Introducing the HIFIMAN EF400 Balanced Desktop DAC/Amplifier!

[Gymboy]

I guess the question is - is there any removable protection on this panel in the first place? Because if it's not supposed to be removed, I'd not touch it.

Try Hifiman support and go from there.

 

[Rambone]

Try Hifiman support and go from there.

Probably the best option if unsure.

 

[dsrk]

I guess the question is - is there any removable protection on this panel in the first place? Because if it's not supposed to be removed, I'd not touch it.

Yes, there was protective film when I got mine and I removed it.

 

[Xinlisupreme]

Anyone manage to compare EF400 with EF499 or EF500 yet?

 

[STEVEN DAVIS]

How close in sonic performance would you all say the ef400 OG is to the schiit bifrost ? Is the bifrost on a entirely different level or is the Himalaya r2r dac chip in the ef400 not to far behind? Just recently brought the v222 and plan to use the ef400 as a dac. Saving for a bifrost but if the ef400 is close to it then I'll just save the money.

 

[XGeneX88]

How close in sonic performance would you all say the ef400 OG is to the schiit bifrost ? Is the bifrost on an entirely different level or is the Himalaya r2r dac chip in the ef400 not to far behind? Just recently brought the v222 and plan to use the ef400 as a dac. Saving for a bifrost but if the ef400 is close to it then I'll just save the money.

I had both units for comparison side by side and much much preferred the ef400 (as a dac). The Bifrost 2/64 offers a sound that’s much more delta sigma sounding in comparison to the ef400. It sounds more neutral but also came across boring & somewhat lifeless to me. Not a bad dac, don’t get me wrong, but not what I search for out of an R2R dac. The ef400 in comparison is warmer, has a very rich sound to it, much better texture, and comes across sounding way more like a classic R2R analog experience. I was quite puzzled by my experience and was surprised that a much cheaper dac/amp combo could kick the butt of a much more expensive standalone dac. Regardless, I returned the Schiit and never looked back. I still rock the og ef400 in my chain with a Schiit Lyr+ and a variety of tubes. I really love the ef400 to death as a dac. The amp on it isn’t bad either..

Note - comparing Bifrost 2/64 vs EF400 og. The OG Bifrost may sound different.. I never tried the og, only the 2/64 version.

 

[STEVEN DAVIS]

I had both units for comparison side by side and much much preferred the ef400 (as a dac). The Bifrost 2/64 offers a sound that’s much more delta sigma sounding in comparison to the ef400. It sounds more neutral but also came across boring & somewhat lifeless to me. Not a bad dac, don’t get me wrong, but not what I search for out of an R2R dac. The ef400 in comparison is warmer, has a very rich sound to it, much better texture, and comes across sounding way more like a classic R2R analog experience. I was quite puzzled by my experience and was surprised that a much cheaper dac/amp combo could kick the butt of a much more expensive standalone dac. Regardless, I returned the Schiit and never looked back. I still rock the og ef400 in my chain with a Schiit Lyr+ and a variety of tubes. I really love the ef400 to death as a dac. The amp on it isn’t bad either..

Note - comparing Bifrost 2/64 vs EF400 og. The OG Bifrost may sound different.. I never tried the og, only the 2/64 version.

Since I've come into this hobby, all I have ever heard about is the schiit bifrost dac. How detailed, dynamic and it's engaging soundstage. People talk about this thing like its a tier above the ef400 and the curiosity is honestly killing me

I agree, I absolutely adore my ef400. That's why I really don't mind using it as a dac because to me it sounds incredible.

 

[Hyde00]

The Bifrost 2/64 offers a sound that’s much more delta sigma sounding in comparison to the ef400. It sounds more neutral but also came across boring & somewhat lifeless to me. Not a bad dac, don’t get me wrong, but not what I search for out of an R2R dac.

OMG glad to hear I'm not crazy. I've owned the Bifrost 2/64 briefly and I remember scratching my head. I was like....... this sounds just....... normal.....??? Kind of like Delta Sigma DACs. Like if you want the R2R sound then the Bifrost 2/64 definitely is not it.

In comparison I liked the Bifrost 2 OG much better.

The ef400 in comparison is warmer, has a very rich sound to it, much better texture, and comes across sounding way more like a classic R2R analog experience.

Right now I'm using FiiO K11 R2R, I might still need to try EF400 one day.

