About the Sennheiser HDV 820
Rich sound gets richer
A sophisticated metal housing protects the precious vitals inside the Sennheiser HDV 820 headphone amp.
Rich sound gets richer
How do you make some of the best headphones on the market even better? If you're Sennheiser, you build the HDV 820 headphone amp to play up all the strengths of your flagship HD 800 S open-back 'phones and new closed-back HD 820 headphones. The most obvious matches between the two are in the cosmetics and the connectivity — this is one of the few amps we offer that can accept a balanced 4.4mm headphone cable. But this powerful desktop amp also drives Sennheiser's best headphones to perform at their top potential.
Sennheiser designed this amp to accentuate the sonic advantages of the HD 800 S and HD 820. The HDV 820 spreads out the headphones' large soundstage even wider. And together, the pair delivers airy, musical highs along with taut, detailed mids and a sweet helping of bass precision.
Crystal-clear, low-distortion sound for all
Of course, you can use the HDV 820 with any set of wired headphones that would benefit from clean, controlled power. Which I think covers most of them! Sennheiser uses a symmetrical circuitry design to keep the left and right channel signals completely independent of each other. This practically eliminates interference, so your headphones will better handle large sonic peaks in your music — without distorting.
Sennheiser also includes a 5-stage gain switch to properly match up the power output with your headphones' impedance. That means this amp plays nice with all types of headphone models.
The ins...
A headphone amp can only be as versatile as its connections — and the HDV 820 is ready for all types of music sources. You'll find balanced and unbalanced analog inputs along with optical, coaxial, XLR, and USB inputs for your digital gear. A premium ESS Sabre digital-to-analog converter effortlessly handles high-res music files up to 32-bit/384kHz.
...and outs
This amp will power up to four pairs of headphones simultaneously — a helpful feature here at Crutchfield where we often compare different headphones. There is a four-pin XLR output, along with a Neutrik combination socket standard that will accept a 3-pin XLR or a 1/4" headphone plug.
The HDV 820 also has a stereo pair of 3-pin XLR outputs on the back. So you can use it as a standalone preamp/DAC if you have compatible audio gear.
What's the deal with those new 4.4mm headphone jacks?
On the front, there are also two balanced 4.4mm headphone outputs.This heavy-duty connection is actually the new industry standard for balanced headphone operation. This makes the amp work even better with the HD 800S and HD 820 — both include a cable with this balanced plug.
Product highlights:
- high-performance desktop headphone amp
- built to drive high-end headphones like the open-back Sennheiser HD800 S and closed-back HD 820
- anodized black finish, balanced XLR inputs, and natural, precise sound help complement the HD800 S headphones
- sophisticated metal housing protects against signal interference and vibration
- volume and input controls machined from solid metal for long-term reliability
- designed in Germany, made at Sennheiser's "audiophile center of excellence" facility in Ireland
Audio Features:
- symmetrical (balanced) circuitry throughout reduces noise and distortion for maximum sound quality
- premium ESS Sabre32 digital-to-analog converter for detailed, dynamic sound
- plays PCM digital audio files up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD files up to 12.3 MHz
- rear-panel 5-stage gain switch for optimized use of low impedance headphones
Inputs:
- digital audio inputs: one optical (Toslink) and one coaxial
- USB (Type B) input for connecting a computer
- 1 pair symmetrical (balanced 3-pin XLR) line-level inputs
- 1 pair asymmetrical (unbalanced RCA) inputs
Outputs:
- 1 symmetrical (balanced) 4-pin XLR headphone output
- combination headphone output
- 1 balanced 3-pin XLR output
- 1 unbalanced 1/4" headphone jack
- 2 balanced 4.4mm headphone outputs
- 1 pair symmetrical (balanced 3-pin XLR) preamp outputs for connection to a compatible audio component
- plays up to four pairs of headphone simultaneously
Other Info and Specs:
- dedicated Sennheiser USB Windows driver required for playback on a PC (available for free on Sennheiser's website)
- no driver required for MacOS (latest version recommended)
- detachable AC power cord
- THD: less than 0.001%
- frequency response: 10Hz to 100,000 Hz
- 8-1/2"W x 2-3/16"H x 14-1/2"D
- weight: 5 lbs.
