Novo+HD800 -> Solo?
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Headphone Audio
Forum Name: Graham Slee Headphone Amps
Forum Description: Questions, answers and product information zone for Graham Slee Headphone Amplifiers
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1245
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Topic: Novo+HD800 -> Solo?
Posted By: jrhughes
Subject: Novo+HD800 -> Solo?
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2011 at 3:05pm
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Hi, After a moment of weakness I find myself with the Sennheiser HD800. OK, it's not an impulse buy as such, as I diverted money I'd been saving for new speakers to the Senns instead; with an inquisitive, heavy-handed two-year-old I figured new speakers would be a bad idea. I digress... I've been using my Novo + Dacmagic + AKG K702 for a while now. I really like the K702 - especially after they opened up once run in - but there is sometimes a "strained" (for want of a better word) sound. A little harsh sometimes, despite the fact that bass had become quite full... not always, and not with all recordings, but whenever I heard it I was left wondering whether there's a good reason the K702(1) is classed as a studio monitor, rather than a "HiFi" headphone. So, the HD800 eradicates this totally. It's a similar type of sound to the K702 but much more full and refined. No, I won't hold back - they sound sublime, even with so few hours on them. The point of the post is this: they sound superb with my (DAK) Novo but good though the Novo clearly is, the Solo amps are obviously better. I've read around here and it seems that both Solo amps are good for the HD800 and that the Solo UL is the better of the two, but my concern is that the Solo UL may be overly warm with the HD800 (although it could improve the sound from the K702). I'm used to the solid state sound of the Novo which seems to be a much better match with the HD800 than with the K702. The Novo with either pair of cans is hugely revealing and I wouldn't want to lose any of that for the sake of extra warmth (which I'd say the K702 may need but the HD800 may not). Is the step up from Novo to Solo a large one, or is the step from Solo to Solo UL larger?
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Replies:
Posted By: shamu144
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2011 at 5:11pm
The UL is not warm, but very smooth sounding (pace) without loosing a bit of resolution. I haven't heard the HD800 with the UL, but I can't see how you would go wrong with this combination.
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jrhughes wrote:Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2011 at 5:39pm
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The Novo is very good and the Solo Ultralinear is even better. I would agree with Shamu144's comments about the UL. If it helps to have more details there are HD800 users here who may be able to explain the differences between the amps.
I wonder whether a home trial would help you to assess the benefits of a Solo UL in your setup? ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: jamescodway
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2011 at 9:05pm
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You may find this thread has some useful observations (though not wholly unanimous or conclusive)... http://www.gspaudio-community.activeboards.net/sennheiser-hd800_topic913_page1.html?KW=hd800" rel="nofollow - http://www.gspaudio-community.activeboards.net/sennheiser-hd800_topic913_page1.html?KW=hd800 Best James ------------- Voyager - HD25 |
Posted By: Marsh
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2011 at 9:53pm
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My experience with the U/L (albeit somewhat limited to date in total listening hours) has been very positive. To my ears, the amp is not warm but very natural sounding and there is no loss of detail whatsoever when compared to the standard Solo. If the budget stretches to it, I'd go for the U/L. Let us know what you decide and provide an update if you go for the U/L and how it matches with the HD800s. Cheers, Marsh
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Posted By: jrhughes
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2011 at 10:03pm
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Thanks guys. I must say I'm still amazed at how good the HD800s sound with the Novo, so an amp upgrade will probably have to be substantial (= Solo UL) and I'm glad that these do seem to be a good match. Now to start saving the pennies again... Thanks for the pointer about home trials, Fatmangolf. That is a brilliant opportunity and I may well take advantage of it - but will probably wait a while, so that I'm nearer the point at which I have the funds for one. Cheers.
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