I wonder if Himalaya LE in EF500 is the same (but renamed), improved or degraded version of the original chip in EF400. I hope the "Pro" version in EF600/Serenade is better... Although even if it is better theoretically / on-paper, considering HIFIMAN's manufacturing standards, one can never...

Hmm. I wonder if USB port implementations are identical between EF400, EF499 and EF500 (and possibly EF600). Also, it appears that removing identification writings from various chips inside of HIFIMAN amps/dacs is a "standard practice". This type of manufacturing feels very shady, like HIFIMAN...