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Author Topic: Sennheiser HDVD800  (Read 2995 times)

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Boda

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Sennheiser HDVD800
« on: June 28, 2013, 05:59:14 PM »
So I'm looking to pair up a DAC/amp with the HD800. Has anyone on this site heard the HDVD800? What's your guys take on the HDVD800? I assume Senn probably make it to synergize well with the HD800, which is know to be picky.
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Mr.Sneis

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Re: Sennheiser HDVD800
« Reply #1 on: June 28, 2013, 06:13:23 PM »
I have been watching the HF thread like a hawk, so based on what I have gleaned I can summarize the entire thread in a few points:

-People say they like the amp overall and are satisfied, seems a trend with that at first they were not impressed and after more listening they come to find it's pretty good (ie "burn in period").  Have yet to see some good X vs Y comparisons.
-Most have said balanced output is better than single ended and that the DAC is pretty good but not necessarily the best you can get.  Some say the 600 is a better value, others say the 800 is.
-Despite the product having been in the hands of some owners for some time now there are no serious reviews yet.  "It's a new product, you have to wait for reviews" I feel is such a cop out this day in age considering we often see reviews for products before they are even released at retail.  Maybe it's Senn's fault.

-Controversy around mystery of the specs of the amp - not much in the way of officially presented info vs what competition often releases.  Frank I is assembling a review and has been for a long time coming, this apparently has him pushing Axell Grell for more detailed specs which he has been providing as he gets.
-I guess we know for sure it is asynchronous usb input implementation having an XMOS chipset.  Also HP output seems to be 43 ohm.  Kinda on the high side for IEMs use.
-FWIW I don't think Senn cheaped out on the design or anything, it should be a pretty solid product for what it is.
-I have seen one come up for sale where the seller said he wasn't too impressed for the price and that he would stick with Essence One Muses instead (half the cost).

-Some reports of out of the box imperfections, maybe akin to how the HD800's have some variability in the hand-made finish.
-Issues with certain hi-res material, Senn has committed to a firmware fix with no forseen dates.

Due to many of the points above I still want to know more about it but have lost most interest in acquiring one myself.
« Last Edit: June 28, 2013, 06:22:56 PM by Mr.Sneis »
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Anaxilus.

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Re: Sennheiser HDVD800
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2013, 06:53:05 PM »
Quote from: Boda on June 28, 2013, 05:59:14 PM
So I'm looking to pair up a DAC/amp with the HD800. Has anyone on this site heard the HDVD800? What's your guys take on the HDVD800? I assume Senn probably make it to synergize well with the HD800, which is know to be picky.

No, decent, better than Phonitor but not at all top tier.  A Super7 would kick the snot out of it for less money.  It is not the most resolving, nor most dynamic nor does it tame all the treble nasties that many SS amps have.  IT is possible they made a revision but ones heard ant RMAF and what I heard at CES was nothing to write home about.

To clarify, Sennheiser doesn't make amps or DACs, they farm that out to third parties so don't think they designed something special for the HD800.  It's just a cash grab opportunity they saw to do the same thing Beyer did w/ their amp.  They know people will think Sennheiser will make the perfect amp for its own phones by using magic and fairy dust so they will gladly take your money.  People that like this amp w/ the HD800 just haven't heard anything better.  That is all.
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Stapsy

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Re: Sennheiser HDVD800
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2013, 07:00:36 PM »
For 2 grand you could get a super 7 and a bifrost. My money is on that combo being far superior to the hdvd.
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Hroðulf

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Re: Sennheiser HDVD800
« Reply #4 on: June 28, 2013, 08:21:25 PM »
I bet all the fanboys would suddenly get all "Grado RA-1" about it. Synergeeeee!
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planx

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Re: Sennheiser HDVD800
« Reply #5 on: June 28, 2013, 08:50:03 PM »
Quote from: Stapsy on June 28, 2013, 07:00:36 PM
For 2 grand you could get a super 7 and a bifrost. My money is on that combo being far superior to the hdvd.

Or a Super 7 and a Concero
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Stapsy

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Re: Sennheiser HDVD800
« Reply #6 on: June 28, 2013, 09:13:17 PM »
I still don't get this fascination that people have with the all in one DAC/AMP. It isn't like packaging it together in one box gets you a better deal. I would rather have all the options on the market to customize my system than an amp/dac that sennheiser wants to throw into a fancy looking box so I can match it with my headphones
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Anaxilus.

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Re: Sennheiser HDVD800
« Reply #7 on: June 28, 2013, 09:20:56 PM »
I don't get where this notion that a headphone manufacturer knows jack about making amps.
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hiyu64

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Re: Sennheiser HDVD800
« Reply #8 on: June 28, 2013, 10:23:14 PM »
Quote from: Analixus on June 28, 2013, 09:20:56 PM
I don't get where this notion that a headphone manufacturer knows jack about making amps.

I think this misconception comes from the line of thought that headphone manufacturers know their own headphones best, so if they made an amp it should have good synergy with the headphone.  The take away message should be designing headphones != designing amps
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Mr.Sneis

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Re: Sennheiser HDVD800
« Reply #9 on: June 28, 2013, 10:55:03 PM »
I am getting the distinct vibe that I probably need to just shift my expectations of what that thread is really all about  :)p12
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