LF DAC/AMP recommendations for Hifiman HE400SE [EU market]

[Michael.S]

Hello,
I'm a newbie looking to get the Hifiman HE400SE (149€) planars and from what I've read so far, due to their low sensitivity of 91dB, I'm going to need a DAC/AMP combo to go with them. I only intend to use them on a desktop system, so I don't really care about features like portability or bluetooth support and I want something that's going to drive them properly (I want the best I can get for my money). I have zero experience in this area, so I'm going to trust you all with your expertise and recommendations.

Budget: 300€ (for the whole stack)
(Disclaimer: I'm from Slovakia and there's a lot of brands that are NOT available to me here, ex. Schiit, SMSL)
(Heureka.sk is a local website that references all local online stores, so you can quickly check if your recommendation is available to me (only if you want to))
(Amazon is NOT available to me, as they do not officially support my country and ordering from Germany would include import fees and uncertain warranty)

What I've looked at so far:

• Topping L30 II (165€) + E30 II (165€) / E30 II Lite (125€) (330€/290€)
• iFi Zen Can Signature HFM (299€)
• Topping DX3 Pro+ (215€)
• iFi Zen Dac V2 (209€)
• iFi Zen Air Dac (99€)

 

[_thelaughingman]

Topping L30/E30 combo will get the best results for them.

 

[Jimbob54]

Hello,
I'm a newbie looking to get the Hifiman HE400SE (149€) planars and from what I've read so far, due to their low sensitivity of 91db/mW, I'm going to need a DAC/AMP combo to go with them. I only intend to use them on a desktop system, so I don't really care about features like portability or bluetooth support and I want something that's going to drive them properly (I want the best I can get for my money). I have zero experience in this area, so I'm going to trust you all with your expertise and recommendations.

Budget: 300€ (for the whole stack)
(Disclaimer: I'm from Slovakia and there's a lot of brands that are NOT available to me here, ex. Schiit, SMSL)
(Heureka.sk is a local website that references all local online stores, so you can quickly check if your recommendation is available to me (only if you want to))
(Amazon is NOT available to me, as they do not officially support my country and ordering from Germany would include import fees and uncertain warranty)

What I've looked at so far:

• Topping L30 II (165€) + E30 II (165€) / E30 II Lite (125€) (330€/290€)
• iFi Zen Dac Signature HFM (299€)
• Topping DX3 Pro+ (215€)
• iFi Zen Dac V2 (209€)
• iFi Zen Air Dac (99€)

The dx3 pro plus is the no brainer

 

[Michael.S]

Topping L30/E30 combo will get the best results for them.

If so, should I consider the E30 II for 165€ or the E30 II Lite for 125€?

 

[Michael.S]

The dx3 pro plus is the no brainer

How would it compare to the pricier L30 II/E30 II combo?

 

[Jimbob54]

How would it compare to the pricier L30 II/E30 II combo?

Half the size, 2/3 the price.

(believe all have been reviewed here, therein lies your answer)

 

[Peib]

If so, should I consider the E30 II for 165€ or the E30 II Lite for 125€?

Im considering buying e30 II lite and l30ii. Did u get the stack? What gear did you buy?

 

[josiah]

SMSL DL200. I went from a Topping DX3 Pro+ to a SMSL DL200 and was impressed. It has more power and doesn't cause clipping on my Series XS. The DX3 Pro+ had issues with my Hifiman Series XS. The SMSL DL200 does everything I need. It also has balanced out for active studio speakers which fixed the ground loop.

I think the 400SE would be fine on the Topping DX3 Pro+; however, the SMSL DL200 will have more future proofing if you decide to upgrade in the future. The SMSL DL200 does sound very minimally better on the Sundara. The huge difference for me was the series XS.

Note: Some people have had issues with the Bluetooth functionality.

 

[Peib]

SMSL DL200. I went from a Topping DX3 Pro+ to a SMSL DL200 and was impressed. It has more power and doesn't cause clipping on my Series XS. The DX3 Pro+ had issues with my Hifiman Series XS. The SMSL DL200 does everything I need. It also has balanced out for active studio speakers which fixed the ground loop.

I think the 400SE would be fine on the Topping DX3 Pro+; however, the SMSL DL200 will have more future proofing if you decide to upgrade in the future. The SMSL DL200 does sound very minimally better on the Sundara. The huge difference for me was the series XS.

Note: Some people have had issues with the Bluetooth functionality.

So for Sundara doesnt matter dx3 pro+ and smsl 200? Smsl is a bit more expensive

 

[josiah]

So for Sundara doesnt matter dx3 pro+ and smsl 200? Smsl is a bit more expensive

I honestly do not think you would notice a difference unless you compare them side by side like I did. The DX3 Pro+ might have sounded slightly less detailed and a little less natural. It is when I compared the Series XS and Arya Stealth where the difference became instantly noticeable to me.

 

[Michael.S]

Im considering buying e30 II lite and l30ii. Did u get the stack? What gear did you buy?

I actually didn't even manage to save up for the headphones, let alone the stack. Life's tough in Eastern Europe, ok?

 

[Peib]

I actually didn't even manage to save up for the headphones, let alone the stack. Life's tough in Eastern Europe, ok?

Lol
I am in a similar situation in Spain