[Wildcatsare1]

I didn't get a long enough listen to check for that but now that you mentioned it, it may have sounded that way because the mids and lows became more apparent. It's definitely making me think harder about whether to go for a STAX system or to upgrade my dynamic HP system. Tough decision. What makes it a tougher decision is that I originally was dead set on getting the Ragnarok, but I won't get a chance to try it before I buy it because the stores here do not have them in stock. Whatever they order is pretty much automatically sold.

Does anyone comment on the comparison between the Bryston BHA-1 and the Schiit Ragnarok? Those are my two front runners, along with the Questyle CMA800i, if I go for the dynamic HP system upgrade.

I love my Tarus Mk.2 with the HD800, Friends with both the Queststyle and Rags love them. I have heard the Rag may be a bit "to smooth" from one Friend. I cannot confirm that though, I haven't listened to the Rag with my 800 yet.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

I second that ^ ^
009 is a lot sharper than HD800, with piercing treble that was somewhat the deal breaker for me + to delicate and expensive for what it is!
There's is no perfect headphone and for me a found more flaws with Stax than HD800

Don't get me wrong, both 009 & 007 can be sublime with KGSSHV, especially with all sorts of acoustic music, but I highly prefer EDM with HD800 to Stax!

I'm one of the few people preferring 007 to 009, as I found double 07 a lot more natural and lifelike, just like a good Live gig.

As always only you can decide what works best for you, go audition and then make sure to audition some more

There are two of you, I was speaking to a Buddy who sold his 007 to get an 009, he would love to have the 007 back. He thinks it's the "more musical" of the two.

 

[Moonhead]

007 are more forgiving off course and the only headphone I've owned to master multiply genres, but you give some you lose some!

No doubt 009 more technical perfect but you get so many artificial details that does not have anything to do with the music, IMHO!!
Even Spritzer said that

Again I'm not trying to dish Stax, they can be very addictive, but much more fragile at a much higher price.
And I can drive my HD800 with my Superlux where ever I want, try that with Stax

 

[preproman]

I'm the total opposite.  If I had to only have one headphone in all the world.  It would be my Stax 009s.  Hell my HD800s would come after the Abyss.  But yeh, different strokes for different folks.  I continue to purchase the HD800s (my third time).  Now I've found how to use them - for me anyway.  

 

[ruthieandjohn]

 
from my experience, I think balanced cable sound slightly tamed treble than stock cable? How do you feel?

I posted my experience in comparing a (custom) balanced cable to the stock single ended cable on the HD 800, here.
 
Here is the essence of it, quoting that post:
 

 When I first tried his cable in balanced mode, the soundstage became MUCH wider and the vocalist that was at center stage in single ended mode became just off center.  Overall tone was darker and bass was deeper, perhaps addressing the concern of those folks how find a bit a stridency in the HD 800 high end (I never did). I then tried his cable with pigtail converter in single-ended mode, comparing it to the stock Sennheiser single-ended cable that came with the headphones.  It sounded a bit better... a little faster and brighter, and the vocalist returned to center stage!

 

[Moonhead]

If I had to have only one headphone it would be 007 mkI, but it is not that superior to HD800 and a whole different price league!

 

[preproman]

If I had to have only one headphone it would be 007 mkI, but it is not that superior to HD800 and a whole different price league!

Different price league?  How so?  You can't buy the mk1s new anymore.  A used pair cost around the same as a new pair of HD800s 

 

[Moonhead]

Well not in Europe, mate
Can't even get a used MK2 for the price of a new HD800

I can get a pair of new HD800 at the same price as a new MK2 or 2pair of HD800 for the price of a new 009.

Oh and HE560 cost exactly the same as HD800 I know what I would choose, even though I have not listen to HE560.
Use to own HE6!

 

[masterfuu]

Using my HD800 with Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies (with upgraded tubes). Phenomenal sound. Bass is also there and I sound is just smooth full bodied and not hard on ears. Not bright at all.

 

[defbear]

I was looking at Woo Audio and may go there in the future for a tube amp. I like Balanced and was going to go for the wa22. I would up with the Audio-gd Master 11 Dac-Amp combo. I couldn't be more pleased with the 800's on the Master 11

 

[kimvictor]

I just paired the O2 with the HD800. Enough power for sure, and the sound is simply sublime. Easily beats $500 amps I've tried. Shocking. O2. wow.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

WOW! Just listening to Steely Dan for the first time with my HD800, Taurus, and Monarchy set-up, this is a revelation!

 

[devilboy]

The Draug 2 finally arrived today. 
 
WA2 with:   Tungsol/Chatham 6AS7G
                    Amperex 6DJ8
                    Mullard EZ80
HD800 with Anaxilus mod
 

 

[koiloco]

^ beautiful

 

[MattTCG]

  The Draug 2 finally arrived today. 
 
WA2 with:   Tungsol/Chatham 6AS7G
                    Amperex 6DJ8
                    Mullard EZ80
HD800 with Anaxilus mod
 
 

 
Draug 2 can be had naked? 

  Me likey!!