[Sennheiser]

Next-Gen Top of the Line Launch!
HDV 820 Revealed at the Tokyo Headphone Show!

For everyone lucky enough to attend the Tokyo Headphone show this weekend, Sennheiser has a treat for you: a hands-on preview of our next generation DAC/Amp all-in-one, specially designed with our high-end headphones and community feedback in mind!

The new HDV 820 is Sennheiser’s next-generation digital headphones amplifier. Designed and manufactured in Germany, this audiophile masterpiece perfectly complements our high-end audiophile headphone range. Featuring enhanced components, it delivers even greater precision and sound quality. Fitted with cutting-edge digital-to-analog converter technology, the HDV 820 offers consistent, symmetrical signal processing and extremely low harmonic distortion to ensure unadulterated and perfect music enjoyment.

The heart of the new HDV 820 is a formidable ESS SABRE32 DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that surpasses the previous generation with an even higher resolution of 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 384 kHz. The amplifier is also capable of playing DSD256 files of up to 12.3 MHz.

Discover the Sennheiser HDV 820: http://www.sennheiser.com/hdv-820

 

[Stillhart]

Oh cool, is this an upgrade from the HDVD 800? If so, I approve of the naming convention change. :-D

 

[Sennheiser]

Yes! The DAC components take advantage of recent advancements from Sabre ESS' top of the line chip, but even the analog stage has seen some tweaks and improvements.

 

[thatonenoob]

Cool! What's the output impedance on the new model. Old one had 16 ohms iirc, but the way dynamic headphones are headed now (i.e. lower impedances), this is still too high. Damping factor would be an issue if it's still 16 ohms.

 

[HiFiChris]

What's the output impedance?
Is the volume control digital or analogue?

 

[Fastnbulbous]

Sure that isn't what these Facebook posts have been about?

https://www.facebook.com/Sennheiser...533208692148/1498831223462335/?type=3&theater

 

[ahmadfaizadnan]

Sure that isn't what these Facebook posts have been about?

https://www.facebook.com/Sennheiser...533208692148/1498831223462335/?type=3&theater

this is he-1. right?

 

[Topspin70]

More likely it's the coming HD820.

https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/new-sennheiser-headphone-hd820.846244/

 

[Cartma]

Got my HDV 820 ordered.
I'll post my impressions.

 

[Sennheiser]

From questions asked here and at recent CanJams, we compiled a Q&A list to add some information complimentary to what we have published on the site:

https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/sennheiser-q-a-hdv-820-digital-amplifier.855156/

To all of our U.K. friends, it was good seeing you at Canjam last weekend! To everyone who couldn't attend, Sennheiser was demoing many of our high-end products including an HD 800 connected to the HDVD 800 next to the setup of the HD 800 S connected to the HDV 820. People were connecting both headphones to the HDV 820 for comparison and sharing the experience, we were showing off our first production samples of our new Pentaconn-tipped cable, and in general people were honoring us by spending their precious CanJam time getting lost in music at our booth! Thanks to everyone who made us feel welcome!

 

[Cartma]

Anyone know the release date of this DAC?

 

[Sennheiser]

Anyone know the release date of this DAC?

In the US, the first for-sale HDV 820 units should be available from authorized retailers in a month and a half. Thanks for the interest, and preorder! Did you get to hear one yet?

Edit: There are no official first party [Sennheiser] preorders for this unit.

 

[Mav.]

In the US, the first for-sale HDV 820 units should be available from authorized retailers in a month and a half. Thanks for the interest, and preorder! Did you get to hear one yet?

I'm very interested in a HDV820, I absolutely love the look of it. I currently have Audeze LCD-3's, Sennheiser HD 598's, HD700's, Game One's, IE80's, IE800s, Massdrop HD6xx's coming in December, and have been eyeing HD800S's. Seeing as I have almost exclusively Sennheiser gear I would love to have your guys's DAC / amp to match. I have a few questions though.

1. So the release date is mid September?

2. Price of $2,400?

3. Pre orders where mentioned, is there I way to preorder it on your website? I can't seem to find a way. If not are pre orders currently available through a 3rd party authorized seller you could direct me to?

4. I know it's made with full sized headphones in mind, but how does it preform with IEM's (IE 800's in particular)? I wouldn't use them with the HDV820 often as I live alone, but on the occasions I have guests I don't have any closed back headphones, so I currently use my IEM's in that situation so they don't have to hear my music.

5. I'm still new to the world of high end audio, and I don't have a very deep understanding on the subject, but from what I've read as a general rule of thumb you want the output impedance of your amp to be at least roughly 1/8th that of your headphones impedance. From what I can tell the HDV820 has a 16 ohm output impedance. So to tie this question in with my previous question would this negatively effect the IE800's for example, which have an impedance of 16 ohm? Even some high-end, full sized headphones have quite low impendence, such as the Fostex TH900 rated at 25ohm (and a headphone I'm considering buying). This is my biggest concern with the HDV820, I would hate to buy something so expensive that would be an endgame amp / DAC for me, and have some of my headphones preforming poorly, or less then optimal on it. I realize a single amp will never be the perfect pairing with every headphone out there, but I would hope it at least wouldn't sound worse then my current Schiit Bifrost, and Joutnheim setup seeing as it's exactly 3x the price. Again I'm new to this, I may be worried over nothing, so any light you could shed on this would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Cartma]

I have a question,
When you plug the headphones in, does it mute the outputs?

 

[Mav.]

I have a question,
When you plug the headphones in, does it mute the outputs?

Good question, I didn't think of that. My current setup doesn't, and it quickly gets annoying to have to go and turn my speakers off when I want to use headphones, and vise versa. Would really like that feature in the next amp/ DAC I buy.