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I am still mulling over options to compliment the HD800 with a more "fun" sound for trance, j-pop, etc.
I find that the LCD-2 rev.1 is the perfect Yin to the HD800's Yang
They are truly complementary opposites. The HD 800 is glorious soundstage and detail, while the rev.1 is all about intimacy and warmth. If the HD 800 becomes too revealing of certain recordings then the Audeze is the perfect antidote. If the rev.1 becomes too thick and dark the HD 800 will wake you right up with its crisp, precise imaging.
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2 days in and it's official; I love this headphone. I've been through the gamut of genres in my library and have found the HD800 to be excellent at the very least. For well recorded live music and orchestral soundtracks it is superb. Nirvana's Unplugged in New York pretty much sealed the deal. I've never heard such transparency, and this is just from the lowly, detail smothering Lyr. The speed, precision and imaging of the HD800 is so impressive. The dynamics and layering help to convey the involving and enveloping presentation I was afraid would be compromised by a treble tilted headphone.
I've rolled through my 3 favourite pairs of tubes (Amperex Orange Globes, Bugle Boys and Lorenz Stuttgart) and have found the HD800 to accentuate the differences between them more than the LCD-2. The mid range body of the Amperex tubes are a very good match for the HD800. The Orange Globes have the more involving sound to my ears (fatter low end), but it's less refined than the other pairs and there's a slight dryness in the upper registers. Ambience and imaging is very good through the Stuttgart tubes but there's a slight veil in the vocals. The Bugle Boys on the other hand are just right. Good balance, dynamics and imaging, with a more extended but smoother top end and very well defined vocals.
I honestly did not expect the HD800 to be this good. I can only imagine what it would sound like through better components.
The Bifrost/Lyr does seem to be a very good value combo for the HD 800 from everything I've read.