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Help! Just received EF5 and sounds strange!

post #1 of 8
9/21/12 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 

I just received my Music Streamer II and my Hifiman EF5. I have not yet received my HIfiman headphones, but wanted to set it up to test it. 

 

I am using Better Cables Silver Serpent RCA's and Pangea Audio 4% Silver PCOCC USB.

 

now the sound is very unclear, distant and the bass is uneven, and it slightly rumbles/rattles like if the headphones had been damaged from too high volume, though it appears on any volume level. I am using my Westone 4r's, also tried with my Denon NC 800's - same thing. What am I doing wrong, did I get a faulty unit, did I not let it warm up enough, is the tube not put in right?

 

I saw some pictures where the tube goes all the way in the slot so that only the little tip of the silver top raises over the protective glass. Mine does not go that far in, and I am afraid to press it down too hard, I think it is as far in as it goes. It does not go further down than that the surface of the glass and the bottom of the silver top meet exactly.  

 

Any input is highly appreciated!


Edited by AdamFrandsen - 9/21/12 at 4:14pm
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post #2 of 8
9/21/12 at 4:31pm
Thread Starter 

EDIT: Take it back it is stil there. Still sounds weird, sort of like when you pull the headphone plug out just a smidgen and the sound becomes thin/unclear and distant...


Edited by AdamFrandsen - 9/21/12 at 11:56pm
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post #3 of 8
9/21/12 at 11:57pm
Thread Starter 

BUMP

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post #4 of 8
9/22/12 at 2:27am

I would suggest pulling the tube out, don't touch it directly, have a cloth or paper towel between it and your fingers. Then apply a miniscule amount of machine oil to the pins (just rub oil on a finger and then touch the pins with your finger to get a little oil on them). Then push the tube back in. You should feel when it reaches the limit and a good connection is made. Then try the amp. If it is still malfunctioning you probably have a faulty tube...
 


Edited by Hooster - 9/22/12 at 2:32am
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post #5 of 8
9/22/12 at 3:03am
Thread Starter 

Did you read my thread about whether or not I got a knock off? My EF5 has no High/Low gain switch on the top, as I see it does in the pictures. It also has printed on/off on the front switch, which is not on the official websites pictures, the voltage switch US/EU on the back is red and not black, and the base of the power link plug is just metal/black and not blue as in other pictures.... Going to call Hifiman as soon as they open their phone lines and ask.

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post #6 of 8
9/22/12 at 3:47am

No, I did not see the other thread. Best of luck to you.

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post #7 of 8
9/23/12 at 11:43am
Thread Starter 

Problem was with the tube missing a connector-pin

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post #8 of 8
9/23/12 at 11:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AdamFrandsen View Post

Problem was with the tube missing a connector-pin

 

So my first guess was correct wink.gif. I hope you get your nice rig up an running to it's potential soon.

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