Originally Posted by HPiper /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Looking to hear from anyone who successfully upgraded their HD600. By successfully I mean found a phone that does everything the 600 does, only better. I have bought quite a few headphones and several of them I really liked, until I compared them to my 600's. I am beginning to think the HD800 is the only answer, maybe the 700. Would like to keep the cost down around $500-$900 if possible. I have both a solid-state and a tube amp so that isn't going to be a problem. What I am thinking of at this point is either the HE-500's or the LCD-2's.
I've owned the HD600, HE-500.. and currently own the HD800. I enjoyed my time with the first two phones... but the HD800 is a real, unequivocal step above them.
While the HE-500's bass capabilities were stunning, I couldn't entirely get on with the midbass-centered response. I found the HE-500 mids too warm, forward, and thick & the treble to roll off too soon for my tastes. From a technical standpoint, it was very impressive.. but its signature was something I couldn't see myself being agreeable with in the long term. I simply
loved the HD600. I've written quite a bit about it in this thread (when I had it), so I won't rehash. Interestingly enough, it has a slightly midbass-centric bass presentation as well, but I didn't find it anywhere near as irksome as the HE-500 (similar) bass presentation.
After owning (and enjoying) the HD600 for quite some time, my lust & curiosity for the HD800 grew too strong. I purchased it 'blind' (without ever hearing it it once) and that (risky) decision turned out to be, arguably, the best decision I've ever made in personal audio (what's the second best? Getting the HD600.. LOL). The HE-500 is often considered the 'natural' upgrade to the HE-500. I tended to agreed with that recommendation.. but after having owned it and the HD800, I find the latter to be an even more proper 'upgrade path' for HD600 owners. My love & respect for the HD600 has not diminished in anyway since the HD800 arrived, though. It still remains one of the best phones I've ever heard and if, for some reason, I had to downgrade to it from the HD800, I'd have no reservations or regrets. Yes, the HD800 is (very clearly) more impressive.. but the HD600 is very special to me in it's own way.
I felt I did my research pretty well before getting the HD800, though. Part of what made the decision to buy the HD800 easy was.. the lack of anything else around (or a little below) its price point that really distinguished itself. The T1, LCD-2, HE-500, etc. never really struck me as the
one (semi/open-backed) phone I'd want to buy
and keep for an extended period of time. Having had the HD800 for six months now, I've got absolutely no desire to get another full sized phone.
Provided your upstream gear synergizes well with it, I'm fairly certain the HD800 will rock your ******** world. I've got a (desktop) solid state & tube rig for my HD800, as well (see my signature).. and I find both to gracefully let the HD800 sing. My souped up Crack drives the HD800 beautifully.. as does the Violectric stack. Both are actually similar in many ways in terms of sound (smooth, transparent, very technically-capable).. with the tube rig sounding a little more liquid, rich, and musical.
I don't think getting the HD800 to sing
requires mega-bucks (but it helps! LOL) to be spent on upstream gear.. but don't expect too many "budget"-oriented options to show you what it can really do. That being said, there are some very nice option under $1000 that are said to impress (the Burson Soloist/SL is considered one of the best solid state amps under a $1K for the HD800.. I can personally vouch for the Violectric V200 & speedballed BH Crack to sound terrific with the HD800).
So, if you liked the HD600 as much as I did.. I'd recommend not dilly dallying around with phones you
hope might scratch your HD600-upgrade itch.. go with the HD800 and
know you're getting a badass phone than many HD600 lovers cherish.
