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Author Topic: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800  (Read 100596 times)

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Marvey

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #260 on: March 03, 2015, 02:48:23 AM »

For those who have heard both: Valhalla 2 or Senn HDVA600 ? 

Val 2 easily, especially if you have interest in trying out different DACs. 7DJ8 Telefunkens might work really well. Resolving, mellow and subtle. 7DJ8 is the 7 volt version of 6922 and almost always works in place of it. Sort of a secret. Will only say this once here.

The chip amp in the Senn amp is a good match for the HD800, but tends to impart its soft mellow sound regardless of DAC.
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BleaK

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #261 on: March 03, 2015, 08:36:58 AM »

Val 2 easily, especially if you have interest in trying out different DACs. 7DJ8 Telefunkens might work really well. Resolving, mellow and subtle. 7DJ8 is the 7 volt version of 6922 and almost always works in place of it. Sort of a secret. Will only say this once here.

The chip amp in the Senn amp is a good match for the HD800, but tends to impart its soft mellow sound regardless of DAC.

Thank you! I am ampless at the moment, and are very close to pulling the trigger on the Val 2. Looks like a killer value for HD800. Any idea if it will play nice with the X-sabre, or will it be too bright up top?

Edit: Fuck it, ordered!
« Last Edit: March 03, 2015, 01:36:39 PM by BleaK »
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maibuN

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #262 on: March 03, 2015, 12:02:45 PM »

I have iFi idsd micro and BMC Ultradac at the moment and I'm slightly preferring the iFi. Maybe I'm accustomed to the sound of the iFi or I'm cheating myself?
Or are ESS chips generally bad synergy with hd800? Also iFi has <1 Ohm Impedance and BMC has 10 Ohm. I will try the balanced output (near 0 Ohm) of the BMC as soon as I get a balanced cable, maybe next week and see if it gets better.
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Anaxilus

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #263 on: March 03, 2015, 05:31:52 PM »

I have iFi idsd micro and BMC Ultradac at the moment and I'm slightly preferring the iFi. Maybe I'm accustomed to the sound of the iFi or I'm cheating myself?
Or are ESS chips generally bad synergy with hd800? Also iFi has <1 Ohm Impedance and BMC has 10 Ohm. I will try the balanced output (near 0 Ohm) of the BMC as soon as I get a balanced cable, maybe next week and see if it gets better.

Can you be more specific about what you are preferring and not liking?
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maibuN

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #264 on: March 03, 2015, 05:51:50 PM »

I'm not good in describing sound but I try will try it. I think BMC has a bit artificial soundstage which hast too much reverb. Sounds a bit like you're in the mountains and hear an echo. iFi is more direct, has more pressure and bass impact and more details in the highs. BMC has more details in the mids and sounds more liquid.
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Priidik

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #265 on: March 03, 2015, 05:57:25 PM »

Regarding BMC the single ended hp out in Puredac (cheaper/older version of Ultra) is total  poo, while the balanced out is fairly decent.
Worth noting that the SE is also with cross-feed, and in case of Puredac 100ohms.
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Anaxilus

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #266 on: March 03, 2015, 06:03:00 PM »

Could be that's just the BMC's sound signature. I heard a couple BMCs over the years and was never really a fan. Falls into the less precise and accurate colored signatures if I recall. From an old post:

http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,1151.msg31241.html#msg31241
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"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." - Lao Tzu

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maibuN

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #267 on: March 03, 2015, 06:03:56 PM »

From what I read the single ended output in the Ultradac should be much better than in the Puredac and has "only" 10 Ohm impedance. Somebody who tested it with a LCD-X claimed that both outputs would be the same in terms of quality. I will probably get a XLR cable from Norne next week and then I will test balanced output before I get rid of it. Perhaps it will be better.
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maibuN

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #268 on: March 03, 2015, 06:08:24 PM »

Could be that's just the BMC's sound signature. I heard a couple BMCs over the years and was never really a fan. Falls into the less precise and accurate colored signatures if I recall. From an old post:

http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,1151.msg31241.html#msg31241

I think that's what I hear too. Very smooth sound (read imprecise) with a bit lack of presence and impact and very colourful mids and a bit artificial soundstage with way too much reverb. Perhaps this effect is intended to fake the soundstage bigger than it really is?

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No_One411

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #269 on: March 05, 2015, 04:51:02 PM »

Anybody heard both BH Mainline and DNA Sonett II?  Weighing up between the two of these for anticipated future HD purchase, but will prepare the rest of the chain in advance.

Which gets the nod?  Why?

The people that have heard both are probably few and far in between.

They also seem to use different design topologies, so you may be comparing apples to oranges.

Also, keep in mind that the Sonett 2 is built to order, and the Mainline is a medium skill level DIY project.

You also probably missed the discounted Mainline kit last weekend on Bottlehead. :(
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