Best Amps For the Sennheiser HD800 - 2017 Edition

Hm... I never actually found the mids hollow even for the slightest, unmodded or modded. But maybe first thing you gotta try is to SDR mod it, since it reduces the treble peak, it makes you focus on the bass & mids as well.

On another note, I'm getting another pair of HD800 too, mainly to replace my old one, or if I could, make a second HD800 setup.
I want SS amp because it turns on instantly and thus no need for a 30 seconds wait and such but looking from the list... There doesn't seem to be much budget SS amps.
Else I'll just probably get a Vali 2 too just for curiosity's sake, or maybe the Cavalli SOHA II I've my eyes on.

 

You should try classical on HD800 at higher volumes than very low

 

@Illya You've gotten some really good advice, and I'd like to highlight the two quoted above. PM me when you've bought the Vali2 and I'll ship an Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8 free of charge.

 

I'll crank up the volume next time.

I'm used to the HD650 midrange.
Solid state seems to be difficult, I've not yet looked into this option but might do in the future. The 30sec wait don't bother me.
I'm still deciding if I keep the HD800 so I don't to invest too much into the project until I know for sure.

 

Which one would I look at if I'm on a budget? Just for information, not to make this thread go OT.

 

I'll take you up on that if @Illya doesn't . I'll be getting one (+Modi Multibit) in a few months.

 

Well after reading some more discussions and considering what all of you have been saying I bit the bullet and went with a Vali 2 and Modi mutlibit setup. Like someone said earlier, dont remember who, but I will keep this setup for about a year or 2 then think about getting something more high end. It was just time to get rid of the Aune, and I am very glad I have listened to all of you. Don't get it til tomorrow but I am really looking forward to my first listening session!

 

Thanks Marvey and yeah I did deserve the crap you guys were giving me, I mean I wasn't really listening to you people when all you are trying to do is help. I got over the idea of spending big bucks to get amazing sound out of my mind. I've read a lot about schiit and i'm sure most if not all of it is true. Really looking forward to the start of my audio journey! Thanks again and also everyone else!

 

Let me know if this becomes reality, I can throw in a Siemens PCC88/7DJ8 D-getter, a Siemens PCC88/7DJ8 O-getter and an Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8.
Those PCC88's are slightly out of spec for Vali2 but might be of interest especially since they can still be found without breaking the bank.

 

Very nice to see new members come into the group and listen, appreciate and consider the advice given. Very cool.

I have not owned the Vali 2 but was thinking about it. How does the Vali 2 compare to something like the BHC when it comes to driving the hd800?

 

There you go, well done! I'll have that Bugle Boy shipped tomorrow. You may not hear any difference, but you'll at least get a bit of a taste of vintage tubes

 

I'm very curious to hear the hd800's on the Vali 2 as well. Just received Torq's Vali 2 a few days ago and I pulled the trigger on a pair of hd800's last night on HF.
Will also be checking the hd800's out the Jot with Sonarworks. I kinda got out of hand this last week... picked up a Bifrost Multibit as well. I'll have to see if I prefer it over the Modi Multibit. Going to be a fun weekend of listening!

 

Has anyone heard the Decware Taboo? The speaker taps on it have me intrigued.

 

It's not one of the most discussed amps out there, but it's been around for quite some time. In a quick search of the super search @Armaegis put together, there were a few quick impressions from both the current site and the older changstar. I've owned a taboo for quite some time, as well as a CSP2, and I personally find that the otl CSP#/Zen triode series was a better match for the HD800's. As to the speaker taps on the Taboo, the amps literature puts a minimum speaker sensitivity at 94db, but I'd say that's pushing it; probably look for >96db. I suppose it would be an okay speaker amp option if you needed a 1 box solution for a planar headphone and a pair of Omega high outputs.

TL;DR: I like the Taboo, but I wouldn't personally recommend it for the HD800 or as a speaker amp.

 

Bloody hell, someone actually got the point of what was being said, amazing. Good on you, @Illya. Hopefully you'll enjoy your little Schiit stack, it well-engineered stuff and represents incredible value- it's hard to go wrong. It's a solid starting point, you can relax and listen to your favourite music, maybe explore a couple of tube options if you feel like it- but all without any sort of pressure, and without risking a fortune too.

Be sure to report in!

 

Check out @atomicbob 's synergy configurations as you can put together a great chain with all that gear.