Sennheiser HD800, Asus Xonar Essence ST και ενισχυτής ακουστικών

[Filippos]

Γεια σε όλους. Είμαι καινούριος στο forum και αυτό είναι το πρώτο μου post.

Πριν από λίγες μέρες δοκίμασα τα ακουστικά HD800 της Sennheiser (έγινε σχετική αναφορά στο forum) και μπορώ να πω ότι ενθουσιάστηκα. Τα άκουσα με τον S2000 της Yamaha αν θυμάμαι καλά στο Νάκα, με ραδιοενισχυτή Yamaha Z7 και κυρίως με την κάρτα ήχου που έχω στον υπολογιστή μου που είναι η Asus Xonar Essense ST στην οποία έχω αλλάξει τους τελεστικούς που φορούσε με OPA627AU. Από τον τελευταίο συνδιασμό έμεινα και περισσότερο ικανοποιημένος. Τα ακουστικά θα τα αγοράσω και μάλλον θα τα έχω στα χέρια μου σε λίγες μέρες.

Για να πάρω το καλύτερο από τα ακουστικά σκέφτομαι σε πρώτη φάση να προχωρήσω στην αγορά ενισχυτή ακουστικών και να χρησιμοποιώ την κάρτα ήχου που έχω σαν dac και αργότερα να αγοράσω ξεχωριστό dac.

Μπορείτε να μου προτείνετε κάποιον ενισχυτή ακουστικών; Έχουν προταθεί ο Βenchmark και ένας ενισχυτής της Ballad Audio από Γερμανία αλλά Θα θα ήθελα να μάθω αν υπάρχουν και άλλες επιλογές. Θα προτιμούσα κάποιον που να μπορώ να τον ακούσω στη Θεσσαλονίκη.

Από δική μου έρευνα έχω βρει και τους παρακάτω:

1) β22, DIY ενισχυτής ακουστικών, ίσως η καλύτερη επιλογή αλλά πολύ δύσκολο για μένα να τον φτιάξω. Υπάρχουν κάποιοι που μπορούν να τον φτιάξουν και να τον στείλουν απο Αμερική αλλά θα μπλέξω με τελωνείο και το κόστος θα είναι μεγάλο. Γνωρίζει κανείς αν υπάρχει κάποιος στην Ελλάδα ή στην Ευρώπη που θα μπορούσε να τον φτιάξει;


2) Violectric HPA V100

3) Lake People G100


4) Lehmann Black Cube Linear Είναι μάλλον ο ενισχυτής που χρησιμοποιούσε η Sennheiser όταν κυκλοφόρησε τα HD800.



Μπορεί να μου πει τη γνώμη του κάποιος για τους παραπάνω ενισχυτές; Δεν έβαλα link για τους ενισχυτές γιατί δεν ξέρω αν επιτρέπεται. Αν επιτρέπεται ας μου πει κάποιος για να βάλω.

 

[flash]

Καλωσήρθες στο φόρουμ Φίλιππε.

Χωρίς περιορισμό κόστους;
Π.χ. ο ballad audio που πήρα εγώ και σου πρότεινα στο άλλο post, έκανε κοντά 2.400 ευρώ, που λειτουργεί και ως 300B ενισχυτής.

Αφού δεν έχεις dac, μπορείς να τσεκάρεις και το DAC202 της Weiss στα 3.100 ευρώ, που μόλις κυκλοφόρησε και προσφέρει έξοδο ακουστικών.

Προσωπικά έμεινα πολύ ευχαριστημένος από τον ballad, που προσφέρει τη γλύκα της λάμπας σε συνδυασμό με κρυστάλλινη καθαρότητα. Μπορείς να έρθεις σπίτι μου να τα ακούσεις.

 

[Kotsidis John]

Γεια σου φιλε Filipe!
Απ οτι βλεπεις ο ενισχυτης της Ballad ειναι "καλο κομματι":126:....!!!
Με 300β λυχνιες παιζει απιστευτα.!!

Υπαρχει κι ενα DAC Benchmark που εχω κι αν θελεις μπορουμε κ με το φιλο flash Να οργανωσουμε καμια ωραια ακροαση να παρεις τις αποψεις σου!
Υπαρχει κ Weiss Minerva οποτε μπορεις αν θελεις να τ ακουσεις ολα ταυτοχρονα να παρεις μια γευση!

Αν κ κατα την αποψη μου ο ενισχυτης της Ballad θα ειναι "αλλου " ηχητικα, και επειδη ειναι τιουναρισμενος για ακουστικα!:126:

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Welcome!

Φίλε μου πρέπει να καταλήξεις αν θέλεις λάμπα ή SS.

Στα SS πας με κλειστά μάτια είτε στον B22 είτε στον Dynahi.
Δεν υπάρχει κάτι καλύτερο σε SS, ούτε σε DIY ούτε σε εμπορικά, ανεξαρτήτως κόστους.

