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

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Anaxilus

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #430 on: May 23, 2015, 02:25:07 AM »

This has been my thinking as well. I don't expect the HDVA to be better...! But my short audition made it seem surprisingly close in quality for a VERY specific choice of headphone (HD800 only). The flexibility of the Rag is something I am considering since it would mean if I change headphone preference in the future then I am still set.

I guess I am having a hard time extrapolating from the opening page list because in Australia, Sennheiser is relatively cheap while any boutique amp is virtually double price that would be applicable to Purrin.

Anax, in USD terms I am talking about $1100 for HDVA 600 vs $2350 for Rag. Would that change the value assessment, or still Rag 100%?





I eluded to this question above. Are you a SE or XLR user of the HD800?
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likearake

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #431 on: May 23, 2015, 02:28:25 AM »

I am SE at the moment, but expect I would move to XLR to get the best out of either of those amps.
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Anaxilus

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #432 on: May 23, 2015, 02:48:07 AM »

I am SE at the moment, but expect I would move to XLR to get the best out of either of those amps.

SE is the weakness of the Ragnarok which we've mentioned a few times over various threads. It was not designed for SE output. The jack is just there as a convenience feature. With XLR, it's not a contest. But if you plan to use SE, get the Sennheiser amp.

As for price, that depends on your listening priorities, upstream chain, music pref, etc. I would try to shop around for a better deal. Your best bet is to get a balanced cable and then re-audition both amps and decide then.
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likearake

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #433 on: May 23, 2015, 02:54:36 AM »

Oh I did audition balanced already. In fact the store refused to let me hear the Rag in SE and made me switch out the cable.

Thanks for the comments. I have started leaning towards saving up for the Rag since hearing it.
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olor1n

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #434 on: May 23, 2015, 03:13:03 AM »

Yeah, there is a premium to be paid for the higher end Schiit components in Australia. This is due to exchange rate, GST and import duties. Addicted to Audio's (Schiit Australian distributer) listed price is actually quite reasonable when you factor that in - about a $100AUD markup vs ordering from Schiit directly.


Same applies to the Yggy ($3599AUD=$2815USD), where you pay ~$150AUD markup through AA vs ordering from Schiit directly. Probably worth the extra expense though should you need to send the unit back for warranty.
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likearake

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #435 on: May 23, 2015, 03:18:12 AM »

Probably worth the extra expense though should you need to send the unit back for warranty.

I think shipping from Schiit for one of these monsters is over $200 AUD. Definitely worth it to buy from A2A in my mind. Might be a different value proposition on the smaller models.
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Marvey

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #436 on: May 23, 2015, 03:21:34 AM »

Senn's HDVD amps are a dead-end if you ever want to upgrade source. The amps impact too much of their own sound to whatever is plugged in. This can either be a good or bad thing.
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olor1n

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #437 on: May 23, 2015, 03:26:05 AM »

I think shipping from Schiit for one of these monsters is over $200 AUD. Definitely worth it to buy from A2A in my mind. Might be a different value proposition on the smaller models.

Hi Tim. What dac will you be feeding into the Rag?
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likearake

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #438 on: May 23, 2015, 03:34:00 AM »

Hi Tim. What dac will you be feeding into the Rag?

At the moment have a Violectric V800, but have my sights set on an Yggy eventually (or something cheaper if the technology trickles down).

That being said, maybe it will be a long time before Rag + Yggy is viable, so maybe HDVA 600 + V800 could keep me happy for some time.

I did a maths degree when I was younger, so this stuff about proprietary closed form solutions from Schiit makes me strangely excited...

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Anaxilus

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #439 on: May 23, 2015, 03:55:52 AM »

Senn amp is a no brainer with Violectric stuff. With an Yggy, you will need a Rag or BW or better tube amp to get the most out of it.
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"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." - Lao Tzu

"The Claw is our master. The Claw chooses who will go or who will stay." - The LGM Community

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