HiFi Man EF500 DAC and Headphone Amplifier
In stock
Available - Usually ships within 14 days
Features
| Includes Pre Amp | No |
|---|---|
| Digital USB Input | No |
| Brand Color | None |
| Digital Optical Input | No |
| Digital Coaxial Input | No |
| Warranty The length of time your product is protected by warranty | 2 Years |
| Product Type | Other |
Tech Specs
- THD+N (Line Out) - 0.0025% (-8dB)
- Channel Separation - 131±3dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio - 117dB (A Weighted)
- Maximum Power Output - 4.5 WPC@320 Balanced/
- 1.32 WPC@320 Unbalanced
- Weight - -3.37kg
Description
The HiFi Man EF500 DAC and Headphone Amplifier has a lower distortion figure than the EF499. Additionally, it has a top-of-the-line R2H Himalaya DAC Chip. Notably, the DAC has very low noise. The amplifier is powerful with a 4.5-watt balanced output.
Moreover, the unit can be used as a preamp as it has both XLR and RCA outputs. Next, there are options to use either oversampled or non-oversampled playback modes. Non-oversampled playback is thought to provide a sound closer to vinyl. Lastly, the vertical case is designed to act as a headphone stand.
Powerful 4.5 Watt amplifier
A powerful and balanced 4.5-watt per channel amplifier is included in the HiFi Man EF500 DAC and Headphone Amplifier. The THD is a very low 0.0028%. Low distortion is important when the drivers are so close to your ears, as is good noise performance.
The amplifier can drive most manufactures headphones with ease, and the balanced design also reduces cable noise between the amplifier and headphones.
R2R DAC for natural sounding playback.
The HiFi Man EF500 DAC and Headphone Amplifier features a Himalaya LE R2R DAC. R2R DACs are built using a resistor network on the output. The network converts the digital output back into an audio signal.
This type of DAC is thought to provide a natural-sounding output with very low noise and a fast response time. Less advanced DACs use Sigma delta decoding. This has a feedback loop that can introduce noise.
What is NOS and OS?
Four sampling settings can be used for playback. The HiFi Man EF500 DAC and Headphone Amplifier can use either non-oversampled or sampled decoding. To convert an analogue signal into digital it has to be sampled.
With CDs, this is done at a frequency of 44khz. Each sample is given a value proportional to the level of the audio signal at that point in time. The sample frequency is more than double the highest frequency humans can hear.
Why oversampling?
Oversampling is a method used during playback to provide more information to the decoding circuitry. For example, 2 x oversampling with a CD would be 88kHz. As a result, the sound is smoother, however, more processing power is required by the playback device.
Playing back with no oversampling is thought to provide a more natural vinyl-like sound. The HiFi Man EF500 DAC and Headphone Amplifier provides both options.
Good connectivity.
The HiFi Man EF500 DAC and Headphone Amplifier features a vertical format case. This also doubles as a headphone stand. The front panel has the non-oversampling or sampling settings knob at the top. The main volume control is below.
Two outputs are provided for the headphones, a standard 6.3mmm socket and a balanced 4-pin XLR socket. The back has XLR as well as RCA outputs. This allows the unit to be used as a preamp to take advantage of the high-end DAC. Lastly, digital inputs include USB or coaxial.
Network playback.
Your home network is connected to the HiFi Man EF500 DAC and Headphone Amplifier via wired Ethernet. No Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is included to keep interference to a minimum. Consequently, the unit will be indicated as an available device in applications such as Spotify or Tidal. Mobile devices will connect via Wi-Fi to your home router and then to the HiFi Man EF500 DAC and Headphone Amplifier.