- warranty: 2 years
- MFR # 507444
What's in the box:
Sennheiser HDV 820 owner's manual
- Headphone amplifier
- 6' AC power cord (IEC 3-prong)
- Instruction Manual and driver software on USB Flash Drive
- Microfiber cleaning cloth
- Quick Guide
- Safety Guide
Customer reviews for Sennheiser HDV 820
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More details on the Sennheiser HDV 820
Features & specs
Design | ||
---|---|---|
Type | Desktop/Component | |
Built-in Rechargable Battery | No | |
Built-in DAC | Yes | |
Amplifier Output Specs | ||
Output Power | 480mW (1 kHz) | |
Output Impedance (Unbalanced) | Not given | |
Output Impedance (Balanced) | 600 ohms | |
Audio Specs | ||
Bit Depth (USB) | 32 | |
Max Sampling Rate (USB) | 384 kHz | |
Bit Depth (S/PDIF) | 24 | |
Max Sampling Rate S/PDIF | 192 kHz | |
S/N Ratio (Unbalanced, in dB) | 0 | |
S/N Ratio (Balanced, in dB) | 0 | |
THD (Unbalanced) | Not given | |
THD (Balanced) | 0.001% | |
Supported File Types | ||
PCM | Up to 384kHz | |
DSD | DSD 256 | |
DXD | N/A | |
MQA | N/A | |
Inputs | ||
Total Inputs | 5 | |
USB | Type B | |
Optical Digital | 1 | |
Coaxial Digital | 1 | |
3.5mm Digital | None | |
Stereo RCA Analog | 1 | |
Stereo 3.5mm Analog | None | |
Stereo XLR Analog | 1 | |
Headphone Outputs | ||
3.5mm Unbalanced | None | |
1/4-inch Unbalanced | 1 | |
4.4mm Balanced | 2 | |
XLR4 Balanced | 1 | |
Other Headphone Outs | XLR-3 combo | |
Line Level & Digital Outs | ||
RCA Line Out | None | |
3.5mm Line Out | None | |
XLR Line Out | 1 | |
Subwoofer Out | None | |
Optical Digital Out | None | |
Coaxial Digital Out | None | |
Wireless Connectivity | ||
Bluetooth | No | |
Wi-Fi | No | |
Apple-compatible | No | |
Android-compatible | No | |
General Info | ||
Width (inches) | 8-1/2 | |
Height (inches) | 2-3/16 | |
Depth (inches) | 14-1/2 | |
Weight | 4.96 lbs. | |
Parts Warranty | 2 Years | |
Labor Warranty | 2 Years |
Product Research
Features
Overview: The HDV 820 Digital Headphone Amplifier (507444) is the perfect complement to Sennheiser's high-end headphones. It has a sleek black anodized aluminum housing with white LEDs to match the flagship HD 800 S headphone. The amplifier lets you connect up to four pairs of dynamic headphones at one time, and includes an XLR-3 / 1/4" combo jack, an XLR-4 jack, and two 4.4mm Pentaconn jacks. There are both balanced and unbalanced analog input jacks for connecting source units, as well as optical and coaxial digital, and USB (Type B) inputs. The HDV 820 is engineered in Germany, and manufactured in Ireland.
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC): The HDV 820 features a high quality ESS Sabre32 digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which delivers wide dynamic range, low distortion, and crystal clear audio. The DAC is capable of 32-bit resolution with a sampling rate of up to 384 kHz. It can also play DSD256 files with a frequency of up to 12.3 MHz.
Symmetrical Signal Processing: The HDV 820's symmetrical signal processing provides exact signal transmission over the entire frequency spectrum with very low harmonic distortion. Very short signal paths are used, resulting in a wide dynamic range, wide bandwidth, and high transient response. The use of high quality components gives you the pure musical enjoyment from any source.
Input Selector: You can connect several types of audio sources to the headphone amp, and switch between them using the rotary Input Selector switch. There are 5 positions to choose from:
- USB: This Type B USB input allows you to connect your
Mac (OS X ver 10.6 and later) or PC (Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11, 32 or 64 bits)
directly to the amplifier. You should use a USB 2.0 certified cable with
Type B and Type A connections. The USB input supports:
- PCM Audio up to 32-bit resolution with a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, 352.8 kHz, or 384 kHz
- DSD 64 (2,822,400 Hz), DSD 128 (5,644,800 Hz), or DSD 256 (11,289,600 Hz) files
- Optical Digital: This TosLink input can receive digital audio signals in PCM format at sampling rates up to 96 kHz from an optical cable.
- Coaxial Digital: This Coaxial digital (RCA) input will accept digital audio signals in PCM format at sampling rates of up to 192 kHz from a 75Ω coaxial cable.
- Unbalanced: The Unbalanced input has left and right RCA jacks, and will accept unbalanced analog audio signals through a stereo RCA cable. The Unbalanced Input features an adjustable input gain control for obtaining the optimum signal level. There are 5 positions to choose from: 14dB, 22dB, 30dB, 38dB, and 46dB.
- Balanced: The Balanced input features 2 balanced female XLR-3 jacks, and will accept balanced analog signals. The gain of the Balanced input signal is set to 16dB, and is not adjustable.
Headphone Connections: The Sennheiser HDV 820 offers a total of 4 connections to drive dynamic headphones:
- Combo Jack: A Neutrik combination socket that will accept XLR-3 or 1/4" (6.3mm) unbalanced plugs.
- XLR-4: A Neutrik XLR-4 socket for balanced headphone connection.
- Pentaconn: Two 4.4mm Pentaconn connectors with lower contact resistance, minimal distortion, and more transparent sound.
Balanced Output: The HDV 820 has left and right male XLR-3 balanced outputs for connecting the unit to a power amplifier or to powered speakers. The output level can be adjusted using the front panel volume control.
Specifications:
- Frequency Response: <10 Hz to >100 kHz
- Crosstalk Attenuation: min. 93dB @ 1 kHz
- THD+N: <0.001%
- Gain:
- Unbalanced Input/XLR-4 Output: adjustable 14dB, 22dB, 30dB, 38dB, 46dB
- Balanced Input/XLR-4 Output: 16dB
- Dynamic Range: >115dB @ 600Ω load (A-weighted)
- Temperature Range (operation): 41°F to 113°F (5°C to 45°C)
- Max. Input Level:
- Balanced: 18dBV
- Unbalanced: 20dBV
- Input Impedance:
- Balanced: 20kΩ
- Unbalanced: 10kΩ
- Headphone Outputs:
- Impedance: min. 16Ω (1/4", XLR-3, XLR-4, 4.4mm)
- Dimensions: Width 8.5", Height 2.177" Depth 14.5 (including cables)
- Weight: 4.96 pounds
The Sennheiser HDV 820 replaces these items
Sennheiser HDV 820 (factory-recertified)
- premium ESS Sabre32 digital-to-analog converter for detailed, dynamic sound
- symmetrical (balanced) circuitry throughout reduces interference and distortion for maximum sound quality
- inspected and factory-recertified
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