Best Amps for HD800S - 2023 Edition

A not-exhaustive* guide for helping listeners get the best synergy for the HD800**

Note: This will be geared toward the HD800S since the OG HD800 is getting hard to find. HD800 is slightly different from the HD800 (which I still prefer with the Sandevistan mod).

2021 Edition here
2017 Edition here

BACKGROUND - WHERE I AM COMING FROM
I only like the HD800S under certain conditions. The frequency response of the HD800S, despite the Armin Zola resonator (that lessens the 6kHz peak) is still bit too screwy for my tastes. I find that EQ doesn’t work well for the HD800S because its screwy frequency response is caused by super early reflections from how the driver is suspended and angled in front of the ear and by the large ribs and mounting structures of the cups. The treble is hot, the mids are recessed, and the lows are a bit cloudy (the HD800S took a slight step back in the lows), especially compared to the awesome low-distortion planars available today.

This guide should still be applicable to those with the OG HD800 with mods (BTA, Sandevistan, Superdupont, etc.)

As far as amping, tube amps are recommended, but solid-state amps are definitely getting there. What we are looking for is one or more of the following traits:

1. Wetness or bloom (the HD800S can be on the dry side)
2. Smooth highs (to counter the hot and grainy HD800S highs)
3. Commits few sins of omission, capable of rendering microdynamics and microdynamics (the HD800S is super resolving, subpar gear and subpar recordings won't make the HD800S any more special than lesser headphones)
4. Capable of slam (the HD800S can hit like a truck with the right gear)

Also, tube amps which are overly warm, syrupy, slow, or romantic (cathode follower OTL designs, OPT with cheap output transformers, Chi-Fi push-pull cathode bias, etc.) will not be mentioned. They do cure the HD800S dry sound, but at too high of a price in terms of clarity, transient response, microdetail, microdynamics, etc. Personally, I think you are much better off with an HD650 and LCD-2 with a very technically and musically capable amp. If you like the romantic smoothed-over-to-shit kind of sound, best to seek advice somewhere else. Trying to make the HD800S into sounding like an LCD-2 is plain wrong. It's like trying to convert someone who is gay into being straight.

One thing I've noticed is that amps with output impedance from 2 to 20 tend to work well for the HD800S***. There will always be exceptions of course

ADDITIONAL CONTEXT: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...-hd800s-2023-edition.13859/page-4#post-417687

*The reason why this list is not exhaustive is that we HAVE NOT heard every amp. Conceivably there are other amps that work very well here.
**This list is a work-in-progress and will be updated to reflect this
**One trick with cheap solid-state amps that may sound a bit too lean or dry is to add a small resistor, 2 to 20 ohms in series from the headphone output.

 

LIST OF AMPS FOR HD800S

As part of SuperBestAudioFriends culture to help consumers save money and not fall into the trap of needlessly spending money on the latest toy, which really isn’t any better than the old toy, we will include discontinued products that can be obtained in the used market.

in the past, I never liked ranking things. However, this time around, I ranked them because people eat up this shit. Ultimately, it's synergy of components and personal preference that matters (FWIW, I chose amps that would accept a wide variety of sources). This is why many hobbyists' systems at early Head-Fi meets sound fricking awesome and far better than almost anything at the corpo CanJam shows of today. If you don't agree with the rankings, feel free to drop me a line, and then go F yourself - well because it's like my Fing opinion.

Note: Class C or E does not mean it's bad. Any amp that lands in any of the classes is recommended. It's not like game tier rankings where class B or below isn't worth playing.


CLASS S

Donald North Audio Stellaris (aka Super Stratus)
Fantastic amp that’s balances tube wetness with sonic technicalities (attack, resolution, microdynamics). A huge jump in technicalities compared to the Stratus, but also a huge jump in price. You are paying for the exotic output transformers where Donald is pretty much passing on his costs. It’s hard to explain the DNA sound, but I find this to be the ultimate expression on Donald’s vision. I’d buy one and put next to my bed if I could. Tube roll and use a source specific to the HD800S and you will be all set. Synergy is key here. Works great with the Focal Utopia too.

Eddie Current BA (used, but get one if you can because it works that well)
With the ElectraPrint transformers with silver secondaries, EC's bloomiest tubey sounding amp (EC tends to have more of a SS type of sound). One of the most expansive staging, layering, separation, openness of any of the amps here by far because of high-frequency AC heater stolen from outer space satellite military applications. Need to be careful of source depending upon tubes. The BA still stands as one of the more organic EC amps before Craig went toward a neutral "sound" sound.


