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

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Thenewdude007

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #540 on: September 02, 2015, 06:55:28 AM »

but just saying what it really takes (good amp AND good source) to build a good setup around the HD800.

90% of HF has no idea what the HD800 can do because most of them are stuck in mid-fi purgatory with their collection of half dozen sub $1000 amps with their sub $100 DACs. With all the combined shipping costs and the cost of their last amp, they could have gotten something truly fantastic.

How much would you say a clean linear power supply connected to the DAC factor in the sound quality?
I hear that they can drastically improve sound quality as well.


I would say that you should hold off, do more research, and decide what you really want. Rather than just buy what happens to be available in the classifieds right now. That isn't a good way to make purchases.

Considering that half these amps are no longer in production & only available once in a full moon when someone decides to sell them, I tend to jump the gun. lol
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aufmerksam

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #541 on: September 02, 2015, 03:38:10 PM »

Fair enough, but that mentality is what makes A LOT of people burn out and walk away entirely, which I don't think is good. Maybe financially necessary, but not good if your stated goal is enjoying music on your terms. HD800 is a legitimate endgame headphone, hence lists and discussions describing in detail the pros and cons of amping, sourcing, and modding to get those last few drops of glory from it. You deserve to take your time and be intentional about it, especially if you do not have endless funds.

Again, as a corollary, your question about power supply begs many other questions. What DAC are you using? What is power like in your neighborhood/municipality/country? Power supply stuff can be cheap or expensive, and a lot of it depends on what kinds of problems you are addressing. Except in edge cases (very modest dac, super shitty mains power) you are not likely to experience ZOMG benefit from power supply magicks. Will your DAC benefit? probably. Will your listening experience suddenly be drastically better after months of capable but pedestrian performance? highly unlikely.
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Thenewdude007

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #542 on: September 02, 2015, 05:16:12 PM »

I am going to be using a iFi Micro iDSD DAC for the time being. That Micro also contains a amp, which is why I probably will be selling it later & buy a pure DAC only.

I'm still undecided on whether to get the DNA Sonnet 2 OTL tube amp or the Solid State Questyle CMA 800.
Both are selling used just over $1,000 in the classified & both have been highly reviewed & recommend for the HD 800. I would assume they would also be a huge step up from just getting the Valhalla 2!?

The Decware CSP2+ is also being sold cheaper than those two, but I never really researched Decware.
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Sorrodje

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #543 on: September 02, 2015, 06:46:46 PM »

Sonett 2 is not an OTL amp . It's transformer coupled.

aufmerksam

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #544 on: September 02, 2015, 09:48:46 PM »

newdudejamesbond:
You should get whatever you are comfortable purchasing. It is clear you have done a lot of reading on the topic. I mean that genuinely. But, you don't even have the HD800 yet, and don't know what you will like / dislike about it, so I doubt anyone here can say "definitely a, not b".

I would assume they would also be a huge step up from just getting the Valhalla 2!?

The point I was trying to make earlier, which I will be more explicit about now, is that is a faulty assumption. Those amps cost more, and sound different, maybe even better to you, but "huge step up" is relative to the listener. I have no skin in the game, other than I really enjoyed the Valhalla 2 for the HD800, and that the price is VERY low considering the end product. I didn't appreciate how very good the Valhalla 2 was until I got a Ragnarok, which costs more and is very favorably reviewed if you are into that stuff. I liked the HD800 from Ragnarok more than Valhalla 2, the resolution and detail was almost too much, which is what I was trying to achieve. However, at no point did I say "holy balls! this is what I have been missing in headphone audio all along!! what an exponential leap compared to the Valhalla 2!!"
« Last Edit: September 02, 2015, 10:19:19 PM by aufmerksam »
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DrForBin

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #545 on: September 03, 2015, 04:43:08 AM »

However, at no point did I say "holy balls! this is what I have been missing in headphone audio all along!! what an exponential leap compared to the Valhalla 2!!"

hello,

maybe this in ALL CAPS or bolded.
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jwahl

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #546 on: September 03, 2015, 05:05:01 PM »

I have been quite satisfied so far using my Modded Super 7 with the HD-800.  However, curiousity, and a one time slight windfall of money is prompting me to buy a few other amps to compare in a Trial period.  If I enjoy any of them more than the Super 7, I'll likely end up putting it up for sale on here first.

The two competitors I'm currently planning are the Apex Peak/Volcano, and Trafomatic Head Two.  I'd also like to through the EC BW in the mix, but I'll have to find out the production schedule, and then I'd probably have to resell instead of return.  Otherwise I may throw in a Mjolnir 2 or Ragnarok instead.  I can also post impressions of my comparison if anyone is interested.  It would still be a few weeks away before I can make the orders though.

At the same time I'll be ordering a Yggdrasil to use as my new source for the comparison, but also could be delayed from a backorder on that.  I'd much rather evaluate them with it in place.


In regards to the Trafomatic,

Does anyone here have any experience with Trafomatic products in general?  They tend to be well reviewed, but I know the audience here is more critical (in a good way), and I'm curious if there are any negative criticisms of their sound or performance.  There's a lot about the Head one, but the head two is relatively new and only been out a year.  Very little coverage on it still besides a single "professional" review.

It does look very interesting though.  Kind of standard tube types and push-pulll operation.  Not sure how their own OPT's compare to others like Electraprint and Cinemag though.  It seems their specialty was originally making transformers so that seems positive.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0714/trafomatic_audio_head_2.htm
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takato14

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #547 on: September 04, 2015, 04:02:14 AM »

Guys. Help me out here. Literal best amp for the HD800, price no object. Absolute transparency is a must, no tonal issues, no smearing, nothing but perfect is acceptable. My friend is putting a rig together and has the Apex Pinnacle in there at the moment. Any thoughts?
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CEE TEE

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #548 on: September 04, 2015, 05:10:53 AM »

^EC Studio.  Seems like a head-to-head is in order and the winner should stay. Haven't heard the Pinnacle yet, but the Studio met your requirements from listening to the Prototypes at two different meets.  I compared to the Zana Deux Super and the Black Widow with Yggy and same transport feeding all three amps.
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zerodeefex

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Re: Best Amps for Sennheiser HD800
« Reply #549 on: September 04, 2015, 05:11:57 AM »

EC Studio or bust. Best production amp I've ever heard with the HD800. I'd settle for nothing less in your friend's shoes.
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