Sennheiser 800S AMP

[Tzeentch]

I was thinking on buying the Sennheiser 800S , but I do not won an amp or DAC, but planningon buying the Sennheiser HDVD800 later on. Is it worth it, or are there better ones that are either cheaper or better for the same price....

 

[Thenewguy007]

Driving the HD800 off your PC or phone won't give it enough power to get loud enough to enjoyable levels.
 
You'll need some kind of amp to power it. Preferably a tube amp.
A lot of people suggest the Schiit Vali 2 ($120) or the Schiit Valhalla 2 ($300), as good cheap amps that power the HD800 fine.
 
 
The DAC inside your PC/Phone/whatever will be good enough though.

 

[buke9]

I was thinking on buying the Sennheiser 800S , but I do not won an amp or DAC, but planningon buying the Sennheiser HDVD800 later on. Is it worth it, or are there better ones that are either cheaper or better for the same price....

Are serious? You want to buy $1700 headphones that need a good amp and DAC setup to get the most out of them but you just want to run them from a phone or computer ? I don't know what to say to that one sorry.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tzeentch /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I was thinking on buying the Sennheiser 800S , but I do not won an amp or DAC, but planning on buying the Sennheiser HDVD800 later on. Is it worth it, or are there better ones that are either cheaper or better for the same price....

 

First off, is there any particular reason why you want the HD800S more than other headphones? Because if you haven't tried them and aren't sure if that's the sound you want there are other options for a very enjoyable listen and a smaller DAC+HPamp to drive it that, together, will cost less. A lot less. Like a Grado RS1e with an Ibasso D42.

 

[Tzeentch]

Well I will buy an amp next month, but cant afford both at the same time

 

[Tzeentch]

First off, is there any particular reason why you want the HD800S more than other headphones? Because if you haven't tried them and aren't sure if that's the sound you want there are other options for a very enjoyable listen and a smaller DAC+HPamp to drive it that, together, will cost less. A lot less. Like a Grado RS1e with an Ibasso D42.

Thats why...

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Thats why...

 
Not sure which part you refer to with "that('s)," oh Changer of Ways, Lord of Sorcery and Intrigue. 

 

[Tzeentch]

   
Not sure which part you refer to with "that('s)," oh Changer of Ways, Lord of Sorcery and Intrigue. 

Well I will buy an amp next month, but cant afford both at the same time

I will but the amp later on, that's what I mean...... i know that you need an amp, but will be stuck with the 800S without one for like a month..... I tested the regular 800 in a shop today, and how similar are they to the 800S? 

 

[Tzeentch]

Any one have some good amps for the 800S ?

 

[buke9]

Well I will buy an amp next month, but cant afford both at the same time




I will but the amp later on, that's what I mean...... i know that you need an amp, but will be stuck with the 800S without one for like a month..... I tested the regular 800 in a shop today, and how similar are they to the 800S? 

I have to say I don't own either but have heard both . It's a toss up for me as which I liked better. They are similar but the S smoothed out the treble response that most people found annoying but some still prefer the 800 and others like the S to me still a toss up. The Microzotl 2 would be nice with them as I heard a modded 800 and it was quite nice . I heard both back to back on a Hdvd 800 and was unimpressed with the amp but that is me you might live it . I'm not a big fan of things that were made for something as that just has the persons view of what it should sound like and many hear things so differently. All in all it is up to you to decide others can just give there impressions of what they hear.

 

[Tzeentch]

I have to say I don't own either but have heard both . It's a toss up for me as which I liked better. They are similar but the S smoothed out the treble response that most people found annoying but some still prefer the 800 and others like the S to me still a toss up. The Microzotl 2 would be nice with them as I heard a modded 800 and it was quite nice . I heard both back to back on a Hdvd 800 and was unimpressed with the amp but that is me you might live it . I'm not a big fan of things that were made for something as that just has the persons view of what it should sound like and many hear things so differently. All in all it is up to you to decide others can just give there impressions of what they hear.

Hmm ty for a more open mided awnser. When It comes to Amp&dac, i will look around, as I know that the hdvd isnt necesarily the best choice.... I have invested in audio equipment, and have used astros for the last 4/5 years....... I am making a big investment, and really dontwant to use to much on my first AMP. What AMP would you recommend as my first AMP ? Fairly cheap, 400 dollars ish, that sounds good and are good with the 800S, as Ive read that it is a hard to find a good amp to it.....

