[akhyar]

Alright, which do you prefer of the cables listed in my original question or if you do not use either what cable company do you prefer and why?

Sorry, have no experienced with any of the cables you mentioned.
For me, I'm using WyWires Red cable, and prefer the SQ over the stock cable.

 

[ruthieandjohn]

I've added both the Headstage Arrow 5TXZ and the Oppo HA-2 DAC/amp to the table of portable DAC/amps having iPhone compatibility ad some hope of driving the Sennheiser HD 800, here:  http://www.head-fi.org/t/650510/the-new-hd800-impressions-thread/18120#post_11517882
 
Could not find anyone stating their success in using either of these for the HD 800... anyone have any experience?  Thanks!

 

[Rumiho]

Sorry, have no experienced with any of the cables you mentioned.
For me, I'm using WyWires Red cable, and prefer the SQ over the stock cable.

Thanks for the feedback, will check WyWires out.

 

[pearljam50000]

What makes the most impact on HD800's sound, DAC or amp?

 

[deuter]

What makes the most impact on HD800's sound, DAC or amp?

In case of hd800, it's revealing actually too revealing.

What this means is dac quality is essential, bad dac - bad sound.

As for amp you need to make sure it's not too sterile just so the treble doesn't sound harsh.

 

[TonyNewman]

...
What this means is dac quality is essential, bad dac - bad sound.

As for amp you need to make sure it's not too sterile just so the treble doesn't sound harsh.

+1. A high quality amp+DAC combination that is a little warm of neutral does the job nicely.
 
Vega + 430HA or WA5 works for me. There are plenty of other options out there. Just steer well away from anything in bright/neutral category.

 

[MIKELAP]

I have been extremely careful with my HD800 , I never put them on a hard surface , I am afraid to even touch them!
Its just that psychologicaly plastic feels more fragile then metal for example.
How cautious are you people with your HD800's?

I always put them on a stand and still manage to get a couple very small nicks on them ,i guess there's to many sharp edges very easy to nick the paint 

 

[RUMAY408]

Quick impression from the Music City Meet:
 
Schiit Yggdrasil>Woo Audio WA5>HD800
 
The HD800 has bass and detail that is missing from lesser setups, good god! 
 
Thank you Mr. Speakers!

 

[shabta]

What makes the most impact on HD800's sound, DAC or amp?

Since most modern Dacs are all just a shade of neutral, the biggest issue is whether you have enough power/voltage swing for the HD800s. Of course a better Dac is better, but with out a decent amp it really doesn't matter what the Dac does or doesn't do. In other words with a good amp and a modern DAC you will still be able to derive real pleasure out of your HD800. But with an unsuitable amp it won't matter how good your DAC is...

 

[deuter]

Since most modern Dacs are all just a shade of neutral, the biggest issue is whether you have enough power/voltage swing for the HD800s. Of course a better Dac is better, but with out a decent amp it really doesn't matter what the Dac does or doesn't do. In other words with a good amp and a modern DAC you will still be able to derive real pleasure out of your HD800. But with an unsuitable amp it won't matter how good your DAC is...

It's funny how the hd800 is so fine performing with the Bakoon hda 5210 mk3.
Even though the Bakoon is a current driven amp.

 

[ubs28]

How would a speaker amp work with the HD800 considering it should have plenty of power to drive the HD800 similar to what people do with the Hifiman HE-6?

 

[knowhatimean]

It's funny how the hd800 is so fine performing with the Bakoon hda 5210 mk3.
Even though the Bakoon is a current driven amp.

Actually, there are some who seem to think that current driven amps are the way to go with the HD800.
 
I really don't see "Having enough power" to drive these headphones as an issue, unless you're talking about using portable amps !
 
(I can't say if this is true if you listen at Headbanger levels however, but I don't know why you would use these headphones to listen at levels that obliterate any available fine detail that you paid a premium price so you could hear that detail even if they do have a "Techno" look to them)

 

[Sorrodje]

  How would a speaker amp work with the HD800 considering it should have plenty of power to drive the HD800 similar to what people do with the Hifiman HE-6?

 
 
IMO , driving the HE-6 is inded problematic in term of raw power. I' don't think the HD800 shares the same needs.  BTW I just tried with my SMSL SA-50 + HE-adapter . Sounds OK but with a serious hum.  I stopped the experience.  With the HE5LE , the result is really good though. 

 

[kothganesh]

Sorro: be very careful with the HFM or similar adapters. One wrong connection and the amp will short.

 

[ruthieandjohn]

I added the Cypher Labs Theorem 720 DAC (and amp) to my table of iDevice-compatible portable DAC/amps with power sufficient for HD 800, here:  http://www.head-fi.org/t/650510/the-new-hd800-impressions-thread/18120#post_11517882