HiFiMan EF499 DAC/AMP Review & Comparison with EF500

Get the HiFiMan EF499 (Non-Affiliated): store.hifiman.com/index.php/e...
Get the HiFiMan EF499 (Affiliated): bit.ly/EF499
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:59 - Looks, Controls, I/O
01:59 - Under its Hood
03:14 - Enabling Wired Streamer
03:43 - Its Use Cases
05:13 - Sound Profile
08:44 - Power Output
10:18 - Dynamics & Resolution
10:53 - Frequency Response
12:22 - EF499 VS EF500
17:18 - Wrapping Up
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[@Maj0rTac0]

Wow! Thank you for the comparison video. I got the EF500 and what I like most is the streaming function.

[@Soundnews]

Great choice! ;)

[@justed4131]

This was an awesome comparison review Sandu! I've recently been reading up on both of these units on Hifiman's website. And now that you've clearly revealed both unit's strengths vs weaknesses, I can rest assured knowing the EF500 will indeed be the right choice for me!!! Thank you!!

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Thank you for another wonderful amplifier review. Keep-up the good work! 🙏

[@Soundnews]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-cy9og3cy4q]

Wow, great review!

[@liamporter1137]

Good review.

[@9-7-]

The HiFiMan back with a HiFi Plan. Reviewing audio gear is what he can :)

[@Soundnews]

Good one, mate!😆

[@Flavius7]

Two devices opened, thoroughly compared, analysed, so ALL THE WORLD CAN SEE the components, the quality, the engineering level involved. If you find that on KZbin... YOU JUST REACHED Soundnews...ENJOY!

[@Soundnews]

😆 Thanks for making my day a nicer one

[@Thiago_TS_BR]

I do miss the lack of an optical input since I want to use it to watch movie at nigth without wake up the children. It make me to look at the serenade . The streaming is important to me and thats because I prefer this over Aune S9c. Still waiting for the serenade review.😊

[@beezlebub3955]

I got the EF499 last week, paired with the stealth Ananda’s, it’s pretty good, It compliments the somewhat dry sound of planars nicely

[@hamjabuns]

Great review! Would you recommend the 499 over smsl do400? Thanks 😊

[@Hetsu..]

Im glad you opened them up and looked at the inside, i wonder what dac chip the ef499 is using tho, too hard to see.

[@Flavius7]

He is the only one that does that!

[@Hetsu..]

@@Flavius7 Yeah, i love it when reviewers really go in deph.

[@beezlebub3955]

I read that it has a Phillips 1543 of sorts, it’s in the forums

[@nw6066]

Thanks for review! Really want to know your opinion on Serenade and Serenade JR. I expect to get Verum2 HP by the end of autumn, and really want to know if EF500 will be enough for it both dac and amp sections, or should i aim higher.

[@Soundnews]

Hi mate, I tried the Serenade only at various HiFi shows, but never at my place, so can't say much about it. However, I'm confident the EF500 will easily drive the Verum2 and provide a good deal of technicalities (resolution, transparency and dynamics). It's a good combo if you are into streaming, especially via Tidal or Spotify. If you aren't into streaming, then please check the Aune S9C - a better sounding unit, but also more expensive.

[@nw6066]

@@Soundnews thanks for answer. Tricky thing to know is difference between Himalaya Pro and LE version, and how it sound in comparation on 500, 600, and both Serenades. Cause from what i heard from a guy who listened it serenade step far ahead compared to 600, especially in detailization, while keeping smoothness and natural flow of multibit dac. I still have 5 months to pick. So will get more info on those, hopefully including from your videos!

[@nw6066]

While aune s9c might sound better, i prefer akm velvet signature to ess, thats from delta sigma. And i want try out multibit dac with new headphones:)

[@radiofreealbemuth]

​@Soundnews can I ask how is the soundstage depth of the Aune S9C, compared to the EF500?

[@Soundnews]

@@radiofreealbemuth The EF500 is more impressive in there, it transforms a few headphones from meh to spacious sounding, the layering is also a notch better. S9C wins a little in detail retrieval and driver control. It's tighter all around, while retaining a similar tonality.

[@ancientalien815]

Let me borrow those Raidho TD2.2's LOL

[@Soundnews]

You can come over for a listen. ;)

[@ancientalien815]

@@Soundnews if you were closer, I would be all over that!

[@stevendavis1135]

Language barrier really hurt these reviews. You seem like a really good reviewer. Your English is just very poor

[@Soundnews]

Hi Steven, I never had English in school, university or master, I learned it by myself by listening to music and by watching movies with subtitles...I'm trying my best, every sentence you hear is spoken loud at least 4 to 5 times, but no matter how hard I try, I can't sound like a native speaker. If you value honesty and in-depth evaluations above all else, then you might come back for more. If you don't, no worries, I can't please everyone.

[@justed4131]

Then stay off of Sandu's site and none of his followers will need to read that steven davis is an arrogant, ignorant moron.

[@FlaskTheTapir]

@@Soundnews It might sound too bad for native speakers, but most of the world will be totally fine with your accent. The grammar itself is perfectly fine. Don't worry about this at all.

[@incidentlyaniguana2193]

It's a little rough at points but subtitles definitely help. I wouldn't say his english is poor at all, just heavily accented.

[@nikhilnarahari8424]

​@@Soundnews Your English is actually really good! It's really impressive you were able to teach yourself - it's definitely not an easy language to learn. The only thing I might suggest is to speak a little more slowly, especially toward the ends of your sentences... it seems like you sometimes rush to get to the next sentence (and I don't blame you - you have a lot of really interesting stuff to say!). Thanks for the great review!