Thanks for yet another typically well considered and thorough review, and very timely for me--I'm planning on buying an R-2R DAC in the next month and had been thinking about the EF600. Although there have been relatively few in depth reviews of this DAC, one reviewer I like stated that the EF600 was a step up from the Bifrost 2 (very briefly and without specifying whether he was comparing the OG Bifrost 2 or the /64 version). This is in stark contrast to your review. I think I've now eliminated the EF600 and am deciding between the Bifrost 2/64 and the Denafrips Ares 12th-1; I'm leaning to the Ares ATM.
Thanks, Steven. Tho I still recommend gathering additional opinions before making a purchase decision. Then come back and use my affiliate link (if applicable)! 😊😆
Thanks for the great in-depth review of this AIO unit WT!! With only a handful of reviews available on this product, after watching and reading reviewer/viewer comments, this unit appears to be a rather polarizing piece of audio gear!?! As most thoughts and comments appear to be firmly planted at BOTH ends of the spectrum. Not sure if it will be this product or not, buy I definitely feel my next piece of audio gear needs to be an R2R dac.
Vastly preferred the sound signature of the EF400 versus the EF600 and ended up sending it back. Much warmer and engaging on the EF400. Not much more powerful either. Had to turn the volume to like 3 o clock.
I don't use it a ton but it's a great mid-fi amp stress test. It's a useful tool. Plus I think several folks snagged a set b/c of Adorama's sales (understandable) who may still be trying to find an amp that can make it be itself.
Thanks for the in-depth review. Bit of a bummer regarding the DAC but still the EF600 is an interesting piece at its market point. I think it could just be the nature of an AIO that there is more often than not something that's a compromise, no matter which tier level they reside in.
Hi, I have the EF400 which is really good, however I looked at the Hifiman Serenade, and with a streamer included and new designs I might be tempted to upgrade for the Himalaya pro, will you have it for review? Keep doing what you do it's great! greeting from France.
Another amp from hifiman is the serenade which is new as well and just came out like 2 months ago. Hopefully someone reviews it, maybe it can be you. Its only $200 more than the ef600.
Hi WaveTheory when you will review the RME ADI 2/4 Pro SE, or RME ADI 2 FS Pro Black Edition. These are fabulous DAC/ADC Headphone Amps/pre Amps, so versatile that you will be blown away by them. Would be nice to hear your opinion. Greets, Hans
Yes, an excellent review Mr Theory, its an unusual form factor but its small foot print is great for a desk. Any chance you'll be reviewing the Schiit Mjolnir 3?
I would love to review Mjolnir 3. Last I heard Schiit wasn't sending out review units so I would either need to buy it or get a loan from a buyer. Channel funds grow slowly so me buying will take awhile...
The real question for me is, given how cheap the EF400 is now ($399) should I buy it just as a DAC or a Schiit Modi Multibit 2? I already have a great amp but loved how the EF400 sounded. Great video as always too!
Hmmm, I'd actually suggest lying in wait until a good deal on a used OG BF2 pops up. I remember the EF400 sound reminding me of the OG BF2 sound but the BF2 brought more technical ability along with it. Food for thought.
@@1800Swagg I can recommend either the OG Bifrost 2 or EF400 as a DAC, both are warm and smooth-sounding, the former being more punchy and dynamic and the latter being wider and more laid back. I enjoy both very much.
I am using my EF400 as an all in one for my Dan Clarks and balanced out to a Geshelli A3 Pro for my dynamic headphones. I really like warm R2R sound having owned many delta sigma DACs. I went from listening to my equipment to listening to the music.
Great review very impressed as usual! At this point the only amplifier you haven’t touched on that I’m very curious about is the violetric v202 I’m curious if it’s big step up from the g111
That's the direct successor to the V200 yes? If an opportunity arises I'm happy to give it a lesson. If it's the same amp as what they put in the V226 AIO then it's a darn good amp and yes, a price appropriate upgrade over G111.
@@wavetheorysound OK cool thank you for replying. I’m trying to avoid overpaying for balanced and the v202 has a 4.4 on it for convenience but still unbalanced circuitry which is cool to me. Would be nice for you to compare a v202 to v222 because essentially to me, it just looks like the only difference is balanced vs unbalanced but there might be more to the story which you usually uncover in your reviews
In germany its double the price of the ef400 and u fortunately very stable price. The lack of pentacon is definitly a downgrade. I bought the 400 instead of upgrading to the 600 for 1050,- euro in germany, i now use the ef400 as a dac and bought the violectric v222 as an upgrade and i am fine für now. Maybe i upgrade the ef400 for the bifrost 2/64 in the future.
