Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Versatile connectivity options are available, including USB, optical, coaxial, balanced and unbalanced analog inputs, and multiple headphone outputs (6.3mm unbalanced, 4-pin balanced, two 4.4mm balanced Pentaconn).
- The amplifier section delivers ample power, capable of driving demanding headphones.
- The amplifier section has a warm-leaning-to-neutral tone, which is able to bring out the best from the somewhat dry-ish Sennheiser HD800.
- Provides a clean, neutral, and clear sound.
- Impressive soundstage immersion and depth layering creates an emotional listening experience.
Product Considerations
- DAC capabilities are not the strongest part of the unit, with one reviewer experiencing noise through the USB connection.
- Lacks features for the price, with no remote control, app, or filter settings.
- One user experienced a channel imbalance issue that resolved itself after a period of being unplugged, raising concerns about reliability.
- The design places the volume control close to the input selector, potentially causing issues for users with thicker fingers.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Versus the PS Audio BHK preamp, the Sennheiser HDV 820 performs almost as good as the much more expensive PS Audio BHK preamp.
- The Sennheiser HDV 820 performs better with XLR inputs and outputs than the Schiit Jotunheim.
- The Sennheiser HDV 820 can be too fatiguing and aggressive with the Sennheiser HD800S, especially when compared to the RME ADI-2 DAC.
- The Sennheiser HDV 820 has a cleaner sound on high volumes and more power to drive any type of headphones, compared to the SPL Phonitor SE.
- The Sennheiser HDV 820 sounds better than the Sony amp, but the Sony has more features.
Takeaway: The Sennheiser HDV 820 is a versatile amplifier with a warm sound signature and plenty of power for many headphones. It could be a good choice for people wanting a DAC/amp combo for their desktop setup.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
HDV 820
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Dimensions: 224 x 44 x 306 mm
- Frequency response: 10 Hz - 100 kHz
- Weight: 2.25 kg
- DAC: ESS 9028PRO SABRE
- Supported formats: DSD256 files up to 12.3 MHz, PCM files up to 32-bit and 384 kHz
- Outputs: XLR3, XLR4, 6.3 mm jack socket, 4.4 mm Pentaconn socket
Description
The HDV 820 unlocks the potential of your Sennheiser headphone collection. Expect class-leading DAC and headphone amplifier technology with a plethora of state-of-the-art I/O and world-class conversion. The HDV 820 is a reference-grade solution for critical listening tasks.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
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HD-559
- Positioning: Entry-level design focused on affordability and everyday listening needs.
- Description: Offers clear sound and comfortable design with a straightforward acoustic setup suitable for small rooms and casual music enjoyment. Compared to the HD-560S and HD-660S2, its basic performance and limited feature set make it a better fit for buyers with lower budgets and simple functionality needs.
HD-560S
- Positioning: Mid-tier model balancing cost and improved technical performance.
- Description: Delivers enhanced clarity and precision with a refined tuning approach that benefits home or studio use. When compared with the HD-559 and HD-660S2, it provides better sound detail while remaining accessible for buyers seeking moderate cost and practical functionality.
HD-660S2
- Positioning: Mid to high-level design crafted for a richer and fuller sound experience.
- Description: Offers a warmer sound signature with improved bass impact and a wider soundstage. Relative to the HD-560S and HD-800S, its technical enhancements and superior build quality justify the higher investment for users aiming for more refined performance without reaching the premium flagship tier.
HD-800 S
- Positioning: High-end open-back design intended for detailed, analytical listening applications.
- Description: Provides natural, transparent sound with a wide soundstage and precise imaging that benefits critical listening in controlled environments. Compared to the HD-660S2 and HD-820, it emphasizes technical accuracy and spatial detail.
HD-820
- Positioning: Premium closed-back design engineered for reference-class listening in isolated environments.
- Description: Features a unique closed-back design that merges open headphone sound characteristics with enhanced bass warmth and improved isolation, suited for quiet and nearfield environments. In comparison with the HD-800 S, it prioritizes sound isolation and versatility over the expansive open-air presentation.
