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Old 09-09-2016, 05:50 AM
AudioGremlin AudioGremlin is offline
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Default Change of headphone amp

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.
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Old 09-09-2016, 06:19 AM
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I had a good experience pairing the original Schiit Lyr with the HD800.
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Old 09-09-2016, 10:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AudioGremlin View Post
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.
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Last edited by jdandy; 09-09-2016 at 10:20 AM.
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Old 09-09-2016, 10:18 AM
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I second that! (Senn 800 with HDVA 600)
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Old 09-09-2016, 01:32 PM
AudioGremlin AudioGremlin is offline
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Thanks guys, just what I was wanting to know, especially with changing over to a balanced headphone lead that I hadn't thought about.
Has there been any listening comparisons between unbalanced (RCA) to balanced (XLR) interconnect inputs? I guess the balanced would be better.
I like the rear pre-set gain and also a balance control and the ability to changeover inputs, really neat.
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Old 10-13-2016, 07:42 PM
AudioGremlin AudioGremlin is offline
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jdandy, thanks and apologies for the late response. I've now replaced the Lehmann linear with a Sennheiser HDVA600. The improvement is night and day, I really thought the Lehmann was excellent until I listened to the Sennheiser. Listening is now so addictive, everything has improved so much, CD's sound more like SACD's now. Much better dynamics, truer bass and a lot better transparency. Its also interesting to detect edit points and tape printthrough I actually hadn't heard before (it doesn't detract from the experience).
A great listening investment, many thanks for your encouragement.
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Old 10-13-2016, 08:11 PM
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Allan.......Pleased to hear you are satisfied with the Sennheiser HDVA600 headphone amplifier. My experience parallels yours when I replaced the Gilmore Lite HeadAmp and the Musical Fidelity X-Can Pro with the HDVA600. Combining the Sennheiser HD800 headphone with the Sennheiser HDVA600 headphone amplifier brings out the best of both products. I was certain you would be happy.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A

Last edited by jdandy; 10-14-2016 at 11:40 AM.
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  #8  
Old 10-14-2016, 02:50 AM
AudioGremlin AudioGremlin is offline
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I forgot to mention that I also changed over to the Sennheiser balanced headphone lead for the HD800. I don't know how much yet this upgrade added but it appeared to be the right thing to include.
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