I have the EF400 and love the warmth even if some technical compromise came with it. I would replace my topping E50 with LPS in my main HiFi if my the EF400 had more inputs. Can you compare EF400 DAC to modi multi bit 2? Similar warm fun sound? Thanks!
Thanks for the review @WaveTheory. I already have the EF400 and the inputs suit me (I have all my CD's ripped to FLAC on my LG G8 with a 512 GB micro SD card). My question is if I'm happy with the EF400, is there really any reason to get the EF600???
Im newbie and I've plan to buy some oval shape HFM (currently my attention go to HEKv2(non-stealth)the most) question is... If I only have 800$-1000$ and want some separate Dac/Amp to make my HFM richer-more lush-thick, more bass and dynamic,smoother treble, nice timbre, more spacious stage which Dac and Amp u will recommend to me if I end up dont buy EF600? THANK U so MUCH 4 Helping Me!!!!!! ♥♥♥
The look of it is slightly putrid but I suppose on could get use to it, given enough time. I think it would start to look worse though once you start putting other components beside it. 😼
Can you connect the EF600's preouts to the SMSL VMV A1 (class A) power amplifier? The VMV A1 has a volume knob, so you can regulate volume, and as I understand the EF600 has no volume control on the outputs. Would it be possible to connect those two?
Thanks for yet another typically well considered and thorough review, and very timely for me--I'm planning on buying an R-2R DAC in the next month and had been thinking about the EF600. Although there have been relatively few in depth reviews of this DAC, one reviewer I like stated that the EF600 was a step up from the Bifrost 2 (very briefly and without specifying whether he was comparing the OG Bifrost 2 or the /64 version). This is in stark contrast to your review. I think I've now eliminated the EF600 and am deciding between the Bifrost 2/64 and the Denafrips Ares 12th-1; I'm leaning to the Ares ATM.
Finally!!!! The only review that matters!!! Wave theory to the rescue with his in depth and deep dive review style!!!
Thanks, Steven. Tho I still recommend gathering additional opinions before making a purchase decision. Then come back and use my affiliate link (if applicable)! 😊😆
Thanks for the great in-depth review of this AIO unit WT!! With only a handful of reviews available on this product, after watching and reading reviewer/viewer comments, this unit appears to be a rather polarizing piece of audio gear!?! As most thoughts and comments appear to be firmly planted at BOTH ends of the spectrum. Not sure if it will be this product or not, buy I definitely feel my next piece of audio gear needs to be an R2R dac.
Thanks for the excellent review. Do you plan to review Ananda Nano and compare it with the Meze 109 Pro?
Excellent review once again, loved the comparisons 😊
Vastly preferred the sound signature of the EF400 versus the EF600 and ended up sending it back. Much warmer and engaging on the EF400. Not much more powerful either. Had to turn the volume to like 3 o clock.
They definitely have different sigs that can react to different headphones in different ways. I'm sure you won't be the only one who does this.
@@wavetheorysoundweird question but I see your radiance have different pads. Which ones did you get and did the sound change by a lot?
Thanks, I hope you get a chance to review the new 2023 Aune range:
- Aune s9c pro
- Aune s17 pro
Glad to see you're still using your HE6se V2, it would be interesting to hear how it holds up today with all the new Hifiman updates.
I don't use it a ton but it's a great mid-fi amp stress test. It's a useful tool. Plus I think several folks snagged a set b/c of Adorama's sales (understandable) who may still be trying to find an amp that can make it be itself.
Thanks for the in-depth review. Bit of a bummer regarding the DAC but still the EF600 is an interesting piece at its market point. I think it could just be the nature of an AIO that there is more often than not something that's a compromise, no matter which tier level they reside in.
Yes. AIOs usually involve a compromise somewhere. I've been doing a lot of thinking about that and how to evaluate such devices fairly.
Hi, I have the EF400 which is really good, however I looked at the Hifiman Serenade, and with a streamer included and new designs I might be tempted to upgrade for the Himalaya pro, will you have it for review? Keep doing what you do it's great! greeting from France.
Another amp from hifiman is the serenade which is new as well and just came out like 2 months ago. Hopefully someone reviews it, maybe it can be you. Its only $200 more than the ef600.
EF400 is actually 400 bucks not 500.
Hi WaveTheory when you will review the RME ADI 2/4 Pro SE, or RME ADI 2 FS Pro Black Edition. These are fabulous DAC/ADC Headphone Amps/pre Amps, so versatile that you will be blown away by them. Would be nice to hear your opinion. Greets, Hans
EF600 was a disappointment to me. EF400 had a wow factor the first time I heard it that the EF600 lacks. A bit harsh too
Awesome review as always!
