[Maxvla]

Matrix M-Stage HPA-2 w/USB $320

Schiit Modi + Vali $220

Schiit Bifrost USB + Valhalla 2 $800

The usual suggestions.

 

[Moonhead]

I forgot about this one, haven't tried it, but they seem to preferred it on innerfidelity with hd800.
As a bonus it doesn't cost that much.

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/asus-xonar-essence-one-muses-edition-or-why-actually-listening-gear-important

 

[ToddTheMetalGod]

Todd, I would have stayed alway from the 800 if the budget was one of your concerns. You're just going to run into people recommending expensive amps and dacs constantly.  It's an ego contest on this thread, there is a pattern you will obviously notice here.  I would have suggested HE-6 with used speaker amp for a high quality on the cheap, but good luck on the your 800 ventures as it turned out 800 wan't my cup of tea.

I just don't see the point in getting that last 15% of sound quality if it's going to cost me $1000 or more. I'd much rather just spend $500 on a smooth solid state DAC/amp combination and be done.

If I wanted to get into an ego contest I would've bought some $1600 floor standing speakers . Fighting over who has the most expensive headphone gear is like fighting over who has the most expensive go-kart :rolleyes:. There are always people with BMW's, Lambourghini's, etc .

Thanks, I hope I'll enjoy them. I want to make this the end of my audio journey for a while. In a few years when I move somewhere larger and have more income I plan to get back into audio with high end speakers. Hopefully an HD800 setup will satisfy me until then .

Edit: Maybe I should get a Violectric V200 and be done with it. You guys are corrupting me and draining my wallet .

 

[MattTCG]

I have a few of the boys over today. We are testing the 800's on the Valhalla 2 and HA-1. Everything fed from the NAD m51. The Val2 has only warmed up for about 30 minutes. Just plugged the 800's into for the first. And...very interesting. 

 

[pearljam50000]

Which is better with HD800, Modi or ODAC?

 

[Moonhead]

Well calling Questyle the ultimate wheee maybe pushing it, as it the only one I have heard with HD800.
Sounded quite good though.

If I had do it over Again I guess I would have picked up 02 combo or Asus one or something in that genre, I have a feeling that maybe HD800
Don't need than much power. I had a bad experience with Schiit Mjolnir so I just don't trust any of there products, but that's just me, lots
Of people seem to love that brand.

 

[SilverEars]

Well calling Questyle the ultimate wheee maybe pushing it, as it the only one I have heard with HD800.
Sounded quite good though.

If I had do it over Again I guess I would have picked up 02 combo or Asus one or something in that genre, I have a feeling that maybe HD800
Don't need than much power. I had a bad experience with Schiit Mjolnir so I just don't trust any of there products, but that's just me, lots
Of people seem to love that brand.

can you expand on this?  What was wrong with it?

 

[ToddTheMetalGod]

I have a few of the boys over today. We are testing the 800's on the Valhalla 2 and HA-1. Everything fed from the NAD m51. The Val2 has only warmed up for about 30 minutes. Just plugged the 800's into for the first. And...very interesting. 

Valhalla 2 is looking like my best option I guess . Get some nice tubes and it might be endgame. Perhaps a Sabre DAC with it?

 

[kothganesh]

can you expand on this?  What was wrong with it?

My own 2 cents. The 800 and the Mojo just made for a very forward, sometimes harsh combination. I am also believer now of pairing the 800 with a tube amp like the BH Crack. FWIW.

 

[Moonhead]

Mjolnir feels very cheap built, especially the volume knot, It had scratches in the metal from new.
Sound signature where beyond neutral and overly bright in the treble, IMO.
That amp just looks, feels and sounds like a joke compering it to Questyle, IMO.

 

[SilverEars]

My own 2 cents. The 800 and the Mojo just made for a very forward, sometimes harsh combination. I am also believer now of pairing the 800 with a tube amp like the BH Crack. FWIW.

Always comes up.  

  What is it about BH do you feel helps the HD800?
 
I personally think the 800 is forward natured in general.  Some amps that loosen the amp probably make it more tolerable with other genres of music.  

 

[kothganesh]

Always comes up.     What is it about BH do you feel helps the HD800?

I personally think the 800 is forward natured in general.  Some amps that loosen the amp probably make it more tolerable with other genres of music.  

To my ears, the Crack gives a better extension to the bottom end. So the sound is more 3D. Naturally tubes matter so that's another variable to play with. The SS amps I have used that far sound colder and harsher.

 

[zerodeefex]

Matrix M-Stage HPA-2 w/USB $320

Schiit Modi + Vali $220

Schiit Bifrost USB + Valhalla 2 $800

The usual suggestions.

Pretty much sums it up.

I'd wait for a used bifrost uber USB and Valhalla 2 to pop up. You'll be happy for a long time with this combo.

 

[pearljam50000]

How tubey is the vali with HD800?

 

[zerodeefex]

How tubey is the vali with HD800?

Do you mean over smooth and euphonic? Not much at all. There's not the bass authority you get with much better amps, but it's also very very detailed and resolving, especially given the price.