Sennheiser hd 800s Dac/Amp recommendation Need your help :)

[Dogalicius]

I wanted to see if any of you experts on here would be willing to give me some advice.
I have amongst others my precious hd800s and i want to upgrade my current Amp/Dac
I have JDS objective 2, Aune T1 (I still like and prefer to my others) schiit fulla the first one. Some others in the same range as Objective 2 or lesser.
Now im thinking is Jds Atom 2 stack or Topping E30II and L30II a good upgrade, Now i just stumbled upon Amir review of Topping D50III.
So i wonder would that be a better buy with A50III ?
I was thinking not to spend much more than 300 USD. But if the upgrade is that much better i can go up to 500. I could also wait a bit and upgrade later to something in 700-800 USD Range. Would Topping DX7pro+ be that much better?

Any advice welcomed. Thank you in advance.

 

[Brian Hall]

What are you wanting to accomplish/improve? What do you not like about your current setup?

 

[Dogalicius]

I just feel like my setup is not delivering. Like i said i prefer my old Aune T1 Hybrid tupe amp.
I have yet to dive into EQ and plan on doing so soon. But im just wondering if i should upgrade. I feel like the Hd800s Deserve something better.
I just want to get you guys take on this. Would it be worth to splurge on upgrade. Or is my equipment good enough and perhaps i should just go for EQ and leave it at that?

 

[Doodski]

I just feel like my setup is not delivering. Like i said i prefer my old Aune T1 Hybrid tupe amp.
I have yet to dive into EQ and plan on doing so soon. But im just wondering if i should upgrade. I feel like the Hd800s Deserve something better.
I just want to get you guys take on this. Would it be worth to splurge on upgrade. Or is my equipment good enough and perhaps i should just go for EQ and leave it at that?

Try EQ and see how you think and feel about the new sound. PEQ is going to make a major improvement. Are you using a PC as a source and is it Mac or Microsoft?

EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.

Any suggestions are welcome. Post suggestions here. I will gather the details and add them. Thanks. :D This will be organized as results come in. @sweetchaos made a guide for PEQ filter data input and operation. For crossover software go here. Windows: AutoEQ four easy steps to make your...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Dogalicius]

Yes mostly PC MS .
The thing is my friend is in the states now, Im Icelandic. So if its worth it i could use him to bring it.
But if there is no need to upgrade, Im happy to dive in PEQ.

 

[Brian Hall]

Doodski is right about going for a bit of EQ before trying anything else. I've noticed very little difference between different headphone amps, my DAP and various dongle DACs. I started out using EQ to add more bass for the HD800S, but I am using less EQ with them the longer I have them.

 

[Dogalicius]

Thank you for the Advice, I there a good guide on here about how to EQ? I have had EQ in mind for long time, Just didn't go for it yet.

 

[Doodski]

Yes mostly PC MS .
The thing is my friend is in the states now, Im Icelandic. So if its worth it i could use him to bring it.
But if there is no need to upgrade, Im happy to dive in PEQ.

OK an amplifier is going to have a tiny tiny change in sound if one even exists and the PEQ will be a major change...

So install this. But do not open the program because there is a graphical interface you need to install over this stuff below...>>>

Equalizer APO

Download Equalizer APO for free. A system-wide equalizer for Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11. Equalizer APO is a parametric / graphic equalizer for Windows. It is implemented as an Audio Processing Object (APO) for the system effect infrastructure introduced with Windows Vista.

sourceforge.net

Then install this graphical interface... After installing this open PEACE and if it asks you for auto-updates permission say NO. That way it does not do a automatic upgrade and forget settings.

Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO

Download Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO for free. System-wide PC Audio Equalizer and Effects app for Windows 7 to 11. Peace equalizer is a Windows PC interface for Equalizer APO http://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo. Besides an system-wide audio equalizer on your Windows PC...

sourceforge.net

 

[Brian Hall]

Thank you for the Advice, I there a good guide on here about how to EQ? I have had EQ in mind for long time, Just didn't go for it yet.

Sennheiser HD800S Review (Headphone)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Sennheiser HD 800 S. A very kind member sent these months ago and has been patiently waiting for their review. The HD 800 S costs US $1,700 but I see it on Amazon for US $1,323 including Prime shipping. The HD800S is at the same time solid but...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Look at Amir's EQ settings for the HD800S in that review. Start with that.

 

[Doodski]

Sennheiser HD800S Review (Headphone)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Sennheiser HD 800 S. A very kind member sent these months ago and has been patiently waiting for their review. The HD 800 S costs US $1,700 but I see it on Amazon for US $1,323 including Prime shipping. The HD800S is at the same time solid but...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Look at Amir's EQ settings for the HD800S in that review. Start with that.

