[phthora]

+1 for the Grace Design m9XX, it pairs extremely well with the 400i.

I got to test-drive 3 different 400i's at a Meet-Up (long story) and the m9xx actually ran both simultaneously at fairly high volumes pretty well. I'm still partial to my personal rig, but the Grace was certainly impressive. I didn't hear any coloration over my own very neutral Violectric either.

 

[drwlf]

My desktop setup says hi

usually using 65 - 70db on the m9xx volume level btw

I think I've been between 55-80, with -6dB preamp.
55 when you start in the early moin' in the home office, 80 whilst drunk-y and probably showing off /w friends, and for a very short amount of time.

 

[Kris1989]

Can you get Teac gear where you are at? If you can take a look at UD301 DAC/amp, it was my change from O2/ODAC and its been one of the best purchases I've made and really showed my how bad the O2/ODAC paired with some of my other headphones.

Thank you for your suggestion. I think i can find Teac UD301 in Bangkok, and it seems like a very good option for me. Maybe I will get to the showroom to try it with my HE-400i. Btw I have one last question to ask you, do u think the amp section in UD301 has enough power to drive HE-400i?. Or I still have to find a decent headphone amp to support it?

 

[Kris1989]

Can you get Teac gear where you are at? If you can take a look at UD301 DAC/amp, it was my change from O2/ODAC and its been one of the best purchases I've made and really showed my how bad the O2/ODAC paired with some of my other headphones.

Thank you for your suggestion. I think i can find Teac UD301 in Bangkok, and it seems like a very good option for me. Maybe I will get to the showroom to try it with my HE-400i. Btw I have one last question to ask you, do u think the amp section in UD301 has enough power to drive HE-400i?. Or I still have to find a decent headphone amp to support it?

I do suggest that you listen before committing, or make sure you have the ability to return the NFB-11. It usually takes a while for your ears/brain to become accustom to a specific system.
Also everyone hears differently and has different tastes in sound. Don't take just my opinion as gospel. Do you have the 400i now? If so, take it to the shop and listen for a while.

There is another one that I can throw out there. The Grace M9xx. It is slightly more expensive than your budget, but I find it to be a great device. It sounds good with everything I have plugged into it. The M9xx is a huge upgrade over the O2/ODAC sonically and offers a great deal of flexibility in configuration as well.

As to the 3D soundstage, in general this is more attributable to the headphones than any other piece of gear in the chain. Even at that, the difference between very good (HD800) and just OK (400i), is a matter of inches not feet. In other words, to my ears, it is nothing that will knock you out. If you want a large 3D presentation, you need speakers in a well setup room.

Thank you for your suggestion. I'll check it!

 

[amham]

I've got the 400S and enjoy them. Comfortable, a bit warm but with a nice crisp upper, somewhat airy. How would the 400i compare? Thanks

 

[DavidA]

Thank you for your suggestion. I think i can find Teac UD301 in Bangkok, and it seems like a very good option for me. Maybe I will get to the showroom to try it with my HE-400i. Btw I have one last question to ask you, do u think the amp section in UD301 has enough power to drive HE-400i?. Or I still have to find a decent headphone amp to support it?

The amp section of the UD-301 is quite good and has more than enough power for the HE400i but its not great for headphones like the HE560 and HD800, the synergy is not quite as good to me. Just remember its not just the power (watts) that need to be considered. I also like my HD700, EL8 and RS2e on the UD301 but the HE560 is better on the Lyr2 and the HD800 on the BH Crack.

 

[mandrake50]

My desktop setup says hi

usually using 65 - 70db on the m9xx volume level btw

I , as said, is a great option for the 400i. He just needs to be able to get one... and save the extra $100 over his budget. OR, find a used one... not all that common here, from what I have seen.

 

[mandrake50]

The amp section of the UD-301 is quite good and has more than enough power for the HE400i but its not great for headphones like the HE560 and HD800, the synergy is not quite as good to me. Just remember its not just the power (watts) that need to be considered. I also like my HD700, EL8 and RS2e on the UD301 but the HE560 is better on the Lyr2 and the HD800 on the BH Crack.

All very good comments that I totally agree with. Though I have not used the HD800 with the Teac.. But he is looking at a pairing for the 400i... Yes?

 

[Kris1989]

Thank you so much for all the replies! You guys help me a lot. Now I start to have an idea what i should get for my HE-400i

 

[KepinCemit]

I've got the 400S and enjoy them. Comfortable, a bit warm but with a nice crisp upper, somewhat airy. How would the 400i compare? Thanks

I used to have the 400s

Personally I'd say 400i is an upgrade from 400s

Bass is deeper + better high extension

Better stock pads (400s' stock pads sux, lol), you could maybe say overall 400i has better build quality.

400s is neutral to warm(ish) - 400i is neutral to bright(ish), at least to my ears.

Overall I'd say 400i is a more refined version of the 400s

 

[SmtAudio]

can anybody tell me why out of the box it sounds too low directly from iphone 6s ? i mean these are low impedance cans and marketed for portable use then why such low volume or does the burn in will fix this issue with time ? any suggestion will be appreciated. thanks

 

[peter123]

Be

can anybody tell me why out of the box it sounds too low directly from iphone 6s ? i mean these are low impedance cans and marketed for portable use then why such low volume or does the burn in will fix this issue with time ? any suggestion will be appreciated. thanks

Because of the 93dB sensitivity, burn in is not going to change that I'm afraid.

 

[SmtAudio]

Be


Because of the 93dB sensitivity, burn in is not going to change that I'm afraid.

so what i need to do to make it louder ?

 

[peter123]

so what i need to do to make it louder ?

An amplifier or a combined amp/dac depending on what you prefer. Something like the Cayin C5 amplifier would be more than enough.

 

[abm0]

800 mW more than enough? You're not kidding, that's way overkill. The FiiO Q1 costs less, can power them to just under the pain threshold, and you get a better DAC in it.