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Avg. Product Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used For Sale
2
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
539
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
40
Founding Year
1945
Our take on the brand
Sennheiser pioneered the world's first open-back headphones with the HD 414 in 1968, which became the bestselling full-size headphone of all time, and later developed the HD 25, evolving from 1980s broadcast use to become the industry standard in DJ booths worldwide. The brand is known for unique engineering approaches, such as integrating high-voltage amplifiers directly into earcups with Carrara marble chassis in the HE 1, developing proprietary ring-radiator transducers and absorber technology to eliminate resonances, and creating the long-running MD 421 microphone that has remained in production since 1960.
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Brand Page
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What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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What if you spend more?
Feliks Audio
Envy
7345
7345
/
14
Reviews
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
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Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality with a blend of expertly crafted wood and metal, creating a visually striking and durable statement piece
- Dynamic, rich, and effortless sound with excellent detail, texture, and the right amount of tube magic
- Powerful output capable of driving demanding headphones while maintaining clarity and control
- Versatile performance with a variety of headphones (dynamic and planar) due to its output transformer design, often improving sound for warm or neutral headphones
- Value added by its ability to be used as a pre-amplifier in a stereo system
Product Considerations
- Large size and weight (around 15kg) require ample desk space and sturdy furniture
- Generates heat, which could be a concern in warmer environments without adequate ventilation
- Accidental switching of 'On/Off' is possible due to the touch-sensitive bar in the front not being intuitive, so use with care around pets
- Too powerful for some very sensitive IEMs, potentially resulting in overwhelming sound or audible hiss, though this is not the intended design for the amplifier
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs HIFIMAN Susvara, Envy empowers Susvara's natural presentation while giving it all the dynamics and slam needed
- Vs Cayin HA-300MkII, Envy exhibits more linear mid-to-high frequencies and offers a more transparent sound, while HA-300MkII has a warmer—more engaging midrange
- Vs AURIS Headonia 2A3, Envy performs at the same level, with technically incredibly strong aspects
- Vs Octave V 16, Envy completely demolishes the V 16 when it comes to energy, control, timbre, and resolution
- Vs Ferrum OOR, Envy is more powerful sounding, while also being more detailed with better tonality
Takeaway:
The Felix Audio Envy is a high-end headphone amplifier for audio enthusiasts who want the best quality sound to bring out the magic in their favorite headphones. Its stunning design and versatile performance make it a worthwhile addition to any serious audiophile setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
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Playback Designs
Merlot
8811
8811
/
3
Reviews
Playback Designs, founded by DSD pioneer Andreas Koch, stands out for using custom-programmable FPGA chips instead of standard DAC chips, and for converting all digital inputs to DSD format to reduce distortion. The brand's 1-bit DACs feature their proprietary PLINK optical connection system to isolate from electrical noise, along with separate power supplies for each channel, helping make even lower-resolution files sound exceptionally good.
Expand Details
Video review
Our take on the brand
Playback Designs, founded by DSD pioneer Andreas Koch, stands out for using custom-programmable FPGA chips instead of standard DAC chips, and for converting all digital inputs to DSD format to reduce distortion. The brand's 1-bit DACs feature their proprietary PLINK optical connection system to isolate from electrical noise, along with separate power supplies for each channel, helping make even lower-resolution files sound exceptionally good.
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Trilogy
H1Energiser
5462
5462
/
1
Reviews
Ahead of the curve Trilogy has opted to fittingly make the first Special Products Division a component where nuance and tangibility is etched in fine detail - the electrostatic headphone energiser. A fitting first statement product for Trilogy Audio Systems SPD range, built with meticulous sonic craftsmanship.
After trialling variations of the Stax circuit used by many other manufacturers Nic Poulson realised that accepted wisdom and circuitry failed to advance the product to Trilogy design goals, to only ever evolve and improve. The SPD H1 circuit is unique in terms of a solution.
