Sennheiser HD800
 

So I finally got to hear a pair of HD800's today. I was quite impressed. They sounded more resolving, airy and had great bass texture making my HD650's surupy, slow and colored by comparison. They really bring out the dynamic contrast better and are very expressive with great tonal balance and natural sparkle that illuminates and enhances the music without sounding cold, sterile or artificially lean. My dealer just started selling the brand so of course I helped out with the order and was happy to do it! Great cans. :yes:

I am thinking of driving them with the only gear I have right now, the SME table/EAR phono and picking up a Ray Samuels Emmeline II "The Raptor" tubed headphone amp.

Serge...I'll bet they are sweet indeed. I've heard lots of good things about them. :yes:

Pete

Pete, lots of body and texture, no artificial warmth or sweetness. Just the way I like my systems. But yes, they are sweet by any other definition. :thumbsup:

Serge.......Once you have had some hours on the HD800's please give us a full blown review. I am still listening to my Sennheiser HD600's with my HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Class-A headphone amp. I have been interested in the HD800's since they were released.

You got it Dan. I'll cook them for a while with an iPod, I believe The Raptor has two inputs anyways. I wouldn't want to break them in by playing vinyl with my Dynavector XX2 cart and put unnecessary wear and tear in the table/cart. The vinyl will be used for actual listening sessions of course!

Ray Samuels said the HD800s and The Raptor tubed headphone amp are a "marriage made in heaven". We'll see...:scratch2:

Serge...I'd be interested in your thoughts on the The Raptor as well. Ray Samuels sells direct correct?

Yes. Will do!:thumbsup:

I have 2 pairs of HD800's.

I use a Grace M902B in Florida & Benchmark DAC-1 HDR in the Cape.

Wonderful phones... :music:

I bought headphones. I tried headphones. Headphones suck as a listening experience. They sit collecting dust. (If there was dust) Sorry.