Best Amps For the Sennheiser HD800 - 2017 Edition

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Dec 2, 2016.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    A good target for any music, including classical music is neutral. This equates to flat when measured at a 1m distance with the microphone aligned to the tweeter. Or if at the listening position, the B&K curve per their 1970AES paper. The flat target at 1m usually translates to something looking like the B&K curve in a normal listening room (meaning with furniture, tables, soft, window treatments, rugs, bookshelves, not a rape dungeon that requires professional acoustic room treatments.)

    Just because 80% of classical music from Decca, EMI, Philps, L'Oiseau-Lyre, etc. (most of my stuff was purchased in the 80s and 90s) follows the typical classical mastering job of "midrange-city", doesn't mean that I am willing to sacrifice the all my other music including classical records which I considered to be mastered more correctly. A good portion of my classical was redone by @LFF.

    I don't believe in using colored transducers to undo the effects of bad mastering because the consequences are worse for all other recordings.
     
  2. ufospls2

    ufospls2 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2017
    Likes Received:
    2,010
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Canada
    why would you do anything other than this....
     
  3. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,697
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Arizona
    The last DNA amp I heard paired with a HD800 was the original Sonett. I don't know if it was the tube pairing or my expectations, but I was a touch let down by it coming from my Singlepower Supra XLR at the time. The Sonett was too soft / lacked the dynamics that I personally prefer with the HD800. It might have just been set up that way via tubes for that users tastes though?? At the same meet, Craig was there with his ZD and ZDT and I much preferred the ZD with Senny's. The Sonett was the only DNA amp available at that time IIRC (so you can figure out how long ago this was).
     
  4. Sonorus

    Sonorus Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    May 9, 2017
    Likes Received:
    160
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Greece
    @purr1n

    Yes that makes sense and it's pretty much something like a standard.
    I agree with your opinion for one ''right'' target response for everything and let
    us hear what is in the mix , good or bad.
    Of course most rooms are quite away from that target.
    Do you sympathise with Dirac pro or other correction tools?

    And the 1m dollar question.
    Are there any headphones that can reproduce more or less that kind of reference target in stock form without EQ?
     
  5. Scubadude

    Scubadude Almost "Made"

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2016
    Likes Received:
    332
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Pretoria, South Africa
    I guess you shortlisted the Phonitor for good reason and I strongly suggest you at least try to hear it before making a final decision. I bought an original Phonitor 2730 (the one with the 50's sportscar dashboard look) pretty much unseen and unheard right at the start of my headphone journey and five years on it remains my absolute favourite pairing with the HD800. I agree with some of what @purr1n said (pricey at new retail level, slightly aloof signature) but not all of it. After all that is only one opinion. Others regard it as the ultimate solid state amp. Again just opinions. Try it for yourself. If you, like me, prefer an amp to pass through the music without embellishment or ommission you may just love it. Let the dislikes flow ...
     
  6. itsikhefez

    itsikhefez Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2018
    Likes Received:
    87
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Seattle
    I finished my Tubelab SE-II 45 amp recently with ElectraPrint OPT's and it is breath-taking.
    Most amazing sound I've ever heard from HD650, its like a different headphone.
    I'm running Sylvania 45's, Western Electric 417A and Amperex Bugle-boy 5AR4.
    This project took quite a while, I'll take a small break and then build a TSE-II for 300B's. I've already ordered OPT's and Choke from ISO Japan (former Tango)

    I also ordered the HD800S again after selling the previous one due to disappointing performance with the Mainline. Can't wait to hear them together.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2019
  7. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2017
    Likes Received:
    10,961
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philippines, The
    Necro but this wouldn't happen to be the super-effective Vader mod would it? Cuz I got my grubby mitts on a Fulla 2 quite recently and just imagining this pairing with the Anaxdemort-and-DIY SDR-modded HD800 I've had on loan before made my ears twitch in pain :))

    And hey looks like your luck with Schiit-stirring the competition has turned :D
     
  8. Znerken

    Znerken New

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2020
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Swede
    Thanks for the list.
    how about WA33? No bottlehead products? Mainline for example?
     
  9. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,904
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Europe
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    No WA33. Any Eddie Current or Donald North Audio amp wrecks any Woo. The WA33 has a sound more similar to EC than DNA. The WA234 more like DNA. The WA33 is Woo's best amp, but why pay $7999 when you can get an EC Studio B, which is more resolving, has tighter bass, and far more expansive stage for $3200? Also, Woo amps in my experience always seem to be slightly gimped, unless you cough up more for the "elite" edition upgrades with fancy wires. This approach seems like a shameless money grab taking advantage of audiophiles' hopes and fears and rubs me the wrong way.

    Bottlehead Crack is well covered here. Very good synergy with HD600/HD650 depending upon tube. However, it's never been great with the HD800. Mainline is great, but SWT51 has superseded it as the better and only spud amp at much lower cost and hassle.
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2020
  11. Znerken

    Znerken New

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2020
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Swede
    Only problem with most of them amps are the looks. Not many amps for the HD800s looks good. WA33 does, but sound is more important of course.
     
  12. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,754
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    U.S.
    Excuse me but these are some sexy as hell amps.

    DNA-Stratus-1sm.jpg thumbnail_Studio-B-front-2.jpg
     
  13. Znerken

    Znerken New

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2020
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Swede
    I am considering the Studio jr as recommended. Does everyone here recommend it? Will it be a big upgrade from the Mainline? I don’t care about modding or tube rolling. Just want to listen to music. Ideally I would use a SS amp, but I have read 800s sounds better with tubes.

    edit: or is studio B better?
     
  14. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

    Staff Member Pyrate Gearmaster
    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,827
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The Complex
    You may want to do your research. EC has closed up shop. So good luck getting a Studio Jr. That being said, the Studio B run that's currently posted is a Studio Jr in a Balancing Act chassis.

    About SS amps for HD800, only one to consider is BHA-1. Otherwise, it's tubes or bust for HD800.
     
  15. Znerken

    Znerken New

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2020
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Swede
    Trust me, I have done way too much research and too little listening. Perhaps BHA-1 is a good route for someone who doesn't care too much for tube rolling and just want something that works? I also have to note that I use a turntable with a Cadenza black, so I need the possibility of a input on the amp for both DAC and RIAA.
     
  16. Znerken

    Znerken New

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2020
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Swede
    How does the BHA-1 compare to the top of the line tube amps like EC? By the way, isn't his shop just closed temporarily?
     
  17. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2018
    Likes Received:
    699
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    North Carolina
    I am surprised that no one has recommended the DNA Starlett. From what I have read, it does not require any tube rolling. Its a $2000 amp that sounds lovely. Even ChaChaRealSmooth has one. DNA is still in business and has three models that they sell, so there is an available upgrade path if later you feel so inclined to do so.
     
  18. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

    Staff Member Pyrate Gearmaster
    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,827
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The Complex
    Not even close to that level. Not even on the same level as Starlett.

    At some point, you're going to have to take a plunge and get your feet wet. Research and reading only gets you so far.

    Nope. Done for good.

    I think it is recommended, just not on the list because it hasn't been updated in some time. But the Starlett absolutely would be recommended.
     
  19. Znerken

    Znerken New

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2020
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Swede

    I actually think Chord Mojo is close to Mainline, but that’s probably an unpopular opinion.
     
  20. Znerken

    Znerken New

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2020
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Swede
    BHA-1 or the A90 from topping? A90 has impressive measurements.
     

Share This Page