The design consists of two toroidal transformers, one for heating the triodes, the other for the rest of the H1. The vacuum tube circuit utilises high transconductance type military specification tubes. One pair of 6C3 input tubes and one pair of 6H6 output tubes, having a service life of approximately 5000 hours and can simply be returned to Trilogy for replacement.
The H1 is a pure Class A fully balanced circuit with both wide bandwidth and zero feedback giving a pure communication between the listener and the music. Naturally on this no compromise design wiring is teflon coated point to point silver plated copper. The Stax sockets are PTFE/Teflon with gold plated contact surfaces.
The H1 provides palpable bass and a forthright and authoritative midrange, in addition to the quality airiness that electrostatic headphones are so renowned for. The ephemeral yet conversely frustrating qualities of the traditional experience of electrostatic headphone presentation have been addressed. It has taken time to reverse conventional thinking, but the result was worth it. Experience the openness and pure escapism the H1 provides.
To the rear the SPD H1 features 4 inputs/ 2 x RCA 2 x XLR, and one pair of Stax sockets elegantly recessed into the front fascia. We make a direct mode model (DMV) which allows the user to select inputs remotely and a more fully functioned remote that includes additional operations as volume/balance and mute. The direct mode model (DMV) may be upgraded to the full featured remote version by simply returning to Trilogy for chip and firmware updates.
As with any Stax compatible energiser Performance is dependent on the quality of the source i.e. CD players analogue output stage, and quality of other manufacturers digital volume controls, but the buyer of the H1 rest assured that Trilogy once again, has redefined the standard by which Stax compatible energisers must be judged by and must be experienced to be believed.
Trilogy Audio is a UK-based hifi brand known for its hybrid amplifier designs that combine valve and solid-state technologies, with their products featuring CNC-milled aluminum construction and microprocessor control for customization. Their amplifiers use virtually feedback-free valve-based amplification and true choke input power supplies, setting them apart from conventional designs in the industry.
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Product Strengths
- Possesses the transparency, resolution, detail retrieval, and coherency of an electrostatic rig combined with the musicality of a single-ended triode amplifier
- Tone and timbre are natural, beautiful, rich, and edible
- Exceptional volumetric cube (soundstage) and ability to render depth and width
- Reveals space via endless microdynamic details, nuance, and spatial cues, creating a 'you-are-there' experience
- Svelte and aesthetically clean design, available in black or silver, with a minimalist front facade
Product Considerations
- Sub-bass reach is a limitation; it expertly handles mid and upper bass, and even the initial steps of the deep bass regions remarkably well, though not the deepest bass
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Viva Egoista STX: The Trilogy H1 did not offer the incredible clarity or openness of the Viva Egoista STX, but it was closer in quality than expected
Takeaway: The Trilogy H1 Energizer combines electrostatic capabilities with single-ended triode qualities, resulting in a sublime musical experience. It brings forth music with exceptional detail and a delicious tonality, making it a remarkable first electrostatic product from Trilogy.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Trilogy Audio is a UK-based hifi brand known for its hybrid amplifier designs that combine valve and solid-state technologies, with their products featuring CNC-milled aluminum construction and microprocessor control for customization. Their amplifiers use virtually feedback-free valve-based amplification and true choke input power supplies, setting them apart from conventional designs in the industry.
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EAR Yoshino
EAR HP4
6043
6043
/
2
Reviews
EAR Yoshino is a British hifi brand where each product is handmade from start to finish by a single engineer, with their amplifiers featuring a unique balanced bridge mode output stage design that assigns separate windings to each electrode on the output transformer. Their tube-based equipment, inspired by founder Tim de Paravicini's professional recording studio experience, is used by renowned artists like Pink Floyd and Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs.