Άνοιξε ένα thread στο Head-Fi και ρώτα για κάποιον Ελλάδα ή Ευρώπη που θα αναλάμβανε αυτή τη δουλειά. Είναι 100% σίγουρο ότι θα βρεις κάτι (αν όχι Ελλάδα, σίγουρα Ευρώπη).
Υπάρχει αρκετά μεγάλο ελληνικό community στο forum αλλά δε φαίνεται.

Ο Lehmann που αναφέρεις είναι πολύ κάτω από B22 σε απόδοση ενώ υπάρχει και πιστή αντιγραφή του από Κινέζους σε πολύ χαμηλότερη τιμή..

Για λάμπα δεν ξέρω/δεν απαντώ!
Από τα λίγα που έχω δει θα πήγαινα ίσως σε κανέναν EHHA ή Aikido (high voltage, όχι τον 24άρη) σε ιδιοκατασκευή ενώ από εμπορικά καλό όνομα έχουν τα Woo.

 

[Filippos]

Απάντηση: Sennheiser HD800, Asus Xonar Essence ST και ενισχυτής ακουστικών

Σας ευχαριστώ για τις απαντήσεις σας και την πρόσκληση. Φυσικά και θα ήθελα να ακούσω τα ακουστικά με έναν ενισχυτή σαν κι αυτόν. Βέβαια στο μυαλό μου είχα κάτι διαφορετικό. Οι ενισχυτές για τους οποίους έγραψα παραπάνω έχουν κόστος 400 - 800 ευρώ και είναι όλοι solid state. Ο λόγος που στην αρχή έβαλα αυτού του είδους τους ενισχυτές είναι γιατί πιστεύω ότι είναι ουδέτεροι ηχητικά, ακούς τα πάντα όπως είναι με λεπτομέρεια χωρίς να προσθέτουν το δικό τους χρώμα (Έχω ήδη βάλει στην κάρτα ήχου που έχω τα opa627 που δίνουν το δικό τους "ζεστό" αν μπορώ να το πω έτσι χρώμα. Δυστυχώς δεν μπορώ να περιγράψω τον ήχο σωστά όπως κάνουν πολλοί εδώ στο φόρουμ)

 

[Filippos]

Απάντηση: Sennheiser HD800, Asus Xonar Essence ST και ενισχυτής ακουστικών

Τις επόμενες απαντήσεις σας, αν υπάρχουν, θα τις διαβάσω την Κυριακή το βράδυ. Σας ευχαριστώ εκ των προτέρων.

 

[flash]

Πριν λίγες μέρες έκλεισε μια αγγελία εδώ με HD800 + SPL Phonitor μόλις με ένα χιλιάρικο. Κρίμα που δεν στο σφύριξε ο φίλος σου.

 

[vastsar]

Απάντηση: Re: Sennheiser HD800, Asus Xonar Essence ST και ενισχυτής ακουστικών

Πριν λίγες μέρες έκλεισε μια αγγελία εδώ με HD800 + SPL Phonitor μόλις με ένα χιλιάρικο. Κρίμα που δεν στο σφύριξε ο φίλος σου.

Οταν υπηρχε η αγγελια δεν ηξερα οτι ενδιαφεροταν για τα ηχεια. Ο ιδιος ομως την ειχε δει, μαλιστα σχολιασε ποσο γκαντεμης ειναι, γιατι οταν αποφσισε να κανει εγγραφη στο φορουμ και να τα χτυπησει την ιδια μερα εγινε η πωληση των ακουστικων!!:142:
Τεσπα, τα λαθη πληρωνονται.

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Re: Απάντηση: Sennheiser HD800, Asus Xonar Essence ST και ενισχυτής ακουστικών

Ο λόγος που στην αρχή έβαλα αυτού του είδους τους ενισχυτές είναι γιατί πιστεύω ότι είναι ουδέτεροι ηχητικά, ακούς τα πάντα όπως είναι με λεπτομέρεια χωρίς να προσθέτουν το δικό τους χρώμα

Άρα Β22 ή Dynahi. :126:

 

[Filippos]

Απάντηση: Sennheiser HD800, Asus Xonar Essence ST και ενισχυτής ακουστικών

Όσον αφορά την αγγελία, την βρήκα από το google πριν από 1-2 βδομάδες. Ήταν μια αγγελία δύο περίπου μηνών. Αποφασίζω να κάνω εγγραφή στο forum την επόμενη και να απαντήσω. Η συνέχεια είναι γνωστή.

Για τον ενισχυτή μάλλον θα ακολουθήσω τη συμβουλή σου Κώστα Φ. και θα κοιτάξω για τον β22. Αν δεν βγάλω άκρη θα πάω για τον Violectric HPA V100 από Γερμανία.

