[kerrys30]

   
You can bypass the internal DAC of HDVD800 by connecting your external DAC through the HDVD800 analogue inputs.

Brilliant - Thanks.

 

[yates7592]

  is the main difference between HDVD800 and HDVD600 that 800 has a DAC function?  Can the 800 be run as just an amp without using the DAC?  Thanks.

 
I get the HDVD800 = dac + amp and HDVA600 = amp only thing. Certainly the amp specs look identical, but I wonder why '800' vs '600'? Is that just a marketing ploy to make people think the HDVD800 is somehow 'better' than the HDVA600? or is there really some other difference, eg HDVD800 more suited to HD800 cans and HDVA600 more suited to HD600/650's??

 

[ALRAINBOW]

I own the hd800 and hdvd 800. The DAC is ok but the amp is very neutral I use it all the time.
For me the amps are the same but to some there must be a difrence. I am of the camp they are the same amp

 

[Priidik]

Tried some IEM-s recently with the HDVA600, to my surprise they sounded brighter and more balanced than i expected.
I was comparing to Yulong DA8 hp out, which is real low impedance, and was decent with HE400.
With the IEMs i tried (TDK BA200 and IE800), the HDVA was clearly better, more resolving and better defined, even in bass.

 

[62ohm]

Much to my surprise, the HDVA600 with its 43ohm output impedance actually drives the 36ohm AKG K812 very well. I've tried the SRH1540 before with the Senn amp, and it didn't end so well.

 

[Priidik]

   
I get the HDVD800 = dac + amp and HDVA600 = amp only thing. Certainly the amp specs look identical, but I wonder why '800' vs '600'? Is that just a marketing ploy to make people think the HDVD800 is somehow 'better' than the HDVA600? or is there really some other difference, eg HDVD800 more suited to HD800 cans and HDVA600 more suited to HD600/650's??

It is the same amplifier. I think at some point the chief engineer at Sennheiser somewhere said that the HDVA600 is every bit the same, minus the dac and it has slightly better single ended input side than HDVD800.

 

[ALRAINBOW]

Generally the rule is 4 to one. But in truth it's more individuel . The reason for the rule is for damping in the bass region.
Now with iem,s it's much more important because of the cross over inside them. This plays hell with them. You liking the,more could mean the sound is more to your liking. I first noticed the change with ciems of low imp as jerry Harvey audio . It played hell with the DSd amp combo from idap. It had a output imp of 42 or so. Hope this helps. In general if you like it then it's fine .
Al

 

[ALRAINBOW]

Also in balance mode it is only 22 ohms. .
Al

 

[62ohm]

Also in balance mode it is only 22 ohms. .
Al

 
My HD800 is running balanced but the AKG is running SE, so the SE-out of the HDVA600 should be 43 ohms, right?

 

[ALRAINBOW]

Yes that is correct

 

[jagwap]

Also in balance mode it is only 22 ohms. .
Al

20 ohms per phase, so 40 ohms per channel.

 

[Marshal Banana]

Very happy owner here!
 
I use the combo HDVD800 + HD800 balanced cable for over a year now. I am wowed every single time that I listen to this combo.
At first I didn't like the HD800 because of the treble peak and the soundstage too large. I tried a lot of gear without great result for my liking (sometime very expensive gear, very well regarded gear with the HD800). Then I try the HDVD800 to my ears solved the two problems brilliantly, and with a crazy sound resolution. I don't want to change anything in my gear. If I want to upgrade, I think the only way is to sell everything and go for a SR009 gear

! Until then the HDVD800 makes me heavenly happy. One of the best partner I could find for my HD800.

 

[kazsud]

Very happy owner here!

I use the combo HDVD800 + HD800 balanced cable for over a year now. I am wowed every single time that I listen to this combo.
At first I didn't like the HD800 because of the treble peak and the soundstage too large. I tried a lot of gear without great result for my liking (sometime very expensive gear, very well regarded gear with the HD800). Then I try the HDVD800 to my ears solved the two problems brilliantly, and with a crazy sound resolution. I don't want to change anything in my gear. If I want to upgrade, I think the only way is to sell everything and go for a SR009 gear:basshead: ! Until then the HDVD800 makes me heavenly happy. One of the best partner I could find for my HD800.

Soundstage too large? It can never be...

 

[GeirTj]

is the main difference between HDVD800 and HDVD600 that 800 has a DAC function?  Can the 800 be run as just an amp without using the DAC?  Thanks.

If you can afford an external DAC I would have bought the HDVD600 and saved the delta cost versus the HDVD800 for music.
The amp is fabulous but the DAC no. Have paired the DAC section with MAcPro or high-specced PC but the music it not very fleshed out, in fact at bit grayish. Also tried to pair the HDVD800 with the USB outlet of the Auralic Aries streamer. Same underwhelming result. Still, the Aries does magic as source for my other DACs ( Ayre QB9 and Weiss DAC202). Having these external DACs feeding the balanced analoge input of the HDVD800 is a totally (better) story ;D

 

[kerrys30]

If you can afford an external DAC I would have bought the HDVD600 and saved the delta cost versus the HDVD800 for music.
The amp is fabulous but the DAC no. Have paired the DAC section with MAcPro or high-specced PC but the music it not very fleshed out, in fact at bit grayish. Also tried to pair the HDVD800 with the USB outlet of the Auralic Aries streamer. Same underwhelming result. Still, the Aries does magic as source for my other DACs ( Ayre QB9 and Weiss DAC202). Having these external DACs feeding the balanced analoge input of the HDVD800 is a totally (better) story ;D

Thanks for your post