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Product Strengths
- Improves the performance of headphones, making them sound better
- Images become larger and more distinctly tactile
- Delivers credibility and immersivity, putting headphones into the same ballpark as a good stereo
- Elegant and compact design
- Considered by some to represent the pinnacle of headphone amplification in design and execution
- Placement of RCA's are so close that any high-end RCA cable that has any kind of larger jack assembly will simply not plug in over-and-under into the same-numbered set
Product Considerations
- Some softening of bass impact in comparison to others
- Least apparent power
- Balanced outputs were not included in the original design
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs HeadAmp GSX Mark II—the E.A.R. has better tone/timbre, imaging, and stereotypical tube benefits to soundstage; HeadAmp has 'blackest' backgrounds, with deepest apparent reach to the bass
- Vs Cavalli Audio Liquid Gold—the E.A.R. has better tone/timbre, imaging, and stereotypical tube benefits to soundstage; Cavalli has widest/tallest sound stage, with best specificity of placement
Takeaway: The EAR HP4 headphone amplifier is a top-tier product with elegant design that elevates the listening experience by improving headphone performance and creating immersive sound. It is an amplifier that inspires listening and immersion in music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
EAR Yoshino is a British hifi brand where each product is handmade from start to finish by a single engineer, with their amplifiers featuring a unique balanced bridge mode output stage design that assigns separate windings to each electrode on the output transformer. Their tube-based equipment, inspired by founder Tim de Paravicini's professional recording studio experience, is used by renowned artists like Pink Floyd and Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs.
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What competes at this price?
Naim
Uniti Atom Headphone Edition
3799
/
Released
2021
There is no easier way for you to get up close and personal with music than with the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition; put on your headphones, take yourself away, with no distractions. For even more flexibility, you can keep up to three headphones plugged in and switch sets depending on your listening preference.
Naim Audio is renowned for its distinctive "Naim sound," which focuses on timing accuracy and a unique harmonic distortion profile that creates a musical flow. The brand's meticulous approach involves extensive R&D and proprietary components like custom transistors and power supplies, as seen in their Uniti range which combines streaming capabilities with their signature sound characteristics.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Offers a comprehensive and flexible specification, functioning as a headphone amplifier and streaming preamp
- Produces superb sound quality, described as clear, pure, detailed, dynamic, and musical, without being overly analytical, regardless of genre or recording quality
- Features a well-made, elegant, and attractive design with a beautiful screen for album art and a satisfying volume control
- Supports a comprehensive range of streaming services and digital formats including AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Bluetooth, UPnP, and Internet Radio, and is Roon Ready
- Intuitive and stable app, especially for those who know what they want to listen to
Product Considerations
- The price is high relative to other headphone amplifiers/DACs on the market
- The front display is not a touchscreen
- Some might prefer a more analytical sound presentation
- The HDMI ARC connection is absent
- The Naim app lacks polish compared to dedicated music apps
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Cambridge Audio Evo 150 and NAD M10—the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is specifically focused on headphone use
- As a headphone amp, it is every bit as good as the Chord Hugo TT2
- Naim puts less of itself into the performance as opposed to McIntosh MHA200
Takeaway: The Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is a great self-contained system for headphone listening, with an easy-to-use interface and a beautiful design. It is a quality product that can be a centerpiece for your home audio.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Naim Audio is renowned for its distinctive "Naim sound," which focuses on timing accuracy and a unique harmonic distortion profile that creates a musical flow. The brand's meticulous approach involves extensive R&D and proprietary components like custom transistors and power supplies, as seen in their Uniti range which combines streaming capabilities with their signature sound characteristics.
