[YungOmbat]

499 looks amazing. should prove to be a bargain for the price

 

[AT Khan]

At these prices one could buy one of each!

Yes the prices are so, SO normal. I think it's quite the feat they did with such a price. Hifiman is doing very well for budget offerings now, too. That's quite something.

 

[Eiffel]

499 looks way better than the 500.

Just wonder... What about DAC only ? Without the amp part ? Would be cheaper, right ?

 

[alekc]

Having Rockna WaveLight already (an being a very happy owner of it) I'm lot less interested in EF500 but EF499 due to R2R chip got my attention, especially at this price point: it could be quite fun to add well designed and sounding dac based on r2r chip. I will repeat what others said already: please provide more detailed specs of EF499, especially concerning the chip used. I know the most important part is how it sounds in reality and not what's inside.. but still

Second question: when it will be available in EU?

 

[kundica]

glad to see ef499 being officially released to western markets. i've had mine for a few months, good unit. smooth and powerful. ef499 is unique because it's one of very few sources released nowadays using a classic r2r chip. modern r2r solutions just don't sound the same as classic burr brown and phillips chips. i also have hm1000 with hymalaya chip and hm603 with classic tda1543 chip- hm603 definitely sounds more analog.

@TeamHiFiMAN would you be able to disclose any additional information pertaining to dac configuration used in ef499? I was wondering which exact phillips chip is being used (tda1543, tda1387, tda1305?) and how many chips are installed?

Can you comment on the network capability? The diagram shows playback from a mobile device through a local network.

 

[DistortedDan]

I am absolutely blown away by what the 499 offers. Balanced, enough power for almost anything, it looks amazing and is only $300. I'm very likely to pick one these up once the reviews come in just to be sure there's no problems I should know about but at the moment I am just really excited about it

 

[Hyde00]

499 looks way better than the 500.

Just wonder... What about DAC only ? Without the amp part ? Would be cheaper, right ?

I always wonder about this too, would be a killer if they just release a cheaper dac only version. Since most of us already have a pretty good amp.

Also somehow EF500 has been completely overlooked by everyone based on the comments, even though EF500 is R2R also.

Maybe EF499 just represents a better price point lol.

 

[betula]

I always wonder about this too, would be a killer if they just release a cheaper dac only version. Since most of us already have a pretty good amp.

Also somehow EF500 has been completely overlooked by everyone based on the comments, even though EF500 is R2R also.

Maybe EF499 just represents a better price point lol.

I would imagine it is a relatively simple headphone out circuit on these, similar to what you can find on certain DACs from other manufacturers. I think, HiFiMan is likely to expect most customers to use these with external amplifiers. (I might be wrong to think that.)

IMO the EF499 gets more attention because the golden knobs indeed look really good with the black chassis. That said, the colour scheme won't fit everyone's system, so it is nice to have the silver EF500 too. It will be interesting to hear the difference between them, strictly as DACs.

It would also be nice to make both models available in either of these chassis.

 

[EitanDainn]

glad to see ef499 being officially released to western markets. i've had mine for a few months, good unit. smooth and powerful. ef499 is unique because it's one of very few sources released nowadays using a classic r2r chip. modern r2r solutions just don't sound the same as classic burr brown and phillips chips. i also have hm1000 with hymalaya chip and hm603 with classic tda1543 chip- hm603 definitely sounds more analog.

@TeamHiFiMAN would you be able to disclose any additional information pertaining to dac configuration used in ef499? I was wondering which exact phillips chip is being used (tda1543, tda1387, tda1305?) and how many chips are installed?

yo man is the outputs on the back fixed or variable?

 

[Hyde00]

I would imagine it is a relatively simple headphone out circuit on these, similar to what you can find on certain DACs from other manufacturers. I think, HiFiMan is likely to expect most customers to use these with external amplifiers. (I might be wrong to think that.)

From what I gathered is that on EF400, the amp is a pretty linear / neutral amp. Someone compared it to a THX AAA amp and can't hear any difference at all.

But the generous consensus is that it's better to use another external amp LOL.

So I'd imagine it might be similar case here.

IMO the EF499 gets more attention because the golden knobs indeed look really good with the black chassis. That said, the colour scheme won't fit everyone's system, so it is nice to have the silver EF500 too. It will be interesting to hear the difference between them, strictly as DACs.

I might be the odd ball here, I kind of like the silver look better LOL. But I like the price of EF499 better.

Oh the dilemma!

 

[el3ndil]

We are excited to announce our new desktop headphone DAC/AMP: EF500 and EF499!
EF500 and EF499 Put HIFIMAN Design and Performance
Within Reach of Music-lovers at Every Level​

Both the EF500 and EF499 bring true audiophile-grade performance to sleek, slender designs that provide powerful output while requiring minimal space on a desk or tabletop.

