[TexasBuck]

Listened to my 800S on a Bryston BHA-1 on balanced.............mother of god, the clarity...the bass impact is spot on, just so many things to say, I havent been blown away by sound like this in a very long time.

I'm listening on my new Yulong DA9 on balanced and agree: Pure audio perfection.

 

[chungjun]

Late to the party and had recently managed to get my hand on a used HD800S. Had the local service center replace the pads, headband and looking towards enjoying it at night after work and when I can find some time.

Looking also to explore the world of tube amp... was looking maybe to start off with Elemental Watson. Anyone using EW here?

 

[Rob80b]

Listened to my 800S on a Bryston BHA-1 on balanced
..........

Not to worry they'll grow on you.

 

[bsimms99]

So heres a question I hope someone can answer, some people said just give up because it doesn't exist and I would like some confirmation on it. So with my HD800/S plugged into my balanced input on the Bryston BHA-1 its amazing, now is there a portable amp that can put the same or close to in sound. And what I mean by that is I have listened on my Mojo, the Sennheiser and the bass, precision sound and snappiness doesn't exist, its like the only thing that happens is the volume goes up. So if anyone has an idea if there is a balanced portable amp e.g Sony PHA-2A is one example which I dont know if anyone has tried it with these headphones, is there anything

 

[ubs28]

So heres a question I hope someone can answer, some people said just give up because it doesn't exist and I would like some confirmation on it. So with my HD800/S plugged into my balanced input on the Bryston BHA-1 its amazing, now is there a portable amp that can put the same or close to in sound. And what I mean by that is I have listened on my Mojo, the Sennheiser and the bass, precision sound and snappiness doesn't exist, its like the only thing that happens is the volume goes up. So if anyone has an idea if there is a balanced portable amp e.g Sony PHA-2A is one example which I dont know if anyone has tried it with these headphones, is there anything

Maybe try out the Hugo 2?

 

[bsimms99]

Maybe try out the Hugo 2?

So for whatever reason when I read the email of your post it had more in it, then here on the site it just has try the chord hugo 2, so I am responding to the part that had more detail, I dont really want to spend 2.3k on the hugo since I just got the desktop amp for 2k. But also you said that with the Hugo 2 the sounds is "acceptable".........when I am dropping this much money "acceptable" is not acceptable (no pun intended). So a little clarification on my end. I am using the Sony WM1Z as my primary source, I do plug in the HD800S into the balanced 4.4 (i have an adapter) The sound is is clear but no dynamics exsist or base because the AMP doesnt have the power to drive it, so I am willing to do a stack setup but IMO the Mojo sucks with these, so is there anything in the 500-1000 range for portable amps that will give you full dynamics of the 800S like the Bryston BHA-1 does.

 

[ubs28]

So for whatever reason when I read the email of your post it had more in it, then here on the site it just has try the chord hugo 2, so I am responding to the part that had more detail, I dont really want to spend 2.3k on the hugo since I just got the desktop amp for 2k. But also you said that with the Hugo 2 the sounds is "acceptable".........when I am dropping this much money "acceptable" is not acceptable (no pun intended). So a little clarification on my end. I am using the Sony WM1Z as my primary source, I do plug in the HD800S into the balanced 4.4 (i have an adapter) The sound is is clear but no dynamics exsist or base because the AMP doesnt have the power to drive it, so I am willing to do a stack setup but IMO the Mojo sucks with these, so is there anything in the 500-1000 range for portable amps that will give you full dynamics of the 800S like the Bryston BHA-1 does.

Yes, I removed some parts as it wasn't useful for the answer. I only said the sound of the Hugo 1 was acceptable to me. I did not hear the Hugo 2 yet.

 

[Swiftfalcon]

So for whatever reason when I read the email of your post it had more in it, then here on the site it just has try the chord hugo 2, so I am responding to the part that had more detail, I dont really want to spend 2.3k on the hugo since I just got the desktop amp for 2k. But also you said that with the Hugo 2 the sounds is "acceptable".........when I am dropping this much money "acceptable" is not acceptable (no pun intended). So a little clarification on my end. I am using the Sony WM1Z as my primary source, I do plug in the HD800S into the balanced 4.4 (i have an adapter) The sound is is clear but no dynamics exsist or base because the AMP doesnt have the power to drive it, so I am willing to do a stack setup but IMO the Mojo sucks with these, so is there anything in the 500-1000 range for portable amps that will give you full dynamics of the 800S like the Bryston BHA-1 does.

Maybe ifi micro idsd black label. It only has single ended output though.

 

[Rob80b]

So heres a question I hope someone can answer, some people said just give up because it doesn't exist and I would like some confirmation on it. So with my HD800/S plugged into my balanced input on the Bryston BHA-1 its amazing, .............

Facts of life one would need to assume powering a 300ohm headphone, otherwise Bryston may have never made a head-amp…AC powered Class A amp vs a battery powered device… there is a trade off.
Bottom line though, due to the fact the 800 are a high impedance phone they really are not intended for portable use…not quite the same sound signature but I use these, the Sennheiser ie800s when I want to be mobile and where the "bass, precision sound and snappiness does exist" and apparently there is a ie800S in the works.

 

[bsimms99]

Facts of life one would need to assume powering a 300ohm headphone, otherwise Bryston may have never made a head-amp…AC powered Class A amp vs a battery powered device… there is a trade off.
Bottom line though, due to the fact the 800 are a high impedance phone they really are not intended for portable use…not quite the same sound signature but I use these, the Sennheiser ie800s when I want to be mobile and where the "bass, precision sound and snappiness does exist" and apparently there is a ie800S in the works.

Would you say the sound and dynamics are close to the same with ie800?

 

[Levanter]

Would you say the sound and dynamics are close to the same with ie800?

heck no, IE800 is warm, thick and full sounding with splashy upper treble.

 

[Rob80b]

heck no, IE800 is warm, thick and full sounding with splashy upper treble.

Wouldn't go as far and say splashy treble, extended and smoothy yes, irritating no, but the biggest difference IMHO is in the the ie800 sub bass and body, now if the 800S only had that....
But the ie800 is not the 800 "iem" equivalent...an excellent in ear monitor...but different.

 

[ubs28]

Facts of life one would need to assume powering a 300ohm headphone, otherwise Bryston may have never made a head-amp…AC powered Class A amp vs a battery powered device… there is a trade off.
Bottom line though, due to the fact the 800 are a high impedance phone they really are not intended for portable use…not quite the same sound signature but I use these, the Sennheiser ie800s when I want to be mobile and where the "bass, precision sound and snappiness does exist" and apparently there is a ie800S in the works.

The Hugo 1 drives the HD 800 S fine based on comparison with the HDVD 800. It is not "under driving" it.

 

[Rob80b]

Would you say the sound and dynamics are close to the same with ie800?

I'd say the ie800s have a lot more pep, get up and go with deep driving bass which does not over power the mid-range and treble, Sennheiser has done an excellent job there... and as noted above by Levanter.."thicker sounding"...less airy...so I'd say more dynamic overall so as to compensate for any loss when competing with environmental noise.

 

[Rob80b]

The Hugo 1 drives the HD 800 S fine based on comparison with the HDVD 800. It is not "under driving" it.

Good to know.