CLASS A

Apex Teton [A+]
Great compatibility with the HD800S. Super resolving and great tone. It's an OTL so Z-out will be on the high side, but the execution is excellent. Sound sounding 6AS7/6080 types are still widely available and new Tung Sol 6SN7s sound great. This is one of Pete Millet's best sounding amps IMO. Extremely poor value unless you already have a $5-10k turntable or $10k DAC. actually a good value in 2023 because of the Head-Fi / CanJam machinery promoting subpar overpriced gear directed toward more and more towards the ORFAS crowd.

Donald North Audio Stratus (v4)
Wet sound. Intimate sounding and actually good sounding even with cheap Chinese tubes (my personal preference would be probably be the more solid-state sounding EML Mesh or Psvane Replica WR275, but many like the big bottle Shuguang 2A3s for a lusher presentation). Works straight out of box with HD800, although with latest upgrades, more care must be taken with source. Beyers, TH900, D7000, and many other dynamics also work really well with the Stratus.

Eddie Zana Deux Super (used, but get one if you can because it works that well)
Luxurious ride in a Mercedes Audi. Great soundstage. Slightly warm and euphonic while excelling in technicalities only surpassed by the more expensive EC amps. The Super version is a wee bit less thick sounding and clearer sounding than the earlier iteration of the ZD. The output impedance on high gain was increased to about 20 ohms specifically for the HD800 and HD6X0 headphones. This results in a more lively immediate and open sound.


CLASS B

Woo WA33 [B+]
Woo's best sounding amp by far. Not soft sounding like the WA5 or weird like the WA234 with two volume knobs, one on each tower unit. The sound is somewhere in between DNA and EC. Good incisive transients and a decent amount of bloom. You can get better sound for less (much so in case of the eye-watering expensive Elite edition).

ampsandsound Ovation
Not a bloomy or wet sounding amp like the DNA stuff. The overtones are richer than EC Studio B. However, the transients are tight and attacks have plenty of weight. The microdynamics and ability for nuance are about Starlett leve. I do think it falls short in headstage spaciousness compared to the DHTs. To summarize, if the DNA is like soapy suds over Sofia Veraga boobs, the EC like a strong world class ballerina, then the Ovation is like a 2021 Camaro ZL1. Lots of rhythm and drive.

Donald North Audio Starlett
90% of the Stratus. The staging is a bit more 3D on the Stratus. The Stratus is marginally better in extract microdetail, trailing decays, ambient cues. I would say that the biggest difference is that the the Stratus provides way more tube rolling options because there a million 2A3 types out there. This can either be a blessing or curse.

EAR HP4
Gorgeous tone machine. Rich, lush, maybe not as technically proficient as the rest in this class. Nevertheless its presentation is seductive. This reaches my personal limit of overly warm rich. High Z and low Z outputs available. Pick your poison.

Eddie Current Super 7 (used, but get one if you can because it works that well)
Bassy and thicker. Darker sounding the most stuff here. Balance can vary though quite a bit depending upon tubes. Can mix and match 6SN7s for an almost infinite variety of textures, timbres, tonal balances. Great slam and microdynamics. Tight articulate bass for a SET amp. Very good resolution, at least with the versions with the EI core transformers. S7’s have been modified for better clarity and less thickness. Minor mods make this Class A.

Schiit Mjolnir 3 [B-] (will have to wait until next run)
Yup, the first solid state amp to make it this far up. This is when it gets hard to put the headphones down. Headstage is wide but not quite as deep as the tube amps above. But damn, this thing resolves microdetail and renders microdynamics like a mofo. Tons of slam, smooth highs, a bit rounded like the SET amps, great mids (if anything maybe slightly mid-centric). That it's pure class A (and in SE mode) probably has a lot of do with the sound. The Mjolnir's presentation is nonchalant. It doesn't bring attention to itself like an Instagram model. Lean back and enjoy the sound. Mjolnir 3 has me looking for an HD800.


CLASS C

Schiit Lyr+
Revised and slightly tweaked from the 3, now known as Lyr+ or just Lyr? With a robust sounding 6SN7 as opposed to weaksauce 12xx7) and Schiit's Continuity deal, a good tonal match for the HD800S's oddities. My favorite Schiit amp for the HD800 (other than Folkvangr) before the Mjolnir 3 came out.

Woo WA6SE
A wonderful choice around the $1k range and the entry into better and bigger transformer coupled tube amps. Don't get the special USAF mickey mouse ears rectifier from Woo or Sophia Princess 274B shit for HD800S, makes the sound too steely. Use a decent vintage or semi-vintage 5U4G instead.


