Best Amps For the Sennheiser HD800 - 2017 Edition

The balanced Violectric amps are probably much better than their single ended stuff, especially if they seem to (judging by everything I´ve read) open the soundstage up. I had the V200 for a while and it´s still the most colored solid state amp I´ve ever heard, but I was running it out of its internal (not very good) DAC so that likely affected things too. Possibly fantastic for planars, but at least for the Sennheiser HD 800 I had at the time it was way too dark, congested and rolled off. Tightest and hardest hitting bass I´ve ever heard though. It´s amazing how that amp can measure so neutral while being so different subjectively!

It was as if it tried to change the HD 800 into a HD 650; at which point it´s just better to buy a HD 650 instead and let it do its thing with a suitable amp. Never got to try it with a HD 650 though, but I would guess it´s not an optimal pairing since HD 650 usually tends to favor amps with an open and even somewhat bright leaning sound.

That being said, apparently the V100 based units are more neutral sounding. They use that circuitry in their Lake People studio models. So yeah, ideally go balanced but If you must go single ended Violectric, I would say V100 and the similar Lake People models are probably the best choice for Sennheiser headphones. There was an anecdote going around back when the HD 800 was released that the V100 series was one of Axel Grell´s favorite amps.

EDIT: Yup, the headphonia review quotes Violectric CEO about the story.

 

I was a bit surprised to see the Magni 2 Uber on the list. That's a fairly bright pairing isn't it?

 

Works perfectly fine for me, but I'm the wierdo who doesn't think the 800 needs any mods (you should see the results of my last hearing test.

Also, Ray Samuels deserves almost all of the crap he has gotten over the years, but with the right tubes (say, Mullard 12AU7s and a RCA 5687) the Raptor is a great match for the 800.

 

From experience, it's slightly laid back, although I haven't heard it with HD 800. Also, it's being recommended in a specific scenario here. Vali 2 would probably be a better choice otherwise.

 

I guess keeping it was the right move. I almost sold it some months ago due to having some shit happening with my portable rig.
Though I'm also pretty curious with tube amps but hate the long heating time.

Guess I'll try rolling some tubes with the Crimson, maybe I could find another revelation.

 

I wrote in the old thread before I realized there is a 2017 version

Was Rag replaced by lower tier Schiit stuff due to price/performance ratio ?
Was Auralic Taurus or Audio-gd master 9 considered when making the list ?

 

How's the Asgard 2 with HD800's? I've searched and found little to no talk about this combo (or the Asgard 2 in general). I'm happy with it with my Modi Multibit and HD650's, and I have a pair of HD800's on the way.

 

"Geek Out V2 (balanced output only)*
... Make sure to select the digital filter that’s warmer and without the nasty ESS Sabre transients."

Which filter is the warmer one without nasty ESS Sabre transients?

 

Schiit Ragnarok or Cavalli Liquid Gold?

 

sorry I know this is a discussion but just wanted to ask since im choosing an amp for my HD800's. Just wanted to see someones opinion between the two. Again Sorry

 

Based on a 15 minute listen, I found the liquid gold too lean for my modded Hd800, but to its credit it had very smooth and non fatiguing treble. HD800 doesn't need lean tho. I'd take Valhalla 2, Mjolnir 2, or Zana Deux over it for the 800,which represents every amp I have extensive experience with hd800 on that list (well, gov2 is there, idk about that over liquid gold)

TBF I did really like the gold with headphones that don't need help in the bass (Atticus, Eikon, He6) but definitely not hd800

 

Well I need something that has XLR and can power planars like the HE6, I also read that these two amps have good synergy with the HD800's. But i'm up for anyones opinion on amps honestly. Just no tubes.

 

I wouldn't recommend either for HD800, but if I had to choose, it would be Ragnarok. Not only is it cheaper but it is slightly warmer and more full-bodied than LAu. I know many people hook up LAu with Abyss but the LAu is IMO overpriced for its performance.

But if I were you, there are a myriad of amps cheaper than either yet performs better with HD800. Do yourself a favor and stay away from those two if you are specifically looking for an HD800 amp.

In this case, your best bet would be EC Black Widow. It is the best solid-state amp for HD800 I've heard to date and has 5W per channel, which is relatively powerful and can drive HE-6 (although Ragnarok has more power especially with its speaker outputs). The only problem is that it is discontinued, but I see used units put up for sale every once in a while. It is even cheaper than Ragnarok, so that's a plus.

 

thanks for the input!