[62ohm]

What impresses me the most is that he speaks even without mentioning words like "IMO" or "YMMV" even once, as if his words are dogma. Mate, you must be fun at parties...

 

[RUMAY408]

  I posted earlier how 

 I was after hearing how my "new to me" McIntosh MC2205 amp drove the HD800s.  So, I picked up a few more vintage pieces and an older DAC to cobble together a "poor man's MHA100".   

 

 
MC2505 50wpc amp
C31V preamp
Transporter DAC
 
It drives the HD800s with musical thump, full weight, rich vocals, and gobs of power.  Just awesome synergy.  These pieces are sitting on my desk, also driving a pair of Paradigm Studio 20 v3.

Vintage, higher end receivers, like the McIntosh had enough dedicated power to the HP out to drive my old 600 ohm AKG K240 sextett.  
 
If you can pick up this receiver for less than $500 you have a real bargain.
 
Any new HP amp/DAC combo less than $500 cannot do justice to the HD800, 

 

[Maxvla]

Any new HP amp/DAC combo less than $500 cannot do justice to the HD800, 

I wouldn't be so sure. Modi/Vali reportedly does well at $220. I can personally verify that the M-Stage HPA-2 w/ USB does quite well for its $320 cost.

 

[62ohm]

 

Any new HP amp/DAC combo less than $500 cannot do justice to the HD800, 

I wouldn't be so sure. Modi/Vali reportedly does well at $220. I can personally verify that the M-Stage HPA-2 w/ USB does quite well for its $320 cost.

 
It would be interesting to see a direct comparison of the Wyrd/Modi/Vali and the M-Stage HPA-2, both cost exactly the same.

 

[koiloco]

  Vintage, higher end receivers, like the McIntosh had enough dedicated power to the HP out to drive my old 600 ohm AKG K240 sextett.  
 
If you can pick up this receiver for less than $500 you have a real bargain.
 
Any new HP amp/DAC combo less than $500 cannot do justice to the HD800, 

...and so you have heard all the amps under $500, haven't you?  

 
Or shall we say "justice" is also subjective/relative?
 
Lately, this thread has gone into some interesting directions...

 

[RUMAY408]

I have multiple portable set ups less than $500 FiiO E11, AQ DF and previously a Bellari HA540. 
 
this is a high end thread?
 
Seriously a $1500 HP driven by low end amps, I'm not trying to insult anyone, but when I said 5-10K as more of a potential end amp game for the HD800 I was serious. 

 

[Maxvla]

No one is saying sub $500 is end game. You didn't say that either. The combos mentioned are good synergy setups for those saving (or waiting on orders) for end game amps/dacs. They also are better than quite a few more expensive mid range combos and even some high end combos.

 

[RUMAY408]

No one is saying sub $500 is end game. You didn't say that either. The combos mentioned are good synergy setups for those saving (or waiting on orders) for end game amps/dacs. They also are better than quite a few more expensive mid range combos and even some high end combos.

I'll be more specific, the <$500 set ups I have with the HD800 did not work as well as the ALO Audio MKlllB+ and Meier Stack did.
 
If there is a <$500 set up that's better than those two then maybe I wasted a lot of dough, frankly both the Meier and ALO  portable kicked the previous set ups to the curve, the HD800 is an unbelievable HP, I have the T1 but I keep going back to the HD800 its addictive.
 
The sound with better recordings will reveal detail that my other HP's can't.

 

[BournePerfect]

It would be interesting to see a direct comparison of the Wyrd/Modi/Vali and the M-Stage HPA-2, both cost exactly the same.

I actually have a Wyrd/Modi/Vali all arriving tomorrow. I don't have a USB m-Stage, but I am very familiar with it's amping capabilities w/regards to the HD800.

Will be comparing both from my PC and SBT/EDO to see if I can hear differences w/ the Wyrd.

-Daniel

 

[Fearless1]

   
It would be interesting to see a direct comparison of the Wyrd/Modi/Vali and the M-Stage HPA-2, both cost exactly the same.

Own all of the above, IMHO

, the Wyrd/Modi/Vali is much better then the M-stage with the HD800.
 
This does not touch my main HD-800 rig, but after hearing the Vali/Modi/HD800 I had to buy one for the office (replaced the M-stage).

 

[BournePerfect]

I also prefer the Vali over the m-Stage, though I probably would say they compliment each other more than anything. The m-Stage (stock) is definitely the warmer amp-great for people who want to tone down the stock 800. The Vali is punchier and more detailed of the two though-plays to it's strengths more imo, whereas the Matrix plays to it's (perceived) 'weaknesses', if that makes sense.

 

[koiloco]

  I have multiple portable set ups less than $500 FiiO E11, AQ DF and previously a Bellari HA540. 
 
this is a high end thread?
 
Seriously a $1500 HP driven by low end amps, I'm not trying to insult anyone, but when I said 5-10K as more of a potential end amp game for the HD800 I was serious. 

For me, this hobby, even in the high end section, is not a $ pissing contest and IMO, it shouldn't be.  Often $ would dictate the quality but not always.  I am always more for getting the most out of $ spent.
 
The mentality of spending more and more and more just to have "high end" stuffs, IMO and experience, is so yesterday.  Worse, looking down and doubting the fact that something costing much less could potentially be as good is just pure ignorance.
 
Just my 2c.

 

[Zoom25]

If I was in the US and had a $500 budget, I'd go for a refurbished Emotiva DC-1 at $399 directly from Emotiva and add a Vali (based on what I heard). You'll have a solid DAC to last you a long time. Next upgrade the amp over time as you get used to HD800 and which way you'd like to change the sound to. The DC-1 is quite neutral with a very minor bass bump to my ears.

 

[Moonhead]

Zoom
Focal along with KRK are some of the worst active speakers I've head.
KRK with unnatural bloomy bass, Focal with ear piercing unnatural treble, no thanks.

 

[Sorrodje]

Seriously guys ? can you stop this speakers battle ? 
 
Open a thread and go fighting youselves there but not here. thks.  I didn't notify your posts to moderator yet but the next time I will push the red button.