At the Tokyo Headphone Festival, held from April 29-30, Sennheiser showcased the latest product in its audiophile range: the fully balanced headphone amplifier HDV 820. Sennheiser said ”Building on the accomplishments of their first-ever digital headphone amplifier, HDVD 800, the new HDV 820’s enhanced, higher resolution and ultra-low distortion components open up a whole new listening experience for the most demanding audiophiles”.

The all new digital section of the HDV 820 is powered by a high-quality ESS SABRE32 digital-to-analogue converter in a balanced topology. The DAC offers dynamic range, ultra-low distortion and clarity. It performs at a PCM resolution of 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 384 kHz and up to 12.3 MHz in the DSD mode.

The analogue section and the power amplifier of the HDV 820 derive from the existing HDVD 800, but in an improved version. Its multiple audio outputs include an unbalanced output through an XLR3/6.3mm combined NEUTRIK socket, one balanced XLR4 and two balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn sockets. With the Pentaconn Connector, the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) has set a standard for balanced headphone connections which will minimise today’s complexity of non-standardised connectors. Due to its diameter of 4.4mm, it is suitable for mobile and stationary applications. The unmodulated, very low contact resistance of the Pentaconn Connection leads to a distortion-free signal transmission.

“The HDV 820 builds on the accomplishments of the HDVD 800 with greater resolution and enhanced connectivity, an evolution that provides a sound experience so pure and engaging that the listener could be sitting right in front of the audio source. The HDV 820 shows what is possible when you believe that sound is not something just to be listened to, but rather something to be experienced,” explains Manuel Ricke, Product Manager Audiophile at Sennheiser.

Designed and manufactured in Germany, the HDV 820 has been created to be a perfect companion to Sennheiser’s audiophile headphones. The amplifier delivers a particularly impressive acoustic performance when paired with Sennheiser’s acclaimed HD 800 S headphones. This harmony is reflected by a new anodised black finish with white LED lights, a design that complements the subtle elegance of the HD 800 S. The new model comes supplied with a dedicated, country-specific power cable.

In addition to the headphone amplifier HDV 820, Sennheiser also presents the new balanced headphone connection cable CH 800 P. It comes with a straight gold plated Pentaconn connector in a black housing on the amplifier side and two (L/R) medical grade ODU connectors on the headphone side. It enables the headphone models HD 800 and HD 800 S to connect to devices with Pentaconn outputs such as the HDV 820.

Sennheiser’s HDV 820 and CH 800 P will be available from July 2017.