Hifiman's New EF600 is a Monolithic All In One! | EF600 Review! 🗿

[@hahahayess]

This is cool but you know what we want. ARYA ORGANIC REVIEW COMING SOON 🙏

[@camoturtle18]

Ain’t that the truth!!

[@jackdaniels6531]

amen bro

[@kcr2365]

Gluten free too?

[@camoturtle18]

How about lactose intolerant people?

[@MarylandDevin]

​@@kcr2365cruelty free

[@Skeeb23]

Well done. I do wonder if Hifiman went R2R due to how bright many of their headphones get. R2R can lean towards more analogue and could roll off some of that peakiness. You would know better though since you have it on hand along with some hifiman HP's to test that theory. I sampled one at CanJam and can honestly say I was meh on it aesthetically. Of course to each their own!

[@ippothedestroyer]

Finally someone reviews it. You should also look at the hifiman serenade.

[@architectlogin]

Thank you for bringing in the aspects of how this product will work with other products like IEMs into the picture. That's the Valour Value.

[@truthxbl]

Ill stick with my ef400 but i like that theyre adding some optical inputs. Maybe we will get an ef400ish update at some point that has more than desktop in mind.

[@taylorbrooksher6735]

Man I listened to this when I was in Japan and loved it!

[@vybhavab]

idk what it is but the fact that the bluetooth light blinking syncs with the music, is just... *chefs kiss*

[@zloinaopako]

Just like the headphones are getting more efficient, you Josh are getting more handsome. Love the longer hair and the fact that you’re not hiding it under a🧢, those hazel eyes and the overal brownish-ginger shades of the hair and beard. You’re interesting to listen to and a pleasure to look at. A complete package. 😉🌞

[@soulfulfool]

haha 🤣🤣

[@giorgosapo4508]

17000mW@16Ω Topping A70 Pro scheduled to be reviewed? The EF600 is a super versatile little beast.

[@colingordon0986]

I just use the EF400 and pair it with the stax srm D50 and it sounds amazing with every headphone I own, Arya stealth, HE 1000 stealth, MM 500 etc

[@c34webb]

What's your favorite headphone on it?

[@colingordon0986]

@@c34webbI would probably say the HE 1000 because it just makes it sparkle and brings out all the details. Almost like listening to an electrostatic headphone but with more bass. But I also own the Nectar Hive X electrostatic headphone and that’s why I use the Stax SRM D50 as a combo

[@ImHavingaCoronary]

Thanks. It's a good idea, but it seems like they didn't spend a tone of time or concern in the design phase. Also, it could lose 2 or 3 inches in height. Have a 65 inch LG g1, and this thing would block my view as in on the lower corner. I would think that quite a few people who would be in the market for this product might have the same issue. Seems like they could have saved money on the power aspect of the amp, and spent it on the buttons etc. I probably would have put the volume knob at the top, selectors underneath.

[@taidee]

A great review, thanks Josh.

[@KryssN1]

How would this compare to K9 Pro or EF500.

[@misterringer]

For the price, i think it's a swing and a miss. But there may be folks out there that buy it for the novelty. Personally I'll be surprised if they move a lot of these. What they may do is add it to their high end headphones as a cheap bundled add on to give an appearance of value. "get this $800 dac/amp/stand for ONLY $150 more" kind of that. That's the only way I see this moving units honestly.

[@yongdol73]

lmao

[@Iron883NZ]

Ps the main location of this unit will be on my beds side table … plus the option to easily move it to be besides the couch … using mostly the Bluetooth connection or iPhone to usb-c connection

[@JTB--]

Got the EF600 on day one from Hifiman and returned it. Wasn't worth the money imo. EF400 is the better desktop value

[@Reeeepicheep]

Which sounded better or did they sound similar?

