I have SAA hardwired K1000s and hassled with the silver tip wires for a couple years. I didn't use them much because they couldn't be used on regular headphone amps, I have speakers on my speaker amp, and it is a pain to reconnect. I had my friend thrice re-terminate with a 4-pin XLR and I have a variety of connectors for use on non-4-pin amps, including the original silver tips, 2x3-pin XLR and 1/4" jack. It is awesome and I have listened more in the last couple months than the prior couple of years.
Also, as a SinglePower Survivor, I feel your pain. But you are being more than irrational by saying you don't want tubes. To my mind/ears, both the K1K and HD800 need some life and perhaps even some warmth and tubes is where they will be happiest. Buy a Balancing Act and you will be happy and secure for years to come. The WA22 is another balanced option I would consider, and if you are not interested in balanced drive, or don't have a balanced source, then the WA5 is a pure no-brainer and the ZDT would give you all the options you think you want.