The HD800 & HD800S thread

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by sorrodje, Oct 11, 2015.

  1. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    Hot damn, first time I hear of the HD660S, thanks for the tip!!!

    Maybe take a look at the ZMF phones, the new Auteur in particular might interest you. I'm intersted in a pair as well and there are already some opinion in a thread here on SBAF.
     
  2. Robert777

    Robert777 Acquaintance

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    I have the JJ6922's as well. So you are already there.

    Further tube rolling could be a bit of a whole.
     
  3. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    Ah, sorry it's not SET. I forgot its WCF output, that's more like push-pull operation.
     
  4. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Similar experience as hd800 with more body? Yes, spend $99 on Sonarworks Ref 4 plugin. Dirt simple to use and you'll have all the body you want and then some. You can turn in on or off at your discretion. You more or less at your discretion. Pretty tough to beat at the price.
     
  5. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    If you ask @sorrodje nicely, he can supply the resonators - then even this mod is a walk in the park. It is also probably the most important mod to carry out, as a bonus.
     
  6. AppleheadMay

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    Or add a Schiit Loki before your amp?
     
  7. Sonorus

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    Loki maybe , sonarworks out of question , old school here spinning cd's!
     
  8. Sonorus

    Sonorus Facebook Friend

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    Any feedback from HD800 sdr users with Loki mini at the chain?
     
  9. deserat

    deserat Acquaintance

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    I agree with what's already been said, there is a long way up you can go from the Valhalla 2. The HD800 scales to the best amps on the market. Dropping the $1-$2k on an amp will give you all the amazing of the HD800 you know plus all the amazing you haven't yet experienced. Gungnir Multibit rocks, HD800 rocks, Valhalla is just good.
     
  10. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    Not an SDR mod. May try that soon. Only foam around driver at this point. I have found the Loki makes the HD800 a better sounding headphone overall. Improved bass and less screwy treble. Using it with most recordings now. A few are better with it switched off. Find I am changing settings on a lot more albums than I thought. Many need a little help in EQ. Some may like it, others may not.
     
  11. Sonorus

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    @deserat Thanks any suggestions for amp upgrade up to € ? Preferably on production.
     
  12. deserat

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    My fav amp for the HD800 is one that has to be built, the Bottlehead Mainline... I've found the 2 parafeed amps I've listened to remove any notion of the HD800 lacking bass. If you like Schiit I'd seriously consider the Ragnarok - it's a pretty amazing amp and isn't as dry, analytical, or 2d as the Mjolnir 2. My guess is moving up from the Valhalla 2, you'll find yourself drooling in awe, so you might want to order a towel as well. ;) The hard part with AMP's is that most of the TOTL amps aren't something you can just go audition - and they aren't sold on websites that have return policies you can abuse. If there are any meets near you, they are worth attending.

    There is a good thread here http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...s-for-the-sennheiser-hd800-2017-edition.3408/
     
  13. Sonorus

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    So you don't recommend mjolnir 2 as an upgrade.
    Rangarok is way to expensive and i already have 2 ch amp.
    Another problem with totl amps is that most of them are of US origin and have heavy customs in EU.
    Well my only hope was mjolnir 2 so i guess i will be staying with val 2 maybe adding a loki.
     
  14. deserat

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    The MJ2 was a very serious step up from my Lyr 2. As in, I knew it was alot better before it warmed up or burned in. I have 2 systems built out. 1. Gungnir Multibit/MJ2/Ether C 2. Yggdrasil/Mainline/HD800 The first is built out for dynamics and speed. The second for complete emersion and absolute transparency.

    I wouldn't begin to say the MJ2 isn't a good amp, it just has qualities that I prefer matched with my Planars. One of the things I love about the HD800 is the vast and precise soundstage. The MJ2 works against that, it's still good, but not holographic. I seem to recall the Lyr2 had a bigger stage. Dynamics on the MJ2 are astounding, and given you can run it balanced from your Gungir you'd get the very precise positioning and deeper and tighter bass ( not sure why, it's just what I noticed when I went from SE to Balanced ).

    I'd say it's very hard to go "wrong" with a Schiit Amp, well maybe trying to run high efficiency cans on a Valhalla would be wrong... and in my experience you are getting what you pay for. In my opinion, the MJ2 is step or 3 up from all the Schiit amps below it. Again... I'm just some dude ... which is why I recommended the other thread, where I think you'll note the MJ2 is on the list of best amps for the HD800.

    Oh and buddy of mine has a loki - loves it. It fixes the flaws in the Aeon pretty well. ( If ya think the HD800 has anemic bass audition the Aeon )
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2017
  15. eternaldrake

    eternaldrake New

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    I gotta ask how that Mainline+Yggdrasil+hd800 is working for you. I'm on an hd800s right now, I'm pretty set on a Yggdrasil as the endgame DAC when I can get it, and I've been pondering between a few different amps with the mainline as one of them.
     
  16. Sonorus

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    @deserat Thank you. So it seems that the mj2 isn't a clear step up as it has pluses and minuses. For me as a full time classical music listener the soundstage of HD800 is an essential feature. Val 2 may be lacking in end game dynamics but the soundstage is huge and holographic. Well that's a pity for mj2 because I was dreaming of it as a huge upgrade and my end game amp. Other totl otl amps are beyond my reach ie zana Deux etc. Well who knows maybe a fully balanced Valhalla 3 is on Jason's mind!
     
  17. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    @Sonorus
    There are really no shortcuts when you want to have top dog amplifier for dynamic headphones. It will cost you.
    Ragnarok or Mainline are reportedly not endgame for dynamic headphones, considering there are DNA and EC amps to choose from.
    I was on the same journey and also initially had limited budget. In the end it was worth it to get a EC2A3 and be done with it.
    I have no interest in any other headphone amplifier ever since. Even Studio didn't really make me to think of upgrading.
    For classical music you want these high frequency heated tubes.
    So be patient and save up!
     
  18. Sonorus

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    Well I would love a zana Deux s but can't afford it , got kids to feed!
    Very bad timing here in Greece for upgrades. I can afford about 1k for upgrade from Valhalla 2 if there any.
     
  19. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    Used good deal of Torpedo 3 or EC super 7 then.
    As side grade or possibly even upgrade for cheap would be Laconic NBM, but that's also rare to come by.

    Roughly at this price range a Cavalli EHHA that is over built has massive headstage with HD800, yet it doesn't quite compete in microdynamics/plankton and tone with proper tube amp with good output transformes.
    You could also take a dirty side road and see if JLHood is worthwhile, it's cheap and probably does many things better than Valhalla 2. This one has smaller headstage, but better tone and supeb microdynamics and good plankton.
    I could use either as my only headphone amplifier, they are still that good.

    Both of these amplifiers need some 'refreshing' from their stock form to be able to keep up with better gear out there.
    Shoot a PM for details or see the associated threads for info.
     
  20. Sonorus

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    Ok thanks. I more question, how bad is mj2 soundstage compared to val2 , going balanced.
     

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