Earlier this year, I decided to give headphone listening another try but this time with full commitment (a couple years ago I had an LCD 2 rev 2 with an inadequate amp). At the same time I auditioned an LCD-X, HD 800 and Hifiman 560. All three were in stock form and driven by a Burson Conductor Virtuoso. All three had admirable qualities and some not so much. For me, the LCD-X was just too damn heavy (the 4 is even heavier still.....What?). Also, it's bass seemed exaggerated to me. The 560 was nice too, but I heard a "magic" with the 800. Even with stock cable and no Anax mod, driven by a bright "ish" ss amp, I knew this was the sound I was looking for and was willing to build a system AROUND the 800.
I ended up with a Woo WA2 with all NOS tubes, Norne Draug 2 cable and the Anax mod and I'm extremely happy. Of course there are better ancillary components for the HD 800 and in the future I may want to change them, but for now I don't care.