HD820 headphones and HDV820 amp options

[nightSpirit]

Afternoon all, just curious as I've just bought the above kit for home use but have been given the kit on loan for 2 weeks before the new items ship.

Which OEM cabling choice is best for the headphones, 6.3mm or XLR in terms of sound/performance?

Which input option on the back is the best for my AK SP1000 player? Toslink or USB? I was thinking of the Audioquest Carbon or Coffee options.

Anyone care to wade in?

[Roman Reigns]

nightSpirit said:

Afternoon all, just curious as I've just bought the above kit for home use but have been given the kit on loan for 2 weeks before the new items ship.

Which OEM cabling choice is best for the headphones, 6.3mm or XLR in terms of sound/performance?

Which input option on the back is the best for my AK SP1000 player? Toslink or USB? I was thinking of the Audioquest Carbon or Coffee options.

Anyone care to wade in?

Much obliged for your post, I figure you ought to go for USB?
that will give your more Connect include permits the SP1000.

[nightSpirit]

Thank you! I went for the Audio quest carbon usb cable...it's excellent

[theboss]

With my HDVD800/HD800 the XLR cable is miles better sounding by virtue of being balanced versus single ended.

Not sure if that’s the same case with the 820

Sounds like you probably already sorted?

[nightSpirit]

The 820s and the HDV 820 even say in the brochure that the 4.4 penta connection is the balanced and best option! I should learn to read more So I went for that route. They're fantastic things.

[theboss]

Yeah the penta connection didn’t exist on the 800 so it was the 6.3mm single ended or XLR balanced.

I got the cable thrown in anyway which was a bonus.

Have you tried a 2.5mm + 3.5mm to penta adapter in your SP1000 so you can drive the phones directly if you ever wanted to take it away somewhere?

The DAC in the 800 was always a weak point but I haven’t used it save for USB connectivity with a desktop PC. I tend to use mine in conjunction with a Linn ADS with balanced analogue interconnects. I read that the 820 is significantly better for digital playback.