CLASS E (entry level)

Garage 1217 Horizon / Sunrise 3
Hyrbid tube amp along the lines of the Vali 2. Sound good because of straightforward design. Tube + MOSFET + cap. About $100 more expensive than Vali 2, but priced correctly with slightly better clarity and microdynamics. Sounded neutral with the stock tube as opposed to the laid back tone (Vali 2). Can roll a variety of tubes. WARNING: Do not get the Ember. Instead of a MOSFET, it uses a chip. Better measurements probably but sounds like total shit.

Nitsch x Schiit Piety
Strangely enough has wet bloomy mids. Highs are Magni+ like so definitely needs a dark or classic R2R DAC. MMB1 or MMB2 (NOS mode) works. Not a good as any of the above, but this is entry level. What do you expect.

SPL Phonitor 2 (solid state)
Really nice refined neutral presentation that isn't annoying in the highs. Just solid all around. Maybe doesn't quite hit top tier SS sound in 2023, nor id necessarily as "wet" that I would like it to be with the HD800S, but pair with an appropriate DAC, and results are very good. Extra dials and buttons for their crossfeed is icing on the cake.

 

AMPS ON PRIOR LISTS REMOVED
Still worth considering but removed for various reasons

Bryston BHA-1
There is better stuff now. Rythmically driving with delineated treble attacks, but actually works well with HD800. Neutral sound. Some reports of MOSFETS getting hot resulting in bass mud galore. Recommended if you live in a cool climate. Do not stack on top of anything else and make sure there is good circulation. This amp does not like heat. Good staging for solid-state compliments HD800. Flatter than the better amps, doesn't have the nuance of better SS amps in 2023, but if you want solid state, one of few decent choices.

BottleHead Crack
Output impedance at 120 ohms is too high. Oddly, the Crack has always worked better with the HD6X0 than the HD800.

Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson (OOP)
Not the Monoprice stuff. The most exciting sounding amp from Cavalli Audio, more aggressive with sharper faster transients than the LG, but still maintains the Cavalli house sound. Tonal signature is warm with only one tube to roll that has a moderate effect on the sound. Like the LG, works great with suitable orthos too.

Cavalli Audio Liquid Glass (OOP)
Not the Monoprice stuff. Only as good as the tubes used. HD800 sounded great with rare vintage Mullard CV-181s. I haven’t even begun to explore the tubes this amp can use. The LG has the Cavalli trademark smooth, laid-back, refined, and resolving sound which suits the HD800 tendency toward dryness. Fantastic with planar headphones such as the Code-X and Abyss too.

Donald North Audio Sonnett 2 (OOP, available used only)
Has the DNA house sound with inner warmth, intimacy, immediacy. Improvement in clarity and resolution over the Sonnett 1. Basically sounds like the Stratus but without the DHTs - that last bit of microdynamics, separation, and staging. HD800s out of the box work with Sonnett 2 without mods of any sort.

Eddie Current 445 (OOP)
No longer in production. Rare on used market and other EC amps provide better synergy with the HD800.

Eddie Current Black Widow (OOP)
Can almost say it was made with the HD600 and HD800 in mind. A Luxman P1u, organic sound and all, but with better technicalities.

Eddie Current Studio B
This could work very well, but not sure the 300B sound would work with the HD800S. It would be like doubling up, especially with the WE300B tube. The Elrog's could work with a dark sounding DAC. Will report back and move up if I can find a good combo or if an owner can convince me. FWIW, I own an EC Studio B.

ECP Torpedo III (OOP)
This is a DIY amp, so opinions will vary based on tubes, caps, transformers, current sources, and other mods and tweaks. It's comfortable around TOTL tube amps. A good build will have good staging and layering, albeit a bit more condensed than the best amps. Slightly lush, slightly euphonic, and slightly bloomy. Maybe not quite as dynamic and hard hitting as some amps, but very resolving. Very even and very solid in the bass and the mids.

Feliks Audio Elise
Price increase to $1200 (with the VAT refund) makes this a poor value. Too much money for an amp with near 50 ohm output impedance, which is kind of pushing it for HD800s.

Geek Out V2 (OOP and balanced output only)*
Surprisingly engaging and powerful from a little dongle attached to a USB port with the HD800. Make sure to select the digital filter that’s warmer and without the nasty ESS Sabre transients. This is the only laptop portable solution worth of consideration for powering the HD800. Almost unbelievable for the form factor and price.

