70.57.64.19
This Post Has Been Edited by the Author
After failing to keep the laptop computer's speaker system portable (sounding nice, but now too big), I've decided to hear what a headphone setup could do. At the very least, I was pretty sure I could realistically maintain easy portability. Having already spent more than I planned on to improve the speaker/amp system for this laptop, I intend to keep the cost of the headphone system reasonably low. Ironically, I've already spent more on a pair of Sennheiser HD600 headphones than I did on all the speakers in my main music system! (must admit though, that I got *ridiculously good deals* on those used speakers).Of course, I wanted decent enough headphones, so after initially purchasing a used pair of Sennheiser HD555 (and mistakenly assuming I'd not be upgrading that choice anytime soon), I've now ended up with a very nice pair of HD600 (has made a very positive improvement - especially with regards to the two DAC/headphone amps I'm evaluating at the moment. This nearly new, mint pair came with an HD650 cable upgrade as well).
So then - two DAC/headphone amps, retailing for the same price ($169 USD)...
I spent a bit more on the HiFiMan EF2A--an additional $45 on a pair of highly recommended NOS tubes to replace the stock tubes. Still awaiting delivery of these replacement tubes.
The first to arrive was the Audioengine D1, which I've been listening to for ten days now. The HiFiMan EF2A arrived just three days ago. Yesterday, the HD600 arrived to replace the HD555 headphones.
Since I wouldn't have a chance to hear either of these DAC/amps before purchasing, I read as much about them as I could before deciding. Ultimately, I couldn't decide between the two, so I got one of each! :) The Audioengine seemed to receive more consistent praise, but for some reason, I couldn't shake my curiosity about the tube equipped HiFiMan. I'm glad I decided to take this chance on the latter.
First, a few "little things"...
Fit and Finish:
Audioengine D1 has a slight advantage here. No doubt its sheer physical/aesthetic simplicity contributes to the ease of consistent production values. I love its simple, functional, understated design.
The particular HiFiMan unit I have has just one obvious physical/aesthetic issue - the "face plate metal veneer" isn't placed with an exact fit over the "face plate backing" (shifted just a bit to one side), and it looks like if I were to attempt a realignment, it may disturb how the holes for source selector, volume knob, and headphone socket line up. This is a very minor quibble, but I felt I should mention it anyway. The overall aesthetic of the HiFiMan is altogether different than the Audioengine, but I also like the somewhat "retro" look of the tubes, and of the unit in general.
Portability:
Here, the Audioengine is the clear winner, though I'm already formulating ideas of how to make a good, relatively compact carrying case for the HiFiMan along with its wall-wart/cord and the fairly bulky headphones.
The Audioengine is quite a bit smaller, and since it gets its power via the USB connection, it requires no external power supply/cord. HiFiMan has a relatively hefty "wall wart" power supply.
The Audioengine's headphone socket is 3.5mm (as opposed to HiFiMan's 1/4" "normal sized" socket), so I had to get an adapter - a very nice Grado adapter that takes into account stress on the little socket, so includes a bit of an extension cable beyond the actual adapter connection (so that there isn't a heavy weight hanging directly off the socket itself).
Well within a quart size ziplock bag, I can fit the Audioengine D1, the Grado adapter, and the DH labs digital USB cable. There are already so many "little accessories" packed thusly into my laptop bag, this DAC/amp fits nicely along with all the other crap in the bag's accessories pouch. No way would the HiFiMan fit in this. It will need its own little carrying case.
Features/Options:
Audioengine D1: DAC, headphone amp, stereo analog output, both USB and Toslink inputs, powered via USB connection (if Toslink input is used, USB must also still be attached for power).
HiFiMan EF2A: DAC, headphone amp, one pair stereo line level input, USB only for digital input, Wall-wart power supply. And of course, tubes!
Finally -- the sound:
[Quick preliminary comments: Both units, with their DACs, represent a worthwhile improvement over the analog output of this laptop. Both units offer "gobs of gain" - I'm not yet convinced by the wisdom of this - we'll see (hear)] Okay - moving on...
Please bear in mind that I'm new to dedicated headphone DAC and/or amplification, so my experience is limited. I'm also not trying to create an "audiophile headphone system" for regular, everyday listening. While at home, I always prefer listening to speakers, so listening via headphones will only happen when it's truly necessary.