Υπάρχει και κινέζικος κλώνος του β22. Έψαξα στο internet αλλά στις σελίδες που έβρισκα έπρεπε να ξέρω να διαβάζω κινέζικα. Μήπως γνωρίζετε κάτι περισσότερο;

 

[Stry]

Για κάνε search για Darkvoice 3322 (απίστευτη ποιότητα κατασκευής).

Πριν από λίγο καιρό, ακουγόταν στο Διαδίκτυο ως το "απόλυτο ταίρι" για τα Sennheiser. Και σε πολύ καλή τιμή ...

 

[flash]

Και ο Darkvoice 337SE φαίνεται καλός, με καλύτερα υλικά από τον απλό. Φοράει και την 6AS7 όπως ο Αtma-sphere που έχω. Μπορεί να τον πάρω για δεύτερο, να κάνω και συγκρίσεις με τον 300Β Ballad Extreme tuning version, ο οποίος έχει δεχτεί tuning από τον κατασκευαστή συγκεκριμένα για τα χαρακτηριστικά του HD800.

 

[Dimitris77]

Δες επισης και μηχανακια απο Αμερικη οπως το Headamp GS-1. Επισης πρεπει να σου πω οτι τα Sennheiser απογειωνονται απο balanced ενισχυτες. Εχω παει σε 3-4 meet του head-fi στην Νεα Υορκη (εμενα εκει αλλα τωρα ειμαι Βοστονη) και balanced απλως δεν συγκρινεται (ειχα τα HD650 και HD580). Αν μπορεις να βρεις τον Rudistor NX-33 και ειναι εντως budget παρε αυτον. Φυσικα θα χρειαστεις να αλλαξεις καλωδιο αλλα πιστεψε με δεν εχει καμια σχεση.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/balancedheadphones/two.html

 

[Filippos]

Απάντηση: Sennheiser HD800, Asus Xonar Essence ST και ενισχυτής ακουστικών

Stry και flash, έψαξα στο διαδίκτυο και είμαι σίγουρος ότι πρόκειται για έναν πολύ καλό ενισχυτή. Απλώς σε αυτή τη φάση έχω αποφασίσει να μην πάω σε λαμπάτο ενισχυτή.

Οι άνθρωποι βέβαια αλλάζουν προτιμήσεις και σε ένα χρόνο από τώρα μπορεί να ανοίξω καινούριο thread για λαμπάτο ενισχυτή. Όσο για τον τέλειο ενισχυτή δεν ξέρω αν υπάρχει. Όλα νομίζω ότι εξαρτώνται από το τι μας αρέσει, από το είδος της μουσικής που ακούμε, από το dac που χρησιμοποιούμε και τα αυτιά μας τα οποία σιγά σιγά αλλάζουν.

Dimitris77, εκεί στην Αμερική έχετε πολύ περισσότερες επιλογές. Μπορείτε να ακούσετε ότι σας ενδιαφέρει ενώ εγώ που βρίσκομαι μακριά από την Αθήνα βασίζομαι σε γνώμες.

Για τους ενισχυτές που γράφεις έψαξα αρκετά όπως και για τους balanced ενισχυτές και τα πλεονεκτήματά τους. Οι επιλογές σε αυτούς είναι λίγες, θα πρέπει να τερματίσω το καλώδιο των ακουστικών σε XLR ή να αγοράσω καινούριο καλώδιο. Όλα τα καλώδια που βρήκα είναι ιδιαίτερα ακριβά. Θα συνεχίσω το ψάξιμο.

Το κόστος επίσης των αμερικάνικων προϊόντων επιβαρύνεται σημαντικά με τα μεταφορικά και τους φόρους. Υπολογίζω γύρω στο 40% στην τιμή που βλέπω στο internet χωρίς να είμαι σίγουρος. Αυτά που μπορώ να παραγγείλω χωρίς επιπλέον κόστος πρέπει να κοστίζουν το πολύ 100 δολάρια μαζί με τα μεταφορικά. Αυτός είναι και ένας από τους λόγους που έδειξα ενδιαφέρον για τον β22.

Για τους ενισχυτές rudistor είχα διαβάσει πριν από μερικές μέρες έπειτα από τις εντυπώσεις κάποιου που έχει στην κατοχή του πολλούς καλούς ενισχυτές και ακουστικά (Θα το βρω και θα το βάλω στη συνέχεια) Βρήκα τη σελίδα τους, το καλό ήταν ότι φτιάχνονταν στην Ιταλία, αλλά όταν είδα τις τιμές έμεινα άφωνος.

Τα ακουστικά δεν τα έχω πάρει ακόμη οπότε για λίγες μέρες ακόμη θα συνεχίσω την αναζήτηση στο internet και το διάβασμα.