[@JTB--]

@@Reeeepicheep I didn't have the EF400 to compare with the EF600 at the time but I just remember being impressed immediately with the EF400 as it was the first R2R DAC I had ever heard. But it had some impact and Bass going on that was very impressive. When I tried the EF600 it just never wowed me but instead it disappointed me. Maybe I was expecting something mind blowing with the EF600 and looking for a huge upgrade over the EF400. It definitely isn't. I was expecting more power and head room too with the EF600. It's just a swing and a miss imo. If choosing one for the first time.... I'd get the EF400 over the EF600 or stick with the EF400 if you already own it and were thinking of upgrading to the EF600. I just think the original Himalaya R2R DAC in the EF400 is a better sounding DAC than the Himalaya Pro R2R DAC in the EF600 which sounded a lot more harsh in the treble imo. Like the old saying, If it ain't broke....

[@Iron883NZ]

Only issue for me re ef400 is that it’s doesn’t have analogues in to listen to vinyl .. which was a must for me. To get equivalent Burson … would be more than 2.5x the cost here in NZ. Yes the Burson has class A … and more more pleasing design.

[@JTB--]

@@Iron883NZ Another mistake Hifiman made with the EF400 is ignoring Optical Inputs. For someone who wants to hook it up for Gaming/Entrtainment purposes they are out of luck. It only has 2 USB Inputs on the back which makes it strictly aimed at using it with a Desktop Computer setup. Some may like that... but to me omitting Optical and Coaxial probably scared many off and cost them a lot of sales

[@Reeeepicheep]

@@JTB-- Interesting. I was thinking of getting the EF600 for my other desk setup because I love the headphone stand form factor. Somehow my Ef400 plugged into my 9-fan custom watercooled RGB gaming PC avoided noise issues. One could use a $100 Topping HS02 isolator to achieve galvanic isolation as you would find in Schiit's high-end dacs. I think Goldensound mentioned in his DDC video that while Optical avoids EMI, the jitter performance is poor versus USB. I personally stick with USB.

[@just.a.cube.]

Love your reviews, keep it up!

[@josellanj]

Hi, nice video and review. Thanks for all the great content! What streamer did you use with the ef 600?

[@Hari-kx2er]

I don't think THD or SNR matters at all to someone looking for sound quality and does not care about getting high on numbers. Andrew from The Headphone Show has done a great video explaining this topic. Josh should drop his obsession with a metric that hardly matters when it comes to sound quality. Josh is too influenced by his "Topping bias" and hence his obsession with THD and SNR.

[@satriany31]

Hello, So you think that the r7 is a better value for money and more for everybody?

[@YourfriendNextDoor2]

Organic is awesome on this amp

[@chrisottaway2913]

Great review as always. 😊 I wish you'd reference the music you use in your videos though as you often choose some interesting tracks. Would save me a lot of time on Shazam and in this particular case it won't ID the track at all. 😕

[@stevendavis1135]

Wish you were just a little more detailed in this review. Guess im gonna have to wait till reviews by wavetheory get his hands on this thing to get a better understanding of the sonic performance of this thing.

[@badseedtech]

Great video, but more importantly, you're looking crazy fit bro! 💪💪

[@userunknown2i2]

He doesn't reply even to the great internet people.

[@mmorales508]

If a manufacturer can’t send all the details of a unit to the person who is going to review it for people to spend money on, I’m not buying it no matter how much I like it.

[@MasonPollock]

Love your content overall, but I think you should also look at schiit's fully loaded ragnarok to see if it lives up to the fully loaded title and see if it can replace your current desk stack. I think it would be a fun video plus you could try a turntable on it if you felt like it. Or it could be an excuse for you to mess around with one from a company willing to send you one as a little toy.

[@Cenkolino]

Its an R2R DAC, bro. The roll off at the high end is by design. If you want to hear those ultrahigh frequencies, you simply shouldnt use a R2R.

[@WeBuild4Life]

Now time to buy 6 pairs and hopefully get one without QC issues!

[@Charles500-yz9eb]

My 1st Svanar wireless had QC issues and were painful to wear. I returned them.

[@Iron883NZ]

Mine just received has no qc issues at this point

[@PhoggHawk]

I used it at CanJam a little bit. I really like the headphone stand, but it's way TGD expensive. The Audivina sounded incredible on it. That's an excellent closed back, BTW. Also TGD expensive!