The EF500 and EF499 feature industrial designs that are not only aesthetically appealing, but also serve as headphone stands, reducing desktop clutter. Included are fully balanced input/output connections, an independent power supply,and a thermal optimized tower case.

“The success of our reference desktop DAC/amplifiers is proof that music lovers are hungry to invest in gear that has a demonstrably positive effect on the listening experience” says Dr. Fang Bian, President and CEO, HIFIMAN Electronics. “With our new models, we are able to extend the benefits of these products to moderately priced models that put the sonic attributes of our sonic signature within reach of more headphone fans than ever before.”


The EF500 desktop DAC/amplifier features our Hymalaya LE ladder DAC, consisting of an array of highly accurate resistors that use a “ladder” method of conversion. This approach converts the digital signal with maximum accuracy and overall musicality. Signal-to-noise ratio, total harmonic distortion, and energy consumption are at their musical and efficient best.

A highlight of the EF500 is our Hymalaya LE R2R DAC, provides unsurpassed sonic output, especially when compared to the more commonplace PCM1704k module. The Hymalaya LE, with the added support of a new algorithm and 0.01% precision resistors, reaches a THD (total harmonic distortion) rate of 0.0025% (-8dB), with distortion reduced to a previously unheard of low with no audible distractions.


The EF499 offers similar benefits as the EF500, but with the familiar Philips R2R DAC architecture known for its naturally warm, full range sonics and the company’s signature sonic tuning.

Specifications:

EF500
THD+N (Line out): 0.0025% (-8dB)
Channel Separation: 131±3dB
Signal to Noise Ratio: 117dB (A Weighted)
Maximum Power Output: 4.5 wpc@32Ω balanced/1.32 WPC@32Ω unbalanced
Weight: about 3.37kg

EF499
THD+N (Line out): 0.008% (0dB)
Channel Separation: 95±3dB
Signal to Noise Ratio: 99dB (A weighted, AP Open Loop Test)
Maximum Power Output: 4.35 WPC@32Ω balanced/1.28 WPC@32Ω unbalanced
Weight: about 3.3kg

Both the EF500 and EF499 are available now at the retail prices of $459 and $299!

HIFIMAN Official Online Shop:
EF500: https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/ef500.html
EF499: https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/ef499.html

HIFIMAN Authorized Dealers:
https://hifiman.com/dealers

which one of them will be the best for Ananda Nano? i will get it tomorrow and cant wait to test I have also Sennheiser HD800, but topping dx7 pro is too bright and low soundstage generating, i want to sell it and get something better for me. Mainly used for gaming/videos and music.

 

[DistortedDan]

which one of them will be the best for Ananda Nano? i will get it tomorrow and cant wait to test I have also Sennheiser HD800, but topping dx7 pro is too bright and low soundstage generating, i want to sell it and get something better for me. Mainly used for gaming/videos and music.

Yeah i was thinking about getting the ananda Nano and ef499 as a system. If the ef499 has the warm sound signature they claim it does, it should be a good match

 

[leeperry]

Philips TDA in 2024, very funny

 

[el3ndil]

Yeah i was thinking about getting the ananda Nano and ef499 as a system. If the ef499 has the warm sound signature they claim it does, it should be a good match

I've read a Polish audiophile's review (https://kropka.audio/test/sluchawki/hifiman-ananda-nano-recenzja/) where they recommend the Ananda Stealth Magnet over the Ananda Nano when paired with a high-end HiFiMAN DAC/amp. The reviewer cited excessive brightness and sharp imaging with the EF400 and EF600 (which is reportedly similar to the EF500), making the Nano less enjoyable. That seems to leave the EF499 as the obvious choice, but I'm concerned about its THD/SNR of 99. Topping DX7 Pro has (117), even budget options like the Creative X4 (114) surpass it. This THD/SNR seems on par with older motherboard audio solutions like the Realtek 887.

 

[MohawkUS]

From what I gathered is that on EF400, the amp is a pretty linear / neutral amp. Someone compared it to a THX AAA amp and can't hear any difference at all.

But the generous consensus is that it's better to use another external amp LOL.

So I'd imagine it might be similar case here.

I might be the odd ball here, I kind of like the silver look better LOL. But I like the price of EF499 better.

Oh the dilemma!

The amp on the EF400(and likely these as well) should not be overlooked. I've been comparing mine to THX AAA, MCTH, and Schiit Piety and might prefer it over them all. Its closest to the THX but stages significantly larger with a somewhat recessed midrange. I find it ever so slightly better in the technicalities(advantage of going AIO with shorter signal path maybe.) Or the THX having a touch muted treble hurts it maybe(no air/sparkle!) The other amps are different enough that judging technicalities is hard but the EF400 amp maintains biggest soundstage/air(ignoring the tube holography thing of the MCTH which is more of a 3D than spacious effect) & that U shaped frequency response.

I am using Dekoni x Hifiman Cobalt.