Introducing the HIFIMAN EF400 Balanced Desktop DAC/Amplifier!

[Patlezinc]

Hello guys. I want to try a EF400 for my He1000SE and I only have a Fiio M15s. I don’t get how to feed the EF400. I have a 3,5 and 4,5 line out on the M15s and a USB DAC mode too (on the usb-c the m15s I guess).
I have never done that and I am a bit lost here (parameters, cables needed, …)

 

[kRed]

Hello guys. I want to try a EF400 for my He1000SE and I only have a Fiio M15s. I don’t get how to feed the EF400. I have a 3,5 and 4,5 line out on the M15s and a USB DAC mode too (on the usb-c the m15s I guess).
I have never done that and I am a bit lost here (parameters, cables needed, …)

As far as I know, you can't use the EF400 as an amplifier via any analog out of your player, so the only way is to use your usb dac mode to the usb IN of the EF400.

 

[Hyde00]

Hello guys. I want to try a EF400 for my He1000SE and I only have a Fiio M15s. I don’t get how to feed the EF400. I have a 3,5 and 4,5 line out on the M15s and a USB DAC mode too (on the usb-c the m15s I guess).
I have never done that and I am a bit lost here (parameters, cables needed, …)

My guess is that you just use a usb c to usb c cable to connect between the two.

I don't think you need to use the USB DAC mode. Reason I say this is because you want to use the M15S as the transport and use the DAC on the EF400 itself, I mean it's kind of the whole reason to get an R2R DAC LOL.

I'm not 100% sure but I think USB DAC mode is when you want to use it as a DAC only, as in say...... you connect to your PC, and your PC has all the music files and you just feed those music files onto M15S as a DAC then output to another amp or something.

So yeah try that and see if it works lol.

 

[Patlezinc]

But it by-pass the EF400 DAC then no?

 

[Johnfg465vd]

Hello guys. I want to try a EF400 for my He1000SE and I only have a Fiio M15s. I don’t get how to feed the EF400. I have a 3,5 and 4,5 line out on the M15s and a USB DAC mode too (on the usb-c the m15s I guess).
I have never done that and I am a bit lost here (parameters, cables needed, …)

Just get a Type-C to Type-C or Type-C to Type-B Cable and pair the two. You will use the M15s as a Digital transport and send the Digital signal to the EF400 which will use it's internal R2R DAC for conversion.

The "USB DAC Mode" is for you to use the M15S as a DAC/Amp when connected to a PC or Laptop, it has nothing to do with connecting an External DAC like the EF400.

 

[Hyde00]

But it by-pass the EF400 DAC then no?

Just get a Type-C to Type-C or Type-C to Type-B Cable and pair the two. You will use the M15s as a Digital transport and send the Digital signal to the EF400 which will use it's internal R2R DAC for conversion.

The "USB DAC Mode" is for you to use the M15S as a DAC/Amp when connected to a PC or Laptop, it has nothing to do with connecting an External DAC like the EF400.

Basically what Johnfg465vd said except he worded much better than me LOL.

But you get the idea.

 

[Patlezinc]

Thanks guys. I can’t find any usb-c / sub-b anywhere

 

[Patlezinc]

Oh, sorry, dis not read well. So you say a double usb/c is ok?? Then it is easy! It is not noted in the doc but if you are sure…

 

[Hyde00]

Thanks guys. I can’t find any usb-c / sub-b anywhere

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb+c+to...prefix=usb+c+to+usb+b,aps,75&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

It's not too common but any of these would do lol.

Oh, sorry, dis not read well. So you say a double usb/c is ok?? Then it is easy! It is not noted in the doc but if you are sure…

And yes C to C would work too, since EF400 has both USB C and USB B input.

So basically either works:

M15S (USB C) to EF400 (USB B)
or
M15S (USB C) to EF400 (USB C)

 

[Hyde00]

Some device they like USB B since it's bigger plug and less prone to breaking. Personally I like USB B but I understand USB C is the new standard these days.

 

[Johnfg465vd]

Oh, sorry, dis not read well. So you say a double usb/c is ok?? Then it is easy! It is not noted in the doc but if you are sure…

Yes, double Type-C will work. I've tried this with my smartphone (LG V60) & DAPs (HiBy RS2 & iBasso DX170).

 

[boodi]

maybe get the ef600..
seems a better bet from preliminary reports
the ef400 wasn't particularly special when I had it (imo)
ef600 might be his natural evolution and solve his issues

 

[tomusi]

hi guys, I'm thinking of buying the EF400, has anyone tried it with the Sony Z7 / Z7M2? Do you think it would be a good pair?

 

[Hyde00]

maybe get the ef600..
seems a better bet from preliminary reports
the ef400 wasn't particularly special when I had it (imo)
ef600 might be his natural evolution and solve his issues

I really hope they release a dac only EF200 LOL. Since I already have decent tube amp so I only really need a dac.

 

[Patlezinc]

Yes, double Type-C will work. I've tried this with my smartphone (LG V60) & DAPs (HiBy RS2 & iBasso DX170).

And what is going out is the music untouched, not treated by the DAC, right?