Sennheiser HDV 820 User Manual

HDV 820

Instruction manual

Digital headphone amplifier

HDV 820 | 1

Contents

Important safety instructions .......................................................... 3

The HVE 820 headphone amplifier .................................................. 6

Package contents .............................................................................. 7

Product overview ............................................................................... 8

Overview of the front panel ............................................................ 8

Overview of the rear panel .............................................................. 8

Putting the HDV 820 into operation ................................................. 9

Setting up the headphone amplifier .............................................. 9

Connecting the headphone amplifier to audio sources .............. 9

Using the headphone amplifier connected to a Mac/PC ........... 12 Connecting the headphone amplifier to 

a power amplifier or to active loudspeakers ............................... 17 Connecting the headphone amplifier to 

the power supply system ............................................................... 18

Using the HDV 820 .......................................................................... 19

Switching the HDV 820 on/off ...................................................... 19

Connecting headphones ............................................................... 20

Selecting the audio source ............................................................ 21

Adjusting the signal level of the RCA input (UNBAL) ................ 22

Adjusting the volume ..................................................................... 22

Cleaning and maintaining the HDV 820 ........................................ 23

Installing firmware updates .......................................................... 23

If a problem occurs ... ...................................................................... 24

Specifications .................................................................................. 25

Manufacturer Declarations ............................................................ 27

2 | HDV 820

Important safety instructions

1. Read these safety instructions.

2. Keep these safety instructions. Always include these safety instructions when passing the product on to third parties.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use the product near water.

6. Only clean the product when it is not connected to the power supply system. Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Ensure circulating ventilation. The product generates heat which is dissipated through the housing. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other products that produce heat and do not expose to direct sunlight.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or groundingtype plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. Protect the power supply cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where it exits from the product.

11. Use only attachments/accessories/spare parts supplied or recommended by Sennheiser.

12. Use only with shelves, racks, or tables that can safely support the weight the product (see

13. Unplug the product during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the product has been damaged in any way, such as power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the product, when the product has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

15.WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire and electric shock, do not expose the product to dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, are placed on the product.

16. To completely disconnect this product from the AC mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle.

17. The plug of the power supply cord shall remain readily accessible.

“Specifications” on page 25).

HDV 820 | 3

Important safety instructions

Hazard warnings on the bottom of the product

The label shown on the left is attached to the bottom of the product. 

The symbols on this label have the following meaning:

Presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of fire or electric shock.

Read and follow the safety and operating instructions contained in this instruction manual.

Never open the product. There is a risk of electric shock when touching live parts. There are no user serviceable parts inside the product. Refer repairs to an authorized Sennheiser service partner.

Preventing damage to health and accidents

▷ Protect your hearing from high volume levels. Permanent hearing

damage may occur when headphones are used at high volume levels for long periods of time. Sennheiser headphones sound exceptionally good at low and medium volume levels.

▷ Keep the product, accessories and packaging parts out of reach

of children and pets to prevent accidents and choking hazards.

▷ Do not use the product in an environment that requires your spe-

cial attention (e.g. when performing skilled jobs).

Preventing damage to the product and malfunctions

▷ Allow the product to stand for at least 2 hours before putting it

into operation. Condensation can form inside the product if it is moved from a cold environment to a warm environment.

Notes on the use and disposal of storage media

You can use the supplied USB flash drive for storing personal data. If the flash drive is sold/passed on or disposed of, the data once stored on it and then deleted using a standard delete method can be recov ered with special software and be misused.

We therefore recommend using special software for secure deletion of data to ensure that personal data is not misused.

We recommend backing up the data saved on your flash drive regularly. Sennheiser does not accept liability for damage or loss of data.

4 | HDV 820

Important safety instructions

HDV 820

UPDATE

Notes on driver and firmware updates

We recommend using the latest DAC (digital-to-analog converter) firmware for your headphone amplifier and the latest driver for your operating system (MacOS), Windows). DAC firmware and driver updates can be downloaded free of charge from the Internet at www.sennheiser.com/download or can be obtained from your Sennheiser partner.

Intended use/Liability

This amplifier for dynamic headphones has been designed for music reproduction from analog and digital high-end devices such as SACD, DVD-A, Blu-ray or CD players or for the reproduction of highresolution music files from your Mac or PC.

This product is intended for private domestic use only. It is not intended for commercial use.

It is considered improper use when this product is used for any application not named in this instruction manual.

Sennheiser is not liable for damages to USB devices that are not consistent with the USB specifications.

Sennheiser does not accept liability for damage arising from abuse or misuse of this product and its attachments/accessories.

Before putting the product into operation, please observe the respective country-specific regulations.



HDV 820 | 5

The HVE 820 headphone amplifier

The HDV 820 headphone amplifier is the result of Sennheiser's many years of audio expertise and the perfect complement to its high-end audiophile headphone range for the ultimate in sound quality and performance. The HDV 820 offers consistently symmetrical signal processing and extremely low harmonic distortion to ensure unadulterated and perfect music enjoyment. Designed and manufactured in Germany, the HDV 820 continues the success story of its predecessor, the HDVD 800, and convinces with its black design and enhanced components that provide even greater precision and sound quality.

