The HD800 & HD800S thread

I'm considering getting another pair of HD800 after a year hiatus from the headphone world. I was running them out of a AGD 10.33 (wolfson chip) and I enjoyed it well enough. This time I'm looking to start off on a pretty limiting budget and save/build an end-game chain over time. Here's what I'm thinking so far and would love any input:

What I listen to: Everything from EDM to Metal and a lot of movies (1/day). Such as M83, City and Colour, Circa Survive, 80's new wave, 70's classic rock (no Classical).

Budget: <$2000. This is the absolute top of my initial budget and DOES NOT include the headphone. I plan on finding/buying a decent used HD800 ~$800

Amp
1. Valhalla 2: This appears to be the budget go-to amp for the HD800 from my hours (and hours) of reading on this board. I, of course, am good with this price point and maybe could even find something used (thegunner has one still for sale I think...). My next step up would be something along the lines of Black Widow, Torpedo III, Super7, etc.
2. Vali 2: Could I get away with this for awhile while I save/wait for a BW? The BW probably will take awhile to build/ship and that's when it's available again. Could this little amp truly hold one over for that long?
3. Suggestions: Maybe I spend more initially on the amp and less on a DAC (i.e. TorpedoIII + Modi Uber)?

DAC
1. AGD DAC-19: Unbalanced version of the Master7. R2R seems to be up my alley (do not like Sabre implementations). Pricing is a bit high for my initial budget, would have to skimp on the amp.
2. Modi Uber: Like above with the Vali2, is it possible to get away with this as a safety holder until I can afford something better?
3. Suggestions: Maybe I find something older in the FS section? HF/Audigon/etc is always a toss up.

I've read through and followed numerous threads on here (and HF) and although there'll never be a definitive consensus, I feel as though I'm on the right track per my budget. OR, I can just get the HE-6 w/ 2 monoblocks...

 

Given the kind of listening you is it possible that you may prefer one of the other flagships to the HD800? Even modded they are still pretty unforgiving of modern recordings with compressed dynamic range.

 

I totally forgot to mention that. Yes, I realize that, but I usually have another headphone to handle EDM (my IEMs in this case). At every meet I've been to I've always found the HD800 to be my favorite sound sig (next to the HE-6). I really don't care for the Audeze house sound (heard 2.2/3/X). The other headphoneI'm considering is the HE-6, but finding an amp to fit next to my bed is going to be quite a challenge!

 

Fair enough. Just figured I'd ask. It sounds like you've done your due diligence.

 

They're in!

Enjoy a more or less meaningless graph.



Cheeky pic in there as well.

 

It still amazes me that Sennheiser continues to use this antiquated 'averaged power' form of EQ display.
Especially in this day and age of FFT's.
I mean I have more resolving power in my iPod/iPad using Studio Six Audio Tools.

And to not include the very bottom end, is just plain wrong.

I sure hope they use equipment with greater resolution when matching the drivers…

JJ

 

Getting a pair of second hand HD800's in tomorrow. I'm excited to see how it will pair with my newly acquired Valhalla 2, going to be using my trusty NFB28 as well.

 

I think that you'll be pretty pleased with hd800 and Valhalla 2. I had that setup for six months and thought it excellent.

 

Yeah I think it should be quite good. The 800 seriously impressed me out of the NFB28 at previous meets I've heard it, can't wait to start modding!

 

I might joint the club. On a different note this is my current setup: http://imgur.com/a/O3rwk very specifically handpicked material of an irregular Anax mod with inspirations from here and there and some serious testing.
Ring: Cork + Silverstone foam
Trapezoid: Dynamat + Silverstone foam + open cell foam
Mesh: @Bill-P's bath mat cut in a specific shape, I have the PDF if you're interested

This also means that I have a ton of extra material left to give you an idea:
3mm Silverstone foam (so far a wonder to work with and one of the best things I've found in the modding process)
2mm Creatology foam (non adhesive)
2mm felt sheets (adhesive)
2mm Pressed Cork
Dynamat
Open cell foam (adhesive, also has to be cut to size, it's 3cm thick and huge in proportions)
Double sided sticky sheets.
Two sets of rug liner, different thicknesses
A piece of bath mat, as pictured.

Don't hesitate to ask me, shipping from the Netherlands to France in envelopes is 2,50 to 6 euro tops. I can provide some sheets cut to size for you to work with. Would ease up the search for multiple sets of material and since I had to buy bulk, I've got a ton of extra stuff left.

 

Interesting!

So I figured to test it and I can even get the screen out while my mods are in, I translated your friend's comment on how to perform it. That's very interesting as I didn't feel like unscrewing the metal ring. I'll play around with it myself tonight, this is one of those moments I really wish I had a measurement rig handy haha.

I'll try with cork, open cell foam and maybe Silverstone foam and report if there's any difference. Besides I was already interested in opening the screen in front of the driver to test sonics and still dampen the ring, this pretty much gave me just that!

 

sorrodje, you could also try melamine foam for the resonator, I remember it being good at damping high frequencies.
Also, I think probably the denser is the porous material used, the more effective. Keep up the good work!

 

It's on the to purchase list!
If you're interested I can prep a batch of my current mods for you to measure with your HD800s. Who knows might work wonders for the HD800S as well. Also give me a heads-up if you need any of my listed material, I think it can arrive within a few days of sending.

Especially since there's so much damping involved I really want to have measurements on it, but I gotta wait it out for a bit before I can pull the trigger haha.

 

For melamine foam Sorrodje, you can pick a magic sponge from Mr Propre's brand. Same as Arnaud's original, mod for hd800

 

haha was wondering where to find that! thanks for us french / europe guys! Mr Propre...........
But will wait for Sorrodje's feedback before doing anything.