Short answer: the Sennheiser HDV 820. It ranks #34 of 43 DAC and headphone amp combos by measured performance, rated 3.6/5, at $1,999.95; the NAD C 658 ranks #39, rated 2.8/5, and costs $2,299, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Sennheiser HDV 820 is the better-sounding pick. Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 108 dB, clean for nearly all listening. Watch for: Sennheiser doesn’t publish a power figure into 32 ohms, so it is hard to judge how well it drives low impedance planar headphones.
What the NAD C 658 does well: It is a full streaming preamp with Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with aptX HD, two optical and two coaxial inputs, analog RCA inputs and an MM phono stage. The catch: Audio Science Review measured only 90 dB SINAD, so sensitive in-ear monitors may reveal hiss or noise.
Buy the Sennheiser HDV 820. It is rated higher than the NAD C 658 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HDV 820 | NAD C 658 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999.95 | $2,299.00 |
| Ranked | #34 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos | #39 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp | DAC and headphone amp |
| SINAD | 108 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 90 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced | Headphone jack |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | Yes (XLR line out) |
| Inputs | USB, optical, coaxial, RCA, XLR | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2 x optical, 2 x coaxial, 2 x line RCA, MM phono |
| Outputs | XLR | RCA preamp, XLR preamp, stereo subwoofer |
| DAC Chip | ES9028PRO | ESS Sabre |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | - |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 1.7” x 12” (224 x 44 x 306 mm) | 17.1” x 3.9” x 15.9” (435 x 100 x 405 mm) |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.39 kg) | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX HD |
| Equalizer | - | Yes (Dirac Live room correction, bass and treble) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Amps and DACs In Full
Sennheiser HDV 820: $1,999.95 Sennheiser eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 108 dB, clean for nearly all listening. It has 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced and 4-pin XLR balanced headphone outputs, and accepts USB, optical, coaxial, RCA and XLR inputs, so it can also serve as a standalone amp for another DAC.
Cons: Sennheiser doesn’t publish a power figure into 32 ohms, so it is hard to judge how well it drives low impedance planar headphones. The Loxjie D40 rates higher and measured much cleaner for a small fraction of the price.
Full Sennheiser HDV 820 review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
|---|---|
| DAC Chip | ES9028PRO |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 1.7” x 12” (224 x 44 x 306 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | USB, optical, coaxial, RCA, XLR |
| Outputs | XLR |
| SINAD | 108 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.39 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
NAD C 658: $2,299.00 Upscale Audio eBay
Pros: It is a full streaming preamp with Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with aptX HD, two optical and two coaxial inputs, analog RCA inputs and an MM phono stage. Dirac Live room correction, stereo subwoofer outputs and XLR preamp outputs make it a flexible hub for a speaker system.
Cons: Audio Science Review measured only 90 dB SINAD, so sensitive in-ear monitors may reveal hiss or noise. NAD doesn’t publish a 32 ohm power figure for the headphone jack, and the SMSL M10 rates higher for far less.
Full NAD C 658 review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (XLR line out) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD |
| DAC Chip | ESS Sabre |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 17.1” x 3.9” x 15.9” (435 x 100 x 405 mm) |
| Equalizer | Yes (Dirac Live room correction, bass and treble) |
| Headphone Outputs | Headphone jack |
| Inputs | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2 x optical, 2 x coaxial, 2 x line RCA, MM phono |
| Outputs | RCA preamp, XLR preamp, stereo subwoofer |
| SINAD | 90 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons