similar in some ways to the HD800 but also similar to planars which work better with solid state gear like the HA-1.

From what I've read on headfi and other reviewers, it seems that everyone is split on whether the HD800 pairs well with the HA-1.

 

[goldendarko]

Yeah obviously everyone's got their own preferences but I just think this would be an example of two pieces of gear that would not shine best with one another. The HD-800 has done best with tube amps from what I've heard and the HA-1 does best with planars, but by all means give it a try and see if it's for you.