Won't expending funds on TotL amps be curtailed if you skimp on the DAC? The Gungnir impressed initially with its upfront and energetic presentation but when coupled with the Mjolnir it was simply too much for the HD800. You could certainly balance that vibrancy with a more polite amp, but the Gungnir suffers from other deficiencies that the HD800 magnifies.

I identified the Gungnir as the bottleneck in my chain and I was proven right when the NAD M51 entered the stable. I'm sure others can recommend other sources that won't hamper the HD800.

As purrin put it, my issue w/ the Stratus is minor lack of bass extension and punch.  Bass is a bit soft in definition.  A bit more extra plankton would be good too but that would be like a $4500 amp by Donald's standards.  I have to echo the SS type of imaging precision of the S7, hard for me to give that up.

Changing from the stock Shuguang 2A3B tubes to the Emission Labs 2A3 mesh plates, I found the bass improved in extension, weight, definition, and punch. I haven't tried their solid plate version yet to compare.

Then it got settled. Unfortunately for you Donald I'm going for the ZD.
Thanks everyone for the help with the amp...

Now the DAC. Will read up some first...

Even better resale value since I'm picking up shipsupt's

He offered me a more than sweet deal on both a ZDSE and a Stello DA100... So I'm all set now.

Might buy a USB-to-SPDIF-transport but more likely I'll keep the DAC until I find whatever-it-may-be that I'm looking for. Maybe an Anedio D2. Who knows.

ship is going stax only.

Let me be blunt about the HD800.  There is no retail amp in existence atm that costs less than the HD800 retails for that will extract the full potential of the HD800.  I'd consider the S7 the entry point.  Maybe the BHA-1 for SS fans and depending on the time of day.  It is not a minimum expense rule, it is simply what the market has chosen to provide atm.  The same is likely true of DACs for the HD800.  I'd consider the M51 minimum standard.  If this is too much, then just buy a T1, LCD2r.2 or HE500 so you don't have to feel like you wasted your money on the HD800.