[minimus]

I am the happy owner of a Sennheiser Hd 800.
I am using a Sound Devices HX3 as an amp.
I am quite happy with the result,but could I get an even better sound using a more expensive amp,and if so which one?
I listen mostly to well recorded audiophile music such as i.e.
 Carmen Gomes or Paul Berner from the Sound Liaison label
 Doug Macleod from the Reference Recordings label
Bobo Stenson trio from the ECM label
.If you go to one of the sites you can hear very good samples of their music.
http://referencerecordings.com/
http://www.soundliaison.com/
http://www.ecmrecords.com/


[/img]

I have owned quite a few headphone amps.  There are three that I think sound fantastic with the HD800s.

The best I have heard to date is the Apex Teton.  It is a new production amp and I currently have it as a loaner.  It is breathtaking with the HD800s.  The downside -- it is very expensive at $5,000.

Next best is the ECP Audio L-2, which is now out of production but went for $2,500 when it was in production.  The man behind ECP Audio, Doug Savitsky, is going to be launching a new amp in the next couple of months and it is likely to sound very good with the HD800s as well.

Third is the Eddie Current Super 7, which is less expensive at around $1,700 or so.  It uses 7 6SN7 tubes, making it a bit of a tube-rollers dream.  With the right tubes, it really makes the HD800s sing.

I have previously owned the DNA Sonett, the Luxman P-1u, and the Woo 22.  I was very disappointed by the Sonettt, which was completely lacking in bass and sounded very thin.  I have read that the DNA Stratus is completely different, but the Sonett got glowing reviews years ago on Head-Fi and I never read anything about it any more.  The Woo 22 was an OK amp, but the Eddie Current Super 7 is significantly better sounding for less money.

[K.F.]

 

[Noseyears]

Minimus, i see you have good experience with tubes. Any thought on the Alo studio six reference? worth the price tag?

@bjski, do you still have the burson?

[bjski]

The Burson and Audeze LCD-3 were sent along to another person for their opinion. Burson is a great headphone/DAC when using 9018 chip. The unit responded the best when the Bryston BDP-1 was transporting the Flac files. That doesn't mean USB was bad just that SPIF to RCA coaxial took it to another level. For me it meant selling my Bryston BHA-1 and my BDA-2 so I bought  Audeze LCD-3 instead.

[santacore]

For me it meant selling my Bryston BHA-1 and my BDA-2 so I bought  Audeze LCD-3 instead.

Bummer, the BHA-1 and LCD-3 are proving to be a great combo at my house.

[bjski]

They are a great combo at my house,BHA-1 & LCD-3 sound awsome.I also like the BHA-1 with the HD800. I don't think I'll sell the BHA-1 for a long time.

[santacore]

For me it meant selling my Bryston BHA-1 and my BDA-2 so I bought  Audeze LCD-3 instead.

Oh gotcha, I was just responding to the last line in your previous post. It is definitely a great combo, especially running all balanced. I just wish my ears didn't start hurting from the LCD-3 pads. I don't know what it is, but the inner part of my ear starts itching bad after a short period of listening. Sucks.

[bjski]

I don't have a problem with the ear pads. I have more trouble IEMs.

My son benefited from me getting the LCD's. I passed down my Sennhieser HD650 to him. He has Grado Sr60 and Shure IEM 530 so the Sennhieser's are a step up.

[K.F.]

hi everybody and thank you for all the suggestions.
Can a portable amp sound as good as the big stand alone models ?

Or is that impossible due to physical proportions?

[highfilter]

Can't recommend Schiit's Ragnarok enough. Get a good balanced cable for the HD800's and you'll be in heaven. Completely transforms the HD800's. Liquid clear treble, brings up the mid-bass with more meat and impactful bass. Very musical but doesn't shy away from what the HD800's do best. Pretty amazed at the combination.

[K.F.]

How come nobody suggest Sennheiser's own amp for the HD 800 the HDVD 800?

Is it not as good as the above suggestions?

[PA]

I am the happy owner of a Sennheiser Hd 800.
I am using a Sound Devices HX3 as an amp.
I am quite happy with the result,but could I get an even better sound using a more expensive amp,and if so which one?
I listen mostly to well recorded audiophile music such as i.e.
 Carmen Gomes or Paul Berner from the Sound Liaison label
 Doug Macleod from the Reference Recordings label
Bobo Stenson trio from the ECM label
.If you go to one of the sites you can hear very good samples of their music.
http://referencerecordings.com/
http://www.soundliaison.com/
http://www.ecmrecords.com/


[/img]


How come nobody suggest Sennheiser's own amp for the HD 800 the HDVD 800?

Seems that Sound Liaison are now working together with iFi;
http://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/idac2-impromtu-dsd-album-by-sound-liaison/
Looks interesting, question is if it is strong enough for the HD800s.

[ddark65]

HDVD 800 has anyone listened to one with the HD800 ?

[PA]

That is the question

[branislav]

HD800 and solid state dac/amp? Seriously doubt it would sound good. I know generalizations are tricky, but Im pretty certain about this one

[adydula]

Not to cloud the situation...the Bottlehead Crack with Speedball Upgrade is a very good amp for these cans....several reviews like the pairing very much....

Alex

[Guy 13]

Hi all,
when I was living on planet Vietnam,
I audiotion a HD800 driven by a German tube amplifier
(Sorry, don't recall the make-model)
it did sound good, maybe very good, but not exceptional,
what made me not buy-it was of course the price,
but mainly the lack of comfort,
even if the HD650 does not sound as good as the HD800,
the comfort was much, much better and for me that's very important.
I did hear the HD-800 with my Bottlehead Crack
(Without the Speedball upgrade)
and the sound was very good.
I hope I am not too much off topic ???

Guy 13