Nice and well written review Maxvla. 

Kind of want to get a rag to see if I can get away from tubes with the s7, but so far I've really not liked any SS amp with the hd800s.  I listened to that same gsx at the Austin meet you ordered it at, and I was a little perplexed at how much you liked it at the time.  I didn't have very favorable things to say about its treble at the time.

I have the Krell KSA-5 Klone in my house. It's important to note that the Klone I'm using may sound different from the Chinese knock-offs. From what I've been reading, I suspect the Chinese knock-offs aren't up to par. Cheap components, small board, etc. These things do matter. I'm not sure WTF the Chinese knock-offs use for the PS.

The Klone is a very good amp. Incredible resolving. But slightly brittle sounding in the treble. Just is just a nitpick and probably the result of the volume pot used. However, I can't say I'm sure the Klone would be a good match for the HD800. The Rag's smoothness works better with HD800 (but I mod mine).

Other than tonality differences, I found the Klone about on the level of the Rag's single ended outs. The Rag runs away once its balanced outputs are used (full circlotron goodness). The biggest difference is with the dynamic contrasts, or microdynamics. The Rag has this incredible ability to discern micro volume levels which can only be beaten by very good tube implementations. It's that circlotron circuit. (The Mjolnir could do this, but it wasn't anywhere as clear, smooth, and refined sounding as the Rag.)

The B22 actually works well with the HD800. It's a warm sounding amp with delicate smooth treble. However, being one of the earliest head-amp designs, it's showing its age. It's a bit murky in the bass and doesn't has as well defined edges and transient response of the Klone or Rag. Some people I know feels it doesn't let the HD800's capabilities shine through. My favorite B22 setup is with the HD600 running balanced.

Hi marvey,

Thank you for the thoughtful response.

With brittle treble of the KSA-5 do you mean bright and thin? I don't like that kind of presentation that a lot of youth like in this digital age. The same problem I feel with GS-X 2 and Taurus 2.

I talk a bit with my DIY expert friend about the Beta 22 and its possible alternatives. He recommend a Dynahi as possible candidate although he said that it has a "digital" sound and doesn't sound as engaging as the Beta 22 although more details overall. He also mentioned about a chance that it may go bad faster because it runs very, very hot.

What do you and fellow members here think?

Ragnarok looks nice but they don't sell it here yet and I haven't heard their amp or DAC that I like yet (apologies, mean no offence).

Thank you for your kind assistance.

Regards,
Jeremiah

Hi marvey,

Thank you for the thoughtful response.

With brittle treble of the KSA-5 do you mean bright and thin? I don't like that kind of presentation that a lot of youth like in this digital age. The same problem I feel with GS-X 2 and Taurus 2.

Regards,
Jeremiah

It would be great to get another person's view on the Taurus in the below thread

http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,1685.0.html

Chris' HD800 while unmodded, is more mellow than most other HD800s. It was roughly equivalent to my modded HD800. Yes, we have four HD800s sitting around that day in my house. It's just normal bell curve variance - has nothing to do with serial #s.

I've had my HD800 for almost a week now. Listened with 2 hybrid tube amps and 1 SS. I think I may have a "mellow" one. Or it could be I listen at low volumes. But I have cranked it up a few times, I don't hear the issues I've heard with every 800 I've listened too. Maybe I got lucky (this time).