STEVEN DAVIS
Head-Fier
The ef400 sounds it's best from its balanced output. I used my organics with the single ended output and wasn't super impressed. Ordered a balanced XLR apos flow cable and the ef400 really woke up.
Introducing the HIFIMAN EF400 Balanced Desktop DAC/Amplifier!
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Hi, thank you for the answer, that's exactly what I hope for. Otherwise this duo I mean ef 400 and Ananda is unusable, too bright and harsh.
That could be possible, but the first time I paired them I liked the sound and can't understand why this perception has changed, hifiman he400se sounds more balanced than Ananda let's say not so airy and with narrow sound stage but not shrilling at all the same thing is with iems, bassy and full although lacking air and highs. Could it be that I somehow damaged the Amp while listening? (listened only a low levels)
Hyde00
Headphoneus Supremus
I don't know about damaging the amp, or what changed.
But the built in amp is said to be pretty linear similar to THX AAA amp. Those are also said to be thin and bright sounding.
So pairing with a warmer external amp most likely will help.
Though if you bought it intend to use as DAC/amp combo for convenience, then maybe wait for the balanced cable as Steven Davis suggested.
But the built in amp is said to be pretty linear similar to THX AAA amp. Those are also said to be thin and bright sounding.
So pairing with a warmer external amp most likely will help.
Though if you bought it intend to use as DAC/amp combo for convenience, then maybe wait for the balanced cable as Steven Davis suggested.
Hi all
what would be a next, most tangible upgrade to EF400? I'm talking R2R dacs. Has anyone directly compared EF400 to Denafrips Ares or Pontus, or Gustard R26?
what would be a next, most tangible upgrade to EF400? I'm talking R2R dacs. Has anyone directly compared EF400 to Denafrips Ares or Pontus, or Gustard R26?
STEVEN DAVIS
Head-Fier
As great as the dac is in the ef400. It honestly doesn't take much to outperform the dac. Even a $300 schiit modi multibit would technically outperform the dac in the ef400. For $400 bucks the ef400 is a amazing value for what it can do but the dacs you've listed there is basically on a whole nother tier.
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Johnfg465vd
500+ Head-Fier
I've tested the EF400 against the new Fiio K11 R2R with Gryphon as an Amp and much preferred the EF400. The other DACs that you have mentioned are much more expensive and since they are dedicated DACs instead of AIO units, they will be better. The comparison isn't fair but when I auditioned the Denafrips Ares (OG) + Topping A90D, I did think that this setup was slightly better, if a bit too bright compared to the EF400 but take this with a grain of salt as I was not able to compare them side by side. Also, while I did think the above setup was better, it was not as pleasant, smooth and enjoyable as the EF400 but that's just to my ears and with limited listening time.
Hi everyone, recently I've noticed static Humm of the Amp, and I'm pretty sure it was absent before, what can I do? Can it be solved somehow?
Johnfg465vd
500+ Head-Fier
Did any of you try external Amps (preferably Class A) with the EF400? I recently got the AK PA10 and like what it does to my Portable setup. I was wondering if there will be any improvement in the overall sound of the EF400 with external Amps vs EF400's Internal Amp. I don't have the required Cable (XLR to 4.4) to try pairing the PA10 to EF400 so I was wondering if it's worth investing in one.
Johnfg465vd
500+ Head-Fier
Have you tried switching off the unit for a bit and trying again? Also see if powering the EF400 from a different power outlet (away from PC) and using a different USB device (Laptop or Phone) fixes this issue.
STEVEN DAVIS
Head-Fier
I can honestly say I got some pretty good results using my violectric v222 and the ef400 as dac. It's kinda hard to explain but it was like I was getting the full picture? Using the ef400 as a all in one its kinda like the picture is cut into 3 parts. Your left I middle | right. When I paired my v222 with the ef400 those 3 pictures combined to make one cohesive and detailed picture. It's pretty jarring honestly and really hard to explain.
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Anyone here paired EF400 with Ananda Nano, how's their combination?! Or should i go with EF600, i want more smoothing warmer sound of my Nano
Just read the user comment above recently stated that its not good combo with ananda OG, found used unit of EF400 around 250 usd and im thinking tempting to try to blind buy it..
Just read the user comment above recently stated that its not good combo with ananda OG, found used unit of EF400 around 250 usd and im thinking tempting to try to blind buy it..
In my experience Ananda is too bright and ef 400 gives additional brightness so they don't get on well with each other
Brain Damage
100+ Head-Fier
Has anyone tried using XLR analogue attenuators (see below) fixed to the balanced outputs of the EF400 to resolve the volume issue many seem to have (whereby the EF400 is too loud even at low volumes)?
You can get them in -10/-15/-20dB. This could help when outputting to an external amplifier. My thoughts are that you should then be able to adjust the volume pot on the external amp to 12 o'clock (the ideal spot) without blowing your ears.
I believe attenuators like these Rothmans reduce the analogue signals for better volume control without distorting or adversely affecting the sound quality.
You can get them in -10/-15/-20dB. This could help when outputting to an external amplifier. My thoughts are that you should then be able to adjust the volume pot on the external amp to 12 o'clock (the ideal spot) without blowing your ears.
I believe attenuators like these Rothmans reduce the analogue signals for better volume control without distorting or adversely affecting the sound quality.
Lohb
Headphoneus Supremus
I have Midgard on the way to stack with EF400. I'm testing EF400 standalone...then with Midgard and then head-to-head alone and stacked against Serenade to keep one combo of the 3 variants....
It may not be most the technically best I keep - but most synergistic - with the highest amount of my current and obscure planar cans.
I find EF400 goes excellently with Ananda Nano even at almost lowest volume on high gain OS - its balanced...there is imbalance at very low volume, but does not matter...as it's below a level you'd listen with it going to one channel before no volume.
I have used a foam disc at ear level (A koss sportapro foam cover) in the nano cups and couple of layers of very thin foam to take the edge off the energetic treble...very easy mod.
Saw another poster saying bright treble on this combo - but my damped set are perfecto with this set-up...internal cup in front of drivers damping was a way that was used a lot in Fostex T50x mods vs parametric or pad rolling..it seems to be used less now...ramping volume up balances out any perceived microdetail loss with the laser treble notched down specifically....
In the likes of the old LCD-2.1s the driver damping was quite thick to give that dark, dark presentation...in stock form, the nano is just too raw with zero foam filters earside...IMO...it's an 'unfinished' tuning...you could take the can right into the dark zone with damping as thick as DCA's thickest fabric filters all over the driver..that would be interesting as the bass would elevalate a lot.
I'd say stick with the warmer fuller lush EF400 vs neutral EF600 4sure with Nano...600 would only accent the treble even more vs thicker warmer treble rolled off EF400.
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