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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 #480 on: July 26, 2015, 01:02:11 AM »

GSX mk2 doesn't reveal anything except its own coloration. Don't get where people keep getting that idea from. Oh wait, I think I do...
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zerodeefex

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #481 on: July 26, 2015, 01:05:09 AM »

GSX mk2 doesn't reveal anything except its own coloration. Don't get where people keep getting that idea from. Oh wait, I think I do...

Mike and I have different tastes but this is spot fucking on.
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gogogasgas

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #482 on: July 26, 2015, 02:00:27 AM »

Thanks, Zero/Anax for the thoughts on the GSX-Mk2. I was just curious how folk were ga-ga for the GSX-Mk1 and why the GSX-Mk2 got a lukewarm to cold response from some corners. As for the Black Widow, an interesting option. No thoughts on the Cavalli Liquid Lightening? I know it's in another league, at least price wise...

It seems that getting the HD800s to sound 'right' is like walking a tightrope between a very neutral amp or one that acts like a musical instrument in itself by hiding the flaws of the headphones etc. Too far down the measurements-rule/ neutrality path and the HD800s can be brittle/harsh and unmusical. Too far down the musical instrument path and we are in 'Absolute Sound' magazine territory.

That being said, I am more in the neutral/measurements camp. If the recording is flawed, I want to hear it - I want to hear what the sound engineer achieved, warts and all, and not the signature of an amp trying to make it all sound 'real'. The HD800s are flawed and if I don't hear a bit of that I know that the amp is acting as a musical instrument and has strayed too far from neutral. A fine line, methinks.

In other words, to quote Disney's 'Jungle Book', I would like the amp to "accentuate the positive", but not "eliminate the negative(s)" inherent in a recording, mastering, storage (CD Vs computer based) or the HD800s. AND I want it solid state.
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SoupRKnowva

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #483 on: July 26, 2015, 02:11:18 AM »

I think you'll find that most here think that the art of headphone amps has come a long way since the GSX/dynalo circuit was first introduced. Re releasing basically the same amp but with a better power supply all these years later isn't a recipe for success.

Also keep in mind that this isn't head-fi, there is no gilmore hype train present here.

As for the Liquid Lightening, thats a electrostatic amp.
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gogogasgas

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #484 on: July 26, 2015, 02:16:12 AM »

Thanks. As for Cavalli, whoops, yes you are right - the Liquid Gold is also among the recommended amps on page one of this thread. Zero/Anax thoughts on the LG?
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Anaxilus

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #485 on: July 26, 2015, 02:17:53 AM »

It seems that getting the HD800s to sound 'right' is like walking a tightrope between a very neutral amp or one that acts like a musical instrument in itself by hiding the flaws of the headphones etc.

No. Your limited experience with ToTL amps and the HD800 has left your mind in a quagmire of false dichotomies.

Go ahead and measure any ToTL recommended amp for the HD800 here and tell me where it isn't 'neutral' or doesn't measure well. That's a myth perpetuated by solid state newbs that think cold, sterile and brittle sound is neutral. It is NOT. It's the opposite form of coloration from molasses. Cold, analytical, sterile, harsh, etched, dry are all colorations. Some people just don't know engineering and where or how to measure. Of course, those people are invariably armchair internet engineers who usually have a job completely unrelated to their self-espoused audio or electrical expertise. But they'll be more than happy to educate you on the 'truth'.
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"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." - Lao Tzu

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gogogasgas

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #486 on: July 26, 2015, 02:26:07 AM »

Yes, they are colourations one and all. Like I said, it's a fine line. I would just prefer to keep the amp solid state.
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zerodeefex

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #487 on: July 26, 2015, 02:33:55 AM »

Both the ragnarok and black widow measure excellently. Again, the other options are not "more neutral". You're spending more for shittier amps if you go for the mk2 or the violectric.
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gogogasgas

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #488 on: July 26, 2015, 02:42:42 AM »

OK, thanks. The Liquid Gold?
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zerodeefex

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #489 on: July 26, 2015, 02:57:39 AM »

OK, thanks. The Liquid Gold?

Quite good with the Abyss. Haven't really spent any time with it with the HD800 (I'd ask Alex directly; he's billed it as an ortho amp to me, though).

Why are you so doggedly pursuing these amps? We've given you the best suggestions we can. You can feel free to disregard the advice given in this thread.

If you have your heart set on a particular amp, no advice we give you will satisfy you.

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