Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by The Alchemist, Oct 23, 2015.

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  1. barboggo

    barboggo Acquaintance

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    I hear great things about both amps with the HD800. The Stratus is supposedly wetter, warmer, and more tubey while the ZDS leans toward transparency and brightness while still knocking back some of that treble that's super apparent on the HD800 with SS amps? I suppose choosing between the two will be a more subjective call after having listened to both amps.

    Fortunately, I learned today that I live about 30 minutes away from EC and that there will be a big SBAF meetup in LA in November. What are the chances of there being a DNA Stratus and a ZDS available for listening? And while we're at it, a Yggdrasil and Gungnir Multibit too? :D
     
  2. Rex Aeterna

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    is there any mention of the magni? i know it's schiit's lowest price one but, how is it with the hd800? spending lot of time in the hostiple i'm thinking of putting money aside for a portable rig for my laptop and i always wanted an hd800 so be saving money for that. i feel like it's time for an upgrade on my headphone front. was going buy hd650's but, i think i just save bit more and longer for the headphones i really want. so i wonder if the magni is any good with the hd800 or is the vali the bare minimum in the schiit line as a suggestion for the hd800?
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2016
  3. ibzrg1570

    ibzrg1570 Facebook Friend

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    The Magni is fairly neutral, so if you like the brightness of the HD800 then it's a fine budget option. I'm still using my Magni 1 occasionally and I preferred the Magni/Modi 2 Uber stack over the Lyr 2/Bifrost Multibit stack side by side at Canjam out of my HD800S (not sure how much difference longer warmup time would make on the Bifrost Multibit, but that stack sounded much brighter). Never listened to the Vali 1, but you can roll tubes with the Vali 2 if you want a warmer sound and there are lots of impressions so you shouldn't need to go crazy to find the right pairing.
     
  4. Rex Aeterna

    Rex Aeterna Friend

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    thanks. i don't know yet if i like or won't mind it's tone but, remember was told if i liked the sa5000 that i would like the hd800 a good mount more. i am working out a budget now saving. might buy used or wait till black friday see if the hd800 becomes half off hopefully but, defiantly will get one some way or another since i made final decision on it. time to defiantly time to change and get better headphones and hold off on speaker stuff especially since i'm gonna be using headphones more often for the next year. i also be wearing a hat most of the time so if there is an edge, the cotton from my hat will take it off haha. thanks for your opinion. it's good to know the magni will have good enough omph to pass me by for now. i probably invest in the modi too since i can't bring my audio interface with me really. might invest in the multi-bit one to see how it is.
     
  5. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Having just received a Vali 2, I can see what all the fuss is about, I suspect you might enjoy it more than a Magni (confession, I used to be a Magni 2U owner), especially with something like an HD800.

    Alternatively, you could snag HD650s and a Jot, possibly with an internal DAC, for less than the cost of the HD800. That'd sound decent, and be robust/self-contained, less of a worry if people are bustling about near your gear.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2016
  6. Rex Aeterna

    Rex Aeterna Friend

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    defiantly have my heart on the hd800. just getting ideas for as affordable portable rig as possible. if the vali 2 is good mount better, i will save for extra cost. i'm just focusing on the headphones for now and everything else will fall into place is how i see it. thanks for your opinion. it is very much appreciate it. i just kinda wish i knew someone local that has the comparable set i'm looking towards to get an personal idea on how they sound and compare but, only buddies i know are speakers friends and they're not into headphones at all so, i'm out of luck on that part so just have to go by opinions and ideas for now. maybe get both vali 2 and magni 2 myself to try see what i like more and send whatever back i like less or keep both when i get around to it. but, defiantly working towards a portable system around the hd800.
     
  7. ibzrg1570

    ibzrg1570 Facebook Friend

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    A bit of warning, the pads are very flat on the HD800, so wearing a hat will break the seal around your ear, as will glasses. The HD650 has thicker pads so it won't be affected as much.
     
  8. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Sure, I suppose I was partly trying to avoid the HD800 plus solid state amp combo- it can be pretty piercing around 6kHz, especially. Also, the Magnis don't sound amazing (though they're quite respectable for what they are), I think they'd let the HD800 down a lot more than the Vali 2 would- if those are the transducers that you've set your heart on.

    Glasses were no issue for me, on the HD800S at least. I think it depends a bit on your head shape and glasses style.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2016
  9. Rex Aeterna

    Rex Aeterna Friend

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    it's a thin pikachu beenie i wear and the hd800's being pretty large headphone itself and somewhat small head i have i don't think i will have issues but, will see. i do wear glasses but, only for driving since it's for distance so, most of the time i'm not really using them.
     
  10. Rex Aeterna

    Rex Aeterna Friend

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    take in mind i'm not looking for an end game portable rig. just something get me by through the year when i'm in and out of the hostiple. when eveything is over, then i will for a more serious home rig for it but, for now just something to get me by. most of the budget is going to headphones first. can only do one thing at a time as of now. that's why hoping for a huge sale on black friday or cyber monday cause sometimes they have deals of 65% off or something sometimes so, hope i get lucky. if not i try used market for one. if the vali 2 is much better, like i said, i will shoot for that as bare minimum.
     
