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Lots of folks on Head-Fi think the HD-800 S solves problems many found...

198.27.242.3

In Reply to: RE: IF you indeed end up with the HD-800 S.... posted by John C. - Aussie on August 27, 2017 at 16:10:07

with the HD-800 (un-modded). I use a balanced cable with my HD-600 and the Aduio-GD Master 11 is a pretty good balanced DAC/Headphone amp. Compares favorably to Schiit's best DAC/Headphone amp, at least in my view, albeit with very little time I was able to spend with it.

I usually take a couple sets of headphones when I attend shows for just that reason.

Also got to spend some time with the top-of-the-line SCHITT stack at RMAF last year listening with the new HiFiMan HE-1000 Ver. 2. That's a setup I could live with, I think.

My current system is the uRendu, powered by an LPS-1 Ultra-Cap PS with Canare Quad-Star DC cable, directly plugged into the USB port of my DAC (no cord, just the UpTone USPCB A>B Adapter which lets you switch off the 5V line).

Beats the laptop-USB set up I had before by a bit, even when adding the Regen into the mix.

Follow Ups:

RE: Lots of folks on Head-Fi think the HD-800 S solves problems many found... - John C. - Aussie 18:33:28 08/27/17 (2)
At 82 next month my hearing is not great for the high frequencies so I never found the HD800 unbearable as some have. That said, I do find the 800S smoother.

The problem with a lot of headphone comparison is just how trustworthy is auditory memory? It takes time to change headphones and the physical act can be distracting.

I often feel that "Different" is interpreted as "Better" and many audio addicts change headphones & other components because they get bored with the current sound, regardless of how good it is. The result is great for retailers but leaves the audiophile moving sideways rather than forward. And I've been guilty of that many, many times.

What can be more subjective than music? It reflects our individual tastes, says he enjoying many thousand albums on a Roon music Server.
- Guess that's why I still have the HD-600 after all of these years.... - Ivan303 19:28:22 08/27/17 (1)
  Too bad one can't demo headphones for a month or two before purchase.
  - Demo-ing headphones - John C. - Aussie 20:14:11 08/27/17 (0)
    And that touches on another weird aspect of this "hobby".
    
    One can become"acclimatised" to a certain sound so that it becomes the preferred option. This can display itself with music where a particular way a musical work or song is heard so repeatedly then anything different is disliked.
    
    Note this is not a criticism. If someone likes what he/she is hearing either the music, headphones or whatever, then end of story. Enjoyment of the music is the purpose so if personal satisfaction is found via a certain path, then that is all that really matters.
    
    What can be more subjective than music? It reflects our individual tastes, says he enjoying many thousand albums on a Roon music Server.

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