I am new to Head-fi equipment and a newbie and would like to share my impressions on the Sennheiser HDVD 800.
My setup: MacBook Pro, Cardas Clear USB cable, Sennheiser HDVD800 (spare computer power cable) and HD800, HTS 3600MKII. Still waiting for my Cardas Clear balanced 4 pin cable.
My Music Player Software:, Audirvana Plus 1.4.9.7, Music: All HD files…XRCD, MFSL, CHESKY, higher bit recordings 24/96, 24/192 and High quality 16/44 recordings…..quality of source is everything.
HDVD 800: Quality build is exceptional, Loads of power, the Alps potentiometer is highly sensitive, 1mm to the right or left and you will hear the differences, just saying. The design aspect of HDVD800, makes me think of Johnny Ives in the way he designs Apple products, a minimalist approach to the amp. Very nice to look at.
When I first listened to the HDVD800 for the first time I was really not impressed. The reason I say this is that my Mac was sounding equally as good without any assitance as the amp at my listening levels. As the days went on, HDVD800 started to improve every other day.
As recommended by “thinker”, I let it burn in continuously for 7 days as of today and will continue till the end of this month for the DAC to improve. Today is the 7
th day….its seems like everything changed for the better, Wow!
The music’s mid frequencies became highly detailed, clearer and smoother. The digital edge completely disappeared. The bass is tighter and has a more visceral impact. The soundstage, the air, it’s just perfect to my ears. It really is breathtaking. Every instrument is decisively heard in its exact location. Absolutely everything is revealed and vocals are truly exceptional. Your attention is drawn to everything being played and not distracted by anything. The amp is dead silent, absolutely no noise.
When I am listening the HD recordings, I truly am in amazement that music can sound so perfect to me. It’s intoxicatingly addictive!
As I listened to my music before having HDVD800, it made feel like I was just a spectator in the audience. Now, with HDVD800 my music “Best Audiophile Voices” it’s so much more intimate, especially with the female vocalists. It feels like I am the only one in the room and the band, the vocalist is performing just for me. At the end of the day that’s a very good thing
Thanks Sennheiser!
I am ecstatic with my purchase of HDVD 800 and the HD 800 combo. Marketing or not, the combination of these two products has the Perfect sound and I’m sold. This is just my impressions gentleman.
A special thanks to “thinker’ for posting his terrific detailed insight. It was very helpful with my decision on my purchase and I recommend reading his post for more info before buying.
It would be great to hear from anybody else with the similar setup playing from a Mac and Audirvana Plus.
BTW, the members of Head-fi are truly a wealth of knowledge!
Thanks guys.