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Feliks Audio
Euforia Evo
2833
/
Released
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers a smooth, embracing, and euphonic tone, making it enjoyable to listen to for extended periods without fatigue
- Offers excellent detail and ambiance reproduction, resulting in a sublime and neutral sound that pairs beautifully with high-impedance headphones
- Provides a wide and airy sound with neutral tuning, combined with a rich and smooth texture
- The midrange is powerful, vivid, and lively, offering a unique and analog timbre for engaging listening experiences
- Produces a wide, three-dimensional soundstage and lifelike, holographic imaging for an immersive listening experience
Product Considerations
- Lacks power for driving very demanding headphones
- Generates a considerable amount of heat, requiring placement in a well-ventilated area
- Has some coloration in the low-end, which may not appeal to all listeners
- The on/off switch is located on the back panel, which might be inconvenient in some setups
- May not be 'tubey' enough for some users seeking stronger tube coloration
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Feliks Audio Envy: It 'hits' differently and is a more budget-friendly option for high-impedance headphone owners
- Vs SMSL SH-X: Both amps generate a lot of heat, but it offers more realistic staging and imaging
- Vs HIFIMAN Prelude: It offers a neutral, dynamic, and colorful sound, while Prelude is smooth, lush, warm, and bassy
- Vs Violectric HPA V340: It provides tube richness, a wider soundstage, and better instrument separation compared to the brighter and harder sound of HPA V340
- Vs Feliks Audio Euforia (original): The Evo delivers more color, contrast, dynamic range, and resolution with better control and lower distortion, especially with hard-to-drive headphones
Takeaway: The Euforia Evo is a tube amplifier that gives music a smooth, rich, and detailed sound. It is great for those who want to experience high-quality audio and enjoy listening to their headphones.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
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Holo Audio
Bliss
2998
/
Released
2023
The HoloAudio Bliss is here! This has taken a long time and tremendous R&D to deliver a head-amp that does everything well. Enough power for any headphone! And delivering our intoxicating sound signature that HoloAudio is known for.
Holo Audio has established itself as a leader in the modern mid-level R-2R DAC movement, focusing on creating DACs with a natural, rich sound that emphasizes musicality over pure detail. Like Denafrips, Holo Audio is known for precise engineering, low noise levels, and exceptional value, offering performance that rivals far more expensive competitors. With a similar approach and price range, Holo Audio is frequently mentioned alongside Denafrips as a top choice for audiophiles seeking high-quality sound without the high-end price tag.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Versatile amplifier that breathes life into a wide range of headphones
- The purity of the sound creates a very natural tonality and a very organic experience in general
- Incredible depth, note separation, and holography, with a soundstage that envelops the listener
- Connectivity options...
Product Considerations
- It runs hot and needs space to breathe, as it is a class A amplifier
- Its hefty size (10kg) might be too much for a small desk
- Hifiman Susvara users might want to look for another amplifier
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Pass Labs HPA-1 has an unmistakably organic feel, while Bliss leans more towards a very clean and pure neutral presentation
- Holo Bliss brought a new level of energy and control to the music, while refining the details and presenting them in a purer, more organic way
- Compared to Felix Audio Euphoria Anniversary Edition, a little of that black background is lost, and more of a sunset feel is gained, with more of a lush midrange akin to the characteristics of the Tube
Takeaway: The Holo Audio Bliss is a versatile and powerful amplifier that delivers an exceptional listening experience, with a focus on purity, holography, and natural tonality, making music vibrant and captivating. With its top-notch build quality, it's designed to be the heart of any high-end audio setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Holo Audio has established itself as a leader in the modern mid-level R-2R DAC movement, focusing on creating DACs with a natural, rich sound that emphasizes musicality over pure detail. Like Denafrips, Holo Audio is known for precise engineering, low noise levels, and exceptional value, offering performance that rivals far more expensive competitors. With a similar approach and price range, Holo Audio is frequently mentioned alongside Denafrips as a top choice for audiophiles seeking high-quality sound without the high-end price tag.
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Yamaha
HA-L7A
3999
/
Released
2023
On the quest for ultimate true sound in headphone listening, Yamaha has developed a headphone amplifier that impresses with its audiophile sound quality. Our passionate commitment to creativity and innovation has led to sonic heights over the past 30 years - through the fusion of premium HiFi audio technologies with advancements in the sound field technology of our AV receivers. We present our high-end headphone amplifier HA-L7A.
