Quote:
Originally Posted by AudioGremlin
I use Senn HD800 with a Lehmann Linear, would I get a worthwhile advantage changing to a Senn HDVA 600? The amp input is only RCA.
|
Allan.......Your Lehmann Linear headphone amplifier is quite good. I auditioned one with a Sennheiser HD600 headphone and thought the sound was impressive. At the time I owned a Gilmore Lite headphone amplifier by HeadAmp. I decided to keep my Gilmore Lite because it sounded good by comparison and was considerable less expensive than the Lehmann Linear amp. Then I got the headphone upgrade bug, sold my HD600 and purchased the Sennheiser HD800, the Sennheiser CH800S balanced headphone cable, and the Sennheiser HDVA600 headphone amplifier. I made this purchase without auditioning any of it. I was not disappointed in the least.
As for the Sennheiser HDVA600, it is a true step up in performance over my old Gilmore Lite. The fully balanced Class A design of the HDVA600 delivers a silky smooth presentation at all volume levels, dynamic range is remarkably quick and robust, the bass is solid, deep, and richly tuneful. The Alps volume control tracks perfectly and is absolutely silent. I like that the HDVA600 has both balanced and unbalanced inputs. I only use the balanced inputs but being able to connect two separate source components to the headphone amp and switch between them with the front panel control knob is a plus. I also like having both unbalanced and four pin balanced headphone jacks, a total of four. All of these features add to the versatility of the headphone amp. It is a beautifully made amplifier with high precision fit and finish that is so typical of German manufactured products.
When I first researched the Sennheiser HDVA600 I learned that the amplifier was developed and built by Sennheiser engineers as the reference amplifier used during the design and development of the HD800 headphone. It was not originally designed to be a marketable product, simply a reference amp for lab use. As it turned out, the amplifier was so good Sennheiser decided to create the HDVA600 and bring it to market. It was followed by the HDVD800 headphone amp which has the same amplifier used with the Sennheiser HDVA600 but includes an internal DAC.
Since you own the Sennheiser HD800 headphone, the Sennheiser HDVA600 headphone amplifier seems like its natural mate. I am confident you would be completely satisfied with its performance.