Sennheiser HD800

[Adrock]

Happy New Year, everyone!

... and this year is going to be a Happy One!

Through a recent sales promotion at work, I was able to earn myself a pair of new headphones, and as of today, they are on the way to me!

Sennheiser HD800

The HD800s have a street price of $1499.99.

I am really excited. I have had the opportunity to use and listen to these on 3 separate occasions before, and was very very pleased.

I will most likely have to buy a dedicated, or higher end Headphone Amplifier than I currently have, but since the phones didn't cost me anything, I am quite alright with that!

Here are a few stock pictures, but I'll take and post some other ones once I receive my set!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Hi Adam!

Long time no see and nice score on those cans! And a big congrats on the promotion! Woohoo!

[ZIPPO]

Congrats!
Nothing beats FREE...

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Hi Adam!

Long time no see and nice score on those cans! And a big congrats on the promotion! Woohoo!

Hi John! Thank you very much!

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

Congrats!
Nothing beats FREE...

Thank you, Zippo! This is definitely true!

I'll be sure to take some pictures and post them once I receive them.

[Nisei]

I know what I would do...
Sell these unopened for at least $1000 and buy a pair of Sennheiser HD650 for $400
You're not an audiophile so you won't hear any difference and you'll have $600 to spend on Blu-rays

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by Nisei

You're not an audiophile so you won't hear any difference and you'll have $600 to spend on Blu-rays

Well, you would be incorrect there.

I have DEMO'd the HD800 and HD650 side by side, and the difference is easily worth it for me to keep the HD800s, will probably me even more so once I get my new headphone amplifier to replace my current one.

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by Adrock

Well, you would be incorrect there.

I have DEMO'd the HD800 and HD650 side by side, and the difference is easily worth it for me to keep the HD800s, will probably me even more so once I get my new headphone amplifier to replace my current one.

What are you looking at to power those cans? Cheap way is to find a vintage receiver with headphones out. The vintage gear usually connects the phone out on the mains. I'm using an old H/K and all my phones are real happy and my vintage AKG K340 electrostats are very demanding, up high on the list. They sound wonderful amp'ed like that. might be cheaper than a dedicated

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

What are you looking at to power those cans? Cheap way is to find a vintage receiver with headphones out. The vintage gear usually connects the phone out on the mains. I'm using an old H/K and all my phones are real happy and my vintage AKG K340 electrostats are very demanding, up high on the list. They sound wonderful amp'ed like that. might be cheaper than a dedicated

Hey pentatonic,

Thanks for your advice. Currently, I have this dedicated Headphone amp by Pro-ject:

Head Box S This sounds pretty good with some of my lower impedance BeyerDynamic headphones, and I'm sure I'll try this one out with the HD800 once I receive them, but I have already been looking to order another more specific amp to drive them.

I am about 95% sure though, that this is the one I am going to go with once I receive the HD800s. I didn't want to order it too far in advance as then I would not be able to return it if it isn't quite what I was hoping for.

Schiit Audio - Valhalla

This amp is really designed specifically for higher impedance cans, specifically 300-600 ohms. (Like the Senny HD800 or Beyer T1).

Been looking at a few other options as well, but that is where I am at so far.

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by Adrock

Hey Pentatonic,

Thanks for your advice. Currently, I have this dedicated Headphone amp by Pro-ject:

Head Box S This sounds pretty good with some of my lower impedance BeyerDynamic headphones, and I'm sure I'll try this one out with the HD800 once I receive them, but I have already been looking to order another more specific amp to drive them.

I am about 95% sure though, that this is the one I am going to go with once I receive the HD800s. I didn't want to order it too far in advance as then I would not be able to return it if it isn't quite what I was hoping for.

Schiit Audio - Valhalla

This amp is really designed specifically for higher impedance cans, specifically 300-600 ohms. (Like the Senny HD800 or Beyer T1).

Been looking at a few other options as well, but that is where I am at so far.

Seems like you know your Schiit . I was going to get something like that or a Little Dot MkIII but the receiver just works wonders, and I added 2 speakers also (my pc room). They are bigger but work well (just a resistor lowering the power). My K340 are 400 ohms and possibly in the top 5 as hard to drive. I am not even looking for a dedicated anymore, I doubt they would be better.