 

[Filippos]

Απάντηση: Sennheiser HD800, Asus Xonar Essence ST και ενισχυτής ακουστικών

Δεν ξέρω αν μπορώ να βάλω συνδέσμους για σελίδες στο διαδίκτυο, θα πρέπει να διαβάσω προσεκτικά τους κανόνες του forum οπότε copy paste.
Αν και αυτό δεν επιτρέπεται ας το διαγράψει κάποιος από τους διαχειριστές.

Sennheiser HD800: listening impressions with different amps & sources

Introduction
I have always been delaying my decision on the HD800, worrying about the claimed ultra-resolution can make this headphone “boring” overtime. A week ago, a very nice and generous local head-fier offered to let me have a good listen to his HD800, and throughout the week, I have the opportunity to put the HD800 through different amps and sources, and have a good comparison with my Qualia 010. The HD800 of my friend is actually quite new and it may not have been fully burned-in. I took notes of my impressions while listening, as well as keep a good record of the major CDs used during these listening sessions.

Instead of writing a full impression, I think it is better to just share the notes of what I heard on the spot, which reflected more of my impression at the time of listening; rather than doing a total recall of the whole week of listening.

Enough was said about the construction, comfort, and material used for the HD800 so I better skip this part and jump straight into my listening impressions. BTW, as English is not my native language so please bear with me with the lack of words and structure running down my write-up.

Before we go into the details, please note this is NOT intended to be a full review of the HD800. It is more like a sharing of personal listening impressions. All the gears, except the HD800, are owned by me. I have no association with any of the suppliers / manufacturers mentioned here below, other than being one of their customers sometime ago.


Session 1: 4 July 2009 : HD800 + Woo Audio 5


It is just natural that the first listening session started with my most favourite tube amp in-house – my beloved Woo Audio 5, maxxed out, with a pair of Sophia Princess 274B rectifier tube, a pair of KR Audio 300B Globe, and a pair of Tung-Sol chrome top 6SN7GTB; connected to my Emm Labs CDSA SE. Interconnect is a pair of Gabriel Gold Revelation MKII – one of my family interconnect series. I listened to the HD800 through the high-Z headphone jack.

CD used was “Ten Tenors, Ten Colors” – a 2007 Japan edition of Venus TKCV-35404. This CD is a collection of extremely well recorded Tenor Sax Players works. On first listen, the HD800 does not display a character of its own. Sure, there is a lot of air around the players, the soundstage is impressively wide but realistic. The resolution was there, but it is not “ultra resolving” as some has claimed. I have listened to this same CD in the same setting for a few times, using the Qualia 010, and in my opinion, the Qualia is still king of resolution. The HD800 did not offer a jaw dropping experience, although I was indeed impressed by the 3-dimensional sound stage. the depth, and layering of music is particularly impressive.

Bass from the HD800 is natural, real, but not plentiful or excessive. Certainly there was no bass bloom of any kind. The bass was tonally correct, with execellent texture. The HD800 actually sound pretty slightly forward, but not in-your-face type. It is not as laid back as the HD650, and sound very easy to the ears. There was no harshness, no edgy, razor-sharp high resolution illusion. All nodes have its own place yet piece together in a very coherent manner.

The HD800 is also fast. Well, pretty fast, but not as fast as the Qualia. My particular pair still sound very slightly “tight” and I guess it may need more burning hours. So I just leave it playing overnight.

Overall, for the first evening, the HD800 behaved well balanced from treble to bass, with impressive extensions at both ends. At the very low registers, my ear can “feel” that low Hz. I must say the Woo Audio 5 helped to make this last bit come through, but it took something like the HD800 to make it to my ears. It was quite an enjoying evening, though not what I would call a revelation.


Session 2: 5 July 2009 : HD800 + Rudistor RP010B MKII


Athough it was a pleasure to listen to the HD800 through the Woo Audio 5, I somehow felt that it was not the best the HD800 can deliver. So I switch amp – to my Rudistor RP010B MKII. I used single end input from the Emm Labs CDSA SE, and used the high-Z headphone jack with the HD800.

I inserted a pure SACD "A Wonderful World" by Tony Bennett & K.D. Lang. This is beautifully recorded pure SACD which does not play on red book player.

The HD800 delivered very live like, almost surreal resolution, quite different from what I heard through the Woo Audio 5. There was very good expression of emotions embedded in this very nice recording. The tender voices of "La Vie En Rose" were just like what you would expect between a pair of lovers. Very natural. Layering is superb. I can detect changes of artists' distance from the mike - something that is not that easily noticed. Overall, the HD800 and RP010B MKII reproduce the recording in a stunningly life-like manner.

The next CD is a Red book CD "Carol Sloane" by Concord Jazz CCD-4971-2.

What an intimate and expressive voice of Carol Sloane ! The spatial distribution of all instruments around the artist is just almost perfect - imaging is pinpoint precision. The most holographic presentation I have ever heard from headphones. I can hear precisely how she breathes in front of the recording mic !

