[pctazhp]

  Has anyone tried both the Woo Audio WA7 or Valhalla 2 with the 800? Trying to figure out some good amp options for <$1k... not sure what I'm missing out on with my current M2/M2 stack, or any tube compared to SS for that matter

I can't speak to the Woo as I have never heard it, I have the HD800S and not the Classic. I can tell you that in my experience the Feliks Audio Elise is in a totally different class than the Valhalla 2. I did a detailed comparison between the two amps at http://www.head-fi.org/t/782754/feliks-audio-elise-new-thread/8790#post_12438273, post #8804. That post was before I got my HD800S, but comparing the two amps with the S has not changed the impressions I posted there. The Elise with good non-stock tubes will keep you under $1000.
 
There is one participant on that thread who owns an LC, but reports he far prefers the Elise.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

I'll second on the Ellise, great amp, Schitt Amps short of the Rag do not match well with the HD800. A sleeper that is now under $1K is the Airist Audio Herron 5, it was a big hit at the Nashville Meet with HD800/S, and Ether/C.

 

[GodsInHisHeaven]

Can anyone compare the HD 800 bass with the bass of the LCD 2 or HE 560?
 
I will probably get my first HD 800 next Saturday, but I am a little worried that the HD 800 might be lacking in t he bass department.
 
By the way, I already have the anax 1 and 2 mod prepared to fight the 6KHz spike (if it troubles me) and have no problem using my EQ to  thump up the bass (also upping the bass 3 dB doing that on my HE 560).

 

[reddog]

Can anyone compare the HD 800 bass with the bass of the LCD 2 or HE 560?

I will probably get my first HD 800 next Saturday, but I am a little worried that the HD 800 might be lacking in t he bass department.

By the way, I already have the anax 1 and 2 mod prepared to fight the 6KHz spike (if it troubles me) and have no problem using my EQ to  thump up the bass (also upping the bass 3 dB doing that on my HE 560).

I though the pair of HD 800's, I demonstrated for a week had great bass. I was so impressed with the sound that I am getting a Liquid Gold and a used pair of HD 800's..

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

I'll second on the Ellise, great amp, Schitt Amps short of the Rag do not match well with the HD800. A sleeper that is now under $1K is the Airist Audio Herron 5, it was a big hit at the Nashville Meet with HD800/S, and Ether/C.

The Mjolnir 2 sounds great to me, both with LISST and stock tubes. See my review.

 

[Xeculus]

  Valhalla 2 is a much better value.
 
I just recently purchased WA7 - I like it. But I find it, thus far, to be more an overall tube amplifier. I'm using HD800S on it, not HD800. I agree with some of the posts above, finding something like a Liquid Carbon (sold mine, but did listen for long periods of time - also joined the second run) to sound quite euphoric on HD800.

 
Would you say the Liquid Carbon is a better match for the classic 800 than the new gen 2 WA7?
 
The possibility of not having to mess with tube amps is pretty appealing, especially considering the better tube amps command much higher prices 

 

[porridgecup]

  Can anyone compare the HD 800 bass with the bass of the LCD 2 or HE 560?
 
I will probably get my first HD 800 next Saturday, but I am a little worried that the HD 800 might be lacking in t he bass department.
 
By the way, I already have the anax 1 and 2 mod prepared to fight the 6KHz spike (if it troubles me) and have no problem using my EQ to  thump up the bass (also upping the bass 3 dB doing that on my HE 560).
 

 
I own the LCD 2 (pre-Fazor) and HD 800. Both running through a Bryston BHA-1 and Schiit Gungnir.
 
HD 800's bass feels just as good as the LCD 2's in terms of detail and extension. Probably a little bit more detail. However, due to the brighter nature of the headphones, you'll probably have to EQ them if you want to hear anything like the bass quantity of the LCD 2. Depending on your head shape and particular sensitivities, the HD 800's higher peaks may drown out the low end. At least, they did for me.
 
A small Q low boost, small Q high cut, and big Q notch around 6.5k were necessary to make them listenable to me, personally. But once I did that, they do sound very good indeed. Including for bass-heavy electronic music.

 

[JamieMcC]

By chance is anyone using Primare DAC 30 with their hd800 I'm interested in getting some user insight on it?
 
 

 

[sheldaze]

   
Would you say the Liquid Carbon is a better match for the classic 800 than the new gen 2 WA7?
 
The possibility of not having to mess with tube amps is pretty appealing, especially considering the better tube amps command much higher prices 

I'm not supposed to make comments on things I haven't heard 

The WA7 I own is the original - I plan to get the DAC and AMP upgrades to the newest WA7, when those become available to owners of the previous model.
 
I will make a guess though - unless there is a significant update, Liquid Carbon will still likely be a better match for the classic 800.

 

[Xeculus]

  I'm not supposed to make comments on things I haven't heard 

The WA7 I own is the original - I plan to get the DAC and AMP upgrades to the newest WA7, when those become available to owners of the previous model.
 
I will make a guess though - unless there is a significant update, Liquid Carbon will still likely be a better match for the classic 800.

 
Really? I thought a tube amp would better help smooth out the classic 800's treble peak over a solid state amp

 

[DavidA]

   
Really? I thought a tube amp would better help smooth out the classic 800's treble peak over a solid state amp

There are some warm sounding SS amps, H10 and Polaris are 2 of the affordable ones that I know of, LAu and MHA-100 would be more pricy options.  Or even HDVD-800

 

[nepherte]

  By chance is anyone using Primare DAC 30 with their hd800 I'm interested in getting some user insight on it?
 
 

 
I used to own a Primare NP-30 (close to the DAC-30) and used it with my HD800. What in particular do you want to know?

 

[Shetzu]

I'll second on the Ellise, great amp, Schitt Amps short of the Rag do not match well with the HD800. A sleeper that is now under $1K is the Airist Audio Herron 5, it was a big hit at the Nashville Meet with HD800/S, and Ether/C.

I was suggested Elise for my HD 800 by a friend. Could you tell me your impressions of Elise  and its compatibility with Hd 800. Tks.

 

[shultzee]

I'll second on the Ellise, great amp, Schitt Amps short of the Rag do not match well with the HD800. A sleeper that is now under $1K is the Airist Audio Herron 5, it was a big hit at the Nashville Meet with HD800/S, and Ether/C.

Disagree.  Schitt MJ 2 did a awesome job with the HD800 for me with good tubes.

 

[MWSVette]

 
Disagree.  Schitt MJ 2 did a awesome job with the HD800 for me with good tubes.

 
I use my Schiit Lyr as amp for the HD800's and with a warmer tube they are great...