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

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Priidik

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #300 on: March 12, 2015, 03:04:15 PM »

Ignore this post if low to mid range amplifiers are uninteresting.

Anyways, i recently tried some ancient integrated amplifiers (80's Yamaha, Sansui, smth i forgot the name for) w HD800 , i liked the Sansui.
If budget is tight and desk space isn't limited Sansui A-40 (~100$?) works nicely with HD800.
   Negatives are a bit soft tone and too clean sound at the same time, lacking in textures i think, but swings hard. I'd say it is better than anything ss appart from HDVA600 i have tried so far, and that is because the HDVA does some textures, that the Sansui lacks (perhaps i mean microdynamics) and is overall a bit more refined sounding, but HDVA is definently more soft dynamically.
   I tried speaker outs too: even more massive macro dynamics (slam) + constant ~25dB hiss (noise floor). Hits clearly harder than Sennheiser amp. Soundstage is extremely wide, like some good tube amp wide, but lacking in depth. I wonder if it is even overly dynamic?
Whoever gets to keep one for HD800 should try to lower gain in this thing. It might be my amp for time being if someone buys my HDVA.
   I could seriously live with this Sansui and Clip+ for a while feeding HD800.
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MattTCG

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #301 on: March 12, 2015, 10:18:02 PM »

Ignore this post if low to mid range amplifiers are uninteresting.

Anyways, i recently tried some ancient integrated amplifiers (80's Yamaha, Sansui, smth i forgot the name for) w HD800 , i liked the Sansui.
If budget is tight and desk space isn't limited Sansui A-40 (~100$?) works nicely with HD800.
   Negatives are a bit soft tone and too clean sound at the same time, lacking in textures i think, but swings hard. I'd say it is better than anything ss appart from HDVA600 i have tried so far, and that is because the HDVA does some textures, that the Sansui lacks (perhaps i mean microdynamics) and is overall a bit more refined sounding, but HDVA is definently more soft dynamically.
   I tried speaker outs too: even more massive macro dynamics (slam) + constant ~25dB hiss (noise floor). Hits clearly harder than Sennheiser amp. Soundstage is extremely wide, like some good tube amp wide, but lacking in depth. I wonder if it is even overly dynamic?
Whoever gets to keep one for HD800 should try to lower gain in this thing. It might be my amp for time being if someone buys my HDVA.
   I could seriously live with this Sansui and Clip+ for a while feeding HD800.

I really like some vintage amps with the hd800...depends on the amp and design of the amp. The Fisher 500c is just stunning with the 800.

On a separate note, I have a one of a kind prototype amp built by Phi Larocco. The amp is referred to as the Headcode Triad. It's has surpassed all my expectations with the hd800 and 650. One of the best SS amps I've ever had the pleasure to listen to.
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EraserXIV

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #302 on: March 13, 2015, 02:54:49 AM »

Does the new production 2A3x4 with cinemags upstage the Stratus? From impressions, the old 2A3x4 seemed to be a different flavor of 2A3 amp, not necessarily better, than the Stratus.
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Rotijon

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #303 on: March 13, 2015, 04:58:59 PM »

So, my Valhalla 2 was returned to my dealer (yes, there is a Schiit dealer in Vancouver lol) due to a problem that neither him or I could figure out, and instead of emailing Schiit, I decided to return it and let the dealer take care of it (yeah, I'm a dick :( ), so now I have a choice of waiting for his next shipment which is March 15th-ish and get a new Valhalla 2, or buy a new amp. Primarily looking for something to use with the HD800. I'm wondering if there is something better than Valhalla 2, and is priced between $350 to $1200. Marv's list has kind of a gap there. Or is Valhalla 2 sound pretty darn good already without going 3K-4K?


Well, if your interested, i have a 4 month old HVDA600 =D. Just sold off my HD800's, so they are just sitting there powering iems occasionally lol.

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Sorrodje

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #304 on: March 16, 2015, 10:43:33 AM »

For those interested , I experienced an Audiovalve RKV mkII this sunday.  I had read somewhere that this amp was slow, tubey but that's not what My ears said to me.

I know I'm nothing here compared to all experienced pyrates but this is my opinion :

The result with the HD800 is great, not slow, not muddy, not gooey. Clear and fast with a great sense of resolution and detail. Slight engaging bass boost and sparkle in the treble . Typical OTL Clarity and lushness. A great match with the HD800 Maybe a bit agressive/fatiguing. In comparison the DNA Sonett is warmer/smoother , less detailed and more forgiving for average recordings. Definitely more tubey.  IMO the Mkv's Soundstage is a bit congested. it can be a pro or a con. Depends on recordings and tastes. My Sonett sounds a bit more upfront but more envelopping/surrounding.

The RKV does not match the DNA sense of intimacy and the "metallic free" rendering of voices and acoustic intruments ( Solo Violin, cello, piano reveal clearly this point) . the RKV offers a more precise, sparkling and punchy sound and it is more lush. The DNA is smoother. 

Wonder if the Stratus would allow me to keep the very specific DNA smoothness with more sparkle and resolution and lush.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2015, 12:18:11 PM by Sorrodje »
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Rotijon

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #305 on: March 17, 2015, 03:31:56 PM »

I'm wondering if anyone here have heard the ECP-L2 and Schiit Ragnarok with the HD800. I'm thinking of jumping on failed engineers unit, but am in abit of a conflict.
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MisterRogers

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #306 on: March 17, 2015, 03:41:02 PM »

I listen to my HD800's quite often with Ragnarok; it does a very good job of driving them. I slightly prefer the HD800 with a good tube amp, for for an SS amp - Ragnarok is probably one of the very best options.
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Freddy1201

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #307 on: March 17, 2015, 03:55:55 PM »

I listen to my HD800's quite often with Ragnarok; it does a very good job of driving them. I slightly prefer the HD800 with a good tube amp, for for an SS amp - Ragnarok is probably one of the very best options.

Would you say that something like a Zana deux se, wa22, dna stratus would be better than a rag?
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MisterRogers

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #308 on: March 17, 2015, 04:36:49 PM »

On technicalities, in some ways yes, others no. In tube bloom, harmonics, etc - yes; if you like that sort of thing and I do.
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EraserXIV

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #309 on: March 18, 2015, 03:10:04 PM »

Does the Valhalla2 require any boutique tubes to sound its best? Or do the stock ones sound good?
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