Best Amps For the Sennheiser HD800 - 2017 Edition

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Dec 2, 2016.

  1. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    @Changeling captured the essence of the Sennheiser amp quite well.
    I would add that the HDVA (or D) is doing something funny with transient edges. I've noticed such attribute with some very mediocre amplifiers in the past, where the articulation of transients was unclear, the peaks of HD800 felt less noticeable. This comes with loosing out what HD800 is great at.
    The HDVA level of amplifiers drag this superb transducer down to planar's playing field with lack of microdynamics, soundstage precision and slam.
    For reference Jotunheim is almost polar opposite with regards to transient performance (slightly unnaturally sharp/fast but clean), but is much more realistic and believable to me nevertheless, despite bringing out all that's nasty in HD800. This theme continues until one might ask if the HD800 is the right hp at all.

    What you seem to be asking for is DNA Stratus (supposedly better yet, Stellaris). It is so much better at resolution, slam, soundstage but is still somewhat synergistic with HD800's flaws. All the top amplifiers for HD800 bring out it's inherent characteristic more the higher up you climb. It's a curse and blessing at the same time.
     
  2. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    @Priidik : yup and you can add the 43Ohms output impance contributes to kill all what the HD800 is capable off. HDVD600 + HD800 is somewhat both OK and "meh" .

    I'd say the Black widow is a very good option (clearly on the warm side though) of an amp that goes well with the HD800 and keeps a lot of what the Senn is capable off.

    The Audio GD HE-9 is a very good option ( bass slam and soundstage are insane but resolution maybe not up to the best) as well but more expensive. In that price bracket, i'd probably save more money and go for a TOTL tube amplifier.
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2017
  3. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

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    Well said! That's spot on!
     
  4. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    I really like the violectric 281 paired with the Hd 800

    Cheers!
     
  5. damaged-goods

    damaged-goods Acquaintance

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    A short update on the HDVD800, after spending a week with the unit I totaly agree with the previous posts. I've only been able to use it SE. It's quite amazing to hear the HD800 with a reduced treble peak and brightness but compared to a Valhalla 2 it sounds flat and dead. To my ears the HD650 with the Jot or Valhalla 2 sound much more like high end audio then HD800 with the Sennheiser amp. There's also hardly any depth in the soundstage. Furthermore the amp didn'tt scale very well with the limited sources I have available and the integrated DAC is a big letdown.
    The HD650 with the HDVD800 sounds veiled.
     
  6. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    I'm not sure using a HDVD800 SE output makes sense though. Correct me if I'm wrong but it's a Balanced design and sounds probably much better on its Balanced Output. Just sayin...
     
  7. damaged-goods

    damaged-goods Acquaintance

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    You're not wrong, my comments are based on the SE output only as I don't own a balanced DAC.
    I could get a balanced cable and use it with the internal DAC but from what you people wrote in this thread I doubt thedifference would be worth the effort. You wrote yourself it's "meh", and that's probably from a good balanced DAC.
    I got a good deal on the unit with the option to return it, so I jumped to the opportunity to give it a listen. Sinking any more cash than necessary into this combination doesn't seem to be reasonable. Form past experience I know it's a good idea to trust the ears and experience of the SBAF crew.:)
     
  8. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    It's even a better idea to trust your ears more than anything else. Maybe you can see with your dealer if he can loan you a balanced cable. ;)
     
  9. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    In general I agree that listening with your own ears is best for determining what you really want.
    That is when you have the chance to physically do so. It's not often easy for those living in peripheria like myself.
    Next best thing is to trust SBAF-ers ears.
    I do suggest to follow the ones that like same stuff like yourself.
    Not too much common ground exists in terms of suggestions for gear preferences, but at least you'll know why.
     
  10. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Just a quick comment about my situation, it has been what...almost a year and i cant find one in Europe to save my life eheh. I'll give it 6 more months before giving up and going to another model. This said was something i didnt even realize, that there were 2 models, so thanks.

    Edit - Revs not models.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2017
  11. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Man, I had a chance to buy one last year from Canada and at the time $1500 was too much for an amp. Now I'm looking at $3000 amps and still can't decide lol.
     
  12. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    You guys are usually more lucky than us. I'm just unable to risk paying 1100-1500 +30% of customs, which sucks.
     
  13. logscool

    logscool Friend

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    What about any of the garage 1217 stuff? Anybody had particularly good luck with any pairings from them?
     
  14. porkfriedpork

    porkfriedpork Friend

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    Does anyone have experience/imporession with HD800 and
    Dragon Inspire IHA-1 from Moon Audio?
     
  15. AMW1011

    AMW1011 Friend

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    I believe @Smitty does. He helped me a lot when I was looking into purchasing one.
     
  16. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I have a Project Ember. I haven't heard an HD800 on it but I can still compare it to other amps to give you a baseline. Sound signature, they tend to be warmer and punchier compared to Schiit amps such as Vali 2, Valhalla 2 and Jot. There is a tremendous amount of customization options available to tweak the sound. However, in Ember's case, it still sits firmly in Mid-Fi territory. It shows off with this Wow Factor that is initially impressive but soon you find that this is unwanted coloration that masks microdetails and the resolving characteristics of better amps such as those from Schiit. There is a mid bass bloat and a slight treble roll off, at least on the Ember. If you want to go with an Garage1217 amps maybe try one of the OTL designs.

    It's certainly more competent than my Audio GD NFB10 ES2 when I had that.

    TLDR: They're laid back and punchy and with the right configuration can make the HD800 listenable but you won't be getting the most out of the HD800 either.
     
  17. Smitty

    Smitty Too good for bad vodka - Friend

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    The amp has good technicalities, but it has issues with power. I don;t have an issue with volume, but I listen at lower levels than most people seem to. People at meets felt it wasn't loud enough with a number of headphones.
     
  18. porkfriedpork

    porkfriedpork Friend

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    Thanks @Smitty

    I like to listen quite loudly when I'm listening critically. Do you have Lundahls on IHA-1?

    Drew says: "Get the Lundahl Input transformer option. It will then have plenty of gain for the HD800. The amp has plenty of power to drive them as well."
     
  19. Smitty

    Smitty Too good for bad vodka - Friend

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    No, I have one of the older versions. That's probably a 1:10 input step-up transformer, I don't think a larger step-up would work with a single-stage tube amp. That might be enough, try to find one at a local meet or something to make sure. I will say that 6sn7's have amazing soundstage with the HD800, Not quite DNA Stratus level but certainly better than SS amps IMO.
     
  20. pedalhead

    pedalhead Friend

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    Interesting and timely discussion for me as I'm hoping to borrow a previous generation Dragon IHA-1 after the UK meet this coming weekend with a view to using it with my HD800 for a while. I shall report back to contribute my 2p worth. I was looking to buy one a while back and Drew assured me it would drive the HEK v1 really well. Not convinced about that from what I've read elsewhere and now here as well.
     

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