[MarkyMark]

Am seriously considering these headphones but I'm not really looking to invest more money into amps, unless absolutely necessary.

So, could anyone give me any input as to whether my amps (Sugden Headmaster, Heed Canamp or Benchmark DAC1) would be up to the task of amping them? I recall that Senn USA used the DAC1 initially at the CES show.

Have asked this question a few times in other threads with no response so any feedback welcome, preferably from those who've heard any of these combos.

Cheers

 

[Currawong]

I'd say ideally you want to go balanced with the HD-800s with a very serious amp to get the most out of them. Unfortunately the only DAC 1 I've used was an older model with the crappy HP amp, where the new ones are reported to have improved the HP amp. However, I haven't really liked listening with anything less than balanced with my Phoenix, so I'd call it as being close to the minimum of what I'd consider suitable for them.

You might have trouble finding someone who has a Sugden Headmaster, they seem to be very rare around here. You'd probably have better luck finding another Head-fi'er in London with HD-800s who you can organise to have a listening session with, using your amps.

 

[decur]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkyMark /img/forum/go_quote.gif Am seriously considering these headphones but I'm not really looking to invest more money into amps, unless absolutely necessary. So, could anyone give me any input as to whether my amps (Sugden Headmaster, Heed Canamp or Benchmark DAC1) would be up to the task of amping them? I recall that Senn USA used the DAC1 initially at the CES show. Have asked this question a few times in other threads with no response so any feedback welcome, preferably from those who've heard any of these combos. Cheers

my rudistor rp010 senns hd800 combo is to die for good!!!
i would demo rudi amps! they are warm detailed and hi powered just what the hd-800 needs!

 

[subtle]

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/b...00-amp-427946/

 

[Geek]

The more power you can throw at them the better. Unless you're expecting to spend $10 grand on your associated equipment you could do better with a whole range of other cans.

Incredibly revealing phones... I sealed my savings account's fate by trying them out.

 

[MarkyMark]

My sources are up to snuff in my view.

The TT, arm and cart costs about $4000 new, that's not including the phono stage, isolation platform etc.

Very happy with the Benchmark DAC1 as well (the CDMaster does secondary duties now). Sounds great with 24/96.

What I'm concerned with is amping the HD800. Unfortunately, there's seems to be no real input here. Btw, I don't agree that the DAC1's headphone amp is "crappy". I wonder whether people have heard examples where it's barely been run in, as mine sounds full and smooth with good low level detailing. Spatial cues are possibly the one area where it may not be so good as my other amps, but bass control and quantity is very good IMHO.

Clearly, I'll need to try and get hold of a demo HD800 unit here in the UK and see for myself (I was going to do that anyway but hoped for some feedback just in case I couldn't, hence posting this thread). Unfortunately, thanks to Sennheiser's infinite wisdom in ensuring the North American market was given total priority, there aren't any on the streets here. It seems pre-orders took any stock that arrived. Shame on you Sennheiser....

 

[subtle]

Did you just completely miss the link I posted in my reply? Here it is again with another.


http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/b...00-amp-427946/

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/l...hd800s-436680/


You're just not looking in the right spot. Most of the HD800 discussion is in the high end forum.

 

[MarkyMark]

Yes, missed your link. Posted in the HD800 amps thread to see if I get any joy there.

Cheers

 

[NeoVibe]

I tried them with my own Rudistor RPX-33 for 2hrs (there's a thread on that somewhere here) and I think it's a "good enough amp" for them. As I didn't try it with any other amps I can't compare with others, so, in all honesty I can't 'recommend' an amp, I'd need to listen to several for that...

But the tradition with Sennheiser is that they scale very very well, so it's no waste spending a small fortune on an amp for them. Spending 4x HD-600 money on an amp is, in my personal experience, very reasonable if you really like them, and not a waste.

Of course, finding the right synergy is another matter, and one un-ralated to price ranges.

 

[TStewart422]

The PreSonus HP4 should do the trick. Don't get sticker shock, though, this IS Head-Fi!

 

[Artmon]

Has anybody experience with the HD800 and the PS Audio GCHA?

 

[IPodPJ]

The balanced B22 and the Audio-gd Phoenix are top of the line solid state pairings with the HD800. There are lots of superb tube amps that pair well with these phones including the Eddie Current Zana Deux, RSA B52, DNA Sonett, Woo Audio WA22 and WA6SE. Going the balanced route will be your best bet.

 

[Ivan Makarov]

I had a Luxman-200.
The sound was fantastic.
I sold it and now I'm sorry.
It's also good to add a bunch of BerkeleyAudio

http://piccy.info/view3/11469517/6b59ec3cfeadeb36f732cfdd1f0f14b9/