The point I was making is that we need not choose amplifiers and cables for their equalisation effect when we can do it simply and often at zero cost.

You do realize that amplifiers/cables don't provide outright equalization yes? I don't think we have ever recommended an amp that is 3dB down at 6k.

Also, why are you recommending F2K's default graphic EQ? Look around the web and you can find way better PEQ plugins.

Anaxilus:

Let me enlighten you. A "troll" is one who makes inflammatory remarks on a public forum. The fact that you jumped on my thread to call me a troll with a reference to Hydrogen Audio forums fits that definition... Perfectly!

Further, an "audio snob" is one who makes it clear they believe they have superior status; superior opinion; believes that solid state is rubbish outright; dismisses measurements; publicly dismisses certain brands and components as inferior based on personal bias / low price / ego. Sound like anyone??

Show me one place on the web where I've gloated about owning a HD800! I bought it to get closer to a live acoustic presentation - not for status. There are many more expensive phones.

In future, when you are about to post on someone's thread and any of the above descriptions fit what you're about to write -- don't!

As I said, my thread was to enlighten other owners of the HD800 that there's another way to optimise the sound of the HD800 without going to the expense of a high end tube or expensive cables. I don't have anything against high end tube headphone amps except their size, cost, and maintenance.




OJneg:

Cables do have a tone effect. They don't have specific frequency boost/cut but they can adjust treble or bass depending on their electrical reactance.
Similarly, amplifiers and DACs with rolled off bass and/or treble do the same thing.
If you read subjective and objective reviews of cables and amps, most will report if bass or treble is affected. This hence is the benefit of EQ - it is much more specific, finely adjustable, completely reversible and usually FREE!

I did not recommend Foobar's built in graphic EQ. I recommended the optional downloadable component from Foobar's site as this is easily found, supported and easily installed. If you have recommendation for a "way better PEQ plugin" that is straighforward to install & use, why don't you list it?

When optimising home theatre systems, of course I use pink noise, but only to match channels precisely with the SPL Meter, set the best crossover point on the subwoofer, and set the relative level of the subwoofer. Occasionally I'll use bass tones to identify standing waves to ajust listening position or sub position. I doubt anyone uses DSP EQ for home theatre on each speaker.

Sigh, so much BS to wade through.  Thanks for not taking the time to actually answer my question about your claim of SS v. tube performance at relative values.  One can only assume your deliberate choice to NOT answer is indicative of a lack of experience or data to support your claim and actually answer the question.  Now that the only substantive part of your dialogue is out of the way, we can move on to your unsubstantiated ad-hominem attacks and preconceived prejudices.

Anaxilus: Let me enlighten you.

This should be rich.

A "troll" is one who makes inflammatory remarks on a public forum. The fact that you jumped on my thread to call me a troll with a reference to Hydrogen Audio forums fits that definition... Perfectly!

Not quite, let's not put the cart before the horse by falling prey to your historical revisionism.  You framed and attacked tubes versus SS amps exactly like, wait for it....like someone who frequents hydrogen audio would.  Myself and others called you out on it.  Personally, I think most of your OP is a troll presenting EQ and acoustic mods on the HD800 as an original concept you came up with but we'll get to that more later.  Suffice to say, your posts clearly indicate you did not take the time to read through this forum well enough to understand its contents let alone many of the characters which make up its community before jumping in with your 'unique' assistance.

Further, an "audio snob" is one who makes it clear they believe they have superior status; superior opinion; believes that solid state is rubbish outright; dismisses measurements; publicly dismisses certain brands and components as inferior based on personal bias / low price / ego. Sound like anyone??

1-Hmm...that's an interesting Merriam Webster definition you got there.  Show me where I have stated or indicated I have superior status or that owning an HD800 makes me have such?  You can't because I only care about how stuff sounds, otherwise I'd buy a 009 + BHSE and tell everybody to go suck it if your accusation actually had any merit. 

2-Superior opinion?  Not quite.  I believe everyone has a right to an opinion, though not all opinions are right.  I suppose if you think 1+1=3 and that the earth is flat and supported by giant turtles I probably don't hold your opinion in high regard.  Right now your disengagement from actual constructive dialogue about facts makes you sound like a turtler to me, so take that as you may. 

