![\"HiFiMan](\"\/images\/2022.03.10.hifiman.editionxs.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\nHiFiMan presented a few noteworthy new products at CanJam NYC, including the EF400 DAC\/headphone amplifier, the Edition XS planar-magnetic headphones, the HE-R9 closed-back dynamic headphones, and the HM800 mini-DAC.<\/p>\n
\nThe HiFMan EF400 DAC\/headphone amplifier (shown above with the HE-R9 headphones) follows their older EF6, the company’s PR rep, Adam Sohmer, told me. “People were looking for an update.” Updates it brings. The EF400 contains HiFiMan’s latest “Himalaya” R-2R “ladder” DAC module. It converts PCM signals of up to 24\/786, Sohmer told me. The EF400 DAC\/amp will retail for $599 and should be ready to ship in a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
\nThe amplifier contains fully balanced, differential circuitry and 4.4Wpc RMS (into 36 ohms) of class-AB amplification—power sufficient to drive low-sensitivity headphones, including the company’s higher-end planar-magnetic designs like the Susvara and the newer Edition XS ($499 MSRP), which was also on demo. <\/p>\n
\nThe EF400 offers four settings—high or low gain, with “Non Over-Sampling” turned on or off—via a knob on front. Inputs (on back) include RCA, USB-B, USB-C, and dual stereo three-pin balanced (XLR) line outputs. The front panel also has a volume control knob and four outputs: 6.35mm and 3.5mm (both single-ended), 4.4mm balanced (Pentaconn), and XLR four-pin balanced. The chassis looks sharp. This DAC\/amplifier is suitable for desktop or main-system use.<\/p>\n
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\nA brief listen to the EF400 with the Edition XS planar-magnetic headphones—the top photo shows the HE-R9 headphones described below—revealed spacious soundstaging on Joni Mitchell tracks. The honkier sax notes on “Raised on Robbery” seemed clearer in the mix than usual. On Mitchell’s Blue<\/I>, “California” might have sounded cleaner and quieter in NOS mode. I heard an airy quality—on Chesky Records Orquesta Nova 10th Anniversary Special Edition<\/I>, for instance—and not just on the flutes, which had realistic timbre. Backgrounds seemed quiet, and strings displayed a lacey delicacy. London Grammar’s “Hey Now” sounded three-dimensional, and the low-end tones delved deep—not always true with planars.<\/p>\n
\nHiFiMan’s exhibit also presented the HE-R9 ($599) headphones (top), a rare closed-back ‘phone for the company, the only other examples being the HE-R10D (dynamic version), which the HE-R9 borrows some technology from, and the HE-R10P (planar version). The HE-R9s can receive music wired—via a balanced, 3.5mm connector beneath left earcup or dual 3.5mm cables—or wirelessly when combined with HiFiMan’s Bluemini R2R Himalaya DAC dongle ($150) via Bluetooth 5.0 (HD). The HE-R9’s sensitivity is spec’d at 100dB, its impedance at 32 ohms. The lightweight, shiny red ‘phones have earcups of soft leatherette.<\/p>\n
\nThe Bluemini, which is USB-C-chargeable, can be bundled with the HE-R9—$749 gets you both—and will be available later in the spring.<\/p>\n
![\"HiFiMan](\"\/images\/2022.03.10.hifiman.hm800.jpg\")
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\nFinally, the aforementioned Himalaya R2R DAC architecture also comes in a smaller package—a tiny one, in fact: The HM800 Mini-DAC\/amplifier, which is intended to be used with IEMs. It’s about the size of an old-fashioned pencil sharpener and spec’d to output 40mW of class-AB power. It has a USB-C input on one end and a pair of stereo MMCX outputs on the other. Three connector cables are included: MMCX coaxial plus MMCX-0.78 and MMCX-0.75 two-pin.<\/p>\n
\nThe HM800’s MSRP is $299, and it’s due out this month.<\/p>\n
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