The natural organic sound of the Rudistor seems a very good match to the HD800. There is no bottle neck in resolution - the source, the amp, allowing the HD800 to show its true capability in revealing the most minute details. It was a very enjoyable evening, and one of excitement too, as I have a first grab of what the HD800 is capable of.


Session 3: 6 July 2009 : HD800 + Rudistor RP010B MKII (continued)


Having impressed and satisfied with the RP010B MKII, I decided to stick to this amp and listening to a few more demanding CDs.

This time it is my favorite Red Cliff Capriccio - the equipment challenged K2 HD recording (FIM K2 HD 076) which is technical a very “component demanding” recording and therefore a useful tool to test the real capability of a component. For those who are not familiar with this CD, it is essentially an instrument solo recording of a very popular Chinese instrument called “Guzheng”, which demands the highest resolving power and speed to reproduce the complicated multiple string movements, the complex harmonics.

Despite I have heard this K2 HD recording many many times, I must say it was revelation listening through the HD800! The ultra sharp imaging, stunning speed, and delinearation of each musical notes are beyond all I have experienced thus far. The unique reverb from the Guzheng is stunningly life like. This is the first time when the sparkling treble extension is remarkably reproduced through the HD800. And despite the fact that I have listened to this K2 HD recording so many times, it is a totally new experience. Bravo ! I was starting to love the HD800.

The "Happy Coat" Shota Osabe Piano Trio is never disappointing through the HD800. This K2 HD CD by LIM (LIM K2HD 031) demonstrates how well controlled bass can be had through the HD800. Sure the Rudistor RP010MKII also contributes, but the tight and well mannered bass revealed the true talent of Ray Brown. The Trio is always a joy to listen to, but through the HD800 it is more than joy - it was excitement !


Session 4: 7 July 2009 : HD800 vs Qualia 010


I went back to my beloved Qualia 010. I listened again to my favorite “test CD” Red Cliff Capriccio - the equipment challenged K2 HD recording which is a must to test the real capability of a component. I just wanted to double check if my jaw dropping experience last night with the HD800 was due to the headphone alone, or just a show case of how the Rudistor RP010B MKII conveyed the music extracted from the Emm Labs CDSA SE.

Last night, having heard the HD800 I almost thought at least half of my headphone collections will no longer make sense to stay my collection.

So came the Qualia. I was not disappointed. In some areas, the Qualia is still better - in resolution, in speed and probably equal in air space compared to the HD800. However, the gaps were narrow ones. It is not something that you can pick up easily. The Qualia also sounds a tad brighter than the very neutal and transparent HD800, especially at the upper treble. But now it would be a good debate whether the Qualia is worth the collector's pricing given the coming of the HD800, which can have at less than half the price of a mint 010, not to mention availability of service and parts for many years to come. Although I am not going to compare comfort of the two headphones, the feather light Qualia is still more comfortable in that after a while I almost forget its presence. The HD800, though very comfortable, did not “disappear” from my head. The rest of the evenings belongs to the Qualia as I went through the other CDs I listening in the last few evenings.

So after all, the HD800 is not that peerless. But I can now it is the most impressive current production cans I have heard thus far.


Session 5: 9 July 2009 : HD800 vs Qualia 010 (continued)


Still with the Qualia 010 and the same Rudistor RP010B MKII. I re-listened the "Happy Coat" performed by the Shota Osabe Piano Trio. The Qualia remained impressive, especially with the bass that this CD has so well recorded. First the depth is still there, even a tad deeper than the HD800 for the lowest registry, and the texture seems to be more refined (the relative less hours on the HD800 may also be a factor). Same holographic sound stage, however, not as "real" as the HD800. Definitely a joy to listen to, and in my own opinion, half a notch better than the HD800. On the other hand, the HD800 still sounds more natural than the Qualia as a whole, despite the fact that the Qualia 010 has an edge here and there in different departments.

The next CD to listen is the compilation CD called "Voices - The collection". It is a special 24k Gold CD of ALR Jordan (inak 79010) from Germany and one of the best vocal recordings in my collection. Listening through the Qualia the vocals are just lovely - fluid, initimate, and of course, with the hallmark ultra resolution. But I am most impressed by Track 14 by "A La Carte Brass and Percussion" called "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" - the imgaing and holographic sound stage is near perfect and the speed of the Qualia brings the drums to live.

Now I switched back to the HD800 and played "Voices- The Collection" again. Having listened to the Qualia for a whole night the HD800 sounds slightly off-base when I picked it up again. But that soon past. The same track through the HD800 now sounds a bit darker. Sound stage remains excellent but for the first 20 minutes I tend to say that human voices out of the HD800 is a tad less "engaging" than the Qualia 010. The mids seems ever so slightly recessed compared to the Qualia.