  11. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Absolutely, here's hoping that you find an outrageous deal!

    (Sorry if I was being a little dim in fully grasping your interlocking plans..)
     
  12. Rex Aeterna

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    it's cool. i understand how people regard the hd800 as one of the most hyper-revealing headphones in the dynamic world so, i understand the process people go through with them to get the best out of them. so, i know you and everyone else is just trying to help so i understand. i probably sell off some speaker stuff as well to help put towards my budget maybe. have tons of too much stuff and moving soon as well so, i don't want to be hauling around lot of stuff and keep what i want so i probably sell couple amps and maybe the whole nad set(was euro/london models but, were converted to 110/120v US) i have since i have other stuff i keep around. might put it up here for first grabs before cl but, don't know if much people around nj area here. just have wait till get out later this week with my treatments to get everything at home and figure out what i'm doing.
     
  13. HappyMonkey

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    Hi i need help i ordered hd800 and elear, can any of you please recommend any good desktop headphone amp pairings from Europe bc it is so expensive to order from USA. We need to pay shipping than 10% additional charges than aditional 25% on all msrp+shipping+ac so everything from USA or Japan is 50% more here. In my country i can order only nuforce amps, had-audiolab amps, audeze deckard, and phatos aurium do any of these amps are good pairing for hd800/elear or i am out of luck :)
    and i cant audition them i need to pay first and than wait for shop to order them and ship them to me in 2 weeks....
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2016
  14. Robert777

    Robert777 Acquaintance

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    I have ruled out a lot of the big boy amps from the USA for my HD800 for the same reason. That is why I purchased a Valhalla 2 and I am currently saving for a Feliks Audio tube amp from Poland. They seem like a really nice local alternative. There is also the Laconic Night Blue Mini from Russia but that has its own set of difficulties.

    Audio-gd is another interesting option readily available from Europe. This is just my opinion and not based on any listening obtained facts but I reckon the nice clean Audio-gd sound would work nicely for the Elear.

    One final option may be the old Nuforce Ha200 with its zero feedback design.

    I would love more than anything to get a Zana Deux but it is just too expensive a proposition now that the UK is in terminal decline.

    Cheers.
     
  15. HappyMonkey

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    Thank you Robert i agree, i never listen to any of them i can only listen what i buy shops here don't offer any hp gear to demo only loudspeaker setups. I read about felix elise, and people who go to nuforce ha200 for hd800 over many tube amps of similar price, also gd audio can be ordered from france for really good price, elear is good with many amps as i read but hd800 is hardest hp to found more people to agree and put the finger on one amp at certain price point except top amps from usa like zana deux, dna etc but for that money with shipping and vat i can buy top stax sr007/sr009/had-audiolab amp system here in croatia. I am undecided i can go for nuforce200 or audio gd nfb11 new one with sabre dac or to go for pathos aurium or had-audiolab maestral for tube amp but maestral lack sub bass so it will probably be bad match for hd800.
    Cheers,
     
  16. Huhnkopf

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    yeah, stuff like EC is very hard to import to Germany because they rip you apart in tax and everything. You can get Schiit stuff within the EU though so that's at least a huge relief when you consider that so much good stuff comes from the US and you can't consider it.
     
  17. perkele

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    Robert777: Shameless recommendation for the Laconic amp. Excellent match for HD800. With the help of sbaf Han Solo you should get it through customs.
     
  18. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    I'm seriously curious about the Icon Audio HP8 - I do wonder if it's a nice option, for people who want a bit more after-sales service. It made @Tyll Hertsens "wall of fame", which piqued my interest. Describing it as "smooth", and "free from grain or harshness" makes me wonder if it might not be a nice option.

    OK OK, I just want to flush out someone who has heard the damn thing- but it does make me wonder if it might not be a potentially nice match for the 800, for people who want the reassurance of some after-sales backup compared to the NBM.

    (Not discounting your excellent suggestion at all, @perkele - it sounds like you're enjoying your new amp.. They look awesome, for the slightly fearless.)
     
  19. Rozenberg

    Rozenberg Acquaintance

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    I know how that feels.
    Well, unfortunately I haven't much experience in amps so pardon me for that as I can only list some options for you to think and research. Fortunately we have Schiit in Netherlands and UK so that one is easy. If you're thinking Schiit, Mjolnir 2 maybe.
    Other than that, Questyle maybe. CMA600i is available in EU, or go CMA800R monoblocks to look cool but again at new price, I don't think it's worth it.

    Actually I can recommend Liquid Carbon for HD800 but again, you have to find them used if possible.
    Try looking in the used market, sometimes good things pop out.

    Same. I was desperately looking for ZDS or Stratus but alas, they're so rare in EU. Buying new is kinda out of question because tax rapes us.
    Ended up with this not-so-pathetic-as-I-thought Crimson.
     
  20. HappyMonkey

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    thanks @Rozenberg will do some research, didnt know we have schiit in eu and i found liquid carbon on ebay but with shipping/tax it will be same as buying pathos aurium here but if it sounds better with hd800 i am all for it :)
     
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