I've thus far spent much more time with the Audioengine than with the HiFiMan, so I'll start there...
Along with its easy portability, I feel it's entirely possible that a person could be happy with this cute little DAC/amp, and look no further (no doubt this means nothing to nutter audiophiles, but a fair number of normal people might be able to relate). It even offers more than just a headphone amp - as it also has a pair of stereo analog outputs. Perhaps Audioengine was thinking of their powered speakers as well during the D1 design process. In any event, I'm not interested in using this DAC with external amp/speakers--just headphones--so I haven't bothered to try the analog outputs.
The Audioengine D1 produces what I'd call a "polite" sound, regardless of source (my laptop based sources include FLAC, MP3, and CD from the optical drive). Mostly FLAC/MP3, since I rip onto the computer every new CD I acquire, I only use the optical drive for CDs I haven't ripped. The sound is pretty refined, and pleasant. However...
Remember that I mentioned my limited experience with dedicated headphone setups (and headphones in general, for that matter)? Well, at first, I just sort of took for granted that headphone sound was expected to be a bit "congested" as compared to my usual speaker listening experience (and indeed, it was), but it wasn't until two things happened after several days that showed me there could be lesser degrees of "headphone congestion":
1) Switching from Sennheiser HD555 to HD600
2) Switching to HiFiMan hybrid tube/ss DAC/amp
Yes, and here we come to my experience with the still-breaking-in HiFiMan EF2A tube/ss hybrid DAC/headphone amp...
Even with fresh, supposedly inferior tubes, I straightaway noticed the "air" opening up when I first listened through this HiFiMan unit. There's relief in breathing more open air. Instrumental timbre is more realistic, if a bit less "polite" than it is heard through the Audioengine D1. That's a good thing, actually. I'm really listening forward to hearing what it will sound like when I receive the recommended NOS tube upgrade for this unit.
It should be noted that even more so with the HiFiMan than with the Audioengine, the switch from HD555 to HD600 made a major, and very important improvement. In addition to other sonic benefits of the HD600, the rather "extreme gain" of the HiFiMan is "toned down" a bit by these headphones, so there's a bit more "breathing room" here as well. While I'm thinking about the "gain" aspect of these little amps...
In general, the Audioengine's volume control seems a bit more even than that of the HiFiMan's - at least at the low end of the volume spectrum.
With the HiFiMan, here's what I experience:
"Zero" volume is at about 7 o'clock. From this "zero" volume setting, I can hear faint sound coming from the left channel. Nothing at this point from the right channel (truth be told, at supposed "zero" volume, I'd rather not hear anything from any channel).
It's not until just before 8 o'clock that the right channel is fully balanced with the left. By 9 o'clock, it's already quite loud (almost unbearably so with the HD555, yet noticeably better with the HD600). With the HD600 headphones, "quiet listening" through the HiFiMan is much easier.
The Audioengine volume seems more "even handed" with regards to left/right channel balance at the lowest volume levels. Still, this unit also has much more gain than one could ever want via headphone listening (unless one is simply into an accelerated hearing loss experience).
In both cases, there's lots of unused potential on the volume control dials from 9-10 o'clock onward.
In about a week, I should be receiving the NOS Raytheon 6AK5 tubes for the HiFiMan, so after some tube burn-in time with those, perhaps I'll come back and offer further impressions of the HiFiMan sound. Until then, here are my "preliminary conclusions" concerning Audioengine D1 vs. HiFiMan EF2A:
I'm going to keep both, as each will have its place in my portable kit.
Overall, I prefer the sound of the HiFiMan EF2A, and so of the two, this will be my primary [portable] headphone DAC/amp. On those "quick trips" when I don't want to bother with the bulker, AC dependent HiFiMan, I can live with the Audioengine D1.
Finally, even though just over a week ago I wasn't planning on "upgrading" from the HD555 headphones, I'm very glad to have not listened to myself, and to have gone ahead with the upgrade to the HD600. This upgrade alone has happily enhanced the listening experience with both of these DAC/amp units.
Edits: 06/30/12 06/30/12 06/30/12 06/30/12Follow Ups:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2012, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ Take5 ]