Is this headphone amp worth buying? - EF400 Review

Measurement Index

How to read headphone measurements

How to EQ Headphones

The Limits of EQ

Become an expert on headphones

00:00 - Intro / Build
02:25 - Subjective Sound
07:50 - Objective Sound
9:22 - Conclusion

[adamgreenhill]

I've seen you on the Headphone Show a few times. Never realised you're Golden Sound! Always loved your reviews

[cartmanshome]

I like how you mention what tracks you listened to in your critiques, it makes the reviews more understandable, especially for beginners like myself. I sometimes find the general audiophile terms are a bit too vague.

[teqai]

I've never seen a Dac/Amp review this solidly backed up by data. Great work, hope to see more reviews from you!

[colingordon]

I use the Arya stealth and Audeze MM 500 headphones with this and I think it sounds great. To each of its own.

[dasninjastix]

Haven't had these issues with mine. I actually prefer the amp on EF400 with most of my headphones to a Chord Anni. I've regularly been taken aback by how surprising the EF400 can sound. I thought the Arya v3 also sounded excellent on it, but my comparisons are limited to a Lyr3, a Mojo 2, a liquid spark, and an Anni, with the Lyr3 being most preferable for my tastes with the EF400 just behind. I run both balanced and single-ended without issue as well. I haven't noted any "softness" to the sound though I prefer the OS modes to the NOS modes. I find the EF400 to have some of the characteristics of the Bluemini 2 with snappy/poppy dynamic contrast in the mid-range. Only thing I can say is I bought my unit on Amazon before I saw anyone had a video on it. Usually initial supplies have the most issues but I don't know, mine has been great, especially as a DAC.

[bunbybob]

I appreciate your analysis, but for whatever reason this thing just sound great to me

[chungang]

I like that the Headphone show is featuring other reviewers, keeps things interesting.

[jeremymiller]

Thanks for the honest review Golden. I feel relieved you were not paid or sponsored by that company to just say only positive things. Bad build quality to go along with bad sound quality is to buy more expensive DAC/AMP like the 11 Broadway by WOO Audio.

[fredpomi]

It would be fair to withdraw that review as it is based on a defective unit…
Saying that, it shows Hifiman substandard QC process.
I have been through two units with a crackling/popping issue when listening to 16b 44.1kHz music in NOS mode (OS mode is perfect)…
…bit I love it so much that I kept it anyway.
Looking forward to your updated review as I believe that this is a hell of a product at its price point.

[wildturkey]

Very informative review with well presented measurements and corresponding examples as always. Thank you!

[mjmonjure]

Love your channel! To the point, articulate communicating, tell it like it is. Saves your time and my time. I can’t stand some of these channels 5 to 10 min plugging their sponsor’s, and then goofy or overly dramatic, sometimes emotional (z-reviews, cheapaudioman), you catch my drift. I especially Iike that in the end, you explain the facts and I for one trust your findings.

[vikx]

OK. that was a interesting review! Well done, looking forward to more of these!

[PaulieDC]

Another great review, AS USUAL. 😊
Has the headphone Show ever done testing and a video on replacement cables and if it’s a benefit or snake oil? Looking for new cables for my 650s, I saw some upwards of $250… wait, what? It’d be great to hear what y’all have say about that, and see what the graphs show. Just a thought!

[stevenjackson]

I was hoping/waiting/looking for someone to run measurements on the EF400. Not surprised it was you, and glad it was you. As always, exhaustive and incisive! I also read the written review. It amounts to an exposé. The performance is so poor that it could be fairly claimed that the product, or at least some components of it, can be called defective. In the written review you mention that the DAC issues might be fixed with a software update. ????!!!

[RadoslavMalenovsky]

I have quite opposite experience with EF400. Definitely no issues with depth as you described. Actually this unit is great in delivering depth in sound. And it is absolutely beautiful combo with all planars I tried this with (LCD-2C, HE6se V2, Arya Stealth, Emyprean). Maybe your unit has defects?

[kurthertel]

Awesome video. Thanks for your efforts.

[PixelPipes]

I haven't seen anyone else put in this sort of effort to uncover what they were hearing, and as a result I don't think anyone else has discovered these issues until now. Very impressive and helpful!

[nothingelse]

Never seen a DAC/amp combo that has made me want to replace my RME ADI-2, listening too it now with my Arya V2.

[abratskeller]

I had this Amp/Dac for a few weeks. It was my first one in many years, I enjoyed what I heard from it but decided to get a Mojo 2 to compare. Needless to say, the EF400 went back the next day.

[equilibrium]

Another great review !!! But I’m waiting for you to review the spl phonitor ex and spl elector preamp. Thanks in advance Golden👍🏼