Latest Thread Images

Sennheiser HD800 and HDVA 600 Review
Sep 1, 2015 at 7:58 AM Post #61 of 89
When I finally found the Marantz PM 11S3 integrated amp at a reasonable price I bought it.  Then I compared the Senn HDVA 600 to Marantz's HP jack and found the HP jack to be just as good as the HDVA 600, so I sold the Senn HP amp and the balanced cables to my HD 650 and 800.  Yes the cables are expensive but when I used them with the Marantz PM 8005/HDVA 600 combo my jaw dropped at the increase in performance of both headphones.  Hope you're enjoying your system.
 
Sep 4, 2015 at 11:20 AM Post #62 of 89
So the price between HDVD 800 and HDVA 600 is about $600. Can people find DAC at $600 that make the combo of $600 DAC + HDVA 600 perform way better than the HDVD 800. btw, single box always look and handle better than two boxes on the surface and I prefer fewer items on the desk.
 
Sep 28, 2015 at 4:06 PM Post #63 of 89
ghaunty22 said:
  I assume there is no sq difference between the 600 & 800 unit? amp wise
 
Why is the ch800s cable so expensive? Because they know people will pay for that awesome subjective sound? These cables are getting out of control, just profiteering madness.
Click to expand...


Ghaunty.......Yes, the amplifier section of the HDVA 600 and the HDVD 800 are identical, fully balanced from input to output.  The HDVD 800 includes the internal DAC.
 
As for the price of the CH 800S fully balanced headphone cable, I don't consider it's price to be exorbitant.  I had a Stefan AudioArt cable on my HD600 that cost $300 and it wasn't balanced.  Like everything else, value is in the eye of the beholder.
 
Sep 28, 2015 at 4:19 PM Post #64 of 89
It has been over a year and a half since I brought home the Sennheiser HD800, HDVA 600, and the CH 800s balanced cable. The headphone rig sits on my office desk on top of the Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, connected with Wireworld Silver Eclipse balanced interconnects and Silver Starlight digital cable from the Oppo BDP-83 to the W4S DAC2.  All power cords are Wireworld Aurora.  This is the way it was initially installed and I have made no changes.  There has been no reason to mess with perfection.  I have over 1500 hours on the headphone rig and find myself just as excited to listen today as I did on day one.  This Sennheiser setup delivers the goods.  I am still thrilled to listen and usually have the headphones on nearly every day.
 
 

 
Oct 22, 2015 at 11:50 PM Post #67 of 89
Thanks for the thread, a lot of good info posted. I'm looking for an amp/dac upgrade for HD800s.  My preference is HDVD800 for the all in one package.  But I can get the HDVA600 for $1000 less... from what I'm reading I'd be crazy not to go with the HDVA600 and put the extra money towards a nicer dac. 

So the question is which dac to pair at that price? Preferably something available on amazon prime.
 
Oct 23, 2015 at 12:14 AM Post #68 of 89
guitarwolf said:
Thanks for the thread, a lot of good info posted. I'm looking for an amp/dac upgrade for HD800s.  My preference is HDVD800 for the all in one package.  But I can get the HDVA600 for $1000 less... from what I'm reading I'd be crazy not to go with the HDVA600 and put the extra money towards a nicer amp. 

So the question is which amp to pair at that price? Preferably something available on amazon prime.
Click to expand...

I think what you mean is you should go with the HDVA 600 and a nicer DAC. (The HDVA 600 is an amp). As far as what DAC you should pair it with...I'll let someone else chime in.
 
Dec 1, 2015 at 4:49 PM Post #71 of 89
The HD800 + HDVD800 combination is a bliss.
o2smile.gif

 
Dec 7, 2015 at 11:57 PM Post #72 of 89
A slightly off topic question, but it seems better asked here than anywhere else because of the great info people are willing to share.

I'm considering the hdva 600 as my next upgrade, along with a pair of hd 800. I'd like to try some lower impedance headphones in addition to the hd 800. Has anyone tried the hdva 600 with lower impedance cans like the Fostex th600 or th900 or even some grados? How does the amp do with them?

I listen mostly to classical. My dac is a grace m920.

Many thanks for any input...
 
Dec 8, 2015 at 12:05 AM Post #73 of 89
sibelius4th said:
A slightly off topic question, but it seems better asked here than anywhere else because of the great info people are willing to share.

I'm considering the hdva 600 as my next upgrade, along with a pair of hd 800. I'd like to try some lower impedance headphones in addition to the hd 800. Has anyone tried the hdva 600 with lower impedance cans like the Fostex th600 or th900 or even some grados? How does the amp do with them?

I listen mostly to classical. My dac is a grace m920.

Many thanks for any input...
Click to expand...

I actually love the HDVA600 with my Symphones Magnums which are Grado-esque. The HD800 is okay with it if you want to maximize its clarity and airy sound. I personally like the HD800 with a warmer amp with fatter bass. I would recommend a warm, smooth, mid forward amp/dac for the TH900.
 
Dec 8, 2015 at 6:33 AM Post #74 of 89
I just recently received my HIfiman HE400i and they sound great on my HDVD800.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top