Sweet and complete review! I fully enjoyed it and it's nice to know that whenever I'm able to buy the Senn HD800S, I'll have a nice result pairing them up with my Micro iDSD!

PS: the Micro iDSD is a total beast! Small package, but it sure packs a nice punch!

@shugog - yep I love mine.  Shortly weaning down my collection.  Intention is to be left with the HD800S, HD630VB, and maybe the K553 (not sure if I'll hang onto those or not). Sold the LD MKIV. I might graba  Vali2 at some stage to see what the fuss is about - but for now perfectly happy with having the iFi Micro iDSD solo.

Hi,
Really enjoyed reading your review even if I've already purchased mine two months ago. Initially I was more inclined to buy the Ether C but after the initial stelar reviews there were some cons highlighted on different forums that made me cautious. Dan's reactions to the criticism didn't help too much and the soon fixed Ether C proved them to be right. Nevertheless after amlong consideration I've purchased the HD800S from Meyer Audio (highly recommended seller) and I must to say that is one of the aquisitions that I don't regret any penny spent on it. It must be said that is a great piece of audio engineering and (in my opinion) is one of the few pruducts that doesn't seems to be "friendly" promoted. It surely speaks for itself. You just need to listen.

I use them also with iDSD and soon with Cavalli Liquid Carbon. End Game Headphones for me also. For amp I am still looking for a tube amp ~ 1k.

Good luck in your search. For me personally I think I'll just enjoy the iDSD with them.  I think my tube days may be over.

Good review Brooko as always. You praised IFi so much, so now i think mayyybe i should try it too... I am set buy Feliks Audio Elise tube amp, but maybe i should try IFi first... Decisions... Whould be great if you review Feliks Audio Elise tube amp one day and compare it with Ifi. You brooko are really one of the few reviewers that i can completely trust. Thanks for one of the best reviews in Head-fi.org

Thanks Arnie - I appreciate the kind words. I guess it may depend whether you're looking for an all in one solution or not. For me the iDSD solves a multitude of requirements:
 - good DAC
 - powerful amp / fantastic power output
 - very configurable
 - extremely good value
I'd love to try the Elise at some stage - but TBH my days of source searching are pretty much over (although I would love to try the Schiit Jot just for the balanced outputs)

Thanks for response, im just looking for just amp upgrade. Maybe i should try ifi ican se. I guess amp section should be similar to one from idsd... I buyed HD800S few weeks ago and i dont like my Beyerdynamic A20 amp with it. Just too much mid bass and lower mids with it and 2khz to 4khz range seems little reduced with A20 amp. If ifi have little more quantity in 2 to 4khz range and little less quantity in lower mids and mid bass it should be perfect.

Very informative and a pleasure to read, Thanks Paul.

@Brooko - I was wondering if you have had a chance to audition the Focal Elear's?  If you have can you offer any comparisons between them and the HD 800S?  Thanks again for your honest and informative reviews.  I always enjoy reading them.

@ModMax - sorry, no chance to hear the Focals yet. Unfortunately my location is a bit of a backwater, so may not get a chance to hear them for a while.

Thanks so much for this review, also, thanks for the amp comparisons. I'm looking forward to buying this in the upcoming months . 

What gain setting do you use with the micro idsd? 

Typically IEM match off, and power set to ECO.  I'm not a high volume listener, and they are ridiculously easy to drive for a 300 ohm can.

Your reviews are very nice and informative.

Hi Paul,

Excellent review, I have been a huge fan of HD800 sound stage.
I am thinking of getting 800S and I want to run them purely with X7 II + A5 combo. Does that make sense or I am not getting the full potential out of them?

This is an awesome review, and motivated me to buy a pair of HD800S. Should arrive soon. Are these still your endgame headphones? Do you still use iDSD to power them? I've got a Chord Mojo, and am wondering if I would prefer the iDSD. The bass boost is intriguing, as is the 3D option.

Thanks - yes it’s still my endgame, and not likely to change any time soon. I still use my iDSD, but more often than not I pair it with the VE Enterprise. It’s a very special combo I haven’t tended to engage bass boost or 3D because for my tastes the HD800S simply doesn’t need them (YMMV). Still my most expensive purchase, but the one I have never regretted.

Got my HD800S phones tonight. They're awesome! I had been trying the regular HD800, but they just seemed to be lacking something. Now I see why people say the HD800S delivers what the HD800 were missing! There's just more "meat" to the sound. They sound very good with my Chord Mojo. I'll have to try the iFi iDSD Black Label down the road, when I'm no longer cut off from spending.

Thanks again!