Hey everyone,

I decided to bite the bullet and grab a set of the HD800S while they’re on sale. My current equipment just involves the SMSL C200 dac amp which is powering my current headphones (ATH R70X).

I’ve been doing some more research after ordering the HD800S and I’ve been seeing a lot of people saying that you “need” a Tube Amp for these; is this true by any means? I don’t have much experience with them.

  • rextilleonBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Need a tube amp–LOL–how ridiculous. My 800S do quite well on a Fiio 7.

    • PutPineappleOnPizzaBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I feel like everyone on here blindly recommends tubes without ever having tried them. I have a tube amp it’s maybe 5% different from my FiiO K5 pro.

      • rextilleonBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Thank you–finally!!! There is one other person who understands the placebo effect. By the way the few blind studies done kind of confirm what you said.

        • PutPineappleOnPizzaBEnglish
          0·
          1 year ago

          Better to read about it instead of spending 250€ minimum on an OTL amp lol.

          And for the tube experience you can always add a bass shelf and maybe tone town the treble slightly.

          But I really wonder how my 6XX would measure with the tube amp vs the FiiO. I can’t tell much of a difference.

  • M_RiGGzOPBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Currently I’m eyeing the Xduoo TA-22 if I were to end up pairing the HD800S with a tube amp; would anyone happen to have any experience or thoughts on it?