I absolutely agree, I have an HD800S and an Arya Stealth. I like both, but I would keep the HD800S too.
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Coming from the DT880s(250ohm)...I'm torn between these three end game cans(HD 800 S, DCA E3, HE 1000SE). Which should I get?
- Thread starter isamu99
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- #82
How would you describe the detail and clarity on the HD800S compared to others in its price range?
Also do you agree with others that say pairing it with an amp that delivers a thick, tube-like sound, in order to bring out some warmness from those headphones...is a good idea?
I am not good in sound descriptions, but for me the HD800S is perfect with a bit of EQ. The details, clarity and what people call soundstage is the best that I ever had. But at least this are my personal impressions.
I use a Topping A90/D90SE stack since years or an RME ADI-2 DAC FS for listening on my desktop. Both are perfect for me. For EQ I use EAPO on my computer. I don't miss anything so why should I add distortion by using tubes.
When I listen to IEM I use my desktop equipment with EAPO for EQ or when I listen with my phone I use Qudelix 5k for EQ.
Since a while I am very happy with all I have, I don't feel any need for an upgrade.
Tube amps are counter productive, overpriced and outdated. If they add "warmness" (distortion), you are losing quality and detail. In that case you might as well buy the worst set of headphones you can find. All you need for great sound with the HD800S is any well measuring headphone amp and a bit of bass boost.
They sound great with the Schiit Midgard, the SMSL Raw MDA1, the Eversolo DAC Z8, the Loxjie A40, the headphone jack on the Wiim Ultra, etc. All of those have more than enough power to drive the HD800S.
They also sound great with my DAP, the HIBY R6 gen 3.
- Thread Starter
- #85
Awesome thanks man. Do you have any experience with the iFI Audio iCAN Signature headphone amp?
Rayman30
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If its the anything like the iFi Audio iCAN Amp that Amir reviewed years ago, a run of the mill $120 amp such as a Schitt Magni or JDS Labs Atom outperform it in all but power. Throwing money at this hobby will not guarantee that you reach "End Game" level.
Anecdotally, I once got to sit and listen to a HiFiMan Susvara ($4,500) on a $50,000 dCS Lina Stack. The Susvara does not review well, it gets outperformed by the $250 Sundara, the Lina Stack I have no idea, but lets just say I doubt I would have heard a difference if they just connected it to something else that had enough power. Funny thing is I really enjoyed the sound, but after 15 minutes, I was told I was listening with an EQ applied, did not have time to hear it without EQ properly. Funny that setup would need EQ.
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solderdude
Grand Contributor
It can drive any headphone.
The special features can change the sound in ways that would otherwise require digital manipulation.
It is overkill in power for 99% of the headphones out there. You should be careful when using it with headphones that are rated 30mW or so.
Sound quality is excellent (just like 99% of all other headphone amps).
The test of the Ifi Audio iCAN Amp that Amir made was not so shiny in all aspects like high output impedance (3.2 Ohm) and output channel imbalance. I recommend to read Amir's conclusion.
It's overkill in any way including the tube mode nonsense and not state of the art. And at a fraction of it's price it's possible to get better amps. Just look at the reviews that Amir made, it's not a big challenge.
In another thread you asked how bright is the glow of this device? Is this the only concern you have about this device?
It's overkill in any way including the tube mode nonsense and not state of the art. And at a fraction of it's price it's possible to get better amps. Just look at the reviews that Amir made, it's not a big challenge.
In another thread you asked how bright is the glow of this device? Is this the only concern you have about this device?
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- Thread Starter
- #89
In addition to the HE1000UV, there's a chance I might be getting a pair of Tungstens, which require a mammoth amount of power. So I don't think the iCAN will be overkill for those.
solderdude
Grand Contributor
1.6/3.2ohm is low enough for just about any headphone.
Tungsten = 85dB/V (150ohm) so requires a high output voltage.
In SE mode the ican will only reach 10V = 105dB peak which is loud but not very loud.
In balanced mode you can reach 109dB peaks which is loud enough for most people.
It is (secretly) more like a speaker amp so is great with unusually low impedance headphones when it comes to power output in low sensitivity headphones.
Over-priced .... sure
Can you buy something better for the money ... sure
Tungsten = 85dB/V (150ohm) so requires a high output voltage.
In SE mode the ican will only reach 10V = 105dB peak which is loud but not very loud.
In balanced mode you can reach 109dB peaks which is loud enough for most people.
It is (secretly) more like a speaker amp so is great with unusually low impedance headphones when it comes to power output in low sensitivity headphones.
Over-priced .... sure
Can you buy something better for the money ... sure
respice finem
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Just an observation, not own experience (I avoided it from the start): People buying "exotic" or "niche" stuff mostly regret it later.
- Thread Starter
- #93
Thanks for the feedback. Agreed, overpriced at retail. But I'm getting one for nearly half price
- Thread Starter
- #94
Yes that's correct, I'm getting the newer "Signature" version.
- Thread Starter
- #95
In your opinion what would be a smarter buy over the iCan at the same price range?
- Thread Starter
- #96
Correct...that's kinda the reason why I want it. Because it's the only amp I've see that allows you to mess with the soundstage and make it artificially large. That's what I'm after.
There is no "Ifi Audio iCAN Amp Signature".
On the Ifi homepage there is only:
- Ifi Audio Pro iDSD Signature (DAC/AMP)
- Ifi Audio iCAN PHANTOM (AMP)
But I must say I am not very familiar with Ifi gear.
- Thread Starter
- #98
There isn't?
solderdude
Grand Contributor
It depends on what functionality you are looking for while not wanting to resort to some digital trickery.
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It’s hard to say what would be best for you. IMO, tonality trumps spatial effects in the long run, but then again, I do prefer EQ’d HD800s over HD600s.
As for artificial enlargement, I’ve tried Sonarworks’ virtual monitor simulator (software DSP). It’s convincing when watching movies - you feel like the sound is coming from the TV - but it falls apart with music because of how it alters tonality. Not many amps have features like that, maybe just crossfeed on some.
There’s also the Ferrum Wandla GS edition with its Spatial Enhancement feature - but that’s $3,3k for a DAC with a DSP gimmick. Is it worth it..I don't know, maybe if you value it highly, but be sure that’s what you really want.
And @respice finem made a good point about exotics.
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