Quote: Can't agree more. For big equipment like book shelf speakers, burn-in might be true and yet it's still debatable. For small drivers in headphones, burn-in is just placebo bullcrap and pseudo-science. The change of physical measurement before and after "burn-in" is almost very very...

Quote: To be honest, it's all about profit margin. R&D takes some cost but that can't justify the high cost of gadgets. After some point, it's all about profit. I used to live in China and still have friends there who's in the manufacture business, you wouldn't believe how low the cost is...

Quote: I'm not a drummer but I used to play in metal bands before. For me the cymbals sound from HE-400 is a bit harsh and piercing on my ears. 

To be honest the difference between DACs are not very distinguishable at all on HE-400. Any DAC recommended by the other posters will do.   The headphones sound quality outweighs too much compared to the differences of DACs.

Quote: Very much agree to this. Above certain certain price, all what you get is just placebo effect and diminishing returns for any extra money you spend.

Quote: For anything related burn-in, I'd say it's mostly just placebo effect or you get used to it. There's usually no physical or technical change in the hardware.

Quote: For a little bit more you can get a O2+ODAC for less than $300.

Quote: I'm pairing them with O2+ODAC combo. The sound is very transparent and straightforward with no heavy feeling(muffled, veiled sound). Mid and low are exceptionally good. I listen to metal so there are a lot of deep fast bass and distortion guitar. The sound all comes very clean and...

I wonder how much upgrade HE-500 would be. I read that the mid and high of HE-500 are better controlled and presented compared to HE-400. Now that I just got my HE-400, I'm already starting to think about the future upgrade, lol.   Interestingly, my Denon AH-D2000 also has harsh tremble...

Quote:   It's fine in most cases but if there's a lot of cymbal in the music, it goes a bit raspy like hissing. But other than that, the sound is very good.

Quote: Yeah I got the velour pads already but I haven't put them on yet. I find it a bit difficult to put in on -__- Also I wanna listen to pleather for a bit so I can compare when I put on velours.

Quote: Yep, the slip is warranty card(I can read Chinese) but it's so poorly done without any mentioning of the warranty period and such. It only says it won't cover resale and sale lower than the MSRP.   I know it's trying to cut the fluff costs but no manual or instruction really bogs...

Just received my HE-400 today after the storm(I live in NY area). Moon Audio next day aired it to me which is really nice.   I'm really surprised and amused by how simple the package is. There's not even manual in the box? The warranty card is also just one slip of chinese paper. Is that...

Quote: I ordered my HE-400 from Moon Audio because they gave me $360 discounted price. And I ordered velour pads from Head Direct. But now I heard some HE-400 comes with spare pair of velour pads o.o

Quote: What? I thought it would be the opposite? He didn't like D2K and isn't a bass head so isn't HD650 better for him?

Ordered from Moon-Audio yesterday but was told they are waiting for the new replacement stock for the recalled rev.3, gaaaah.

Just ordered yesterday from Moon-Audio for HE-400 but I was told they are still waiting for the new stock to come in for the recalled rev.3. Do you guys know how long that would be?

Just in time for my upgrade. Finally pulled the trigger on HE-400. Now I'm just hoping it will arrive within this week. 

Quote: How did you get the price from them? I emailed them but no reply yet.

I'm looking into HE-400 headphones right now for an upgrade. Just wondering is there any upcoming promotion or deal as you know, thanksgiving is approaching? 

I don't really care about the looks. I won't wear those things outside anyway. Sound quality and pricing are far more important imo.

Quote: Have you tried O2 Amp? How does that compare to Neco V3? I'm asking because I'm thinking about just getting the ODAC+O2 combo.

I wonder if anybody who has ODAC can give some opinions or reviews?

Quote: yeah that's my fear too as I heard the improvement of D5k isn't big enough to justify the price hike. How much better Hifiman HE-400 is compared to D5k, if you have heard it?

Coming from ATH-M50 to my current Denon D2000, I'm really pleased by the sound quality of D2000. But now I'm intrigued to explore more in the hi-fi world. I feel D2000 already has provided such good quality, where can I go from there? I know there are more expensive cans out there, but I just...