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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 #520 on: August 21, 2015, 03:34:11 AM »

I haven't heard a Violectric amp, but Phonitor? I don't understand why it gets a lot of praise with HD800 users. It is practically unbearable to listen to with low impedance phones and even at its best with the HD800 it is still mediocre sounding at best. Shamelessly overpriced wouldn't be an understatement.

This ^. Phonitor 2 is better, but the original was awful with the HD800. That's one of those devices like most of the original Violectric stuff that belongs on Head-fi hype trains, not here.

Also 'dead neutral' doesn't mean anything. Old Violectrics are dead neutral, so is the Auditor, and so are good tube amps. The Auditor sounds clinical, the Violectric sounds warm. Dead neutral means jack shit.
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olor1n

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #521 on: August 24, 2015, 01:05:36 PM »

Curious if the Mjolnir 2 is a consideration for the list in the OP. Perhaps with the right tubes?
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Pyruvate

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #522 on: August 24, 2015, 05:00:37 PM »

Curious if the Mjolnir 2 is a consideration for the list in the OP. Perhaps with the right tubes?

Curious about this also. And if anyone can compare the new Mjolnir with a BW.
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Aelms

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #523 on: August 24, 2015, 05:05:01 PM »

I doubt that Marv will update the thread now that he's MOT. You can still get loads of information in the other threads as members get to try and compare the newer Schiit thingies.
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Pyruvate

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #524 on: August 24, 2015, 05:17:07 PM »

I doubt that Marv will update the thread now that he's MOT. You can still get loads of information in the other threads as members get to try and compare the newer Schiit thingies.

Haha yeah, I know for sure Marv is keeping his lips sealed. But maybe some other members can chime in. That or we can try to find truth serum and slip it in Marv's alcohol.  :)p1
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smitty1110

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #525 on: August 24, 2015, 07:33:42 PM »

Haha yeah, I know for sure Marv is keeping his lips sealed. But maybe some other members can chime in. That or we can try to find truth serum and slip it in Marv's alcohol.  :)p1
How dare you suggest ruining good Scotch/Bourbon/Japanese Whiskey with truth serum! Everyone knows you spike the food, much easier to cover up the taste that way.
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Thenewdude007

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #526 on: September 01, 2015, 09:20:35 AM »

Sorry to bump this thread, but...

I originally wanted to just spend, at best, $100 on an amp to my Audio Technica ATH-M50.

Several thousand of dollars later, I have 4 different $200+ amps.
Owned the Sennheiser 600 & Philips Fidelio.
Currently own the Audeze LCD-2 & the Beyerdynamics T1 & I am going to be getting the Sennheiser HD800 soon.  :-0


My problem is none of my amps pair well with the T1 & fear it will be the same with the HD800.

So I somehow convinced myself to spend $1,000 on an amp (I'll look for an extra part time job).
Some of the highly recommended & currently available used amps in various classified are:

(Over $1,000 price bracket)
  • -Questyle CMA 800R
  • -Auralic Taurus MKII
  • -DNA Sonett 2
  • -Luxman P-1

(under $1,000 price bracket)
  • -Metrum Aurix
  • -Icon Audio HP8 Mk2
(under $500 price bracket)
  • -Nuforce HA-200
  • -Valhalla 2

Wild Card:
  • LittlDot MK VIII+
have no solid impressions or reviews on it pairing with the HD800 so far.

First priority in the amp I seek is too get rid of all the painful treble spike, sibilance & harshness from the headphones. That includes having zero noise from the amp itself.
Secondly, I want the soundstage, imaging & holographic feel of the HD800 to be improved & expanded.
Lastly, I know the HD800 will never be like the LCD-2 in bass, but if the amp can still improve upon it a little then that would be a plus.

Now if the Valhalla 2 or NuForce HA-200 will give me 90-95% of what the Questyle CMA 800R can give, then I don't want the Questyle.
But if the Questyle CMA 800R gives me like a 50-60% improvement over them, then I will strongly consider them.


Help :-S
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Marvey

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #527 on: September 01, 2015, 03:19:43 PM »

First priority in the amp I seek is too get rid of all the painful treble spike, sibilance & harshness from the headphones. That includes having zero noise from the amp itself.
Secondly, I want the soundstage, imaging & holographic feel of the HD800 to be improved & expanded.
Lastly, I know the HD800 will never be like the LCD-2 in bass, but if the amp can still improve upon it a little then that would be a plus.

None of those amps you listed will give you all three things you want and for those three headphones you mentioned (T1, LCD2, HD800) for the price that you want. What are you willing to sacrifice? Are you willing to put a priority on one headphone over another? These decisions will steer you toward certain amps. Finally, don't forget source. As you go up the ladder, source becomes more and more important.

For reference, the Questyle you currently gives you 1.5 of those things. Non annoying in treble, great bass extension albeit without the slam the HD800 is capable of.
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kothganesh

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #528 on: September 01, 2015, 03:27:04 PM »

To Thenewdude007:

My 2 paisa worth: instead of wasting money chasing various amps, just look at the ZD Super from EC; save accordingly, buy and forget about chasing other amps. Kinda what I did; of course it's my opinion.
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Hands

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #529 on: September 01, 2015, 03:31:59 PM »

The modded EC Super 7 I heard gave that on the stock HD800. Surprisingly powerful sound, treble seemed less problematic, very airy and 3D. At least compared to anything else I'd heard it with prior, which isn't a whole lot TH.
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