Session 6: 10 July 2009 : HD800 + E.A.R. HP-4


Having completely indulged in the magic of the Rudistor RP010B MKII and the HD800 / Qualia, I went back to tubes again. I turned on my all time favorite amp - the EAR HP-4. Due to system setup limitations, the HP-4 was fed from my Nagra CDP balanced output. I used a pair of KAS Maestro pure silver balanced IC to connect the two.

The first disc to play is Luqman Hamza's "With This Voice". Mine is a XRCD24 release by Groove Note, and is one of my "test CD" for male vocals. (GRN040016)

Out of the Qualia 010 from the HP-4 / Nagra CDP, the sound is so elegant, tuneful, expressive and engaging. On the other hand, the Qualia does not sound as full bodied as I heard through the Rudistor. Luqman still sound intimate while the instruments were well spaced and layered. But compared to the Rudistor there is a very slight difference in the "density" of the sound I heard from the Qualia. But this is soon behind me as I was sucked into the music !

Listening through the HP-4, the HD800 was also impressive. This was a noted “lushness” when listening through the HP-4, and the body of the music remain very similar to what I heard from the Qualia. The slightly darker sound of HD800 gives a more intimate sense which I prefer when listening to human voices.


Session 7: 11 & 12 July 2009 : HD800 + E.A.R. HP-4 (continued)


Having heard some demanding instruments, great jazz, and voices, I decided to put the HD800 and HP-4 through some classical music. I picked the Dvorak Symphony No. 9 (Op. 95) published by Esoteric in SACD format. The actual date of recording dated back to 22-24 March 1961. It was a classical recording - one of the best. It is also one of my most favorite performance by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

This is where the HD800 really shines. The speed, the 3-dimensional sound stage, and pinpoint imaging were jaw dropping. I was floored by the “greatness” of how the HD800 sounded. Though being a tube amp, the HP-4 adds very little to colour the sound. Rather, it exerts precision control of the HD800 like no other did. The whole performance was extremely enjoyable to my ears and this is where the HD800 outperforms the Qualia - not be a huge margin, but noticeably. I repeated the same CD 3 times, and yes, the HD800 is definitely better.

After a short break, I inserted "Just Friends" by LA4 - a favorite jazz team of mine. It is the SACD version published by Groove Note (GRV1016-3) of the orginal Concord Jazz recording in 1978.

Once again, the HD800 was there to impress and convince. I was extremely impressed by how the HD800 reproduces the bass played by Ray Brown, and delineates the fast guitar of Laurindo Almeida next to him. Sure the recording has been one of the very best, but it is the HD800 that delivers all that is there. So, far, I am pretty convinced for voices, jazz, and classical, the HP-4 has demonstrated a lot of synergy with the HD800 and I am pretty sure there are of the best pair out there.


Session 8: 13 July 2009: HD800 + ALO Amphora SE


I haven’t forgotten my little Amphora SE – this little gem that housed the Red Wine Audio's famed headphone module, that was available earlier this year from Audio Lineout. Compared to the "standard" Amphora, the SE (special edition, total 10 will be made) uses more exotic wood casing and cotton insulated silver internal wiring. I connected the Amphora SE to the single end output of my Nagra CDP, and switch to high gain mode.

The CD used was “Quardro Nuevo's Buongiorno Tristezza”, a CD made in Germany (Skip 9005-2) which is another favorite of my romantic south European jazz. Recording is amongst the top of audiophile production. Linking the equipment was a pair of Cyrstal Cable Reference Interconnect.

Listening to the Quardro Nuevo's Buongiorno Tristezza CD through the HD800 hooked to the Amphora is a different experience. The combination sounds cleaner, carries less weight, but very neutral. There is no loss of resolution but the overall sound is just a tad leaner than what I heard from the EAR HP-4. If I did not compare, the Amphora is already sounding extremely good. It does not hold back the sound stage that the HD800 is capable of. In fact, I think the silver internal wiring of the Amphora did add more air / openness to the music. All these resulted in a very romantic musical picture that removed all the stress after a long working day.

It was really joyful to listen to this combo and the HD800 matches the Amphora SE very well. But against the EAR HP4, I must admit the EAR HP4 easily offers a better sound to my ears – in all departments. That little additional weight and emotions in the music through the HD800-HP4 combo is, I believe, what make the HP4 such a classic in headphone amp. Instead of just conveying the emotions, the HP4/HD800 combo seems to have its way to supplement the expression. It was nearly like communication at spiritual level.

With the Amphora/HD800 continuing as the pair, I listen to another CD - this one is special - it is the K2 HD version of Salena Jones famed "Ballad with LUV." produced from 99.9999% silver CD - one of the latest release from LIM (LIM K2HD 042). It was some touching moments listening to Selena telling her stories through the intimate and sensational expressions of her truth telling voices. It was an intimatie experience. I believed the K2HD remastering art has a part to play to that super-real experience, but the faithful reproduction of the Amphora / HD800 combo must have played a key role to make this happen.


