**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 400

Happy 400(th) page, everyone!

Just got a little squishy package from one J. Lin... 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjames 

I really, thoroughly am impressed with the E17. I love it, and I love that I can plug other things into it just to get a better-than-average source/amping. I have 20+ pairs of headphones and IEMs and the E17 sees a lot of time. But if the HE-400 was my only pair of headphones I might be a little dissatisfied, having heard something better (the M&M and the LDMKIII). If I just got the E17 and only had that, never having heard the other things, I would be pleased for sure, though.

 

In my opinion, it is worth the extra money for the M&M, provided portability isn't an issue. The M&M are tiny, adorably so, but there's still a wall wart you have to plug in, and full-size RCA cables, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattTCG 

 

Although you'll see a modest improvement over the e17, if you have other hp's that you'd like to be portable then I'd get the e17. If you don't need portable then the small schitt stack is the way to go. 

 

Welcome to the club and enjoy!!

 

Just wanted to point out that I am on the 400th page of the he400 thread. 

I'm just eager to get the best sound right off the bat.  I have my E11 for portable if needed so I'm definitely leaning towards the magni/modi.  Thanks.  Happy to be part of this awesome/expensive club! lol

Mandatory page 400 post :]

Would you say the magni/modi's improvement over the E17 was more so amp wise or in the dac?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPhoenix 

Would you say the magni/modi's improvement over the E17 was more so amp wise or in the dac?

I would guess the amp. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPhoenix 

Would you say the magni/modi's improvement over the E17 was more so amp wise or in the dac?

I used the E17 as a DAC primarily with my LDMKIII so I do think I have something to offer this equation as well. I was happy with the E17 as a DAC, though I do feel like using my Modi with the LDMKIII resulted in a fuller sound, not night and day, but I do feel like tracks were a little more full, the sound was presented better ... closer ... I know that's hard to describe, I'm not very good at that aspect of this obsession just yet.

That being said, I'd say the amp is the biggest improvement. At the end of the day, the E17 doesn't drive the HE-400 to its full potential. The headphones don't NEED a lot of power but they LOVE a lot of power, in my opinion. The Magni can deliver all it can handle, so it's definitely more noticeable than the DAC improvement. If I were going Magni + E17 DAC, I would be much happier than if I were able to isolate the amp on the E17 with the Modi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaver316 

 

I would guess the amp. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjames 

I used the E17 as a DAC primarily with my LDMKIII so I do think I have something to offer this equation as well. I was happy with the E17 as a DAC, though I do feel like using my Modi with the LDMKIII resulted in a fuller sound, not night and day, but I do feel like tracks were a little more full, the sound was presented better ... closer ... I know that's hard to describe, I'm not very good at that aspect of this obsession just yet.

 

That being said, I'd say the amp is the biggest improvement. At the end of the day, the E17 doesn't drive the HE-400 to its full potential. The headphones don't NEED a lot of power but they LOVE a lot of power, in my opinion. The Magni can deliver all it can handle, so it's definitely more noticeable than the DAC improvement. If I were going Magni + E17 DAC, I would be much happier than if I were able to isolate the amp on the E17 with the Modi.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Woah can't miss the page 400 on HE400 thread. Snagged.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerg 

Woah can't miss the page 400 on HE400 thread. Snagged.

Our names will forever go down in Head-fi history

Impossibru!

To 401 and beyond!

Quote:

Originally Posted by earphiler 

Impossibru!

With the He400 anything is possibru!

Quote:

Originally Posted by merkil 


Great song. Great album. Great artist. Its a shame he isn't makin music anymore.

Elliott Smith was amazing. It's too bad he was such a troubled person, and yeah, From a Basement... was a posthumous album done properly. I still get chills when he says "Give me one good reason not to do it," in King's Crossing, and then his girlfriend before his death would say "Because we love you" insaaaanely quiet in the mix. I always figured the sounds at the beginning were total gibberish but with the HE-400, I can actual discern some of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by modulor 

Happy 400(th) page, everyone!

 

Just got a little squishy package from one J. Lin... 

Rumor has it that the pads are now shipping in those small Priority Mail boxes from the USPS. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaver316 

I would guess the amp. 

I would say with absolute confidence that it is the amp.  The Modi DAC to a lesser degree.  Again, then, DACs can come down to preference though, and I'd hate to add any comments regarding a DAC as I don't want to stir the waters. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by earphiler 

Impossibru!

Your Engrish is most excellent. 

Oh, and I'm very happy to be on the 400th page, too -- or, at least I hope it's still the 400th page.

Edit: I see it wasn't possible for me to post on the 400th page.  Well, maybe if Ninjames didn't have to post "3" times on the 400th page, some of us others could have made it too.  Such a selfish, greedy guy.