[XERO1]

  What are people's opinions on the best/good paired amps for the HD800 in the sub $1000 used price point? Trying to find out my end game amp or if I should just keep my M3 and accept this is as close to the pinnacle as I get.
 
My current contenders are:
Lehmann BCL
Schiit Mjolnir
Headamp GS-X mk2
Violectric V200
Bryston BHA-1

 
Another amp to consider that is pretty close to your price range is the $1300 April Music HP100 MkII.
 
It has a On/Off bass boost switch that supposedly really enhances the HD 800's somewhat weak sounding low-end without adding any bloat.
 
Haven't heard it myself, but it looks really promising.  Plus, it's also a full-function preamp with 3 inputs and 2 outputs and remote.
 
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/aprilmusic11/1.html

 

[guido]

and do not forget he B.M.C. Puredac [only in balanced mode]

 

[Blackmore]

I am using Sonic Pearl for my HD800 and its magical, but as always,  dont forget about the source.
 
Enjoy everyone!

 

[pearljam50000]

Honestly when I had the HD800 I only had my PC and simple mp3 player, and they blew away anything I heard before(GS1000 and RS1 on a 2500$ system in a store)
I think they sound good on just about anything.

 

[kazsud]

The GSX MKII is a great amp but there's basically no chance you will find one used for under $1000. Or $2000.

Low production volume and long wait times keep used prices high.

I want to compare your's to my hdva600 and hear the pwd mkii w/ it

 

[RCBinTN]

 
Using a Schiit Gungnir

 
I also have the Gungnir DAC and the Sennheiser HDVA600 amp.  That's a good combination for the HD800.  The HDVA600 is very quiet and smooth.  It lists for $1500, but I got mine new for $1000 as a promotion Sennheiser was running late this year.  You may be able to beat the $1500 list price.  
 
I also have the Mjolnir that's on your list, but I don't have enough time with the Mjolnir and the HD800 to comment yet.
 
No personal experience with the other amps on your list.

 

[MannerPylon]

   
I also have the Gungnir DAC and the Sennheiser HDVA600 amp.  That's a good combination for the HD800.  The HDVA600 is very quiet and smooth.  It lists for $1500, but I got mine new for $1000 as a promotion Sennheiser was running late this year.  You may be able to beat the $1500 list price.  
 
I also have the Mjolnir that's on your list, but I don't have enough time with the Mjolnir and the HD800 to comment yet.
 
No personal experience with the other amps on your list.

Thanks for the heads up on the HDVA600, I had just assumed that it was probably out of my price range. I'll keep an eye out.
 
Would love to hear your thoughts on the G/M+HD800 when you get a chance to listen to it more.

 

[RCBinTN]

  Thanks for the heads up on the HDVA600, I had just assumed that it was probably out of my price range. I'll keep an eye out.
 
Would love to hear your thoughts on the G/M+HD800 when you get a chance to listen to it more.

 
Sure will, sometime next week.
The HDVA600 was reviewed by Jude as one of 2014's best desktop amps.  There's a link on the Head-Fi home page to his gift reviews.
 
I'm listening right now to this music - sounds great - plenty of bass and of course great mids/treble.  The vocals are excellent.  The sound is not overly bright.  I think Sennheiser got it right with this amp.
 

 
Cheers!  

RCBinTN

 

[Viper2005]

  Anything in particular that you would recommend that isn't on the list? Thanks for the input. I'm only transitioning now from mid-fi into higher end stuff and haven't had the chance to audition much of the better stuff.

 
The Ragnarok.  
This is what I upgraded to from the V200.  
Essentially more of what the v200 offered, smooth highs, great mids, and powerful lows.

 

[bfreedma]

The GSX MKII is a great amp but there's basically no chance you will find one used for under $1000. Or $2000.

Low production volume and long wait times keep used prices high.

I want to compare your's to my hdva600 and hear the pwd mkii w/ it

Me too. Now that the holidays are over and I'm not hosting and feeding the hungry hordes, let's make it happen.

 

[lamode]

I'm planning to audition these tomorrow (as well as various Hifiman, Audeze, Beyerdynamic and other models). Can't wait to hear what the fuss is about!

 

[bargyu]

One vote for the Calyx 24/192 dac with the HDVD-800 (I know, but I have this one not the HDVA-600). Finally good setup for classical and modern music.

 

[Samuel777]

I have order an amp Centrance HiFi-M8 LX XL4.
I'm using it with the AK120 II, with Denon AHD600 - Sony 1RNC and share se846 and I enjoyed very much the Sound Quality.
But it looks like they still have something i don't have and i'm running after and looking for.
I would like to order the headphone HD800, i don't have the possibility to try before. so i'm wondering if my amp can drive these headphones. and also i will like the SQ ?
 
do you have a link of cable (adaptor or direct cable) i can order in order to connect the HD 800 to the balanced port XL4 of the centrence amp ?
Thank you for your advises and comments.
sam

 

[Dopaminer]

  I'm planning to audition these tomorrow (as well as various Hifiman, Audeze, Beyerdynamic and other models). Can't wait to hear what the fuss is about!

And ?  
 
One of my fondest audiophile memories was the massive audition I did at a shop in Tokyo:  Marantz SA-11 SACD player through the Luxman P-700u headphone amp; HD800, T1, TH900, LCD-3, HD700, TH600.   The first to be disqualified, based on sound quality and comfort, were the Beyer T1 and the Fostexes (ironic since I am a huge Fostex speaker fan, and now own the Beyer T5P), then the LCD-3 (weight, cost and DIY-ishness) and finally the HD700 (which was in way over its head by that point.)  
 
I think the HD800, and my current camera, are the two most regret-free purchases I`ve ever made.  
 
What was your verdict ? 

 

[Dopaminer]

  I have order an amp Centrance HiFi-M8 LX XL4.
I'm using it with the AK120 II, with Denon AHD600 - Sony 1RNC and share se846 and I enjoyed very much the Sound Quality.
But it looks like they still have something i don't have and i'm running after and looking for.
I would like to order the headphone HD800, i don't have the possibility to try before. so i'm wondering if my amp can drive these headphones. and also i will like the SQ ?
 
do you have a link of cable (adaptor or direct cable) i can order in order to connect the HD 800 to the balanced port XL4 of the centrence amp ?
Thank you for your advises and comments.
sam

Both your DX90 and your 120ii will drive the HD800 very very well; the HiFi-M8 will drive it even better.  The HD800 is not hard to drive - 102db sensitivity rating.  However,much of the reason for the huge size of this thread is that there is a very wide range of opinions on what drives the HD800 really WELL.  
 
That of course can only be answered by you.  But since you can`t demo before buying, I will give you my opinion, which is that it is very very difficult not to like the HD800, and out of the M8 it will be difficult not to LOVE it.  
 
There are hundreds of XLR4 cable options for the HD800, including Senn`s own (over-priced) cable. . . .