Speaking of Colorware - did they stop accepting customer supplied HD800's again?

Seems so.

Just after mine ...

Thank you for sacrificing your HD800s for science!

It's quickly rekindling my interest in them...

Have you ruled out the possibility that the sparkles are actually the source of the improvement   

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I am now a believer in hard wiring.
I have compared to my friend hd800  with the same cable and even after I adjust to have same type annax mod he has,
I can no longer make them sound the same.

he is using "slov" adapters from Norne Audio, connected to his hd800 to have mini xlr for the Draug2 cable..
And I have the Draug2 hardwired.
I must assume it is the combo of the tiny hd800 socket, and those connectors which are making the difference..
his hd800 sounds a bit more forward sounding and a brighter tonality.

Comparing to just what I had before,
I am noticing heavier bass presence and also deeper stage..

These are not drastic, yet not minute impressions.
I would say overall I am impressed and glad I did it

One thing for sure you will hear the difference as it is not hard to hear,
only hard to believe! Lol

I refer to these sorts of changes as removing 'choke points'.

When I saw those tiny wires that run from the connectors to the drivers and the size of the connector pins (which nessitated the tiny wires) of the connectors being used, I knew there would be an improvement based upon my past experience and experiments.

What I've come to know is by improving/relieving as many choke points as possible, the cumulative effects add up with the end results being substantial and essentially 'free'.

This approach applies to many subjects, not just in audio.
I used this same 'technique' in developing OVAD (Oilhead Valve Adjustment 4 Dummies) and documented the results of my 'adjustments' on a dyno as I made them.  They were easily noticeable and the dyno runs merely supported the improvements.

The removal of choke points is a DIY approach that some are not 'comfortable' performing. 
But essentially, making these changes, by way of a series of 'small' adjustments/changes, usually results in mutually reinforced improvements with gratifying results.
And assuming the changes are an actual improvement (sometimes they aren't) when several of them are used 'together' the end results are greater than the sum of the parts.

JJ