[Oregonian]

  What headphone amp do you guys recommend for the HD800?

Vintage speaker amps.  Out of my Pioneer Spec system the sound is great and the bass makes you realize these are far from bass-light as so many have said. 

 

[Jodet]

  What headphone amp do you guys recommend for the HD800?

 
Violectric V200 if you like solid state. 
 
But I prefer tubes on them, many people do. 
 
I'm using a Sound Quest SQ84-V2 on mine. 
 
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0909/sound_quest_sq_84_v2.htm

 

[icebear]

  what do you typically listen too??
...

Jazz, mostly acoustic, classic.

 

[AlanU]

  Jazz, mostly acoustic, classic.

I think the HD800 can afford to loose a tad of detail with analog tubes. This softens the music presentation. The HD800 depending on source can be highly detailed. With a 2 channel to my ears the acoustics of the room play with the enjoyable musical merits of piano, vocals.
 
In the headphone realm the softer analog tubes provides a musical mellow state with the HD800. This lays back the energetic energy the HD800 provides. 
 
That's how I enjoy take the sound signature of the HD800 (even better with modifications) This is where I'll will be buying more gear so that I can play with my source and change amplifier. My typical music genre I think I should be using tubes.

 

[shultzee]

  What headphone amp do you guys recommend for the HD800?

Mjolnir 2 with good tubes is sweet.

 

[magiccabbage]

  what do you typically listen too??
 
After auditioning the Woo Audio WA6 (non SE version) it presented the music very nice when I listened to jazz vocals/piano/trumpet. 
 
 

I listen to a lot of jazz and trumpet especially... the WA5 with the right tubes is amazing. I use mine with a yggy. Sounds incredible - great HD800 combo

 

[MattTCG]

 
Mjolnir 2 with good tubes is sweet.

+1

 

[RCBinTN]

  I listen to a lot of jazz and trumpet especially... the WA5 with the right tubes is amazing. I use mine with a yggy. Sounds incredible - great HD800 combo

 
I heard the Yggr/WA5 and Yggr/Rag stacks driving the HD800 at the Nashville meet.  Both had excellent SQ, and the WA5 was over the top.
MattTCG raves about his GMB/Mojo2 stack as pairing well with the HD800.  
My entire knowledge base in two sentences.

 

[Sonic77]

Thank you for all your suggestions, there is a lot to consider now.

 

[RCBinTN]

  I agree
Now remind me,just where did the HD800s rank in Tyll's Big Sound Review?(against all the highly praised new Headphones and Electros-albeit modded - but then don't we modify many of our Headphones one way or another?)

 
I'm not familiar with Tyll's Big Sound Review (post a link please) but on David's Battle of the Flagships review the HD800 were ranked #6 on the SQ list and #6 on the value list.  He stated they were the best dynamic HP's in production at the time of his review (a few years back).  Just FYI.

 

[elvergun]

Could just as easily be for "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". It does not have the same sound. The reports have started coming in already, try the interwebs.

 
Could just as easily be for "Silly".    It does not have the same sound...just like a modded HD800 does not have the same sound.

 

[Dionysus]

The HDVD800 doesn't get enough mention, but boy that combo has excellent synergy.

 

[Nicklikesmusic]

  I think the HD800 can afford to loose a tad of detail with analog tubes. This softens the music presentation. The HD800 depending on source can be highly detailed. With a 2 channel to my ears the acoustics of the room play with the enjoyable musical merits of piano, vocals.
 
In the headphone realm the softer analog tubes provides a musical mellow state with the HD800. This lays back the energetic energy the HD800 provides. 
 
That's how I enjoy take the sound signature of the HD800 (even better with modifications) This is where I'll will be buying more gear so that I can play with my source and change amplifier. My typical music genre I think I should be using tubes.

+1 on this post above. I am now addicted to music like never before in the last 20 years thanks to HD800, a decent sounding source and a tube amp.

 

[linzheng]

Any news on release date yet?

 

[Muziqboy]

^ I agree.

Good Source + Good tube amp + HD800 = Audio Nirvana