Session 9: 14 July 2009: HD800 + ALO Amphora SE (continued)


Amp: Amphora SE
Headphone: HD800
CD: "Brothers in Blues" by Wolfgang Bernreuther and Rudi Bayer. (Clearaudio CD 43040). This is a remarkably well recorded CD from Clear Audio in Germany.

The pleasure of listening to the Amphora SE / HD800 combo continued. Honestly, had it not because of this intensive comparative listening in the whole past week I would have been very contended with what I heard. The voice of Wolfgang was intimate, and the bass played by Rudi Bayer is even so well controled and right proportioned through this combo, that what I heard is like a small private live chamber performance. I repeat the whole CD twice, almost forgetting that I was attempting to assess how well the HD800 works with different amps. I have no more notes to write. I was inside the music already.

.... I am getting lazy in writing notes.


Session 10: 15 July 2009: HD800 + Phonitor


I spend the evening going through the last arrangement to listening to the HD800. Time passed fast and I will have to return this beloved headphone to its owner soon.

The setup is slightly different from the previous ones, as I want to have a more revealing arrangement made from my available resources.

Transport : Nagra CDP
DAC : Chord QBD76 (AES input, balanced out)
Headphone Amp: SPL Phonitor (balanced in)
Interconnect: Kimber Select KS-1121 (balanced)

I turn to a new but very special CD for this listening session. "Uncompressed World Vol. 1" is one very special CD which was jointly produced by Accustic Arts and Schunk Audio Engineering (SAE), and was just released in July 2009. It was produced with one objective, to achieve zero loss in the mastering process, and the result of a team of very seasoned professionals representing some of the best in Europe.


Having listened to this CD I am pretty sure this will set a new benchmark to evaluate reference level audiophile systems. On the Phonitor, I turned on speaker angles, cross feed, but turn off center speaker.

Initially, I was worried about it is going to be an overly analytical session, and I was so wrong.

Once again, the Phonitor played its “truth teller” role and pumped as much information as it can passed on from the super-revealing setup. The HD800 never has an “information flooding” problem. The HD800 simply reconstruct music in the way it should sound regardless how much information one want to push through it. And the “Uncompressed World Vol 1” is really a stunning CD – the intensity, the resolution, the weight, the imaging, and soundstage are all likely new benchmarks against which many others will find hard to replicate. The whole setup was another revelation. For a while, I am no longer hearing the headphone, the amp, the source. It is almost like I was there right at the performance, inside the studio. Nothing can be more real than this, and on the first listen it was a scary experience. I repeated the same CD with the same CD for 3 times, and I remained impressed more than ever.

My salute to the Phonitor !


Concluding Remarks: 19 July 2009


The HD800 is now back to the owner. I missed it - a lot.

Thanks for the original owner of this HD800, it has been an ear-opening experience trying it with different amp and source combinations. Unfortuntately due to the relatively limited time I was not able to try other combinations. Yet, with all these listening hours under my belt I think I now have much better idea of the characteristics and behaviour of the HD800.

Beyond doubt, the HD800 and the Phonitor made a great pair to deliver the ultimate joy in headphone listening. But it is also worth saying that the setup scales remarkably well with the quality of the recording. And though we are talking about headphones and headphone amps only, I must say this new reference CD from Accustic Arts has left me in awe for quite some time.

I am also deeply impressed by the Rudistor RP010B MKII driving the HD800. Honestly, this Rudistor baby has been on the cold bench for some days and I am pleasantly surprised the synergy it has with the HD800, which create on of the best sounding combination I have ever heard.

Although the Amphora SE – HD800 combo did not end up as the best combination during these listening sessions, we have to know it is also the “cheapest” amp compared to the others I used. As such, I would say the Amphora SE – HD800 a very good value desktop combo – bringing ultimate audio satisfaction without breaking your wallet.

The EAR HP-4 holds its own when pairing with the HD800, and remains one of the most “respected” amp in my collection. I am simply amazed at what the HP-4 achieved with the HD800 and am certain this little marvel from EAR will continue to stand the test of time to come. It is not going anywhere.

Looking back, I should have tried the HD800 with my Woo Audio 5 again, possibly with different tubes combinations. First, the early hours of HD800 with the WA5 is apparently too short that I have yet to get used to its sound signature. Second, I am not sure if my current tube combinations are the best match for the headphone. I tend to believe a pair of metal base GZ34 may help provide a more neutral sound at some slight expense of the bass quantity. The KR300B Globe tubes have been doing a decent job but that also left me wondering what the sound could have been with my beloved AVVT C37 bottles. And then there are the whole variety of 6SN7 tubes that can present some many possibilities.

