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Mid-fi setup upgrade (HiFiman EF500)

w1nzt0n

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Dec 29, 2024
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Hi everyone,

Yes, just another thread asking for help and recommendations as a beginner audiophile who just started this journey... :facepalm:o_Oo_O


This is my current setup:

- Headphones: Hifiman H1000 Stealth
- AMP/DAC: Hifiman EF500
- Cable: upgraded to a balanced XLR with Neutrik connector (link from Etsy)
- Plugged to: Macbook Pro M3 Pro (via USB-C)
- I just bought the Chord Mojo 2 to see if it can run the HF H1000 while I am in a different room or just chilling on the sofa...


I mostly listen to music on Tidal (Max), I was happy with Apple Music until I A/B tested against Tidal... I have some DSD files and I have been running the trial for Audirvana but haven't found it revolutionary/impressive enough, compared to Tidal. Not sure if the current setup is a limitation in that sense...


I live in the UK and I have a budget of £3000.


After some review I have come across a few options:

- AMPs:
  • Schiit Midgard
  • Vioelectric V-222
  • Vioelectric V-340


- DACs:
  • Chord Qutest
  • RME ADI-2

- All-in-one:
  • Burson Conductor GT4 (my 1st choice so far, but scared due to lack of reviews and not seeing much love for the brand, plus overheating and fans).

Other considerations:

  • I would prioritise something of good build and a brand with a reputation for longevity of products and craftmanship over the latest tech at the expense of those aspects.
  • As I am based in Europe I can't go for Geshelli Labs, wouldn't prioritise Schiit either.
  • I think I prefer something warm and musical, over something analytical and sterile (no Topping sorry).
  • I'd like to move away from Chinese brands such as Topping, SMSL, etc.
  • This will be sitting on my desk, hence the Burson is my 1st choice so far (it can go vertical by design).


Any recommendations, guidance, or feedback, coming from experience and not subjectivity will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all in advance,
Enjoy the music.
 
Forgot to ask: what's your experience with brands such as SPL, Ferrum, etc.
 
1. Are you using any form of EQ in this set up? If not that is your first obvious place to start.

2. Are you maxing the ef500 volume or are you getting audible crackles /clipping? If not changing DAC and or amp is unlikely be bring benefits.
 
1. Are you using any form of EQ in this set up? If not that is your first obvious place to start.

2. Are you maxing the ef500 volume or are you getting audible crackles /clipping? If not changing DAC and or amp is unlikely be bring benefits.

Thanks a lot for your reply :)

1. Regarding EQ I played with EQMac for a while but I am far from knowing what to look for to boost the experience. I also read that enabling exclusive mode on Tidal would be beneficial and that's what I am running now.

2. On low gain for certain tracks I had the volume past 12 o'clock, on high gain is more stable at 11 o'clock max. I'd say it also depends on the environmental noise around me.
 
Thanks a lot for your reply :)

1. Regarding EQ I played with EQMac for a while but I am far from knowing what to look for to boost the experience. I also read that enabling exclusive mode on Tidal would be beneficial and that's what I am running now.

2. On low gain for certain tracks I had the volume past 12 o'clock, on high gain is more stable at 11 o'clock max. I'd say it also depends on the environmental noise around me.
Then forget upgrading electronics and try that eq profile I linked for the stealth. Don't worry much about exclusive mode either. Limits eq options.
 
Just be aware that applying big adjustments with eq, especially in obvious areas like bass levels might be quite jarring at first compared to what you are used to. Give your ears / brain adjustment time and don't be afraid to tweak. Oratory provides some tips on his eqs at the bottom right of the pdf as to which filters can be easily tweaked and what effect will be on the sound. Good luck.
 
I can only echo Jimbob54s sentiments; stick with what you’ve got electronics-wise. Chances are that they’re perfectly transparent just like 90% of what is out there on the market.
You can throw enormous amounts of money at electronics and effectively end up with a nicer shell and a unit that sounds identical to your last piece of kit, providing you are listening blind. It’s a nonsensical rabbithole with no audible benefits…only increased bragging rights and perhaps a visual upgrade.

If you want better sound then get better produced music, a better sounding/tuned headphone or simply use EQ to get there:)
Best of luck going forth.
 