Yes, an excellent review Mr Theory, its an unusual form factor but its small foot print is great for a desk. Any chance you'll be reviewing the Schiit Mjolnir 3?
I would love to review Mjolnir 3. Last I heard Schiit wasn't sending out review units so I would either need to buy it or get a loan from a buyer. Channel funds grow slowly so me buying will take awhile...
The real question for me is, given how cheap the EF400 is now ($399) should I buy it just as a DAC or a Schiit Modi Multibit 2? I already have a great amp but loved how the EF400 sounded. Great video as always too!
Hmmm, I'd actually suggest lying in wait until a good deal on a used OG BF2 pops up. I remember the EF400 sound reminding me of the OG BF2 sound but the BF2 brought more technical ability along with it. Food for thought.
@@wavetheorysound Thanks. I’ve been stressing out trying to figure that out.
@@1800Swagg I can recommend either the OG Bifrost 2 or EF400 as a DAC, both are warm and smooth-sounding, the former being more punchy and dynamic and the latter being wider and more laid back. I enjoy both very much.
@@Reeeepicheep thanks for the recommendations.
I am using my EF400 as an all in one for my Dan Clarks and balanced out to a Geshelli A3 Pro for my dynamic headphones. I really like warm R2R sound having owned many delta sigma DACs. I went from listening to my equipment to listening to the music.
Great review very impressed as usual! At this point the only amplifier you haven’t touched on that I’m very curious about is the violetric v202 I’m curious if it’s big step up from the g111
That's the direct successor to the V200 yes? If an opportunity arises I'm happy to give it a lesson. If it's the same amp as what they put in the V226 AIO then it's a darn good amp and yes, a price appropriate upgrade over G111.
@@wavetheorysound OK cool thank you for replying. I’m trying to avoid overpaying for balanced and the v202 has a 4.4 on it for convenience but still unbalanced circuitry which is cool to me. Would be nice for you to compare a v202 to v222 because essentially to me, it just looks like the only difference is balanced vs unbalanced but there might be more to the story which you usually uncover in your reviews
In germany its double the price of the ef400 and u fortunately very stable price. The lack of pentacon is definitly a downgrade. I bought the 400 instead of upgrading to the 600 for 1050,- euro in germany, i now use the ef400 as a dac and bought the violectric v222 as an upgrade and i am fine für now. Maybe i upgrade the ef400 for the bifrost 2/64 in the future.
Did you enjoy the he6v2 on this dac/amp
If you've heard it how would this compare to the Aune 9SC Pro?
Thanks for an excellent video. What would be the best amp under 1000 to pair with Bifrost2?
did the hifiman arya organic impress you?
I have the EF400 and love the warmth even if some technical compromise came with it. I would replace my topping E50 with LPS in my main HiFi if my the EF400 had more inputs. Can you compare EF400 DAC to modi multi bit 2? Similar warm fun sound? Thanks!
Thanks for the review @WaveTheory. I already have the EF400 and the inputs suit me (I have all my CD's ripped to FLAC on my LG G8 with a 512 GB micro SD card). My question is if I'm happy with the EF400, is there really any reason to get the EF600???
Naw. If EF400 meets your needs and makes you happy then just enjoy it until it doesn't.
@@wavetheorysoundwould you recommend the ef400 pver the ef600 if you only plan to use it on pc as a headphone dac amp and nothing else?
Im newbie and I've plan to buy some oval shape HFM (currently my attention go to HEKv2(non-stealth)the most) question is... If I only have 800$-1000$ and want some separate Dac/Amp to make my HFM richer-more lush-thick, more bass and dynamic,smoother treble, nice timbre, more spacious stage which Dac and Amp u will recommend to me if I end up dont buy EF600? THANK U so MUCH 4 Helping Me!!!!!! ♥♥♥
I'm curious about your thougts about Xduoo - D05 pro.
❤
Denafrips Pontus II or HiFiMan EF600? In Dac is it big step up?
how did it behave with Susvara and he1000se? in a scale of 1 to 10?
The look of it is slightly putrid but I suppose on could get use to it, given enough time. I think it would start to look worse though once you start putting other components beside it. 😼
You don't have to! It's an AIO 😆
"slightly putrid"?! LMAO 🤣this made me crack up!
First
Good features but so ugly!
The look grew on me. But certainly is unorthodox.
Can you connect the EF600's preouts to the SMSL VMV A1 (class A) power amplifier? The VMV A1 has a volume knob, so you can regulate volume, and as I understand the EF600 has no volume control on the outputs. Would it be possible to connect those two?