James7 said:
Hey adamrobertshaw
that is some intersting kit you have there. How is the Aurium / HD800 combination, and how does it compare with your loudspeaker based systems?
The HD800 are, to me, bordering on what the Aurium can adequately drive at 300 ohms. The gain knob is almost maxed out. But my hi fi dealer said a few customers reported that after about 200 hours the HD800 improve sonically (like someone had poured some lovely golden syrup over the drivers is how I recount the wording).
The Aurium isn't as dynamic as other amps like the TEAC HA 501 but where it wins is a lovely sweet / warm listening experience with no hint of fatigue. The HD800 are really transparent. As a combo there is nothing to let the listener down.
I've been tempted to add volume but settled on a 50% volume output. I can hear everything clearly. Nothing added. Nothing missing.
The Aurium can sit quietly between source and speaker amp. It's totally transparent as a pass through.
As for the MA GX50 and Audiolab gear, they have the better alround presentation. The GX50 ribbon tweeter sometimes gets my ears wincing whereas the headphone listening produces no fatigue.
As for my Cyrus gear and PMC twenty 22 ... this easily has the superior soundstage / presentation. I have absolutely no appetite for headphones within this system.
I swapped out my Mac mini as a source for headphone listening in place of my Stream X2 as FLAC is better than Apple m4A. There's no point having average / not your best sources with the HD800 and Aurium.
Lastly I think the Aurium is a bit too relaxed for energetic / dance / electronic music. Or if you're a bass addict. But I don't like bass intusion.
The HD800 are not upset by any type of music.