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The (new) HD800 Impressions Thread
Feb 12, 2017 at 7:54 PM Post #25,381 of 28,992
thyname said:
Even with the SDR mod on HD 800?

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/sennheiser-hd-800-s-tweaked-and-delightfuland-french-diy-response#JC5JtkETj0FREt0r.97

How about with Oppo HA-1?
Click to expand...

Haven't heard HD-800 with HA-1.
 
I haven't heard a SDR mod HD-800 with a Asgard2 but did hear a SDR mod HD-800 with a Hugo and it was good but the non-SRD HD-800 was better to me, just personal preference and how we all hear differently.  I think the genre of music also has a bearing on what an individual likes, for me the SRD mod HD-800 lost some of the sound stage with classical and some of the air with jazz but with pop its quite good.
 
Feb 12, 2017 at 8:03 PM Post #25,382 of 28,992
I was so disappointed with the HA-1.
 
Even listening to vinyl over analog it was cold, edgy and painful with the HD700.
 
I know the HD700 can be edgy but it sounds spectacular plugged into my Parasound zDAC v2.  I am getting HD800 next week, will see how that works though I doubt zdac v2 has enough juice.
 
It seems safest bet if you want solid state in the ~$1k range for HD800 is either Violectric V200 or Eddie Current Black Widow.  The HDVA600 was also a good bet but you can't get that new anymore.
 
It seems one amp everyone raves about with the HD800 is the Violectric V281 over balanced but its quite a chunk of change.
 
Feb 12, 2017 at 8:19 PM Post #25,383 of 28,992
ruinedx said:
  I was so disappointed with the HA-1.
 
Even listening to vinyl over analog it was cold, edgy and painful with the HD700.
 
I know the HD700 can be edgy but it sounds spectacular plugged into my Parasound zDAC v2.  I am getting HD800 next week, will see how that works though I doubt zdac v2 has enough juice.
 
It seems safest bet if you want solid state in the ~$1k range for HD800 is either Violectric V200 or Eddie Current Black Widow.  The HDVA600 was also a good bet but you can't get that new anymore.
 
It seems one amp everyone raves about with the HD800 is the Violectric V281 over balanced but its quite a chunk of change.
Click to expand...

Bryston BHA-1?
 
Feb 12, 2017 at 11:34 PM Post #25,386 of 28,992
I am using my hd800 with a bifrost uber and asgard 2...i have always wondered if i am doing the headphones a disservice by running them on that amp? Any suggestions? The headphones do sound amazing, but i don't know if i am getting their full potential.
 
Feb 12, 2017 at 11:48 PM Post #25,387 of 28,992
Feb 12, 2017 at 11:58 PM Post #25,388 of 28,992
bigbeard said:
  I am using my hd800 with a bifrost uber and asgard 2...i have always wondered if i am doing the headphones a disservice by running them on that amp? Any suggestions? The headphones do sound amazing, but i don't know if i am getting their full potential.
Click to expand...


It really depends on what you're looking for.
I had the Bifrost 4490 / Asgard 2 combo and it worked quite well for HD800.
A neutralish setup overall that let you hear the HD800 as it is.
 
Tube amps can tame the somewhat dry nature of HD800, some high quality tube amps can do that without messing much with extension, clarity and dynamics.
 
The 'full potential' thing is a tricky concept. You'll find very expensive gear that might sound better to your ears (or not) but even then the full potential is subjective and personal.
Change the recording and you might prefer a different setup.
 
Your setup is good enough technically speaking but if there's something about the sound you're getting that you want to tweak then tell us and best chances are we'll be able to point you in the right direction.
 
Feb 13, 2017 at 12:08 AM Post #25,389 of 28,992
me x3 said:
 
It really depends on what you're looking for.
I had the Bifrost 4490 / Asgard 2 combo and it worked quite well for HD800.
A neutralish setup overall that let you hear the HD800 as it is.
 
Tube amps can tame the somewhat dry nature of HD800, some high quality tube amps can do that without messing much with extension, clarity and dynamics.
 
The 'full potential' thing is a tricky concept. You'll find very expensive gear that might sound better to your ears (or not) but even then the full potential is subjective and personal.
Change the recording and you might prefer a different setup.
 
Your setup is good enough technically speaking but if there's something about the sound you're getting that you want to tweak then tell us and best chances are we'll be able to point you in the right direction.
Click to expand...

The thing i noticed about my setup is that is loses some clarity when i turn the volume up high (quite loud). I was wondering if this is a limitation of my amp, or of the headphones. I use tidal hifi as my source.
 
Feb 13, 2017 at 12:23 AM Post #25,390 of 28,992
bigbeard said:
  The thing i noticed about my setup is that is loses some clarity when i turn the volume up high (quite loud). I was wondering if this is a limitation of my amp, or of the headphones. I use tidal hifi as my source.
Click to expand...

The Asgard 2 is capable of 10 Vrms into 300 Ohm load without blinking.
For very loud (not healthy) HD800 you need 4 Vrms.
 
HD800 is capable of 100dB (which is loud) with less than 1% THD pretty much across the whole spectrum, so as long as you're below 100-105dB the headphone shouldn't lose clarity.
 
So neither (BF/Asgard2 or HD800) should lose clarity at healthy loud levels as long as everything is just fine and there's no faulty piece of equippment in the chain.
 
You should take into consideration that our hearing is not a linear thing, so when you crank the volume your perception of the sound signature changes and that could explain what you're hearing. (you can read about the equal loudness contours for more information about this phenomena)
 
Feb 13, 2017 at 11:48 AM Post #25,391 of 28,992
bigbeard said:
  I am using my hd800 with a bifrost uber and asgard 2...i have always wondered if i am doing the headphones a disservice by running them on that amp? Any suggestions? The headphones do sound amazing, but i don't know if i am getting their full potential.
Click to expand...

 
FWIW I got a Lyr 1 for $200 and $40 upgrade tubes, and it's the best I've ever heard the HD800 sound.  I'm frankly stunned.
 
Feb 13, 2017 at 12:18 PM Post #25,392 of 28,992
coltmrfire said:
   
FWIW I got a Lyr 1 for $200 and $40 upgrade tubes, and it's the best I've ever heard the HD800 sound.  I'm frankly stunned.
Click to expand...


If I can get a WA5 at some point I plan to...that euphony was utterly singular.
 
Feb 13, 2017 at 2:11 PM Post #25,393 of 28,992
coltmrfire said:
   
FWIW I got a Lyr 1 for $200 and $40 upgrade tubes, and it's the best I've ever heard the HD800 sound.  I'm frankly stunned.
Click to expand...


The original Lyr with a smooth, low/midrange-centric tube (such as Mullard CV2492/3) plays nicely with the HD800. However, the Woo WA2/HD800 is a much better pairing, IMHO.
 
Cheers, JC
 
Feb 13, 2017 at 3:36 PM Post #25,395 of 28,992
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