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REVIEW: Head-direct.com HiFiMan EF2 tube Hybrid Amp with USB DAC - Page 10

post #136 of 1225
8/1/09 at 1:18pm
Not sure if I missed it, but could somebody either PM me a link or post it here of where you are ordering the replacement tubes. I've tried Google and such but only come up with stuff from Singapore it seems like. (PM preferred if it's possible)

Thanks!
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Denon AHD2000 High Performance Over-Ear Headphones
$309.99 at
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Hifiman EF2A Usb Headphone Amplifier
$199 at
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Sennheiser HD 800 Headphones
$1499.95 at
See it »
post #137 of 1225
8/1/09 at 3:29pm
After hearing Headphone Addict's EF-2 at a recent meet, I had to order one so Fang should send it off soon. Recieved my EMS tracking already.

www.thetubestore.com has an equivalent and there are several on eBay. Google 6J1. or 5654
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post #138 of 1225
8/1/09 at 5:52pm
Larry I have sent the unit I had on a round about! Four members here will have it for review/impressions. These are:

- raffy
- dw6928
- immtbiker
- Skylab (maybe, if time allows)

Should be fun to read the impressions of four additional members.
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post #139 of 1225
8/1/09 at 7:39pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by boomy3555 View Post
After hearing Headphone Addict's EF-2 at a recent meet, I ahd to order one so Fang should send it off soon.

www.thetubestore.com has an equivalent and there are several on eBay. Google 6J1. or 5654

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo View Post
Larry I have sent the unit I had on a round about! Four members here will have it for review/impressions. These are:

- raffy
- dw6928
- immtbiker
- Skylab (maybe, if time allows)

Should be fun to read the impressions of four additional members.
That would be cool.
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post #140 of 1225
8/1/09 at 9:51pm
Does this amplifier work with Linux? :P
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post #141 of 1225
8/2/09 at 11:18pm
I'm in the process of researching a DAC <$400 to pair with the EF2.

Not sure if you've heard these but it looks like the V-DAC, Oritek V4, and DAC Magic are excellent choices for full size DAC's in that price range.

Am I wrong to assume these three sound noticeably better than the D10/Pico because they're full-sized?

What would you recommend? Not sure if this is important but I prefer a warm sound.
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post #142 of 1225
8/2/09 at 11:44pm
You might be better off with a neutral sounding DAC with the EF2, my experience with tube amps you don't want the DAC colouring the sound that much. LOL btw this is my first post, so you can take it with a grain of salt haha.
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post #143 of 1225
8/3/09 at 2:04am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by koven View Post
I'm in the process of researching a DAC <$400 to pair with the EF2.

Not sure if you've heard these but it looks like the V-DAC, Oritek V4, and DAC Magic are excellent choices for full size DAC's in that price range.

Am I wrong to assume these three sound noticeably better than the D10/Pico because they're full-sized?

What would you recommend? Not sure if this is important but I prefer a warm sound.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveHao View Post
You might be better off with a neutral sounding DAC with the EF2, my experience with tube amps you don't want the DAC colouring the sound that much. LOL btw this is my first post, so you can take it with a grain of salt haha.
I think you would be surprised by the D10 (via optical) or Pico DAC (via USB), despite their size. I have compared them to many desktop DACs and I think they hold up quite well. And, I would say their DACs are very neutral without coloring the sound. The D10 via USB is not quite as good as the Pico's USB DAC, but both are still a noticeable upgrade over the EF2 DAC in terms of micro-detail, spaciousness and soundstage - the D10 or Pico DAC feeding the EF2 amp is a very nice combo, with more power for full size phones like HD600/800 than most portable amps can offer with their built-in amps.
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post #144 of 1225
8/3/09 at 6:29am
Very interested in buying a Pico after everything I've read. Just curious though, paired with the EF2, what differences would I hear with a Pico vs a D10?
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post #145 of 1225
8/3/09 at 3:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by koven View Post
Very interested in buying a Pico after everything I've read. Just curious though, paired with the EF2, what differences would I hear with a Pico vs a D10?
Not a big difference if the D10 is used via optical input, while the D10 via USB has slightly less detail and depth than the Pico DAC (DAC only or DAC/amp).

The main difference is the output levels of the DACs. The Pico DAC-only or Pico DAC/amp (used as a pre-amp and volume turned up) will both provide a higher volume level signal into the EF2 than the D10's line out or the EF2 built-in DAC. So you wont need to turn the EF2 volume knob as high to achieve the same volume levels. Max power of the EF2 wont change, it's just that you will reach max volume at a little bit of a lower volume knob setting on the EF2.
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post #146 of 1225
8/3/09 at 8:30pm
Thanks for the responses.. I think I'm going to go w/ the Pico DAC.

Also, just to clarify - when using the EF2's DAC, does it go through the amp or does it go straight to the line out?
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post #147 of 1225
8/3/09 at 9:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by koven View Post
Thanks for the responses.. I think I'm going to go w/ the Pico DAC.

Also, just to clarify - when using the EF2's DAC, does it go through the amp or does it go straight to the line out?
It goes to the amp inside the EF2. You can not use the EF2 as a DAC only.
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post #148 of 1225
8/3/09 at 9:45pm
Gotcha, thanks.

Another issue, the EF2 is producing a loud hiss w/ my powered speakers using the USB DAC. My speakers are connected to the EF2 via XLR -> 3.5mm. I didn't get any hiss w/ the iBasso D2, any idea what the problem is?
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post #149 of 1225
8/4/09 at 5:26pm
Im thinking of getting the EF2 or a little dot i+ and a separate DAC under 100, Which would be a better choice?
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post #150 of 1225
8/5/09 at 11:37am
I just ordered one of these. It will be my first headphoneamp, so it will be interesting to see how much it it improves on the HP-out of my PCs'.
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Denon AHD2000 High Performance Over-Ear Headphones
$309.99 at
See it »
Hifiman EF2A Usb Headphone Amplifier
$199 at
See it »
Sennheiser HD 800 Headphones
$1499.95 at
See it »
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › REVIEW: Head-direct.com HiFiMan EF2 tube Hybrid Amp with USB DAC