Sennheiser HD800 Headphone arrived

[Toccata]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Toccata.......Your Oppo BDP-105 headphone amplifier will shine with the Sennheiser HD800. Oppo has designed the headphone amplifier to be audiophile quality and mate perfectly with 300 Ω headphones. The Sennheiser HD800 is a 300 Ω headphone. The BDP-105 headphone amplifier frequency response is rated 20Hz – 20kHz: ±0.3dB into 300 Ω and is fed directly from the ESS Sabre DAC. I would expect the performance to be nothing short of outstanding.

Great, thanks. Now I just need to sell my Stax headphones.

[wpascoe]

Y'all have me interested. VERY interested.

Problem: My Audio Research Ref 40 preamp doesn't have a headphone jack. Does anyone make a unit that allows me to plug it into an unused preamp output and then connect the headphones to that unit? Is that what a headphone amp does? Or am I cursed, as far as headphone use is concerned with this preamp?

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by wpascoe

Y'all have me interested. VERY interested.

Problem: My Audio Research Ref 40 preamp doesn't have a headphone jack. Does anyone make a unit that allows me to plug it into an unused preamp output and then connect the headphones to that unit? Is that what a headphone amp does? Or am I cursed, as far as headphone use is concerned with this preamp?

Bill.......Your Audio Research Ref 40 unused stereo output will feed any high quality headphone amplifier. Plug the Sennheiser HD800 into the headphone amplifier and you're good to go.

[Antonmb]

Dan, congratulations and thanks for the great review. I had heard these were a little on the analytical side but it doesn't sound like it from your comments. I haven't had a set of Sennheisers in years but you've piqued my interest. The Musical Fidelity is tubed, isn't it? I'm thinking my Woo might drive these nicely.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Dan, congratulations and thanks for the great review. I had heard these were a little on the analytical side but it doesn't sound like it from your comments. I haven't had a set of Sennheisers in years but you've piqued my interest. The Musical Fidelity is tubed, isn't it? I'm thinking my Woo might drive these nicely.

Tony.......Yes the Musical Fidelity X-Can V8P is a tube headphone amplifier. I have two Gold Lions installed in it right now and love the sound with the HD800 with the Musical Fidelity amp.

I have read a few comments about the Sennheiser HD800 where it was said they sound analytical. I have read far more comments and a couple reviews that favor my opinion. I find the HD800's resolution to be exceptional, detailed, and airy. The bottom frequencies are full and rich with plenty of authority and proper timbre. The midrange is wonderful and the front angle of the headphone drivers in relation to the ear's position inside the large ear cups presents a soundstage width and depth I have not experienced with any other headphone. I suspect those who find the HD800 too detailed for their tastes are simply used to a less resolving headphone and have a preference for a more laid back performance, but honestly who knows. All I can say is I have owned and listened to the Sennheiser HD580 and HD600 for a number of years and liked the HD600 the best until now. The HD800 has brought my headphone listening satisfaction to a whole new level. I put more hours into listening to the HD800 in the eight days I have owned them than I did with the HD600 in a month. The comfort level has a lot to do with my enjoyment as well.

High-end headphones are just like high-end speakers and gear, everyone has their own opinion. It just so happens my opinion of the Sennheiser HD800 is it delivers premium sound, an amazing sound stage, and extended wear comfort. I couldn't be happier.

[wpascoe]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Bill.......Your Audio Research Ref 40 unused stereo output will feed any high quality headphone amplifier. Plug the Sennheiser HD800 into the headphone amplifier and you're good to go.

Dan ... Okay, so I connect a headphone amp (say, the Sennheiser HDVA 600?) via the unused RCA output from the Ref 40. Then I plug in the headphones to the headphone amp. It's that simple?

The point of using a headphone amp and headphones is to listen at comfortable levels without my speakers. Am I correct in assuming I would turn the volume level on the Ref 40 to zero, and control the volume of the headphones through the volume control on the headphone amp? Is that the way it works? Or do I just leave my monoblocks turned off?

Which headphone amps work best? I'd only be listening to vinyl through the headphone amp -- anything digital I could play through my OPPO player -- and I'd like to keep it on the warm side of neutral. Any thoughts?

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Tony.......Yes the Musical Fidelity X-Can V8P is a tube headphone amplifier. I have two Gold Lions installed in it right now and love the sound with the HD800 with the Musical Fidelity amp.