 

[XGeneX88]

OMG glad to hear I'm not crazy. I've owned the Bifrost 2/64 briefly and I remember scratching my head. I was like....... this sounds just....... normal.....??? Kind of like Delta Sigma DACs. Like if you want the R2R sound then the Bifrost 2/64 definitely is not it.

In comparison I liked the Bifrost 2 OG much better.



Right now I'm using FiiO K11 R2R, I might still need to try EF400 one day.

No you’re not crazy haha. I was also scratching my head going “huh? People really love this thing THAT much? … why??? lol”

Personally for the money, I’ll never recommend it to anyone. I found it lacked any standout features. I even compared it vs a really old Topping DX7 original delta sigma dac and even found the Topping to be more musical & fun to listen to. The Bifrost definitely has a cult following but I’m not part of that pack. The EF400 however I feel is the best DAC money can buy at its price point and perhaps quite a bit beyond it’s price point even.

 

[Brain Damage]

I had both units for comparison side by side and much much preferred the ef400 (as a dac). The Bifrost 2/64 offers a sound that’s much more delta sigma sounding in comparison to the ef400. It sounds more neutral but also came across boring & somewhat lifeless to me. Not a bad dac, don’t get me wrong, but not what I search for out of an R2R dac. The ef400 in comparison is warmer, has a very rich sound to it, much better texture, and comes across sounding way more like a classic R2R analog experience. I was quite puzzled by my experience and was surprised that a much cheaper dac/amp combo could kick the butt of a much more expensive standalone dac. Regardless, I returned the Schiit and never looked back. I still rock the og ef400 in my chain with a Schiit Lyr+ and a variety of tubes. I really love the ef400 to death as a dac. The amp on it isn’t bad either..

Note - comparing Bifrost 2/64 vs EF400 og. The OG Bifrost may sound different.. I never tried the og, only the 2/64 version.

I love the the EF400 DAC too. I pair it with the ifi ZenCAN, though I often go back and forward between the integrated amp (EF400).

How does the Schiit Lyr pair with the EF400 and how does it compare to the integrated amp/ZenCAN? Cheers.

 

[Olenka]

Hi everyone. I've owned ef 400 for 3 weeks and I like it in general but there is a question that keeps bothering me. I bought it to pair with Hifiman Ananda particularly and I must say it didn't work. At first I liked the sound but with time I noticed the sound became lean and harsh the bass unimpressive at all. Frankly speaking I like the way it sounds with Koss sporta pro much more than with Ananda because of the shrilling mids

 

[Olenka]

What formats are excepted?
44/16, 24/192, DSD512?

Like to a Ukrainian

 

[Hyde00]

Hi everyone. I've owned ef 400 for 3 weeks and I like it in general but there is a question that keeps bothering me. I bought it to pair with Hifiman Ananda particularly and I must say it didn't work. At first I liked the sound but with time I noticed the sound became lean and harsh the bass unimpressive at all. Frankly speaking I like the way it sounds with Koss sporta pro much more than with Ananda because of the shrilling mids

Have you tried different headphone out? Apparently all 4 headphone out all have different impedance rating. It *might* make a difference probably?

That or try line out to a separate amp see if it helps.

 

[Olenka]

Have you tried different headphone out? Apparently all 4 headphone out all have different impedance rating. It *might* make a difference probably?

That or try line out to a separate amp see if it helps.

Waiting for an xlr cable to try

 

[Johnfg465vd]

Hi everyone. I've owned ef 400 for 3 weeks and I like it in general but there is a question that keeps bothering me. I bought it to pair with Hifiman Ananda particularly and I must say it didn't work. At first I liked the sound but with time I noticed the sound became lean and harsh the bass unimpressive at all. Frankly speaking I like the way it sounds with Koss sporta pro much more than with Ananda because of the shrilling mids

I have read that the Ananda is a bit too bright so maybe that's the issue. Have you tried the Edition XS? I personally love the combo of EF400 + XS. The new AR5000 might also be a good option.

Have you tried different headphone out? Apparently all 4 headphone out all have different impedance rating. It *might* make a difference probably?

Single-Ended Output has a higher Impedance on the EF400 but in this case, that should actually be helpful since higher Impedance (if I remember correctly) should alter the frequency response of the Headphone a bit by boosting the Lower region (thus reducing the Treble perception). I'm not sure if the OI is high enough to drastically effect frequency here though, it's more likely that Ananda is just not the right Headphone for Olenka