The outstanding features of the new headphone amplifiers include a balanced sound image, maximum precision and impressive spatiality. The high-end devices have a fully symmetrical layout for operation with analogue audio sources, thus ensuring absolutely symmetrical signal transmission from the source to the headphones. Especially designed for the use with digital sources, the HDVD 800 features an extra high-quality Burr-Brown digital/analogue converter that converts digital audio data into analogue signals with a resolution of 24 bits and a sampling rate of up to 192 kHz. This enables the HDVD 800 to transmit the entire frequency spectrum of high-end audio sources without any loss of frequencies.

“The search for perfect sound is a constant motivation for us to develop new ideas,” said Maurice Quarré, Director Product Lifecycle Management Sennheiser Consumer Electronics. “The best example is the legendary Orpheus. These electrostatic headphones with a vacuum tube amplifier, which came onto the market around 20 years ago, have become an icon in the audio world. With the new headphone amplifiers, Sennheiser is now taking up the tradition of the Orpheus, providing music lovers with the perfect combination of Sennheiser headphones and a specially matched amplifier.”

Cutting-edge technology, top-quality sound

Signal processing in the HiFi devices is fully symmetrical. That means that not only the signal input into the amplifier is symmetrical but also the signal output and therefore the connection to the headphones. “The fully symmetrical principle effectively compensates for interference and distortion. The sound therefore becomes much clearer as total harmonic distortion is minimised," explained Axel Grell, Sennheiser’s High-End Product Manager at Sennheiser. However, the headphones can also be connected using a normal 6.3 mm jack plug. The amplifiers are also equipped with an asymmetrical input socket; when using this input, the incoming signals are symmetrised before further processing takes place. On the HDVD 800 digital sources are connected to the rear of the unit as an AES/EBU input or S/PDIF (optical and coaxial). The digital version is featured with an extra USB input, which offers 24 bit data transmission at 192 KHz*.

In order to fully exploit the sound potential of the HDVD 800 with any audio source, a rotary gain switch at the rear of the unit provides simple adaptation of the amplifier output to the audio input voltage. This ensures that the dynamic range can be used to its full extent.

Sophisticated materials for a premium touch
A glass panel embedded in the aluminium housing of the amplifier gives a clear view of the top-quality interior of the devices. Selected components and sophisticated circuitry promise the ultimate in listening pleasure. The rotary potentiometer is mechanically connected to the volume control by a 150mm long shaft. This unusually long potentiometer shaft allows the signal path between the audio source and the potentiometer to be kept very short, thus preventing possible interference of the signal. High-quality components (Alps RK 27 quad) ensure that the volume is controlled with maximum precision and a fine rotary ‘feel’. Also visible through the glass panel are the cooling element, the audio relay and countless MELF resistors for the amplifier. “The material selection has been thought through down to the finest detail in order to fully exploit the amplifier’s sound potential. The audio aspects of each individual component were evaluated in listening tests before the optimum combination was finally chosen,” said Maurice Quarré.

And such meticulous attention has also been applied to the exterior. Both the housing and the potentiometer control as well as the rotary switch for selecting the source are made of anodised aluminium, while the front panel of the housing and the controls are milled from solid material. The HDVD 800 and the HDVA 600 were developed and designed in Germany, and the latest member of Sennheiser’s high-end series are also being manufactured there.

The new analogue HDVA 600 will be available at selected Sennheiser sales partners as of October, while the digital HDVD 800 starting from November.

*Driverless operation on a Mac from operating system OS 10.5 onwards. A driver is included for Windows computers from XP operating system onwards for 192 kHz operation

Technical Data for HDVD 800 and HDVA 600

Dimensions and weight
WxHxD (mm)	Approx. 216x55x324
Weight (kg)	2.2
Power supply
Input voltage	100..240 V AC / 50..60 Hz
Power consumption	< 30 VA
Audio inputs
Analogue input (XLR-3)
Max. input voltage (symmetrical, eff)	20 dBV
Input impedance	10 kOhm
Analogue input (RCA)
Max. input voltage (eff)	14 dBV
Input impedance	10 kOhm
Audio data
Frequency response	0.3 Hz to 100 kHz (-3 dB)
Total harmonic distortion	< -110 dB (1 kHz / maximum gain)

Digital features of HDVD 800
Digital SPDIF (RCA)
Max. sampling frequency	192 kHz (AES3-compatible)
Max. resolution	24 Bit
Digital SPDIF (TosLink)
Max. sampling frequency	192 kHz (AES3-compatible)
Max. resolution	24 Bit
Digital AES/EBU (XLR-3)
Max. sampling frequency	192 kHz (AES3-compatible)
Max. resolution	24 Bit
USB (USB-B)
USB standard	USB 2.0 / USB 3.0
USB audio class	USB Audio 2.0