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The (new) HD800 Impressions Thread
Apr 13, 2015 at 9:28 AM Post #18,077 of 28,992
deuter said:
 
longbowbbs said:
The Liquid Gold, Liquid Crimson and Liquid Glass are all marvelous with the HD800's
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Nice, what's the preferred though?
Is this the best there is?
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There is no "Best" amp for the HD800's. There are several incredible amps that each have their own particular character.Think of a range of high mountain tops . They are all incredible but each unique. None of them is the Best mountain top. yet each is a summit worth climbing.
 
The Liquid Gold is the highest of the Cavalli "Peaks" as it were yet the hybrid Liquid Crimson is incredible with the HD800's as well. The Liquid Glass allows for a ton of tube rolling and adjusts to the specifics of the tubes used. Three great approaches. Three great results. 
 
As to other "Best" HD800 amps, there are several. The Moon Neo 430HA, the Eddie Current Zana Deux SE, The Decware CSP3 are good examples. All make the HD800's sing. Pairing with a good DAC is essential for digital audio.
 
Good luck with finding your personal mountaintop!
 
beerchug.gif

 
Apr 13, 2015 at 12:18 PM Post #18,078 of 28,992
I'm thinking of consolidating my HE-400i and MSR7s for an HD800, but wont be changing my amp/dac for awhile - is the AudioGD NFB15 enough to drive the HD800 correctly? 
 
Here's the power specs
 
3500mW/25 ohm 
1800mW/50 ohm
900mW/100 ohm
300mW/300 ohm
150mW/600 ohm
 
With an output impendance of 2ohm. Looks like it can deliver 150mW at 600ohm..judging by  IF's impedance graphs, it peaks at 100hz and swings back down to 500hz, they needed 0.16mW for 90db
 
Mmm  might not be enough for the HD800? 
 
Apr 13, 2015 at 1:32 PM Post #18,079 of 28,992
q2klepto said:
  I'm thinking of consolidating my HE-400i and MSR7s for an HD800, but wont be changing my amp/dac for awhile - is the AudioGD NFB15 enough to drive the HD800 correctly? 
 
Here's the power specs
 
3500mW/25 ohm 
1800mW/50 ohm
900mW/100 ohm
300mW/300 ohm
150mW/600 ohm
 
With an output impendance of 2ohm. Looks like it can deliver 150mW at 600ohm..judging by  IF's impedance graphs, it peaks at 100hz and swings back down to 500hz, they needed 0.16mW for 90db
 
Mmm  might not be enough for the HD800? 
Click to expand...

The HD800s are 300 ohm cans are they not??
 
Apr 13, 2015 at 2:08 PM Post #18,081 of 28,992
longbowbbs said:
There is no "Best" amp for the HD800's. There are several incredible amps that each have their own particular character.Think of a range of high mountain tops . They are all incredible but each unique. None of them is the Best mountain top. yet each is a summit worth climbing.



The Liquid Gold is the highest of the Cavalli "Peaks" as it were yet the hybrid Liquid Crimson is incredible with the HD800's as well. The Liquid Glass allows for a ton of tube rolling and adjusts to the specifics of the tubes used. Three great approaches. Three great results. 

As to other "Best" HD800 amps, there are several. The Moon Neo 430HA, the Eddie Current Zana Deux SE, The Decware CSP3 are good examples. All make the HD800's sing. Pairing with a good DAC is essential for digital audio.

Good luck with finding your personal mountaintop!

:beerchug:
Click to expand...


Mountain top ? Cool, although I hate rock climbing :)

Need to check out the Moon audio one too. Not sure whether Cavalli is the way to go given their extremely high prices, IMHO.

I may be wrong, but looking for a totl solid state amp that can also run the fostex and the Grado.
 
Apr 13, 2015 at 2:33 PM Post #18,082 of 28,992
mr rick said:
q2klepto said:
 
I'm thinking of consolidating my HE-400i and MSR7s for an HD800, but wont be changing my amp/dac for awhile - is the AudioGD NFB15 enough to drive the HD800 correctly? 

Here's the power specs

[COLOR=008000]3500mW/25 ohm [/COLOR][COLOR=008000]
[/COLOR][COLOR=008000]1800mW/50 ohm[/COLOR][COLOR=008000]
[/COLOR][COLOR=008000]900mW/100 ohm[/COLOR][COLOR=008000]
[/COLOR][COLOR=008000]300mW/300 ohm[/COLOR][COLOR=008000]
[/COLOR][COLOR=008000]150mW/600 ohm[/COLOR]

With an output impendance of 2ohm. Looks like it can deliver 150mW at 600ohm..judging by  IF's impedance graphs, it peaks at 100hz and swings back down to 500hz, they needed 0.16mW for 90db

Mmm  might not be enough for the HD800? 
Click to expand...

The HD800s are 300 ohm cans are they not??
Click to expand...

They are, but at about 100 Hz they have an impedance peak of approx. 600 Ohms.
 
Apr 13, 2015 at 5:37 PM Post #18,083 of 28,992
Apr 13, 2015 at 5:41 PM Post #18,084 of 28,992
I've been listening to my newly received HD800s for about an hour now. Driving them with a Schiit Valhalla 2. I must say the music is the most engaging I have ever heard it without the aid of sensory enhancing chemicals.
wink_face.gif

 
Apr 13, 2015 at 6:08 PM Post #18,086 of 28,992
I don't find the Vali any warmer than my McIntosh, actually, maybe even less so. Just enough to take the edge off. No problems recommending the Vali.  Like others have said, the Valhalla or Crack would be the next step.  
Quote:
pearljam50000 said:
 
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Apr 14, 2015 at 6:28 AM Post #18,087 of 28,992
Never thought I'd really enjoy trance music out of the HD800s. But with a little bit of EQ its making these a very versatile set of cans and loving them for EDM.
 
Apr 14, 2015 at 9:01 AM Post #18,088 of 28,992
Have any of you heard the HD800 running out of the (portable) Headstage Arrow dac/amp? I gave it a very brief listen a few weeks ago and I liked it enough that I ordered one (but still waiting for it). Will update here when I do get them in for a longer listen.
 
I have also been thinking about getting the Audio GD NFB-28. It has balanced as well as single ended. Has anyone heard the two together?
 
Apr 14, 2015 at 10:47 PM Post #18,090 of 28,992
billhickok said:
  Dead serious post....the earpads on a brand new pair of HD800's are supposed to smell like a sweaty sneaker, right? Like if you put them directly up to your nostril and take a whiff...
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I got mine yesterday. They have a bit of a rubbery smell. Nothing seriously odorous about them.
 
 
BTW, the sound fantastic.
 
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