Introducing the HIFIMAN EF400 Balanced Desktop DAC/Amplifier!

[Johnfg465vd]

I got my unit recently, it's still in the Burn-In stage (~8 Hrs done) so I won't comment on sound yet. Like others here mentioned, Balanced out sounds better than Un-Balanced but I was surprised to see there's actually a difference between 6.35 Out & 3.5 Out with the former being somewhat better. Is it because HiFiMan designed it to play nice with IEMs?

@TeamHiFiMAN There is no USB Type-B Cable in the box and I don't have one either so I've been using a Type-C Cable. Is there any benefit to using Type-B Input?

 

[szaki1001]

I see that "TeamHiFiMAN" is on summer vacation. There is no answer to my question or to "andersos".

 

[Johnfg465vd]

I see that "TeamHiFiMAN" is on summer vacation. There is no answer to my question or to "andersos".

Nor mine.

I went ahead and bought a Type-B Cable but still, it would have been nice to get a reply from HiFiMan.

I did some further testing on the Headphone outs of EF400, I used Hook-X IEM because it's stock cable has quick swappable termination and in my testing, I prefered 3.5 output for Hook-X. I don't know if it's something to do with output impedance or some other factor but even other IEMs sounded somewhat better from the 3.5 Out, you also get a bit more usable volume range via this output. With the Edition XS, 4.4 sounds a bit more dynamic and with better stereo separation and control while 6.35 sounds a bit smoother and laid back.

I'm surprised to find that out of the box, I'm preferring OS mode more than NOS, NOS seems a bit unrefined in the higher frequencies. I'll see if burn-in helps with this, I currently ran the unit for ~17 Hours.

 

[TeamHiFiMAN]

@TeamHiFiMAN There is no USB Type-B Cable in the box and I don't have one either so I've been using a Type-C Cable. Is there any benefit to using Type-B Input?

Nope, no difference.

 

[linknet]

Hi,
Some impressions about the EF400 (that i own) and some cans from the Hifiman's line-up. All with a FAW Noir Hybrid cable 4 pin XLR (volume 12 o'clock). Streaming Qobuz through UAPP.
As always IMO, YMMV, bla bla bla
1) EF400 & Sundara (owned). Volume -10/15 db, low gain :
That was my only setup for a few months. Beautiful pairing. Best euphonic one. Only limited because of the limited technicalities of the Sundara.
2) EF400 & Ananda SE (own). Volume -15/20 db, low gain :
Still burn in. Great bass foundation, detailed, less bite then the Sundara (better for my ears but lose some lyric moments). Beautiful tonality. Pace is "slow".
3) EF400 & HE6seV2 (own). Volume -10 db, high gain :
Crisp & detailed. Bass light but textured (maybe it's underpowered but if i compare the FR with the Ananda this is exactly what i'm hearing - less bass between 80-400). Pace is "quick". Best foot tapping combo. Love it.
4) EF400 & Arya SE (demo). Volume : don't Remember, low gain :
Ultra Crisp and detailed. Pace is "quick". The brightest among all. First impressions : i love it. After the 3rd round i was missing just a little soul for my taste. So i decided to go with the Ananda SE and the HE6seV2 for around the same price.
5) EF400 & Susvara (demo). Volume : don't remember but it was loud enough (for me) , high gain.
Listened for less then 2 minutes. All the other ones sounds better...
So here i'm with the HE6 and the Ananda. Next ? Will try the Sundara closed back and the other future Hifiman's
And as this is the EF400 thread (sorry) let me say that i love it

 

[kRed]

