REVIEW: Head-direct.com HiFiMan EF2 tube Hybrid Amp with USB DAC - Page 79

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bee inthe Attic 

...some more help/advice needed please.

 

wondering if I should get the EF2 to pair with my Macbook Pro and Grado 225's & ATH M30's

OR

if the same money is better spent on a new pair of headphone, like the ATH M50's

I like the results I got with my SR60's (modded, sound a lot like SR225's). The ATH-M50 doesn't benefit much from amping.

Quote:

Originally Posted by calipilot227 

I like the results I got with my SR60's (modded, sound a lot like SR225's). The ATH-M50 doesn't benefit much from amping.

 

thanks for the reply, but what I'm asking is:

with my setup (Macbook Pro, Grado 225's, ATH M30's, with all genre's of music)

and about $150 to spend,

would I benefit the most from buying the EF2a OR from buying a new pair of headphones (like the ATH M50's for example)????

Honestly, with that budget and current set up, a set of headphones entirely unlike what you already have, would probably be the most fun/benefit. 

Maybe the Sennheiser 555 - to mix it up a bit, or Shure 840? 

None of your current phones require an amp - and are pretty forgiving of sub-optimal source, but all would benefit from one down the line. 

But most bang for the buck right now, is probably in another set of cans. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by liamstrain 

Honestly, with that budget and current set up, a set of headphones entirely unlike what you already have, would probably be the most fun/benefit. 

 

Maybe the Sennheiser 555 - to mix it up a bit, or Shure 840? 

 

None of your current phones require an amp - and are pretty forgiving of sub-optimal source, but all would benefit from one down the line. 

 

But most bang for the buck right now, is probably in another set of cans. 

thanks, liamstrain.

which cans would you say are best for watching movies on my macbook?
 

No idea. I've never considered watching movies with headphones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bee inthe Attic 

 

thanks, liamstrain.

 

which cans would you say are best for watching movies on my macbook? 

 

Something with a good soundstage. Sennheiser HD555 and ATH-AD700 come to mind. However, if you're happy with the sound of your SR225's, then the EF2A will refine their sound nicely.

It only has one output impedance.  The 32-300 ohm spec is which range of headphone impedances Hifiman is saying is appropriate for it, which is (pardon the pun) a canned spec that many headphone jacks will claim.  That's like saying such and such phono preamp is good for cartridges with inductance anywhere from 200-1200 millihenries.  Kind of a worthless spec.  The other one is just telling you there the output at a given impedance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by liamstrain 

From the head-direct site:

Input Impedence: 47kOutput Impedence: 32-300 OhmOutput at 32 Ohm: 3 v, 320 mwOutput at 150 Ohm: 6.2 v, 256

 

Were you looking for other information?

Ok - well, if I ever get a multimeter into the office, I'll take a measurement for you. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict 

I hated the 555 - sounded like rubbish even with an amp.  The SRH-820 or D2000 would be good with movies and not need a lot of power.

SRH-820?? (I can't find this anywhere) Do you mean the Shure SRH840? The AHD2000 look nice, but are too expensive for me.

Also, I'm getting conflicting advice on this site (to be expected, I know), but with my setup (Macbook Pro, Grado 225's, ATH M30's, with all genre's of music) and about $150 to spend, would I benefit the most from anew set of cans or from buying the EF2a?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict 

Yeah, that was a typo, sorry.  The EF2A to properly feed the SR-225 would be my choice, since it pairs well with Grados and has more current for low impedance phones.  If the EF2A doesn't make them sound a bit better I'll be surprised.  And if it doesn't, at least you have a good DAC/amp for the price, and can save up over time to get some nicer headphones to pair with the EF2.  I just can't think of a phone for $150 that would clearly pass up the SR-225.  The SRH840 might, but I've never compared them, and haven't heard the 840 since 2009.

Thanks for the reply.

I've decided on getting the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (80 Ohm), to go along with my Grado 225's and Macbook Pro.

For that setup, would you suggest the EF2A, Total Bithead, or Fiio e10??

I suppose I'd rather a solid state amp (as opposed to tubes) if they are all in the same ballpark and would suit my needs similarly.

And the Fiio e10 is half the price of those two. I'm hoping the e10 will be a good enough match for both the 225's and DT770 Pro80.

Any further advice?

I have not seen the reviews for the E10, but both the 225 and 770/80 should be pretty easy to drive and well within the capabilities of most amps in its class. 

I purchased an EF2A a month and a half ago and I really like it.  Unfortunately, a day ago the amplifier end of the amp stopped working.  The tubes don't glow and I don't get any amplifier gain.  Does anyone know why this could be happening?