 

[buke9]

Hmm ty for a more open mided awnser. When It comes to Amp&dac, i will look around, as I know that the hdvd isnt necesarily the best choice.... I have invested in audio equipment, and have used astros for the last 4/5 years....... I am making a big investment, and really dontwant to use to much on my first AMP. What AMP would you recommend as my first AMP ? Fairly cheap, 400 dollars ish, that sounds good and are good with the 800S, as Ive read that it is a hard to find a good amp to it.....

I'm not the one to answer this one. Check out the the 800S thread here it might be of help http://www.head-fi.org/t/795365/sennheiser-hd800-s-impressions-thread-read-first-post-for-summary

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Well I will buy an amp next month, but cant afford both at the same time

I will but the amp later on, that's what I mean...... i know that you need an amp, but will be stuck with the 800S without one for like a month.....

 
Well you can wait another month and buy both at the same time. Tzeentch is a patient schemer, not the type to rush out screaming BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD, SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE GRRRRAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHH!!! all because the whole point only is to spill blood (or bleed cash), as Khorne doesn't mind whose blood it is that gets spilled.
 

I tested the regular 800 in a shop today

 
Not sure how similar they are, but in terms of amplification you can safely assume that what can drive that well shouldn't have issues on the HD800S. What did the shop have on it? You can just get that if you already like the sound.

Alternately, order the HD800S, and then try it out at the shop with the same amplifier. If you like it then get that one, safe bet considering you've already heard it, unless it's a low end amp and you're willing to try and see if the improvements from a midrange (in terms of price) amplifier would be worth it. That said if that was the HDVD800 and you can afford it without eating instant noodles for weeks, I'd say go get it.
 
 
Quote:

  Any one have some good amps for the 800S ?

 
Do you have a CDP or a DAC? The HDVD800 has a DAC in it on top of the headphone amp.
 
DAC-HPamp:
AudioGD NFB-11
AudioGD NFB-29
Burson Conductor
Violectric V200/V281 (Go to German website where you can order an optional integrated DAC module with the amplifier)
 
Headphone amps
Schiit Valhalla2
Meier Corda Jazz FF
Meier Corda Classic FF
Burson Soloist
AudioGD Precision 1
WooAudio WA6SE
 
DACs
Schiit Bifrost
Meier Corda DACcord 
AudioGD 

 

[Tzeentch]

   
Well you can wait another month and buy both at the same time. Tzeentch is a patient schemer, not the type to rush out screaming BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD, SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE GRRRRAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHH!!! all because the whole point only is to spill blood (or bleed cash), as Khorne doesn't mind whose blood it is that gets spilled.
 
Not sure how similar they are, but in terms of amplification you can safely assume that what can drive that well shouldn't have issues on the HD800S. What did the shop have on it? You can just get that if you already like the sound.

Alternately, order the HD800S, and then try it out at the shop with the same amplifier. If you like it then get that one, safe bet considering you've already heard it, unless it's a low end amp and you're willing to try and see if the improvements from a midrange (in terms of price) amplifier would be worth it. That said if that was the HDVD800 and you can afford it without eating instant noodles for weeks, I'd say go get it.
 
 
Do you have a CDP or a DAC? The HDVD800 has a DAC in it on top of the headphone amp.
 
DAC-HPamp:
AudioGD NFB-11
AudioGD NFB-29
Burson Conductor
Violectric V200/V281 (Go to German website where you can order an optional integrated DAC module with the amplifier)
 
Headphone amps
Schiit Valhalla2
Meier Corda Jazz FF
Meier Corda Classic FF
Burson Soloist
AudioGD Precision 1
WooAudio WA6SE
 
DACs
Schiit Bifrost
Meier Corda DACcord 
AudioGD 

But the sound even without an amp or dac, will still be better than mu pc 363d right ? It won't be as good as with an amp, but It will stil you know, play music and whatnot, even tho it will be low tier than with an amp/dac.... It will still function right ? 

 

[Thenewguy007]

  But the sound even without an amp or dac, will still be better than mu pc 363d right ? It won't be as good as with an amp, but It will stil you know, play music and whatnot, even tho it will be low tier than with an amp/dac.... It will still function right ? 

Yeah it will play fine, though you won't be able to get very high volumes without a amp though.
 
You'll still get the immediate superior resolution & detail of the HD800 compared to any other headphone.