Hi,
Some impressions about the EF400 (that i own) and some cans from the Hifiman's line-up. All with a FAW Noir Hybrid cable 4 pin XLR (volume 12 o'clock). Streaming Qobuz through UAPP.
As always IMO, YMMV, bla bla bla
1) EF400 & Sundara (owned). Volume -10/15 db, low gain :
That was my only setup for a few months. Beautiful pairing. Best euphonic one. Only limited because of the limited technicalities of the Sundara.
2) EF400 & Ananda SE (own). Volume -15/20 db, low gain :
Still burn in. Great bass foundation, detailed, less bite then the Sundara (better for my ears but lose some lyric moments). Beautiful tonality. Pace is "slow".
3) EF400 & HE6seV2 (own). Volume -10 db, high gain :
Crisp & detailed. Bass light but textured (maybe it's underpowered but if i compare the FR with the Ananda this is exactly what i'm hearing - less bass between 80-400). Pace is "quick". Best foot tapping combo. Love it.
4) EF400 & Arya SE (demo). Volume : don't Remember, low gain :
Ultra Crisp and detailed. Pace is "quick". The brightest among all. First impressions : i love it. After the 3rd round i was missing just a little soul for my taste. So i decided to go with the Ananda SE and the HE6seV2 for around the same price.
5) EF400 & Susvara (demo). Volume : don't remember but it was loud enough (for me) , high gain.
Listened for less then 2 minutes. All the other ones sounds better...
So here i'm with the HE6 and the Ananda. Next ? Will try the Sundara closed back and the other future Hifiman's
And as this is the EF400 thread (sorry) let me say that i love it

I'm actually considering this combo unit for my Arya SE, even tho I'm pretty happy with my K9 pro.
But, you know... I would really like to try an r2r dac and... 4wpc? It would be cool to see what my lovely Arya can do with that kind of juice.

@Ichos
Great review, may I ask if you could elaborate a bit the pairing with the Arya SE?

 

[Ichos]

I'm actually considering this combo unit for my Arya SE, even tho I'm pretty happy with my K9 pro.
But, you know... I would really like to try an r2r dac and... 4wpc? It would be cool to see what my lovely Arya can do with that kind of juice.

@Ichos
Great review, may I ask if you could elaborate a bit the pairing with the Arya SE?

Pairing is just great, plenty of current to make the Arya sing and a very matched sound character that adds extra musicality and engagement to the Arya.
Given the extra transparency of the Arya, with this combination you can extract all the R2R goodness of the EF400.
Maybe not the best imaging when compared with some other DAC/amps but super holographic and very enjoyable combination.
Classical music sounds extremely convincing from this combination.
I think that this is one of the best pairings with the Arya before you start to spend considerably more.
(From the balanced output and OS that is)

 

[ctrlm]

Need to know the output impedance

The EF400 has been measured here:

EF400 Measurements

Going by those measurements the headphone output impedances are:
3.5mm SE > 18 ohm
6.4mm SE > 5.7 ohm
4.4 balanced > 10.3 ohm
XLR balanced > 9.85 ohm

 

[PROblemdetected]

The EF400 has been measured here:

EF400 Measurements

Going by those measurements the headphone output impedances are:
3.5mm SE > 18 ohm
6.4mm SE > 5.7 ohm
4.4 balanced > 10.3 ohm
XLR balanced > 9.85 ohm

I take the right decision buying the k9pro

 

[Ichos]

The EF400 has been measured here:

EF400 Measurements

Going by those measurements the headphone output impedances are:
3.5mm SE > 18 ohm
6.4mm SE > 5.7 ohm
4.4 balanced > 10.3 ohm
XLR balanced > 9.85 ohm

Very odd measurements.
For some strange reason every output measures differently.

 

[531412]

If you are so focused on measurements, you should switch to the ASR
I had both (K9 Pro and EF400) and the EF400 was not just a bit better, it was far better. I used mainly a HE1000V2. At the end, it is just my opinion, but what I want to say is that measurements do not say anything about the sound and how you enjoy the music. Or do you enjoy the SINAD value more than the musicality of the music?

 

[kRed]

If you are so focused on measurements, you should switch to the ASR
I had both (K9 Pro and EF400) and the EF400 was not just a bit better, it was far better. I used mainly a HE1000V2. At the end, it is just my opinion, but what I want to say is that measurements do not say anything about the sound and how you enjoy the music. Or do you enjoy the SINAD value more than the musicality of the music?

Since I own the K9 Pro and I'm considering the EF400 (I know... it sounds like an addiction -_- ), would you care to elaborate the differences a bit?

It would be really helpful to me. I think I would keep the K9 pro as a desktop amp (where I work and use my various PCs) and use the EF400 to build a separate, focused listening place.

 

[531412]

Since I own the K9 Pro and I'm considering the EF400 (I know... it sounds like an addiction -_- ), would you care to elaborate the differences a bit?

It would be really helpful to me. I think I would keep the K9 pro as a desktop amp (where I work and use my various PCs) and use the EF400 to build a separate, focused listening place.