[@depthnos9248]

How does it sound paired with the He1000 v2

[@johnosam4681]

If I buy an ananda or arya, which is better this ef600 or topping d50iii/a50iii combo?

[@TheBobby1kenobi]

Im looking at this amp because it has an analog in to go behind a goxlr. What other amps have analog inputs that would be better than this.

[@mopnem]

How does Josh consider this dac/amp combo expensive?

[@willielast]

I would luv to know how you feel about this now we're seeing its dropped to £600. I have an He6seV2 (that I luv and I'll never sell) so this amp is squarely aimed at me, & I've been wanting a r2r dac for a while. So it seems like a good buy? Also, I'm interested how this would perform as a dac for my OTL tube amp and my Sennies. I think using low gain NOS on the dac, plus my tubes, would make a very nice sound.Thanks for the review.

[@KryssN1]

This is Hifiman own spin on R2R DAC, it’s mid focus, with little bit smoothed out treble and neutral bas. It has great layering and soundstage, lovely lush mid range, perfect fit for most Hifiman, except, yes HE6SE V2 and HE1000SE V2 / Stealth. Would recommend you something like Schiit Mangius DAC (or even Modi+) + Asgard 3 amp for those headphones, for warm and punch or even something like even THX 789 for comical punchy micro dynamics.

[@peterandersson6762]

Hi Josh! I have a nluesund node x, and there is a thx aaa headphonedac in it. I wonder if it matters to get an amp with thx aaa or you can buy what amp u think is rhe best for me? Thanks for all your fantastic videos. I hav orderd a pair of arya srealth hav not got them yet. Im loocking for Gustard h16. Can that be a god combo?

[@sam-wi9hv]

This or fiio R7? Which better?

[@garfythecat]

I hear so many people say Hifiman has QC issues and it looks like that continues with this volume knob and the other front buttons. Shame really.

[@Pizza____God]

i think the tech is dope but the vertical height dont mesh well with my desk setup.

[@JanPippel]

Waited for this 👆

[@hiraksarma3068]

Being class A is it a good idea to put your headphone on it because of the heat.

[@aaronakers8120]

Coming from a schiit Magni/Modi stack what will I notice if I upgrade to this?

[@KryssN1]

Yes, this is better resolution, better layering, bigger soundstage. But the sound profile is different. Magni+ is neutral v shape. The EF500 and EF600 are mid range focused with smooth treble and neutral bass.

[@lextr3110]

Channel imbalance is a no-no.. stepped attenuator should be used

[@felixbehr9375]

Hey I have a macbook pro 2021, which has the integrated DAC. I would like to use my DT 1990 Pro with it, which I ordered. Do I get a big sound advantage if I buy a DAC/AMP for about 250$ now, or should I rather save a little money and then buy a more expensive DAC/AMP later? Greetings from Germany

[@soulfulfool]

save more money but I believe 1990 sound like crap with macbook alone xD

[@LakerTriangle]

Not a horrible price - my Bifrost 2 was the same price.

[@raymondwebby2441]

I’m not sure he spent time with the EF600. Some of his claims are complete opposite to my experience for example, I had zero issues using it with 3 IEMs

[@BichaelStevens]

Hifiman and quality control is like oil and water

[@Iron883NZ]

I just brought one to drive my he1000se’s .. arriving in a few days. I looked at many options and various price options but still went for it. Main reasons … value for money it’s on par with other quality all in ones … I don’t need the optical … as my cd player has coaxial … plus it has usb-c, balanced in and rca in … so I can link up a turntable. Having the headphone stand is a brilliant idea … and it won’t heat up the headphones as I’ll be wearing them … and the unit will be off when I’m not. I also wanted to check out the ladder dac … and a number of pros prefer them. I don’t care that it can’t become a volumes controlled pre amp when using the outputs because if I want to plug into my main system I’ll be plugging it into balanced inputs on my higher quality preamp driving my amp/speakers. So the usecase of this dac/amp is perfect for me. Maybe not for others … but my recommendation when buying equipment is to focus more on the usecase than just data specs :)

[@Iron883NZ]

Just received the unit … there is absolutely no slack in the volume knob … time will tell whether that becomes an issue … the toggle switch is also positive and what I would expect … the only other option would be a rotary switch … which wouldn’t suit the design. The only thing I think would be useful is having a display to confirm with your bit rates etc. about to test the sound quality. But it’s a heavy (power supply) and solid quality unit … and currently no qc issues.

