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Combo DAC/AMP for Headphones
I currently have a HiFIman EF400 DAC/AMP for my HiFiman HE1000 headphones. I would like to consider a upgrade. What would be a step up under 1500. I'm open minded but kind of like R2R Dacs. or.......
Do I keep the EF400 as a DAC only and spend the money on a amp?
Thanks in Advance
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I've been very happy with multiple trade-ins from HiFiMan. Traded up an EF400 to EF600...they have a special for this now. The Serenade DAC/Amp has good reviews, and there is a "Junior Serenade" now also. The EF600 is mainly sounding great with Arya Unveiled HPs. I had some HE1000SEs that were amazing on it also. It will power my Susvara too, but they sound better on a Pontus II/ Holo Bliss KTE stack. The dual Hymalaya Pro DACs tame most of any hi frequency overreach on some HiFiMann HPs, but are still "revealing". Big stack has more everything tho...detail, smooth, full 12w@32ohm power. Many deals on the HiFiMan web site right now. Gees, I sound like a HIFiMan shill...not true, there's a lot of great headphone equipment now days from many manufactures! Golden Sound is my favorite reviewer. Have fun, even my old Sundara on a Schitt Stax are still very enjoyable. |
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I would recommend investing 100% in a better headphone amp. For the money you are talking you need to put it all in the amp. While, like main systems, all the components matter. I find that headphone amps really matter. The most important changes have come for me through the headphone amp. I recommend Woo Headphone amps. I own half a dozen top tier headphones and have owned at least a dozen headphone amps. I never really got going until I discovered Woo. Natural, and powerful (depending on the model). Great company as well. Read, call them up and discuss. |
@mlapenta get a JDS Element IV - Element IV - Shop JDS Labs |
These would be a substantial upgrade for just a bit over $1500 with R2R DAC, and Amazon offers a 30-day return window… https://www.amazon.com/Aune-Headphone-Pre-amp-Fully-Discrete-Balanced/dp/B0DP43XNFT https://www.amazon.com/Musician-Draco-Entry-Level-Decoder-DSD1024/dp/B096S6HBQY Here are some reviews… https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/aune-s17pro-evo/ https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/musician-audio-draco-r-2r-ladder-dac-review/ Best of luck. |