[tiesto141141]

Hello, 
 
I plan to order an Hifiman HE-400 for use with an iPhone 4S and my macbook pro 2010, my question is do i really need to buy a DAC/AMP as this headphone is easy to drive ? Do the HE-400 really need an amp to give his best ?
 
Otherwise i would order the FiiO E17 for both portable and desktop use, is that a good choice ?
 
Thanks !

 

[valerianaoff]

IMHO, yes, yes and yes
 
Cheerz!

 

[torana355]

imho after listening to these these for a few hours with an E17 they defiantly need an amp to shine, i actually think they would be even better with a higher powered amp.

 

[tiesto141141]

thank you for your answers ! Which both portable and desktop DAC-AMP would you advice me for a decent price (max 300$) but that are good enough to drive well the HE-400 ?

 

[olegausany]

Audioengine D1 for desktop use. Audioquest Dragonfly for your laptop only but small to have always with you

 

[TontonJoK]

Yes it will work but you may lack the bass punch. Although he 400s leak a lot so if you count on using with iphone 4s outside it s gonna be fun

 

[tiesto141141]

Quote:

Audioengine D1 for desktop use. Audioquest Dragonfly for your laptop only but small to have always with you

Thanks ! when i use the dragonfly, the macbook pro amp will be enough ?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Hello, 
 
I plan to order an Hifiman HE-400 for use with an iPhone 4S and my macbook pro 2010, my question is do i really need to buy a DAC/AMP as this headphone is easy to drive ? Do the HE-400 really need an amp to give his best ?
 
Otherwise i would order the FiiO E17 for both portable and desktop use, is that a good choice ?
 
Thanks !

As the iPhone can not use the DAC feature of the E17, maybe get the E11 and a separate DAC for the Macbook, like the Dac Destroyer (USB-DAC).

 

[olegausany]

Dragonfly is USB DAC

 

[TickleMeElmo]

My macbook pro with retina display couldn't provide enough volume after applying replaygain.

 

[olegausany]

When using Dragonfly you completely bypassing your laptop's audio and connect headphones straight to Dragonfly's 1/8 inch jack and you also can connect powered speakers instead if needed. I'm using one myself as I'm writing this (had to go out of city to suburbs to get one right away) and prefer it over Audioengine or especially over E17

 

[tzjin]

The EF2 from Hifiman has a pretty powerful amplifier inside. Though it has an alright internal DAC, I'd probably use the ODAC with it.