3-SS is rubbish outright?  Odd to reconcile that with my recommendations of the Ragnarok, Leckerton, Geek Out, ODAC, Lavry DAC, MSB and SS amps from Pass and Venture.  I've also used a PWD 1>2 for more than 3 years now and have a vintage Sansui 5000.  Of course you wouldn't know this because you clearly like to leap before you look.  That is...open your mouth and make claims and accusations before reading and learning about who or what you are speaking.  Your preconceptions clearly are becoming even more indicative of someone who came here to troll from another site.  That or you are a current or former O2 fascist.

4-Dismisses measurements?  Seems between the two of our mods presented, I'm the only one here who actually has posted several measurements as to their impact, as opposed to your listing a tuned by ear PEQ chart.  Boy, you have a lot of pent up aggression and a definite mental pr econceptions of me devoid of any facts to back them up.  To help quell your turn to the dark side, I suppose I should take this opportunity to apologize to you if I was incorrect labeling you as a member from Hydrogen Audio...rather than Anything But iPod, H-fi unsound science or Harold/Voldemort's dead bloggie.

5-Dismissal based on bias?  Uh, yeah...how else would you form a critical opinion of something?  One must have a set of preferred biases to establish a criteria and evaluate and recommend things accordingly.  Pretty sure most of my criticisms have been backed up with facts and reasons explained ad nauseum, unlike your own arbitrary rectal machinations formed by your preconceived biases from gawd knows what forum.   

I dare you to show me one single example in my 4+ years posting about audio where I have EVER dismissed anything out of hand simply because it was too cheap or low price.  Brands or components I criticize have stated reasons outlining why.  Get over your big, bad, boogie man characterization and grow up.  Maybe if my opinions are so superficial and unjustified you should stop taking them so seriously so you can maybe sleep alone better at night. 

Show me one place on the web where I've gloated about owning a HD800! I bought it to get closer to a live acoustic presentation - not for status. There are many more expensive phones.

I never said anything about 'status' you said that.  I was defining an audio snob as one who is critical of musical presentation and holds certain technical and subjective qualities in higher regard than others.  Hence an HD800 owner would tend to fit that description unless they just owned them for status.  Status is never an attribute that occurs to me naturally hence my disconnect with someone who is preoccupied with it like yourself by bringing it into your own thread multiple times and in the light you framed it.  On that note, someone who isn't a snob doesn't often post things like you did.  Let's have a look shall we?:

"Let me tell you my background - I'm an engineer, an inventor, an IT technician, an Audio Visual supplier / system designer / installer, a custom cable builder, and I design & build homes on occasion."

Hmm, who sounds like the snob here indeed?!  Who was the first one actually bringing status and snobbery into this thread?  YOU! 

2-So you own the HD800 to get closer to a live music experience, but if own them I'm an "audio snob".  Got it!

In future, when you are about to post on someone's thread and any of the above descriptions fit what you're about to write -- don't!

Are you reflecting on your own self here?  I commend you on recognizing the first step to treating a problem is to recognize it first.  After all, learning is half the battle!    Recommendation:  If you don't like how the timber will burn, don't start the fire or pour gas on it!

As I said, my thread was to enlighten other owners of the HD800 that there's another way to optimise the sound of the HD800 without going to the expense of a high end tube or expensive cables. I don't have anything against high end tube h eadphone amps except their size, cost, and maintenance.

Thanks for ignoring all the other posts and threads about various mods and tweaks for the HD800 that do NOT involve expensive tube amps or cables either.  Way to make a first impression on a community by ignoring the work and contributions of its members.  You also clearly ignored the guidelines and charter of the forum.  This is the irreverant headphone forum, not the reverant one where there are no wrong answers or everything sounds the same. 

Next time, make sure you are in the right place before YOU post. 

Now that the nonsense if over with, consider this a warning.  I've already discussed this with all the other mods here and this will be your first and last warning to post in accordance with the manner the rest of the community does.  Many of us do not agree on things from transducer type to politics and hamburgers.  We'd likely have our hands around each others throats in a bar but laugh it off after a few rounds and trips to the porcelain temple.   

You either get it here, or you don't.  You get one more chance to figure out if this place is for you or not.  I decided not to give you a warning via pm as I can imagine what that conversation would devolve into based on prior experience with others of the type you are portraying yourself as here atm.  So we are keeping this laundry out in the open for now (which is how it seems you prefer it based on you previous examples).

If you actually want to start to contribute here I'd recommend growing a thicker skin, developing a sense of humour and staying on the actual facts.  Invoking my name in any negatively sarcastic, snide or unfactual manner would not go a long way toward that goal FYI.  Good luck.

I'm some ex-Army dude and graduated from The Onion University. I invented orange juice.  You're welcome!!