Sennheiser HD820
Apr 27, 2021 at 12:16 PM Post #3,467 of 4,346
How mega expensive are u talking?
I was about to ask, my Pendant SE arrives later today, but that’s not mega expensive for this hobby, but for me it’s a bit expensive.
 
Apr 27, 2021 at 2:51 PM Post #3,469 of 4,346
Amplifier that uses the 845, 211, 2A3 or even the 300b Tube. Quite happy with my budget setup, but it would be nice to see a 820 living the life!!!!
820 is not really a power hungry headphone tho. I mean, it sounds terrible if underpowered, but dont think it needs huge power tubes, its not a planar
 
Apr 28, 2021 at 7:05 AM Post #3,470 of 4,346
820 is not really a power hungry headphone tho. I mean, it sounds terrible if underpowered, but dont think it needs huge power tubes, its not a planar
well, i am using 5W @50ohms and i am very happy. I've used a 0.6W @32ohm, $4.5K tube amp and the 820's sounded defective!!! Must say the dark voice (0.7W@32ohm) sounded ok for what it is, but needed to go 3/4 on the volume knob. The sennheiser hdv820 was never a class A product even with the 800's. Would not touch the hdv820 for a 1/3 of retail
 
Apr 28, 2021 at 7:09 AM Post #3,471 of 4,346
well, i am using 5W @50ohms and i am very happy. I've used a 0.6W @32ohm, $4.5K tube amp and the 820's sounded defective!!! Must say the dark voice (0.7W@32ohm) sounded ok for what it is, but needed to go 3/4 on the volume knob. The sennheiser hdv820 was never a class A product even with the 800's. Would not touch the hdv820 for a 1/3 of retail
You can not necessarily extrapolate how much power you're getting at 300+ ohms from the figures you stated.

Each type of amplifier topology has a different power curve relative to impedance and not even solid state amps are completely linear.

I don't have the 820 but I have the 600 and 800 and I agree, there is no doubt that they need plenty of power (specifically probably voltage) and they will scale to great heights. High impedance dynamics can get earsplittingly loud and still not sound like they are capable of.
 
Apr 28, 2021 at 10:49 AM Post #3,472 of 4,346
You can not necessarily extrapolate how much power you're getting at 300+ ohms from the figures you stated.

Each type of amplifier topology has a different power curve relative to impedance and not even solid state amps are completely linear.

I don't have the 820 but I have the 600 and 800 and I agree, there is no doubt that they need plenty of power (specifically probably voltage) and they will scale to great heights. High impedance dynamics can get earsplittingly loud and still not sound like they are capable of.
With modern amps, manufactures are quoting the power from 32 to 300ohms. The amps i used are a little older so i quoted whats in the manual.
 
Apr 28, 2021 at 10:55 AM Post #3,473 of 4,346
With modern amps, manufactures are quoting the power from 32 to 300ohms. The amps i used are a little older so i quoted whats in the manual.
That's not what I meant and it's not correct. Specifications are all over the place. Some manufacturers give specs from 100 or 150 to 600 ohms.

I meant, we cannot know what to expect at 300 ohms based on the power you quoted at other impedances.
 
Apr 29, 2021 at 9:52 AM Post #3,474 of 4,346
well, i am using 5W @50ohms and i am very happy. I've used a 0.6W @32ohm, $4.5K tube amp and the 820's sounded defective!!! Must say the dark voice (0.7W@32ohm) sounded ok for what it is, but needed to go 3/4 on the volume knob. The sennheiser hdv820 was never a class A product even with the 800's. Would not touch the hdv820 for a 1/3 of retail
I can tell you that with the $2k DNA Starlett the HD820 sounds better than any amp I have ever heard it on, including amps with more power in the specs - and the DNA Starlett doesn't need big power tubes (which is a good thing because decent ones are very expensive). Ratings 32-50ohms are pretty worthless for a 300ohm headphone as @gimmeheadroom stated. Actually manuf ratings are pretty worthless in general because they often use different measurement methods. Plus with the HD800S/HD820 especially, the tonal balance and signal fidelity is just as important as the power.
 
Last edited:
Apr 29, 2021 at 4:40 PM Post #3,475 of 4,346
I can tell you that with the $2k DNA Starlett the HD820 sounds better than any amp I have ever heard it on, including amps with more power in the specs - and the DNA Starlett doesn't need big power tubes (which is a good thing because decent ones are very expensive). Ratings 32-50ohms are pretty worthless for a 300ohm headphone as @gimmeheadroom stated. Actually manuf ratings are pretty worthless in general because they often use different measurement methods. Plus with the HD800S/HD820 especially, the tonal balance and signal fidelity is just as important as the power.
The DNA Starlett looks like very good value
 
Apr 29, 2021 at 8:51 PM Post #3,477 of 4,346
I enjoyed the HD820 with my Bottlehead Crack + Speedball.
 
May 2, 2021 at 2:00 AM Post #3,478 of 4,346
this may be outdated but I hear ta-30 is a decent pairing. I’m not really keen on waiting 7 months for a DNA :/
 
Last edited:
May 2, 2021 at 2:54 AM Post #3,479 of 4,346
Right now I’m absolutely loving the Pendant SE paired with my 820. While the amp is still in the Burn in phase with the tubes, it sounds awesome!
 
May 2, 2021 at 6:04 AM Post #3,480 of 4,346
this may be outdated but I hear ya-30 is a decent pairing. I’m not really keen on waiting 7 months for a DNA :/

I thought u were getting the g1217 amp?

Anyhow yeah wait time sucks and you will need something cheap/temporary in the meantime (again horizon 1217 good choice), but when spending 2k on amp why not be patient and get one of the best?
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top