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

Seems like you know your Schiit .

Originally Posted by pentatonic

I was going to get something like that or a Little Dot MkIII but the receiver just works wonders, and I added 2 speakers also (my pc room). They are bigger but work well (just a resistor lowering the power). My K340 are 400 ohms and possibly in the top 5 as hard to drive. I am not even looking for a dedicated anymore, I doubt they would be better.

Yeah, I debated doing something similar and possibly going that route, but I think dedicated would work better for my uses. This way, I can use it with either my Turn Table setup, with my theater/blu-ray set up, or I might even consider picking up this as well:

Schiit - Bi-Frost

Then, I'll have a really nice dedicated DAC as well as amp, so if I want to use it for any digital or analog source, I'll pretty much be covered with some high quality components. Still not sure about the DAC yet, but I have been toying with it for use with my main computer/audio workstation.

Anyways, a vintage receiver would probably be a good idea except for the fact it would probably be too big and hard to move around if I want to use it in other rooms or with other sources.

Thanks for your input though!

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by Adrock

Yeah, I debated doing something similar and possibly going that route, but I think dedicated would work better for my uses. This way, I can use it with either my Turn Table setup, with my theater/blu-ray set up, or I might even consider picking up this as well:

Schiit - Bi-Frost

Then, I'll have a really nice dedicated DAC as well as amp, so if I want to use it for any digital or analog source, I'll pretty much be covered with some high quality components. Still not sure about the DAC yet, but I have been toying with it for use with my main computer/audio workstation.

Anyways, a vintage receiver would probably be a good idea except for the fact it would probably be too big and hard to move around if I want to use it in other rooms or with other sources.

Thanks for your input though!

Damn, sure a DAC, you get the cans for free so def worth it. The Bi-Frost is well received and they match up well. Too bad Schiit doesn't make a DAC/AMP in one unit.

Going tube is nice and has it's advantages. Looking forward to your impression once all hooked up

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

Damn, sure a DAC, you get the cans for free so def worth it. The Bi-Frost is well received and they match up well. Too bad Schiit doesn't make a DAC/AMP in one unit.

Going tube is nice and has it's advantages. Looking forward to your impression once all hooked up

That is what I was thinking. Free cans makes it definitely worth it. Yeah, it would be nice if Schiit did have a combo DAC/HA but, their products are pretty reasonably priced for the quality components that they use, and for being made in the US. 5 Year warranty, too.

Will do! Yeah, I'll be sure to take and post some pics and impressions once I get the cans, and eventually the Valhalla and maybe Bi-Frost as well.

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by Adrock

That is what I was thinking. Free cans makes it definitely worth it. Yeah, it would be nice if Schiit did have a combo DAC/HA but, their products are pretty reasonably priced for the quality components that they use, and for being made in the US. 5 Year warranty, too.

Will do! Yeah, I'll be sure to take and post some pics and impressions once I get the cans, and eventually the Valhalla and maybe Bi-Frost as well.

. Good luck, and enjoy

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

. Good luck, and enjoy

Thanks, pentatonic!

[Adrock]

Update:



I ordered not only my headphone amp, but also a really nice DAC.

Here are links and pics:

Should be delivered this week, and my headphones should be arriving next week. Once I receive everything, I'll post some pictures and reviews.

DAC

Schiit - BiFrost





Headphone Amp

Schiit - Valhalla

[ZIPPO]

Nice DAC & amp choice! I use their Magni/Modi combo with my computer, good stuff.

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

Nice DAC & amp choice! I use their Magni/Modi combo with my computer, good stuff.

Thanks, ZIPPO. That is great to hear about the M&M Combo. I may end up ordering that for my other computer setup as well. Really looking forward to the Bi/Val combo though. I love supporting such a cool US company as well.

[Zyclone]

congrats on the new cans mate enjoy them

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by Zyclone

congrats on the new cans mate enjoy them

Thank you, Zyclone.

[meremortal]

Always wanted to hear these. I've had the HD600s for years and love them. They're a downright bargain these days and still hold up well, but can't deny I've thought of 'moving up' the Sennheiser line. Maybe one day. Amazing that you scored these for free.