[MorbidToaster]

Gain ≠ power. Check the rated specs instead.

It was my memory mistake.

 

[Windsor]

Just thought I'd throw it out here (not the HD 800 , that I'm currently listening to Five Peace Band (astonishing jazz/fusion from five masterful musicians) and it's hands down the most incredible listening experience this HD 800 has yet provided/is providing - Nirvana is here. 

 

[Audio-Omega]

I used to have Ray Samuels Protector portable amplifier driving HD800 in balanced mode.  It sounded good, every instrument was distinctive and there was clarity as well as a big sound stage.  The most expensive part was buying balanced cable and connector.  

 

[carledwards]

Quote:

Just thought I'd throw it out here (not the HD 800 , that I'm currently listening to Five Peace Band (astonishing jazz/fusion from five masterful musicians) and it's hands down the most incredible listening experience this HD 800 has yet provided/is providing - Nirvana is here. 

 
Great album, no doubt!

 

[Windsor]

Quote:

 
Great album, no doubt!

 
I highly recommend it. I'm listening to it again now. I purchased it from iTunes and it's only in 256 kbps but it sounds great; I'm currently mesmerized by the performance.

 

[dallan]

Quote:

I used to have Ray Samuels Protector portable amplifier driving HD800 in balanced mode.  It sounded good, every instrument was distinctive and there was clarity as well as a big sound stage.  The most expensive part was buying balanced cable and connector.  

Well, if you say so.... but my Lisa lll is a monster, passes for a home amplifier, is really not portable but is transportable.....two batteries when not connected to the low noise power supply - the LLP-and even with the LLP in line, which doubles its output ability, i would say it only marginally drives the HD800s to it's potencial.  I have RSA Hornet which i think puts out the same as the protector but not balanced and i don't really think it drives them, nor does my full size Headamp Pico.  It sounds way better than directly out of the headphone output of an ipod but........
 
Guess it depends on your tolerance level.

  With a portable I normally think portables do better.  The Ed8 is my go to if i use a portable amp and want good sound quality, it is easy to drive and closed.  The 800s really need more to sound good....to me.

 

[The-One]

Quote:

I already got extended/ detailed  treble with my cheaper srh940, but the hd800 sounds much cleaner.

 
probably the lack of bass distortion and the articulation thereof. something which i find the hd800 is excellent at.

 

[CEE TEE]

Quote:

Well, if you say so.... but my Lisa lll is a monster, passes for a home amplifier, is really not portable but is transportable.....two batteries when not connected to the low noise power supply - the LLP-and even with the LLP in line, which doubles its output ability, i would say it only marginally drives the HD800s to it's potencial.  I have RSA Hornet which i think puts out the same as the protector but not balanced and i don't really think it drives them, nor does my full size Headamp Pico.  It sounds way better than directly out of the headphone output of an ipod but........
 
Guess it depends on your tolerance level.

  With a portable I normally think portables do better.  The Ed8 is my go to if i use a portable amp and want good sound quality, it is easy to drive and closed.  The 800s really need more to sound good....to me.

I was SHOCKED at how much I liked the HD800's out of the TTVJ Portable Tube Hybrid amp.  So I bought it from the person I borrowed it from!
 
The amp takes the edge off but doesn't sound "rolled off".  Might not power the lowest bass with the most authority and has a high-pitched ring when moved around but a great pairing, I think.

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

I was SHOCKED at how much I liked the HD800's out of the TTVJ Portable Tube Hybrid amp.  So I bought it from the person I borrowed it from!
 
The amp takes the edge off but doesn't sound "rolled off".  Might not power the lowest bass with the most authority and has a high-pitched ring when moved around but a great pairing, I think.

 
The major problem I have with the tube portables is the soft imaging and lack of absolute resolving power w/ the finest details but the synergy is pleasant sounding if one can handle the trade-offs.  I know Mike at Headfonia has no trouble making that trade-off w/ his HD800 and other 'analytical' type phones.  You should hear the RX3.....

 

[CEE TEE]

Quote:

The major problem I have with the tube portables is the soft imaging and lack of absolute resolving power w/ the finest details but the synergy is pleasant sounding if one can handle the trade-offs.  I know Mike at Headfonia has no trouble making that trade-off w/ his HD800 and other 'analytical' type phones.  You should hear the RX3.....

This is true- it is "pleasing" rather than showing it's resolving powers when using the TTVJ Tube Portable Hybrid.  
 
But I didn't think I was going to find <any> portable amps that I would enjoy the 800's with...will bring it to the SoCal meet and hope people tell me what they really think!

 

[TWIFOSP]

It's not portable as in battery power, but the apex butte is a decent on the go compromise.  I toss it in my back back for the office every now and then.  It's on the lush side of SS, but by no means has a tube sound.

 

[Anaxilus]

Butte is good.  Now I'm hankoring for a Butte/RX3/Portaphile/L3 showdown.

 

[sphinxvc]

Has anyone here spent any meaningful time with the SR-507 & HD800?  (Meaningful time excludes meets, whether large, mini or micro.)
 
Interested in how the transient response compares to the HD800.

 

[Tilpo]

Has anyone here spent any meaningful time with the SR-507 & HD800?  (Meaningful time excludes meets, whether large, mini or micro.)

Interested in how the transient response compares to the HD800.

If it means anything, my experience with the SR-202 shows that transients is the one thing they can't do. Especially low pitched ones. For example, it has no bass thump (which is a low pitched transient tone), but for long bass tones extension is very deep. Additionally, short length percussion sounds lack impact.
The SR-202 is very similar to the SR-507 in design, so I presume it will present the same issue.

You should try asking the same question in the Stax thread.

 

[MorbidToaster]

That's the nature of Electrostats in general, unfortunately. 
 
I might be able to report back on the HD800 vs 507 within a week or so. I'll be hearing an 009 in my home soon and I know Alex has a 507 I could probably get head time with as well.
 
Quote:

If it means anything, my experience with the SR-202 shows that transients is the one thing they can't do. Especially low pitched ones. For example, it has no bass thump (which is a low pitched transient tone), but for long bass tones extension is very deep. Additionally, short length percussion sounds lack impact.
The SR-202 is very similar to the SR-507 in design, so I presume it will present the same issue.
You should try asking the same question in the Stax thread.