Personally, I'd get the RME and call it a day. Regarding Ferrum, etc: that stuff is perfectly fine, but the only reason to pay $2000+ for a pretty basic solid-state headphone amp or DAC is fancy boxes and audiophile bling. Giant waste of money, in my view. The RME on the other hand actually has various useful features.

99% of all that "warm" and "analytical" crap in audiophile discourse is nothing but expectation bias, and you won't find many people willing to indulge it on ASR - maybe some tube amps would have enough distortion to reach audibility, but if you think you can meaningfully hear anything -80dB down from the signal, like what you'd get with a typical solid state amp, you're fooling yourself.
 
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Just out of interest, if the headphone out on the MacBook Pro can drive the H1000, have you a/b the headphone out vs the Hifiman dac/amp?

Edit - I'd imagine you should be fine to drive them from the headphone out, the H1000 are 35 Ohms, and the Mac boosts the voltage on anything over 150, anyway.
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/108351
 
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Personally, I'd get the RME and call it a day. Regarding Ferrum, etc: that stuff is perfectly fine, but the only reason to pay $2000+ for a pretty basic solid-state headphone amp or DAC is fancy boxes and audiophile bling. Giant waste of money, in my view. The RME on the other hand actually has various useful features.

99% of all that "warm" and "analytical" crap in audiophile discourse is nothing but expectation bias, and you won't find many people willing to indulge it on ASR - maybe some tube amps would have enough distortion to reach audibility, but if you think you can meaningfully hear anything -80dB down from the signal, like what you'd get with a typical solid state amp, you're fooling yourself.
Just to be clear . The rme is a great device and I own one after some issues with another amp . But unless the dsp features are needed, I'm not sure OP needs to replace existing kit and spend the money on the rme. If life depended on spending a grand or so then yes ,it's a no brainer.
 
Just out of interest, if the headphone out on the MacBook Pro can drive the H1000, have you a/b the headphone out vs the Hifiman dac/amp?

Edit - I'd imagine you should be fine to drive them from the headphone out, the H1000 are 35 Ohms, and the Mac boosts the voltage on anything over 150, anyway.
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/108351
That's how I ran them my first week while I was looking for DAC/AMPs, they just feel very narrow, hallow and quiet compared to powered with equipment.

I also tested a Moondrop TI via USB-C on my iPhone and could not achieve enough volume.
 
That's how I ran them my first week while I was looking for DAC/AMPs, they just feel very narrow, hallow and quiet compared to powered with equipment.

I also tested a Moondrop TI via USB-C on my iPhone and could not achieve enough volume.

Interesting. Different headphone, but I have zero issues running Hifiman HE400SE from the headphone out on an Apple iMac or MacBook; I believe they have the same impedance as the H1000 Stealth.
 
Thanks all for contributing, I really value all your opinions :)

I made some changes to my setup:

- Headphones: swapped the H1000 Stealth for the H1000SE.
- DAC/AMP: swapped the Hifiman EF500 for the EF600. Bought the Mojo 2.

Thoughts so far & why I did go for those changes...


H1000 Stealth vs H1000SE

TL;DR test, try and judge yourself, always.

There's a long debate with numerous threads across many sites (Reddit, ASR, Headphones.com, etc). People seem to prefer the Stealth overall...

To me the H1000SE are more holographic, with more of a 3D sound that works best for me.
I am loving getting more details and clarity in all types of music.

Works best for modern music, i.e: Billie Eilish, Electronic but also OST's from Hans Zimmer, etc.

The only trade off IMO is when you are listening to Jazz/Rock you sacrifice a bit of "smoothness/warmth" like on the H1000 Stealth that type of music sounds a bit more natural and enjoyable. But after A/B testing lots is something I am very happy sacrificing, overall.


Hifiman EF500 vs EF600

Well, not a HUGE step but it does bring more resolution, details, and clarity (whatever you call it). It opens the soundstage a bit more and needs less volume output.


Chord Mojo 2

I just spent 2/3h last night playing with the EQ with the H1000SE plugged to my iPhone via USB-C/3.5 Jack. Not incredible amazed so far, but it can be just me not finding the perfect tuning just yet (after all I am a noob in this matter).

I got a 3.5mm TRS to dual RCA cable to test the Mojo 2 as main DAC, leaving the EF600 as amp only. Will update here with my thoughts.
 
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