[@sussychachi]

Update me on the sound of it ​@@Iron883NZ

[@sussychachi]

I plan to buy the he1000se and evetuslly ima look for a amp to pair with it. I love vocals so let me know how that sounds with this amp

[@luigismilazzo]

Pleeeease... signature on an amplifier...

[@MartinBaltuhin]

please do a 2023 version of AKG's 712s pro

[@Maj0rTac0]

Great review

[@beastgaming-gh5sp]

Bro is sony xperia 1 v bettwr for audiophiles now

[@Fluterra]

Will it work with XBOX Series X, with its USB output?

[@JohnCena-cz7ur]

No "Series x" doesn't output audio on usb

[@waynewilmeth7755]

DSD?????? No mention of DSD music????? I don't think this thing can even play DSD, which most of my library is, DSD files. And is, to my ears the best recording format.

[@utubie24]

If this was a topping or smsl it would be perfect 😂😂😂

[@asan1050]

Josh!, Thanks Much !.......

[@_chiaki_nanami_]

It looks weird 😢 Is it a toaster?

[@Donsploitation]

Issues with build for what you're paying? Hifiman? Seems on brand

[@MikkeyFacts]

I guess you meant it is a monolith 😋

[@nickdual]

You say say say. Don't make sense so much. Should learn from oluv's gadgets to review audio! That will be awesome for your channel!

[@msm007100]

Oh Boy!

[@Ramsy3d]

Do video audiophile upto 100$, $150 , $200✓ +0r-30$

[@carmell17X]

uize starfield ii dekha jay

[@goldenrick9704]

You lost me at “this is an $800…..” 😅 I’m out see you on the next one.

[@WyattOShea]

Voshua Jalour

[@victorvaldivia5389]

🗿

[@patrickspongebob6885]

Never seen a single hifiman unit without quality control issues. I don’t know if that’s a Chinese thing or they just don’t care bc it’s pretty glaring.

[@kevintj604]

I agree with you. I’d never even consider buying a piece of source equipment from HiFiMan. I love their headphones though and have never had any issues with them.

[@Iron883NZ]

I haven’t heard much qc issues with the Hifiman dac/amps? The cheaper feeling volume knob and buttons are cosmetic… the sound and flexibility is more important to me. If you want quality and expensive you will be playing a lot more … like the questyle … oh … but that’s Chinese too :) but I’d still buy one if I wanted a fixed unit in my setup … in a flash

[@kevintj604]

@@Iron883NZ Funny that you say that. I own a Questyle CMA Fifteen as well as a Cayin HA-3A. Both are built incredibly. I have zero issues with Chinese source equipment. I just don’t trust HiFiMan. They build all of their products with super cheap materials and beside a few of their headphones I’d never trust purchasing from them for longevity.

[@Iron883NZ]

Just got mine … and it’s solid and well built … so no qc issues picked up yet. Now it’s down to the sound … and it’s pairing to Hifiman HE100se’s

[@keith9388]

Hifiman's products are notoriously cheap feeling

[@dieseldust27]

That's an ugly-looking device

[@tomklim4269]

Not beautiful but the headphone stand aspect is useful and in the winter I will like my headphone pads heated up :)

[@Coffeeandacigarette]

Right now I'm running a zen dac to a zen can to a pair of he 1000 stealth. I'm wondering if this will unlock the last bit of performance out of my headphones

[@sca7531]

great review.

[@hendrikchmilewski]

🗿