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REVIEW: Head-direct.com HiFiMan EF2 tube Hybrid Amp with USB DAC - Page 9

post #121 of 1310
7/28/09 at 6:59pm
hello I am new to all this stuff and I am trying to setup a system to buy

so far people have told me to do this

-senns hd600 headphones
-iBasso d10 cobra as the usb amp
- the ef2 as the tube amp

and connect the ibasso to the ef2...

or should i just buy the hybrid?

Is this good for a stationary setup? it will be staying on my desk connected to my computer.
or should I look for a differnt amp/dac?


Also can I hook up external speakers to all this in the future? because it is a lot of money to just spend on a headphone setup...I would feel better if I knew i could setup a stereo system with it..
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post #122 of 1310
7/28/09 at 7:16pm
it'll work as both a dac and amp.. if you want to use the d10 as a DAC and the ef2 as an amp, that sounds like it'd work great

it's a great budget desktop setup and yes u can hook up active/powered speakers but i'm not so sure about bookshelf speakers, probably not enough power.
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post #123 of 1310
7/28/09 at 7:23pm
oops, double post
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post #124 of 1310
7/28/09 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
The D10 DAC is more detailed and spacious and will improve the sound of the EF2 when you are able to pair the two.
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post #125 of 1310
7/28/09 at 7:54pm
I may be getting ahead of myself, but I have another question in regards to my upgrade path after the EF2..

I will be using the DAC as a source maybe 80% of the time, and the Fuze w/ Line Out as a source maybe 20% of the time.

If I wanted to improve my setup in the future... which option would be the most beneficial?

a. add a dedicated DAC and use the EF2 as an amp
b. use the EF2 as a DAC/preamp and add a dedicated amp
c. upgrade the tubes
d. a & c, or a & b

Thank you
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post #126 of 1310
7/28/09 at 8:01pm
Thread Starter 
A and C
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post #127 of 1310
7/28/09 at 8:10pm
Gotcha, thanks again.
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post #128 of 1310
7/28/09 at 9:53pm
The EF2 can not be used as pre-amp or an stand alone DAC. If you are going to spend $600 for an iBasso D10 plus an EF1 I would suggest you buy an used Oritek DAC V4.0 or higher w/ the built in headphone amp. This combo sells for about $500 and IMO is a better sounding option.
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post #129 of 1310
7/28/09 at 10:18pm
I've got a pair of NOS/NIB SYLVANIA 6AK5 tubes on the way as my tube upgrade. I couldn't find the Raytheons. Will the Sylvanias be OK? Thanks, Chris.
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post #130 of 1310
7/29/09 at 6:33am
I just also purchased a pair of NOS 6AK5 tubes off ebay for about $14.xx shipped

Should I change them out immediately or do you think I should give the stock tubes a try?
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post #131 of 1310
7/29/09 at 5:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by koven View Post
I just also purchased a pair of NOS 6AK5 tubes off ebay for about $14.xx shipped

Should I change them out immediately or do you think I should give the stock tubes a try?
Give the stock tubes a try and burn-it in with the stock ones.
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post #132 of 1310
7/29/09 at 9:00pm
Nice review Larry.

I'm looking for a nice desktop amp to use with my IEMs Do you get any hum with the ES3X with the EF1/EF2? Which one would be better suited for IEM usage?
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post #133 of 1310
7/30/09 at 12:34am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ricey20 View Post
Nice review Larry.

I'm looking for a nice desktop amp to use with my IEMs Do you get any hum with the ES3X with the EF1/EF2? Which one would be better suited for IEM usage?
I was very clear in my review about what I heard - if I didn't mention hum I didn't hear any, and I used IEM and full size phones with it. I also said that the EF1 volume control was unsuitable for IEM while the EF2 volume control works well with them.
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post #134 of 1310
7/31/09 at 5:53pm
Your item cleared United States Customs at 10:26 AM on July 31, 2009

I guess I'll be getting them on Monday! (Hopefully)
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post #135 of 1310
8/1/09 at 10:42am

EF2 with HD 595

Hello EF2 users,

I'm currently using the Sennheiser HD 25-1 II and the Sennheiser HD 595 in combination with the Ibasso D2. When I'm using the DAC in combination with the HD 595 I'm not really getting a lot of bass. Will the EF2 give a better representation of the lower frequencies on my HD 595 in comparison to the D2? Proper amplification could solve this problem doesn't it?

Thanks
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