[G0rt]

Valhalla 2 is not a good match for HD800/S.
It lacks body and slam and has edgy upper mids and highs no matter the tubes.
Better buy a Vali or a Lyr.

Somewhat, although I'm not sure I'd be shopping for slam in the 800 family, but moreso the 660/700. Mjolnir delivers some.

Lyr3 and a planar could probably slam your head flat.

 

[Gadril]

Valhalla 2 is not a good match for HD800/S.
It lacks body and slam and has edgy upper mids and highs no matter the tubes.
Better buy a Vali or a Lyr.

If he goes lyr better watch to not blow anything up tho, as from my understanding it still has that particular problem on the new models.

 

[G0rt]

If he goes lyr better watch to not blow anything up tho, as from my understanding it still has that particular problem on the new models.

Lyr3 hasn't had that issue for a long time.

I got one of the originals, used, some of which may still be in circulation. It ate some of my cans, when I fed it bad tubes.

Schiit fixed it, and it's now one of my favorite things.

ATM, Lyr3 and a 7N7 Frankie driving LCD-3f, playlist Chevelle, Evans Blue, 10 Years, 32 Leaves ... Nom.

 

[Moak]

Is there someone who prefer the Drop THX 789 with the HD800 or should I better search for a tube amp like Valhalla?
I could buy a used 789 but I‘m not shure if he help me. I‘ve a Amity HPA 9 S2 but he doesn‘t harmonize with my HD800

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Is there someone who prefer the Drop THX 789 with the HD800 or should I better search for a tube amp like Valhalla?
I could buy a used 789 but I‘m not shure if he help me. I‘ve a Amity HPA 9 S2 but he doesn‘t harmonize with my HD800

A clinical THX amp would be death with the 800s without EQ.

Tube OTL all the way. If not, at least something like a V280 that won't pierce your skull.

 

[Ichos]

Lyr 3 is better synergy than the Valhalla 2.
It was the first Amp a got rid of when I owned HD800 and 800s.
Just my point of view of course.

 

[Moak]

Ok, thank you.
What‘s about a Little Dot MKIII or a Loxjie P20 or Little bear? I read that a Bottlehed and Feliks are very good but a little bit to expensive for me.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

The 800s will let you hear everything and hate most of what you used to like. If you buy a cheap amp to drive them you will want to throw yourself off of a tall building.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

This guy @Jan Meier is a member here and makes great stuff. Since you are in Germany, take a look at https://www.meier-audio.de click on amplifiers, and find the Corda Jazz-ff on sale for 260 euros. It will be difficult to find something better anywhere near the price. Jan is a great guy and has a very good reputation. I have several orders with him including the Jazz-ff amp. To be honest, I did not try it with my HD 800s but it does a great job with my HD 600s.

 

[Moak]

The 800s will let you hear everything and hate most of what you used to like. If you buy a cheap amp to drive them you will want to throw yourself off of a tall building.

Good answer!
...ok, yes, I was afraid of that answer.
...but I‘ve a Stax environment which is my Prio1 ...therefore I‘ve to look that the 2nd part with the HD800 has to be cheaper

 

[Moak]

This guy @Jan Meier is a member here and makes great stuff. Since you are in Germany, take a look at https://www.meier-audio.de click on amplifiers, and find the Corda Jazz-ff on sale for 260 euros. It will be difficult to find something better anywhere near the price. Jan is a great guy and has a very good reputation. I have several orders with him including the Jazz-ff amp. To be honest, I did not try it with my HD 800s but it does a great job with my HD 600s.

Yes, I know Jan Meier and I had contact to him. I owned a Corda Jazz (wirhout ff) but I doesn‘t liked this amp...I sells him. But I owned not the HD800 at that time.
Yes, maybe I could give the Jazz-ff a chance, too. That is a super price for this device. Thank you for the hint

 

[grooveriders]

This guy @Jan Meier is a member here and makes great stuff. Since you are in Germany, take a look at https://www.meier-audio.de click on amplifiers, and find the Corda Jazz-ff on sale for 260 euros. It will be difficult to find something better anywhere near the price. Jan is a great guy and has a very good reputation. I have several orders with him including the Jazz-ff amp. To be honest, I did not try it with my HD 800s but it does a great job with my HD 600s.

So the Corda Jazz-ff can be a replacement for a tube amp? if so I am also interested in getting one myself, just shot Meier an email.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

So the Corda Jazz-ff can be a replacement for a tube amp? if so I am also interested in getting one myself, just shot Meier an email.

It's not a replacement but it's a very musical amp with a slight touch of warmth. And I believe Jan tests with Beyers and Sennheisers (he's an authorized dealer) so his amps drive 300-600 ohm dynamics very well.

 

[grooveriders]

It's not a replacement but it's a very musical amp with a slight touch of warmth. And I believe Jan tests with Beyers and Sennheisers (he's an authorized dealer) so his amps drive 300-600 ohm dynamics very well.

Thanks for the recommendation ! I might very well get this amp.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Thanks for the recommendation ! I might very well get this amp.

It's a good match with a lot of headphones. It drives my Audeze LCD-2C beautifully also. I paid full price and I think it was fair. For the sale price it's killer.