Yamaha pioneered the concept of hifi with their first hifi player in 1954 and was the first to use pure beryllium diaphragms in their NS-1000M speakers, which became a benchmark for professional studios. The brand uniquely integrates their musical instrument expertise into their audio equipment design, allowing them to accurately replicate the sound of their instruments through their audio systems.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Unique design, with transformers isolated to prevent power supply interference, while maintaining a desktop-friendly size
- Aims to provide a balanced and natural sound with a wide dynamic range, particularly evident in Pure Direct mode
- Measures excellently, with a very low noise floor, excellent crosstalk, and wide dynamic range, making it very precise and rich in detail
- Can also function as a DAC/preamp with analog inputs and pre-outs, allowing the user to assemble a high-end head-fi system with one device
- Offers great connectivity options, including balanced (4.4mm and XLR) and unbalanced (6.3mm) headphone jacks, as well as a comprehensive selection of rear inputs like analog, digital, coaxial, and USB
Product Considerations
- The design may not appeal to everyone, described as more 'functional' than flashy
- High-sensitivity IEMs may have audible noise
- There is no balanced input
- There is clumsy placement of buttons for variable/fixed line output
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The unit's sound field technology is compared to that used in Yamaha's AV receivers
Takeaway: The HA-L7A is a uniquely designed headphone amplifier packed with features and connectivity that can deliver high-quality audio. If you want to drive power-hungry headphones and desire Yamaha's sound signature, the HA-L7A could be a good choice.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Yamaha pioneered the concept of hifi with their first hifi player in 1954 and was the first to use pure beryllium diaphragms in their NS-1000M speakers, which became a benchmark for professional studios. The brand uniquely integrates their musical instrument expertise into their audio equipment design, allowing them to accurately replicate the sound of their instruments through their audio systems.
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Ferrum
Wandala HP
3458
/
Released
2024
Ferrum introduces the latest family member of WANDLA, WANDLA HP. WANDLA HP resides comfortably in the space between entry and super flagship level for headphone enthusiasts. WANDLA HP essentially is WANDLA with a great sounding headphone amplifier. It will satisfy those who are seeking more than ERCO has to offer but are not ready for WANDLA in combination with OOR, being the super flagship option.
Ferrum Audio, a Polish hifi brand, stands out for its unique HYPSOS power supply that combines switching and linear designs for better performance, and its OOR headphone amplifier's rare quad-mono configuration that easily drives demanding headphones like the Hifiman Susvara. Their Wandla DAC features custom digital filters developed with HQ Player and uses a proprietary ARM-based platform called SERCE to reduce signal paths, both uncommon features in DACs.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Amazing touchscreen, which is very responsive
- ESS filter makes it very incisive, very robust in bass, and provides crystalline clarity at its price point
- Digital filters matter and are well done, changing the sound subtly but noticeably, allowing for customization
- Mad resolving, as resolving as any DAC around the $5,000 price point
- Good spatial holography with good lateral imaging and separation, and the ability to layer the sound quite well in the depth dimension
Product Considerations
- May require a firmware update upon arrival to resolve issues such as sleep mode malfunctions
- More sensitive to noise and ground loops than other DACs
- Single-ended output has reduced quality compared to balanced output
- ESS filter can make the sound a little brighter
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Holo Spring has a wider soundstage, but it is more resolving; it has a tighter bass than the Spring
- Compared to the Denafrips Venus, it is more upfront and dynamic with better bass and mid-range clarity
Takeaway: It is a DAC that has an amazing touchscreen and filters, which makes it incisive and robust in bass. Its detailed sound and customization options can help one get the sound they like.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Ferrum Audio, a Polish hifi brand, stands out for its unique HYPSOS power supply that combines switching and linear designs for better performance, and its OOR headphone amplifier's rare quad-mono configuration that easily drives demanding headphones like the Hifiman Susvara. Their Wandla DAC features custom digital filters developed with HQ Player and uses a proprietary ARM-based platform called SERCE to reduce signal paths, both uncommon features in DACs.
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