The HDV 820 is equipped with a high-resolution ESS SABRE32 DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that has a resolution of 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 384 kHz. The amplifier can also process DSD256 files with a frequency of up to 12.3 MHz and features various audio inputs and outputs, allowing you to choose the optimum connection for your audio devices and headphones. The HDV 820 reproduces both digital and analog audio sources with superb sound quality.

Fittingly for a product that gives such an incredibly pure sound experience, the HDV 820 also inspires by its design. With its black anodized housing and white LEDs, the HDV 820 perfectly matches Sennheiser's HD 800 S flagship high-end headphones to deliver the ultimate audiophile listening experience.

Features

• Symmetrical signal processing with exact signal transmission over the entire frequency spectrum and extremely low harmonic distortion

• Dynamic range of more than 120 dB, wide bandwidth and high transient response due to short signal paths

• Outstanding ESS SABRE resolution of 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 384 kHz

• Automatic adjustment of the sampling rate (44.1 kHz to 384 kHz)

• USB Audio (up to 32 Bit/384 kHz and up to DSD256)

• Can be used with up to four dynamic headphones

• 3 balanced headphone sockets (2 x 4.4 mm Pentaconn jack socket, 1 x XLR-4 socket)

•High-quality XLR-3/¼" tion of unbalanced headphones

• High flexibility due to different connection possibilities: – Digital inputs: S/PDIF coaxial/optical, USB – Analog inputs: balanced XLR-3, unbalanced RCA

•Analog output: balanced XLR-3, level adjustable (for connection of active loudspeakers or a power amplifier)

• Engineered and handcrafted in Germany

DAC (digital-analog converter) with a

(6.35 mm) jack combo socket for connec-

6 | HDV 820

Package contents

Safety guide

HVE 820 headphone amplifier

Power supply cable  (depending on region; EU, UK, US, CN, KR)

Package contents

Quick guide

Safety guide

Microfiber cloth

USB flash drive (SD-U16L version) with  instruction manual (as PDF file) and driver software for Microsoft Windows operating systems

A list of accessories can be found on the HDV 820 product page at www.sennheiser.com. Contact your local Sennheiser partner: www.sennheiser.com > “Sales Partner”.

HDV 820 | 7

Product overview

Overview of the front panel

1 On/off button with LED

2 Headphone output, 

XLR-3/¼" (6.35 mm) jack combo socket, unbalanced

3 Headphone output,

XLR-4 socket, balanced

4 Headphone outputs,

4.4 mm Pentaconn jack socket, balanced

5 DSD reproduction LED

6 Input selection LED

7 Input selection rotary

switch

8 Volume control

9 Type plate (bottom)

Overview of the rear panel

- GAIN +

BAL UNBAL BALOPT USB

ANALOG IN

0 XLR-3 input socket,

balanced (

BAL R, L)

A Input gain rotary switch 

(

–GAIN+) for RCA input

B RCA input socket,

unbalanced (

UNBAL L, R)

COAX

DIGITAL IN

C S/PDIF input,

optical (

D S/PDIF input,

coaxial (

E USB input, 

Type B (

F XLR-3 output socket,

balanced (

G IEC mains socket 

~100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz

ANALOG OUT

OPT)

COAX)

USB)

BAL R, L)

LRLR

~100-240 VAC 50/60Hz

8 | HDV 820

Putting the HDV 820 into operation

Setting up the headphone amplifier

CAUTION

Risk of staining of furniture surfaces!

Varnish or furniture polish may degrade the feet of the product, which could stain your furniture.

▷ Do not place the product on delicate surfaces; if necessary, use a

non-slip pad under the product.

▷ Place the headphone amplifier on a flat, horizontal surface.

▷ Ensure circulating ventilation. The headphone amplifier gener-

ates heat which is dissipated through the housing.

Connecting the headphone amplifier to audio sources

You can connect several audio sources to the headphone amplifier and switch between these connected sources using the Input selec tion rotary switch.

▷ Switch your audio sources off before connecting the headphone

amplifier.

▷ Select a suitable high-quality connection cable for your audio

source. For an optimal listening experience, Sennheiser recommends using cables with a length of 3 m.

▷ To connect the headphone amplifier to your audio source, refer to

the connection diagram suitable for your audio source (see the following chapters):

Connection possibility of the audio source (OUT)

USB (USB)

Optical (OPT) Optical cable 10

DIGITAL

Coaxial

(

COAX)

Connection cable

USB 2.0 certified cable with Type A and Type B connector

Coaxial cable (75 )10

Page

ANALOG

RCA (UNBAL)

XLR-3 (

BAL)

Stereo audio cable with 2 RCA connectors at each end

2 balanced XLR-3 cables

HDV 820 | 9

+ 20 hidden pages