Source will be an important part of the audio chain if one choose to use a HD800, which scales exceptionally well with the quality of the source and the recording materials. Although the Emm Labs CDSA SE is a pretty good source, when playing redbook CDs, especially those with enhanced, SOTA mastering technology, the Nagra CDP still stand out as more analogue, natural sounding, though by only a small margin. I was floored by the Nagra CDP + Chord QBD 76 combo in rendering the most detailed, neutral and yet coherent sound feed into the Phonitor+HD800, which were my best hours listening to the HD800.

Given more time, I should be able to compare how the HD800 against the rest of my collection – the Grado HP1-3, PS-1, the Edition 9, and my upcoming Edition 8. I am particularly interested at the comparison with the HP1000s and PS-1 since to some extent the HD800 share some common traits. I won’t consider a head-on comparison with the L3000 as they are very different headphones and sound very different in my opinion, so A/B comparison will not make too much sense given the very different characters between them.

Still having now heard the HD800 I tend to think my original worries of dull, boring music were unfounded. I have now determined to get one as soon as Sennheiser have sorted out its quality issues. Given its capability in single-ended setup, I just can’t help to wonder how much better the HD800 could have been in balanced configuration. And with this, Alex (of Apuresound), you have a pending order from me.

Before closing, let me just say the HD800 is definitely the best sounding current production headphone I have heard to-date. I do not know how it compares with the Edition 8 (which I will have one when Alex is done recabling it ), nor will I have a clue how the PS-1000 compares. But for the time being, it is definitely the king of headphone you will find in the shop today. It is also worthwhile to mention that the HD800 is quite amp-friendly so whoever what to get one can upgrade their amps step by step, as the HD800 with continue to "grow" with your other upgrades.

And last, but not least, I must say it is my own pair of ears so preference and impressions may not be the same as yours.

I hope you enjoy these long posts and wish you all the best with the HD800
F. Lo

 

[flash]

Να υποθέσω ότι δαγκώθηκες που έχασες τον Phonitor διαβάζοντας αυτό το review;

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Ο Headamp GS-1 είναι Dynahi στην ουσία (κι ο Lite που έβγαζαν ήταν DynaLo).
Γενικώς δηλαδή βασίζονται στη δουλειά του Gilmore που είναι προσβάσιμη σε όλους.
Άριστοι ενισχυτές αλλά θα πήγαινα εκεί μόνο αν δεν μπορούσα να τους φτιάξω ο ίδιος.

Τον Β22 πολλοί τον φτιάχνουν Balanced. Κι εγώ το σκεφτόμουν για τα AKG μου αλλά τα λυπάμαι να τα μοντάρω σε balanced.

 

[Dimitris77]

Να πω την αληθεια εμενα δεν ποιανουν καθολου τα χερια μου. Αν βρεις κανεναν να σου τον φερει απο Αμερικη δεν θα ειναι ασχημα. Ειναι σχετικα μικρος ενισχυτης ο GS-1 και χωρα σε βαλιτσα. Διαφορετικα να σου πω την αληθεια παρε ενα Benchmark DAC-1 και εχεις και καλη πηγη αν σου λειπει. Τι budget εχεις? Πιστευω οτι συντομα θα υπαρχει και κινεζικος balanced.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/audio-gd-phoenix-balanced-headphone-amp-417553/

Εγω θα ελεγα να παρεις τον DAC-1 να συνηθισεις τα HD800 και μετα αν θελεις αναβαθμιση πουλας τον DAC-1 χωρις να χασεις λεφτα.

 

[Filippos]

Απάντηση: Sennheiser HD800, Asus Xonar Essence ST και ενισχυτής ακουστικών

Αρκετές και ενδιαφέρουσες όλες τις προτάσεις. Τις τελευταίες μέρες διάβασα αρκετά για όλες. Από αυτές θα ψάξω λίγο ακόμη τις παρακάτω:

1) β22 balanced. Μόνο αν βρω κάποιον που να μπορεί να τον φτιάξει.

2) Κάποιον rudistor. Έχω διαβάσει τα καλύτερα αλλά και πολλά άσχημα γι' αυτούς. Την πρώτη φορά που έγραψα γι' αυτούς θυμόμουν μια τιμή 3500 ευρώ και γι' αυτό τους απέρριψα.

3) Violectric HPA V181. Καινούριος balanced ενισχυτής. Θα περιμένω κάποιο review ή τη γνώμη σας αν διαβάσετε τα τεχνικά χαρακτηριστικά του.

Αν έχω την υπομονή και δεν αγοράσω κάτι μέχρι το καλοκαίρι, μπορεί να κοιτάξω και κάτι από Αμερική οπότε μπορούν να μου φέρουν.

 

[caravelle]

Απάντηση: Sennheiser HD800, Asus Xonar Essence ST και ενισχυτής ακουστικών

Γειά σου φίλε! Ίσως σε ενδιαφέρουν:

1) ASUS XENSES

2)

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/xonar-essence-st-sneak-peak-414322/index90.html

3)

http://www.avsite.gr/vb/showthread.php?
t=76129