If you can find an auralic taurus mkii for sale in that range used thatās a really great option for the 800s, really helps with bass body and a bit smoother in the treble. For something more neutral but a bit of warmth, if you can find a used violectric v280 pop up thatās a really solid choice. For something very neutral and clarity focused, perhaps finding a bakoon hpa-21 if there are any used would be really nice.
I know you said you werenāt interested in a tube amp, but you can get an extremely clean and neutral tube amp if you wanted (sometimes more than solid state amps), something like a dragon iha1 or lta mz2 would be very good, but that would be pushing the budget wise used
Hey gonna jump in hereā¦ I own the HD800s and I recently bought the new Philips X3. If donāt want to loose the bass and still want details with the same soundstage, no jokeā¦ check these out. Plus you can save some money. We have been comparing them over in another thread where we discus the new Philips X3 and the Philips 9600
Damn, looking at the prices i almost got a heart attack. Iām a stubborn person, Iāll still buy the HD800S and pair it with my SMSL - but reading this thread and what you told me i got it in the back of my mind to upgrade now so i know it will very shortly.
Iāll have to look around for used, or any good prices. Thanks for the help.
For sure itās a step up, but itās a sizable jump in all around performance as well. Start off with the sp200, you should be fine if you can take a 1990 on there, see what you think, and if you end up really liking them but want to take them to the next level, perhaps pursue a higher end amp
Imo about similar to the sp200 (although I might slightly prefer the topping, but many of the complaints I have with the thx amps holds true here as well), if I would pick a more budget solid state amp, I would probably choose something like a asgard 3, or in the 500 ish range perhaps an rnhp with an 800s. I would give a nod to the liquid platinum if you wanted to color it in a smoother and more full bodied way and thatās still pretty much solid state. But a tube in the under 500 range I would probably say a bottlehead crack + speedball (other tube options would end up being a bit more expensive than 500 like a hagerman tuba or feliks echo or something). And a budget dac to go with that I would probably pick up something like the allo revolution dac, or pick up an earmen donald dac and save for a bifrost 2 later on (if I keep the cap at 500 new)
Just an additional note to say (to those it may concern) that I tried switching back to stock pads, as I went with the Dekoni pads right away when I got these headphones. I actually prefer the stock pads. The Dekoni pads push the drivers further away from your ears due to their added thickness, and this shaped the headband in such a way that it created a hot spot on the top of my head, making for a bit of discomfort. I also personally find that bass is a little stronger with the stock pads. Othersā mileage may vary, of course.
Nothing because Iām waiting on soekris 2541 (the upgraded 1541) and will combine it with v280, that will be my combo for sure but if they delay 2541 into next year Iāll give up and get a 1541 with v280. Hopefully it releases by the end of the year.
HD800s will work well with any of these you can find in your price range. Many choices, just not sure about availability in EU. Good luck, there are more bu these were the ones i know have HP amps and maybe you can find some new or used at your price range or near it. Best of luckš
So I tested out a modded HD800 powered by a JDS Atom and loved it. Iām considering buying a HD800S but am concerned about the amp pairing, as I have the Asgard 3, and am worried about how it would pair together. Would it be a good pairing or should I just get an Elex/ Auteur instead?
Iām assuming it had the super dupont resonator mod. If you liked the modded HD800, youād probably like S version also. The Asgard 3 should be a better pairing than the Atom as well.
Has anyone used them for casual single player games like witcher 3,rdr2,sekiro,god of war etc?Hows the experience and what amp would you recommend for these headphones. I plan to do both competitive and fun gaming in these
