[KG Jag]

TTVJ has the HE-400 back on sale for $329:
 
http://www.ttvjaudio.com/HiFiMan_HE_400_Headphone_p/hif0000005.htm

 

[zilch0md]

There's a mental block for me to spend more than $1000 on headphones. Probably cuz I got burned buying the HD700 at the full price at the time of $1000 and it's really not as good as subsequent cheaper headphones I bought like Beyerdynamic T90 or HE-500 for around $500. I jumped on that HD800 for $890 so I still haven't broken that >$1000 mark.

 
Hey, good for you on staying under the $1k mark across all of your audio purchases.  
 
It almost seems accidental for you, but it's a hard-and-fast rule for me that I set for myself a long time ago. I will buy stuff on sale, or used if I have to, but no single component can cost more than $1k (before tax or shipping).  I will not violate this, ever.  (Well, at least not until hyper-inflation hits us, thanks to the Federal Reserve's endless dilution of our currency.)  

 
There's a lot of enjoyment to be had keeping the cost of DAC + Amp + Headphone under $3000. Seriously. That's a huge budget - and there are a lot of other cool toys out there that have nothing to do with audio, right?  

 
As Head-Fi member Armaegis recently wrote (in another thread) - you'll get the most bang for your buck by spending your money on headphones, then amps, then DACs. I agree, vigorously. The problem with the HD800 is that even if you can get it for less than $1k, new or used, you'll need every bit of $1k to find a suitable amp - like a used Woo Audio WA6-SE.  But an LCD-2 can be enjoyed with numerous amps that sell for $500 or less, and a DAC like the Concero also offers end-game sound quality for far less than $1k. 
 
Mike

 

[money4me247]

 
Hey, good for you on staying under the $1k mark across all of your audio purchases.  
 
It almost seems accidental for you, but it's a hard-and-fast rule for me that I set for myself a long time ago. I will buy stuff on sale, or used if I have to, but no single component can cost more than $1k (before tax or shipping).  I will not violate this, ever.  (Well, at least not until hyper-inflation hits us, thanks to the Federal Reserve's endless dilution of our currency.)  

 
There's a lot of enjoyment to be had keeping the cost of DAC + Amp + Headphone under $3000. Seriously. That's a huge budget - and there are a lot of other cool toys out there that have nothing to do with audio, right?  

 
As Head-Fi member Armaegis recently wrote (in another thread) - you'll get the most bang for your buck by spending your money on headphones, then amps, then DACs. I agree, vigorously. The problem with the HD800 is that even if you can get it for less than $1k, new or used, you'll need every bit of $1k to find a suitable amp - like a used Woo Audio WA6-SE.  But an LCD-2 can be enjoyed with numerous amps that sell for $500 or less, and a DAC like the Concero also offers end-game sound quality for far less than $1k. 
 
Mike

+1! that's what I always say tho my budget is under $500, so I'm playing a different game hahaha.

 

[palmfish]

   
 The problem with the HD800 is that even if you can get it for less than $1k, new or used, you'll need every bit of $1k to find a suitable amp - like a used Woo Audio WA6-SE.
 

 
Bottlehead Crack - $300
Lake People G109 - $600
Matrix M-Stage - $250
Asus Essence One - $500
Schiit Vali - $120
Violectric V90 - $500

 

[money4me247]

 
Bottlehead Crack - $300
Lake People G109 - $600
Matrix M-Stage - $250
Asus Essence One - $500
Schiit Vali - $120
Violectric V90 - $500

Is that a list of good valueerformance amps in your opinion?

 

[palmfish]

Is that a list of good valueerformance amps in your opinion?

A few off the top of my head...

(I have not heard all of them - the M-Stage and Vali are based on the opinions of people I respect)

PS - I have never spent anywhere close to $1000 for any amp; headphone or speaker. In fact, half the time I plug my HD 800's directly into my Pioneer home theater receiver that I paid $200 for and it sounds great.

 

[Easylistening]

Here is a nice headphone for a greatly reduced price that is still available at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GT3JF8/

 

[JoeDoe]

DT990 Pros almost down to $150 on AMZ
 

 
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011UB9CQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_p267_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1X1HCQ24VK859CYKNJK5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200422&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[Speakerphile]

A few off the top of my head...

(I have not heard all of them - the M-Stage and Vali are based on the opinions of people I respect)

PS - I have never spent anywhere close to $1000 for any amp; headphone or speaker. In fact, half the time I plug my HD 800's directly into my Pioneer home theater receiver that I paid $200 for and it sounds great.

You didn't pay "anywhere cose to $1000" for your HD-800?  Also, glad you have been happy with using your AVR.  Just know that they sound even more amazing with an amp of commensurate value.  

 

[alpha421]

A few Newegg deals with promo codes:

SCOSCHE Black HPSC66MBK 3.5mm Connector Earbud Headphone/Headset

+ $30 off w/ promo code EMCWVTW85, ends 1/6/14

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826586012

 

MEElectronics White M9PG2-PL 3.5mm Connector Canal Headphone/Headset

+ $20 off w/ promo code EMCWVTW86, ends 1/6/14

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826735073



 

 

[palmfish]

You didn't pay "anywhere cose to $1000" for your HD-800?

 

"I have never spent anywhere close to $1000 for any AMP."

My opinion has always been that the speaker is the most important part of the chain, and this is where one should focus most of our attention and money.

Also, glad you have been happy with using your AVR.  Just know that they sound even more amazing with an amp of commensurate value.  

The original comment was that you must spend at least $1000 to get a "suitable" amp. I disagree and posted several suitable amps that cost less than $1000. I have also heard my HD 800's with a number of very expensive "recommended" amps (ECBA, Zana Deux, Phonitor, And others) and I dont subscribe to that line of reasoning. But Im also not bashing those who do own and enjoy their GS-X's and ECBA's.

 

[KG Jag]

The German Maestro GMP 400 Ohm back down to $202 shipped from authorized third party seller or $212 from Amazon Prime:
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002LVUKEM

 

[zilch0md]

  +1! that's what I always say tho my budget is under $500, so I'm playing a different game hahaha.

 
I'm impressed by your discipline!  And the hobby is just as fun, I'm sure.
 

 

[sammac1001]

For Monster fans.... Refurbished Coppers are available for about $106, with coupon code "OUTLET15"
 
http://www.monsterproducts.com/outletstore/linelist.asp

 

[Spiderman]

Dang it says im subscribed to the thread but isn't showing any of the posts.