I have read a few comments about the Sennheiser HD800 where it was said they sound analytical. I have read far more comments and a couple reviews that favor my opinion. I find the HD800's resolution to be exceptional, detailed, and airy. The bottom frequencies are full and rich with plenty of authority and proper timbre. The midrange is wonderful and the front angle of the headphone drivers in relation to the ear's position inside the large ear cups presents a soundstage width and depth I have not experienced with any other headphone. I suspect those who find the HD800 too detailed for their tastes are simply used to a less resolving headphone and have a preference for a more laid back performance, but honestly who knows. All I can say is I have owned and listened to the Sennheiser HD580 and HD600 for a number of years and liked the HD600 the best until now. The HD800 has brought my headphone listening satisfaction to a whole new level. I put more hours into listening to the HD800 in the eight days I have owned them than I did with the HD600 in a month. The comfort level has a lot to do with my enjoyment as well.

High-end headphones are just like high-end speakers and gear, everyone has their own opinion. It just so happens my opinion of the Sennheiser HD800 is it delivers premium sound, an amazing sound stage, and extended wear comfort. I couldn't be happier.

Having just visited with Dan I can concur first hand with what he has said. The combination of sonic performance and comfort of the HD800 is outstanding, without a doubt the best I have experienced. I brought my HD600's along for the visit and did a lot of A/B comparing. The HD600 is no slouch by any means, but the HD800 clearly outperforms them by a good margin. More detail, better soundstage, and it's very obvious Sennheiser did a lot of homework in the area of comfort.

Of course, I benefited from Dan's upgrade, having purchased his mint condition HD600's from him. The HD800 is clearly superior, but it is out of my league at the moment. I can assure you, however, that I will be very happy "suffering along" with the HD600's for a good while.

[Antonmb]

Dan & Pete, thanks very much for the response. These will have to go to the top of my headphone upgrade list. I've tried the Audeze LCD-2 & 3 that seem to dominate the hit parade these days but found them way too heavy (literally & figuratively) for me, I couldn't wear them for more than a 1/2 hour. I love the fact that the HD800s are only half the weight. Thanks again for the insight.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by wpascoe

Dan ... Okay, so I connect a headphone amp (say, the Sennheiser HDVA 600?) via the unused RCA output from the Ref 40. Then I plug in the headphones to the headphone amp. It's that simple?

The point of using a headphone amp and headphones is to listen at comfortable levels without my speakers. Am I correct in assuming I would turn the volume level on the Ref 40 to zero, and control the volume of the headphones through the volume control on the headphone amp? Is that the way it works? Or do I just leave my monoblocks turned off?

Which headphone amps work best? I'd only be listening to vinyl through the headphone amp -- anything digital I could play through my OPPO player -- and I'd like to keep it on the warm side of neutral. Any thoughts?

Bill.......To feed a headphone amplifier you will need to use a line level output, one that is not controlled by the Ref 40's volume control, then just leave your Ref 40 volume control turned down or turn off the amplifiers. You will control your headphone volume from the headphone amplifier volume control.

There are other ways to feed you headphone amp, too. You can also feed the analog inputs on the headphone amp from a second set of analog outputs on your DAC if available or a second set of outputs from a CD player or music server. My Musical Fidelity X-Can V8P headphone amp is fed from my Wyred 4 Sound DAC2 analog outputs. I feed the DAC2 with a digital output from an Oppo BDP-83 and a USB input from my Sony Vaio laptop. I don't have the headphone amp connected directly to any sound system. I use it as a stand alone headphone system in my office. I listen to the Sennheiser HD800 right at my desk while I surf the web and enjoy my time of Audio Aficionado. It's perfect for me.

You mentioned the Sennheiser HDVA 600 headphone amp. I am very interested in that headphone amplifier. If I pull the trigger on the HDVA 600 amp, I will also purchase the Sennheiser CH 800 S balanced headphone cable for the HD800. Everything I have read indicates that combination delivers absolute best performance with the HD800.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by jdandy

You mentioned the Sennheiser HDVA 600 headphone amp. I am very interested in that headphone amplifier. If I pull the trigger on the HDVA 600 amp, I will also purchase the Sennheiser CH 800 S balanced headphone cable for the HD800. Everything I have read indicates that combination delivers absolute best performance with the HD800.

I knew this was coming Dan......