To make it short:
The K9 Pro (I owned the AK4499 verison) is not bad. It is a good all in one united with good messurements (as far as I know). But it sounds a bit like a slightly better ADI-2 DAC. Neutral, boring and soulless. And had always the feeling, as if the HE1000V2 were playing with the handbrake on. The HE1000V2 was a bit sharper and the bass area had a light weight body.
The EF400 on the other end is the total opposide. The bass shines more on the HE1000V2 - I do not miss anything. And the sharpness was gone. I could listen for hours and just enjoy without having the feeling that it laggs details or resolution.

I wrote a review for both units (German EF400 Review can be seen here: https://www.hardwareluxx.de/communi...er-eierlegende-wollmilchsau-für-599€.1321343/), I will just show the pro and con list for the EF400 here, since it is a EF400 thread.

+ All-In-One DAC/Amp
+ Price/Performence ratio
+ R2R DAC in this price range
+ Sound
+ Material
+ You can choose between USB-B and USB-C as USB-input
+ RCA & XLR output can be used to use the EF400 as DAC to pair it with a different Amp
+ NOS filter as option
+ 4 different headphone outputs (2x SE, 2x Balanced)

- No remote
- Pre-Out without volumen control
- Just USB as digital input
- Not possible to use as Amp only
- No power switch at the front
- No digital filters
- No MQA


I tested the EF400 mostly against a D90SE + Soloist 3XP stack. And I was just surprised how well the EF400 performes against the stack. Specially if you consider the price difference. The only reason why I have sold the EF400 is that I need to control the volumen of my active speakers via my Dac/Amp and this was just not possible with the EF400.

 

[550591]

To make it short:
The K9 Pro (I owned the AK4499 verison) is not bad. It is a good all in one united with good messurements (as far as I know). But it sounds a bit like a slightly better ADI-2 DAC. Neutral, boring and soulless. And had always the feeling, as if the HE1000V2 were playing with the handbrake on. The HE1000V2 was a bit sharper and the bass area had a light weight body.
The EF400 on the other end is the total opposide. The bass shines more on the HE1000V2 - I do not miss anything. And the sharpness was gone. I could listen for hours and just enjoy without having the feeling that it laggs details or resolution.

I wrote a review for both units (German EF400 Review can be seen here: https://www.hardwareluxx.de/community/threads/hifiman-ef400-balanced-r2r-dac-kopfhörerverstärker-eierlegende-wollmilchsau-für-599€.1321343/), I will just show the pro and con list for the EF400 here, since it is a EF400 thread.

+ All-In-One DAC/Amp
+ Price/Performence ratio
+ R2R DAC in this price range
+ Sound
+ Material
+ You can choose between USB-B and USB-C as USB-input
+ RCA & XLR output can be used to use the EF400 as DAC to pair it with a different Amp
+ NOS filter as option
+ 4 different headphone outputs (2x SE, 2x Balanced)

- No remote
- Pre-Out without volumen control
- Just USB as digital input
- Not possible to use as Amp only
- No power switch at the front
- No digital filters
- No MQA


I tested the EF400 mostly against a D90SE + Soloist 3XP stack. And I was just surprised how well the EF400 performes against the stack. Specially if you consider the price difference. The only reason why I have sold the EF400 is that I need to control the volumen of my active speakers via my Dac/Amp and this was just not possible with the EF400.

With the distortion of the soloist I'm not surprised that the EF400 sounded better.

 

[531412]

With the distortion of the soloist I'm not surprised that the EF400 sounded better.

I have not said that the EF400 sounds better than the Soloist. The Soloist sounds slightly better, this small difference would be ok for me, because the EF400 is way cheaper and would be enough for me for daily business.

Distortion sounds often like the bass is fuller or the soundstage wider.

Distortion is just for the ASR fanboys a bad thing. Most of the time it is on purpose. I can just repeat, at the end you do not listen to superb messurements, you are listen to the music. And the goal is to enjoy the music. If a dead neutral and boring DAC/Amp is what you enjoy the most, fine. If you enjoy terrible measuring tube amps, fine as well.

I owned (or were lent to me) more than 20 amps the last 3 years. Even top notch measuring amps like the ADI-2 DAC, THX 789, THX 887, Pro iCan, SA-1, Atom, A90, A90D, L50 etc. but end the end, the Soloist 3XP is the best for me What does this say? Messurements are useless.