Laconic Night Blues Mini (OOP and needs Han Solo to smuggle it in from the Soviet Union)
Worth it if you can find a native 120V version, or use a step down transformer. You’ll need to smuggle it in from Russia. Best described as a Super 7 junior. Like the Super 7, The NBM is transformer coupled. Also fairly neutral like the Valhalla 2, but more dynamic, sweeter, lusher, smoother, and more liquid. The high end is fantastic on this amp. Good speed, resolution, and staging. Loses out a little bit in the bass region which is slightly blurry. The volume pot is cheap and may not track well. Moving up to the TOTL tube amps will gain you further dynamics and refinement across the board, but this one of the best sounding amps for about $250. The value perspective is insane.

Luxman P1u (OOP, available used only)*
Basically sounds like a ECZD lite. Slightly more veiled, slightly less fast, but just as euphonic in a no hassle solid-state package. The P1u sounds dated – it’s less technically competent than most other amps in list now. But again, how you can get that luxurious ECZD sound in a solid-state package?

Matrix mStage
Superceded by the Schiit Magni 2U or Vali 2.

Schiit Asgard 3
Schiit Jotunheim 2
Schiit Mjolnir 2 (balanced output only)*
Schiit Magnu 2U*
There is better out there now.

Schiit Vali 1
Superceded by the Schiit Vali 2.

Schiit Vali 2/2+/2++
The Vali 2 regular as darker sounding a better fit.
Schiit Vali 2+ almost sounds like a Magni (blind test) so maybe not a good idea.
The Vali 2++ may work with the warmer WE396A toob.

Schiit Valhalla 2
Recommended in the past because there was not much better at this price range. Highs not the best. Some OTL capacitor veil.

Schiit Ragnarok (solid state)
Too much Schiit in the list. The Rag 1, especially 1.5 actually works with the HD800S. Maxvla if you remember him rode off into the sunset after upgrading from the BHA1 to the Rag 1.

Vioelectric HPAV280 (solid state)
Nice that Vioelectric has offered the V280 with all the unnecessary features of the V281 at a much better price. Presentation is fast and zippy, but works with the HD800S. Like the Phonitor, doesn't quite hit top tier SS sound in 2023, nor id necessarily as "wet" that I would like it to be with the HD800S. Match with a DAC for best system sound and you will be good.

VIva Egoista 845
Name says it all. It's good, but not that good. The 2A3 version is better. The 845 has more power, but bigger DHTs just sound don't as good.


NICE AMPS NOT INCLUDED FOR A REASON - DON'T BOTHER

Bottlehead Mainline
Not tubey and slammy enough with HD800S.

DSHA 3F
Great match with Grados and Focals, great amp overall, but just quite doesn't do it with the HD800S. The HD800S needs some errors of commission. It can work, but given it's cost and lack of availability, I wouldn't chase this for the HD800S.

Schiit Jotunheim 1
No, we are not Schiit shills. The Jotunheim does certain things well, just not the things that the HD800S needs.

Schiit Lyr 2
Has appropriate slam and appropriate warm tone, improvement from Lyr 1, but still lacks technicalities for HD800S.

Sennheiser HDVD600 / 800
Good synergy with the HD800S, but poor value and the amp does not scale well with better sources. Basically, there's not much of a difference from the HDVD600/800 using a quality DAC or iPhone outputs feeding it.

Topping TPA5120 based amps
Their nested feedback stuff with the TPA chips has some synergy with the HD800S, much like the Sennheiser HDVD600/800, which uses the same (maybe earlier iteration) of the headamp chip. However, Topping's execution isn't quite as good as the Sennheiser amps, the latter sounds more refined. One or two simple measurements of steady-state signals doesn't tell us everything.

Woo Audio WA5LE / WA5 (and WA234)
This is the amp where I first realized what the HD800S could do, giving me goosebumps up my spine. But the price increases over the years and the need to max out the builds and utilize extremely expensive tubes to get the best of it make it a poor value. I don't like amps that require speshal tubes to sound good.

 

HD800S is a bitch. Sennheiser did a lot to fix the glare, but that made the hot treble more evident. They also added distortion to warm up the lows, which was never needed and IMO a step back.

This made the HD800S more difficult to pair as wet / bloomy / organic / dark amps didn’t always gel well with the HD800S thicker lows. Too much of a good thing as I like to say.

HD800S advantage is that it works better out of the box with most amps (solid state). But it was harder to optimize. One can address the glare, the highs of the OG HD800. However one cannot eliminate the warmer thicker lows (third order distortion) of the HD800S.

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/hd800-and-hd800s-distortion-analysis.5670/

 

Put a pic in your user profile and just hang here. Maybe a small contribution? Good shit pops up here from time to time, including DNA and EC stuff. It’s random though, like item drops in games.