Orrr... He could just go freestyle on the graphical interface in a frenzy of orgasmic satisfaction and... Oh right this is just EQ...gg*

 

[Dogalicius]

Thank you both.
I will dive into this in the next days . Would it be worth it to buy a good Dac? I have decent motherboard.
ESS SABRE Hi-Fi 9118 DAC
ALC1220-VB Audio
Audiophile Grade WIMA Capacitors https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/X570S-AORUS-MASTER-rev-10#kf
But i feel like my old soundcard Asus Essence st pci card did a better job, But since never mother boards do Pci i cant use it any longer.

 

[Brian Hall]

I doubt another DAC would make much difference. Just do that if you need or want more features. Try the EQ options first. You may be happy with just that.

 

[Doodski]

Thank you both.
I will dive into this in the next days . Would it be worth it to buy a good Dac? I have decent motherboard.
ESS SABRE Hi-Fi 9118 DAC
ALC1220-VB Audio
Audiophile Grade WIMA Capacitors https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/X570S-AORUS-MASTER-rev-10#kf
But i feel like my old soundcard Asus Essence st pci card did a better job, But since never mother boards do Pci i cant use it any longer.

If you buy a separate DAC the sound quality difference will be so small I doubt you could ever hear any change. So use the motherboard and try the PEQ and see if that is enough to entertain you for awhile.

 

[Dogalicius]

Perfect, I will probably just start with what you advice. Im going to give this 2-3 more days to see if anyone else want to give their thoughts on the matter.
But im grateful for your advice @Doodski and @Brian Hall

 

[Doodski]

Perfect, I will probably just start with what you advice. Im going to give this 2-3 more days to see if anyone else want to give their thoughts on the matter.
But im grateful for your advice @Doodski and @Brian Hall

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Dogalicius]

Give me a couple of day and i will report. Just working like animal the next few days and then i have some time off to dive in

 

[Robbo99999]

I wanted to see if any of you experts on here would be willing to give me some advice.
I have amongst others my precious hd800s and i want to upgrade my current Amp/Dac
I have JDS objective 2, Aune T1 (I still like and prefer to my others) schiit fulla the first one. Some others in the same range as Objective 2 or lesser.
Now im thinking is Jds Atom 2 stack or Topping E30II and L30II a good upgrade, Now i just stumbled upon Amir review of Topping D50III.
So i wonder would that be a better buy with A50III ?
I was thinking not to spend much more than 300 USD. But if the upgrade is that much better i can go up to 500. I could also wait a bit and upgrade later to something in 700-800 USD Range. Would Topping DX7pro+ be that much better?

Any advice welcomed. Thank you in advance.

$10 Apple Dongle works fine with it for me (and that's the 0.5V European version, not the 1V US Version). I even use a -12dB preamp, but part of my EQ curve is boosting 2kHz by a few dB so that helps offset the -12dB preamp a little in terms of perceived loudness loss. Sometime I listen at around 78dB average A-weighted for a track measured on my miniDSP EARS, not normally much louder than that, but peaks will be higher than 78dB. So yeah, I don't think you have to worry too much about what amp to get for HD800s. I have the HD800 which is nearly the same headphone.

 

[Coverpage]

I know objectively they may not measure well, but I’d recommend the EF400 or the EF500 which sounds the same or similar, but with better inputs. I own the HD800S and love the way they sound on these inexpensive Hifiman DAC amps even compared to more expensive gear. You might too, should try them in store.

 

[solderdude]

I just feel like my setup is not delivering. Like i said i prefer my old Aune T1 Hybrid tupe amp.
I have yet to dive into EQ and plan on doing so soon. But im just wondering if i should upgrade. I feel like the Hd800s Deserve something better.
I just want to get you guys take on this. Would it be worth to splurge on upgrade. Or is my equipment good enough and perhaps i should just go for EQ and leave it at that?

aune T1 as well as JDS labs are perfectly able to drive the HD800S.
There won't be any audible difference between the JDS and all mentioned 'upgrades'.
The thing is that when you believe there will be a difference or people tell you there is/will be then it is highly likely you will either also hear differences or you will always be wondering if sound can get even better yet again.

Just know that what you have is more than good enough for this headphone. You don't need other dac nor amp.

As has been suggested... use EQ. That's where you can make an actual and substantial difference in sound quality.

 

[Dogalicius]

Thank you all for the information. Im happy to hear that im good and EQ is the way to go.
Now im wondering if i should buy a portable dac. I already have this https://talkingabout.music.blog/202...ying-out-my-first-piece-of-haptic-technology/
Would it make any sense to buy the best portable amp/Dac
Sorry for all the questions.