The (new) HD800 Impressions Thread

[ColtMrFire]

I've done alot reading on Gumby and it definitely has a stellar reputation, even being very close to Yggy, with some people even preferring Gumby (supposed to be more euphonic).

 

[13713]

I have had my 800 for just over a year now I absolutely love it. The V281 and 800 are phenomenal. I am glad there is still love for the 800. I tried the S but I still prefer the 800 over the newer model.

 

[RCBinTN]

  I just took an hour or so to go through some of my favorite blues albums. On tap tonight...John Lee Hooker "Hooker n Heat." And then one of my all time favorites Muddy Waters "Folk Singer." 
 
Hooker n Heat is a real toe tapper. I can't stop from the head waggle when listening to this one. John Lee can just groove his @ss off and this live performance is laid open with the 800 to enjoy every morsel. It's not the best recording and sometimes even a little rough, but the engagement factor is off the charts. 
 
And then there is Folk Singer. I have listened to this album in it's many iterations and remasters for many, many years. It is, IMO, one of the finest recordings of all time. If the blues genre ever had it's perfect day, this has to be it. The quality of the recording is so good it's spooky when listening with the hd800. You feel as if you've snuck in the back door of the recording booth and that you're there as Muddy is laying down the tracks. The minutiae of fine detail that resonate from that man's guitar is other worldly. The room that this album was recorded in was not cavernous by any means. But you can make out the stage with wonderful clarity. 
 
Folk Singer on the hd800 with good upstream gear is breathtaking in it's reproduced form. And cathartic for the audiophile who chases the unobtainable promised land in this hobby. 

 
Matt - is your "Folk Singer" a redbook or a remaster?

 

[MattTCG]

   
Matt - is your "Folk Singer" a redbook or a remaster?

 
I have many versions. But my favorite is the 1993 remaster by MFSL. 

 

[RCBinTN]

   
I have many versions. But my favorite is the 1993 remaster by MFSL. 

 
Thanks my friend.

 

[RCBinTN]

   
I have many versions. But my favorite is the 1993 remaster by MFSL. 

 
I found it on Amazon.  $165 for the new CD.

 

[MattTCG]

^^ pm sent...

 

[13713]

I found it on Amazon.  $165 for the new CD.

I did as well. I might go used.

 

[ColtMrFire]

$165 for a CD??!! 

 

[cute]

You can give this a try, a good source that I use.
 
http://www.prostudiomasters.com/search?q=muddy+waters#x

 

[twiceboss]

what cans that can beat HD800 mids? just wondering

 

[Rozenberg]

what cans that can beat HD800 mids? just wondering

mids only? IMO Stax, even the entry level Lambdas would do the job.

 

[MattTCG]

mids only? IMO Stax, even the entry level Lambdas would do the job.

 
Stax are the best at transparency. So yeah, I'd agree with this. 

 

[twiceboss]

mids only? IMO Stax, even the entry level Lambdas would do the job.

So, what makes HD800 is better for you?

 

[Rozenberg]

So, what makes HD800 is better for you?

comfort, soundstage, detail retrieval, air and pretty much more transportable because not terminated in 5 pins jack that can't be used elsewhere.