The HD800 & HD800S thread

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by sorrodje, Oct 11, 2015.

  1. Zesnake

    Zesnake New

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    Hi all! I was wondering if you could assist me regarding an AMP upgrade for my HD800.

    I have the HD800 (SDR mod) running off a Topping D50s and Magni 3+ amp. Im looking at an alternative to the Magni 3+, and im interested in the Lyr 3. Would this be a good match for the Topping and HD800?

    Im from South Africa so the only options i have is to import, so i want to make sure i invest in something with some 'synergy', as i don't have the luxury of 'try before i buy'.

    Thanks!
     
  2. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Hi besides reading through this thread I would check out
    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...s-for-the-sennheiser-hd800-2017-edition.3408/

    What’s your budget?
     
  3. Zesnake

    Zesnake New

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  4. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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    Besides the Lyr 3, you might also consider the Valhalla 2 or the Massdrop x Eddie Current ZDT Jr., if you can get one in South Africa. It's a great amp, for the price. You'll only be able to buy one used these days, and I'm not sure they come up for sale all that often. But it's worth looking. If you do see one for sale, make sure doesn't have the hum issue (some of the early production units had this problem but Massdrop fixed it - you can tell if the unit has been fixed because it will have a white dot on the back, next to the serial number). Note that the ZDT Jr is a variation of the Laconic Night Blues Mini, which is listed in the post @Gaspasser provided for you.

    Another option might be the Shortest Way SW51, if the manufacturer, @Zampotech, is still taking orders. I don't know for certain if this amp would make for a good pairing with your HD 800 but it's worth reading through the following threads to find out:

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...way-sw51-amp-impressions-simple-set-amp.8042/

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/shortest-way-51-amp-impressions-only.8363/

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/shortest-way-51-technical-measurements.8387/
     
  5. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I’m not trying to be rude, but depending on your preferences the HD800SDR is a fickle mistress that is hard to please. I’ve spent large sums of money trying to find the right amplifier for me with HD800SDR. The only amps I liked with it are well above your budget limit. I’ve come to the conclusion that for budget-minded headphone setups, one is much better served with HD580, HD600, or HD650 and any number of budget amps including Schiit amps, Laconic NBM and my personal favorite SW51. I would strongly reconsider trying to match HD800SDR with a budget amp especially one you have blind buy.
     
  6. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    What about your SW51? Does that bring out the best of HD800SDR? Seems like that is one capable budget amp.
     
  7. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    SW51 with a warmer source does “work” with HD800SDR but does not bring out its best, it still has a thinner sound, of course, compared to HD6XX KISS. I have tried HD800SDR on the majority of amps on the above “Best Amps for HD800” list. The one that best mitigates the thinness for me is the rare Liquid Crimson. I like it even better than 300B Af, maybe I’m just weird. My main point is that HD800 is a very challenging headphone to get sounding its best, especially so on a budget.
     
  8. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    Yeah true. Took me a while to figure out a chain that fits mine too. Still my favorite headphone to date.

    That one amp that a lot of people seem to agree to bring out the best of the HD800 is Eddie Current Zana Deux S. Haven't tried it yet, but people say it brings the mids forward and makes it more liquid.
     
  9. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Tried it. ZDS is a boss amp, I even used RCA red base 5692 and still not enough lower mids and bass to erase the thinness. I think best amp for HD800 in EC lineup is probably Balancing Act, which is why I converted my Aficionado to run 300B.
    You run BHA-1 right? That was a great match with HD800SDR when I tried it with an Onyx DAC. Next I need to SBAF mod this pair of HD800SDR and try more on my Af.
     
  10. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    Yeah, the BHA-1 is great with it. Clean, precise. But I always run it with my Mogwai for fuller mids.

    Been wanting to try to SBAF mod, but don't have the skill to make it. Instead, I use passive inline filters. Do share how it sounds. Heard good things about that mod.
     
  11. aamefford

    aamefford Nothing like chamberpot coffee

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    Honestly, in your shoes I'd probably pick up a used (or new, they're pretty cheap at least stateside) Schiit Vali 2. Maybe splurge on a tungsram tube or something, or even a genalex gold lion. O not, tube rolling doesn't change the sound much with this amp. I've used it successfully with the HD800S, I haven't had the pleasure of the HD800SDR.
     
  12. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    I like it with the SW51 to be honest although i haven't listened to better than the Crimson with the HD800, not the most talked about anyway. I also liked the BHA-1, it's great but i can't use these HP's daily with anything else than the Crimson tbh.

    Within the budget, i would say get SW51 or Bottlehead crack. If you don't like any of those with the HD800, just sell them, get a HD600 and call it a day. Both amps work great with them.
     
  13. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    I didn't really like the Crack w/ the HD800, I think it synergized better with HD6x0 imo. As much as I love the SW51, with HD800, unless they're heavily modded, I would rather use it with the ZDT Jr., Laconic NBM, or Valhalla 2 around that price range
     
  14. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    The most bang for the buck in the budget you described is to replace DAC not amp. Everything recommended above is all good. But Magni 3+ is already pretty decent. Compromises yes, but so do any other alternatives under 2k usd.

    The dac you have could be the root cause of disservice. Magni deserves a better dac imho.
     
  15. Zesnake

    Zesnake New

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    The Vali2 is an option... I was looking at a few tube options that would give me a nice change from the Magni 3+. The options I was looking at:

    1) Lyr 3
    2) DarkVoice 336SE
    3) Xduoo ta20
    4) Massdrop x Alex Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp

    I know the budget I gave is very limiting... but its a stepping stone for me for now I guess. I have a $99 solid state amp so a move from there would be nice to see where I can go with this. I was lucky in that I got a second hand HD800 for the equivalent of about $340.

    I've had the 58X and the HD700 before this but I do prefer the way the HD800 soundstage makes you feel like its more than just headphones on your head. The 'live concert' effect to me. Hard to explain lol.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2020
  16. Zesnake

    Zesnake New

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    The D50s not so good with the HD800? Im fairly new to the game as you can probably tell. I've only ever listened to portable DACS and this. My brothers Ifi Micro (amazing with vocals to me), Xduoo XD-05 with Burson v5i Opamp and my current setup the D50s and Magni 3+. I was hoping to replace the SS AMP with some tubes. In my mind the fairly 'neutral' sounding D50s would be ok in the chain for now.
     
  17. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    I'd love to hear you elaborate a little more on this; 2a3 versus 300b in the Af through HD800SDR.
     
  18. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I will eventually write up a tale of my journey with Af. I have changed caps, rolled driver and rectifier tubes, and finally went 300b in search of a sound somewhere between 2A3 Af and Balancing Act. I think I finally got there.
     
  19. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    It's fine if you think that sound is ok. But keep in mind that ALL THE FRIENDS recommended you some amps are VERY HIGHLY LIKELY to think it a trash. You may have to seriously adjust subjective gap between theirs and yours.

    That said, I'd take Modi 3 over D50 and D50s any day. Better resolution, less bright, and nicer tone. Modius is even better (but you may strongly desire balanced amps to pull the most out of it). Bifrost 2 is way, way, way better below 2k usd, if you can wait for another months to save up a little more.
     
  20. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    "Both amps work great with them." was regarding the HD600, since i don't personally believe that i would be happy with any of these alternatives (with the hd800) in the long run, so just better to try them and, if he doesn't like it, get the HD600 and ence the Crack and SW51, which work great with the HD600, in particular, but also with a large number of Headphones. I liked the Vali 2 and NBM but, again, in the long run i wouldn't consider them for a long run for either HP's.

    Edit - and, if he has the knowledge, a modded Crack goes a long way.
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2020

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