Hifiman EF2C

[fjrabon]

@fjrabon
 did you still get clipping even after fitting the new tubes? im really surprised hifiman would let this happen and even impact their reputation...

Yes, the clipping was in the DAC not the amp. I hadn't planned on using the built in DAC much anyway, so it's not a big deal to me. But yes, it is disappointing that it has such a blatantly obvious issue.

 

[jnak00]

I just stumbled across this product and was thinking about buying it as a DAC/amp, so I'm glad I found this thread.  Guess I'll try something else.

 

[Deftone]

it is quite crazy to think they can make a HE1000 so good but the EFC2 so poor 

 

[fjrabon]

  it is quite crazy to think they can make a HE1000 so good but the EFC2 so poor 

The weirder part is that they can make the amp on the EF2C very good, and just screw up the DAC 

 

[aharitt]

  it is quite crazy to think they can make a HE1000 so good but the EFC2 so poor 

That is true.  However, as long as you set the volume of the source to 50% or less, DAC works fine too. I am using this amp every day and I enjoy it more and more. 

 

[fjrabon]

  That is true.  However, as long as you set the volume of the source to 50% or less, DAC works fine too. I am using this amp every day and I enjoy it more and more. 

yeah, I've really grown to like the amp portion a lot.  The DAC, as you say, if you lower the player's volume isn't terrible, but I had my AudioEngine D1 that's a better DAC anyway sitting unused, so I basically never use the DAC on the EF2C itself.  The Voshkod tubes for this really take it to another level as well.  

 

[Vigrith]

 
yeah, I've really grown to like the amp portion a lot.  The DAC, as you say, if you lower the player's volume isn't terrible, but I had my AudioEngine D1 that's a better DAC anyway sitting unused, so I basically never use the DAC on the EF2C itself.  The Voshkod tubes for this really take it to another level as well.  

 
I've only had time to skim through the thread but am I correct in assuming the problem with the DAC being terrible has not yet been fixed, and/or is it something they can even fix? I've been intrigued by the price point on this so I figured I'd give it a try, is it worth the $250 price point for just the amp portion? I've got pretty good DACs as is anyway but I guess I'm better off just buying a proper tube amp instead for a bit more money than getting this and ignoring its DAC portion.

 

[fjrabon]

   
I've only had time to skim through the thread but am I correct in assuming the problem with the DAC being terrible has not yet been fixed, and/or is it something they can even fix? I've been intrigued by the price point on this so I figured I'd give it a try, is it worth the $250 price point for just the amp portion? I've got pretty good DACs as is anyway but I guess I'm better off just buying a proper tube amp instead for a bit more money than getting this and ignoring its DAC portion.

where are you?  It's $170 USD most places, and I think the amp is worth that.  I would hesitate to pay $250 though for the amp with the stock tubes.  With a good set of replacement tubes it's a great hybrid amp, maybe that's what you mean by $250?  The amp plus replacement tubes?  One of the main reasons I liked it is that the EF95 is one of my favorite lines of tubes, with a lot of great, relatively inexpensive tubes.
 
No idea if theyve fixed the DAC issue, I'd assume they haven't. 

 

[Vigrith]

 
where are you?  It's $170 USD most places, and I think the amp is worth that.  I would hesitate to pay $250 though for the amp with the stock tubes.  With a good set of replacement tubes it's a great hybrid amp, maybe that's what you mean by $250?  The amp plus replacement tubes?  One of the main reasons I liked it is that the EF95 is one of my favorite lines of tubes, with a lot of great, relatively inexpensive tubes.
 
No idea if theyve fixed the DAC issue, I'd assume they haven't. 

 
Goes for like 200 euro in European online stores, I'm not from the US, can maybe get it for 180 if I ask my local dealer to import it for me - that's like $220~ + shipping if the local store that has Hifiman doesn't have means to get their hands on it for some reason. I was imagining some wiggle room for better tubes too but I suppose I may as well forget about it anyway, probably just gonna order an Espressivo-E from Feliks Audio instead for an extra $100, no point gambling with the DAC issue and getting slammed by VAT and whatnot.
 
Thanks for the clarifications either way!

 

[CPCAsvd]

I just got my EF2C a couple weeks ago and didn't run into the DAC problem at all. Maybe they fixed the problem eventually? I use VLC player with volume set to 100% and all my files are 16 bit 44.1kHz flac. I also tried listening to YouTube with volume set to 100% and no clipping at all. I'm using Windows XP.

 

[shang222]

@fjrabon..... thanks for all your observations on the EF2C...
 
I'm debating on the  Espressivo, the Valhalla 2 or now I see on the HiFIman website, the EF3 amp for $99... I heard its the EF2C but w/out the DAC...
 
so if I go the route of the EF3... what's a sub $300-400 DAC.... I do like the Schiit line as it in the states and has the long warranty... talking to HIFIMAN customer service in NJ was hilarious... they were nice and polite, but w/ all the background conversations.... it was like calling into a Chinese take out restaurant...lol... no offense to anyone as I grew up in one....
 
any thoughts and opinions are welcome as i'm wanting a tube amp sound.... thanks

 

[ohtar-aran]

hello, i want a bright sound dac/amp for my he400i. will i buy this or jdslabs o2 or element?

 

[kelim]

hello, i want a bright sound dac/amp for my he400i. will i buy this or jdslabs o2 or element?

If you're looking for a bright/treble heavy sound, solid state is the way to go. That said, not all solid states are bright, and not all tubes are warm. Research reviews for sound signatures of the amps you're looking at, or better yet audition the gear first if you can. Make your decision based on that.

 

[ourfpshero]

so just got one of these- noticed the clipping issue right away- dug around in settings- it turns out that the "loudness" box is checked by default in windows 10!!
unchecked it and things sound much better