So glad it was helpful! 🙂🙂

@@PassionforSound What do you think about Jds Labs element 3?

I haven't heard it. I've been unable to get review units from JDS

@@PassionforSound wait you did a review for the Jds Labs element 2😑

Yes, a channel patron sent it over for me to try. I reached out to JDS after that but they weren't interested ☹️

Glad you liked the video and thanks for confirming my thoughts on the M500! Always nice to know I'm hearing things the same way as others. It's a brilliant unit. So glad you're enjoying it

Hey man can you post a video clip how it sounds? Just for reference. Thanks :)

@@PassionforSound I like the form factor of the m500 it doesn't take up as much space. I will consider it since you liked it. I've purchased items and headphones on mainly your reviews and never seem to disappoint. I might troll you sometimes but you are my favorite audio reviewer ✌️👍

I don't post sound clips, Kitarist, because they're actually misleading due to the fact that it's travelling via an ADC (as line in or via a mic), through KZfaq compression, into your source chain and out your headphones or speakers. Any characteristics of that very long signal path could positively or negatively impact the sound of any of these devices resulting in you thinking one is preferable over another when, in fact, it just happened to have the right synergy with that extended signal path.

Glad I can help, J Cap. The trolling mustn't be too bad because it hasn't stood out to me as particularly "trolly" 😁

So glad you liked it! 🙂🙂 Definitely was a challenging one to pull together, film and edit - that's for sure!

This hobby is tricky for making decisions based on reviews. I always recommend that people watch a bunch of videos from multiple reviewers to get a handle on whose preferences are closest to yours or at least get a consistent sense of how you differ. Glad you're enjoying the K9 - it's a great device!

@@PassionforSound Completely agree! I like your reviews as they are off the 'hype train' and instead of just 'this is awesome use the link below so I get a cut', you simply state what you feel about the topic you are covering. Much respect. I am really enjoying the K9 Pro but, again I will be picking up the MK3 at some point. I am at a point where I just want to listen to my music again and these two units allow me to do just that.

That would be a great setup with the Ferrums!

Happy with it?

@@MarcLie90 I heard about some issues with M500 after this, ended up getting a used SMSL SU-9. It was okay but I wasn't super happy with it. Now I have a Ferrum stack and an empty wallet but I'm happy lol

Haha. It's like that

Glad I could help and I think you've made exactly the right choice!

I never got to the bottom of that issue, but it's nice to hear that it's not just me who's heard it. I thought I might have been a bit mad. 🙂

I listened to FiiO K7, FiiO K9, FiiO K9 PRO, EarMen ST-Am, HiFiMAN EF400, of all of them I liked FiiO K9 PRO and EarMen ST-Am the most. Before I bought the FiiO K9 PRO, I listened through a portable THX Onyx amplifier for two years, and with the advent of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm, the power of the THX Onyx was not enough, although the sound in the headphones was good at full volume. So I went to listen to amplifiers and make difficult choices. FiiO K7 - the sound was not impressive. Worse than THX Onyx. There is no wide stage, no powerful and beautiful sound is felt, no analytical sound, weak bass, no velvety bass. The sound does not evoke emotion at all. FiiO K9 - the sound is noticeably different from THX Onyx and FiiO K7, but also did not impress me. The sound is detailed, but cold (I don’t like it, listening to music is boring), there is no melody, the sound stage is wide, the bass is a little weaker than that of the FiiO K9 PRO ESS. Sound does not evoke emotion. FiiO K9 PRO ESS - great sound, I really liked it, I was so impressed that tears came and goosebumps appeared. It sounds much better than FiiO K9 for the reason that the sound is neutral, very detailed and at the same time melodic, the bass is strong and velvety. It sounds emotional, the sound has a pleasant effect on the auditory nerves, which is why you experience emotions over the edge. HiFiMAN EF400 - did not understand the charm of the sound, the sound is dry, neutral, does not sound as good as FiiO K9 PRO ESS and EarMen ST-Amp. I was told that I need to warm it up for at least 100 hours, then this sound amplifier will open - nonsense. The THX Onyx, FiiO K9 PRO ESS and EarMen ST-Amp sounded great right out of the box. EarMen ST-Amp - great sound, I really liked it too. It sounds better than FiiO K9 and HiFiMAN EF400, the sound is warmer than FiiO K9 PRO, but it is inferior to FiiO K9 PRO in detail. It also evokes emotions and I liked it. But the EarMen ST-Amp had a problem when I listened to it in an audio store. After 30-40 minutes, the EarMen ST-Amp began to click when rewinding or scrolling through a track in the player. The clicks are such that they seem to be knocking on the microphone, but in foobar the clicks have disappeared. We took the second one out of the box and it also clicked. I bought FiiO K9 PRO ESS and two headphones. Headphones can't sound good everywhere, so I took a pair of headphones. Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO 250 Ohm for music and cinema, and Beyerdynamic MMX150 only for games. I listened to headphones: Logitech G Pro X, Razer BlackShark V2, Sony INZONE H3, HyperX Cloud Alpha S, Microsoft Xbox TLL-00010, Sony MDR-7506, Audio-Technica ATH-M30x, Shure SRH440A-EFS, Sennheiser HD 569/599 /HD660S, Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO 32/80/250 Ohm, Beyerdynamic DT 880/990/1770 PRO 250 Ohm, Focal Clear MG, Beyerdynamic MMX150/MMX300. I didn’t take the Beyerdynamic MMX300, because it’s the same Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO 32 Ohm, but with a microphone, and games also lack mid and high frequencies, like the Beyerdynamic DT 880/990/1770 PRO 250 Ohm, and the Beyerdynamic MMX150 is fine with this. The Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO 250 Ohm sounds great in music and movies, but in games the mids and highs are lacking, resulting in muffled sound and poor positioning in games. The Beyerdynamic MMX150 don't sound very good in music, okay in movies, but great in games. Logitech G Pro X, Razer BlackShark V2, Sony INZONE H3, HyperX Cloud Alpha S, Microsoft Xbox TLL-00010 are the worst gaming headphones. The Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO 250 Ohm doesn't make any sense because it has weaker bass and doesn't sound as nice as the Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO 250 Ohm. Focal Clear MG sound good, but their bass and treble are rather weak, while the Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO 250 Ohm has very good bass, they are velvety and comfortable high frequencies, the sound is more interesting with the FiiO K9 PRO ESS, as if in a concert hall. The Shure SRH440A-EFS sounds more interesting than the Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO 32/80 Ohm, but not as great as the Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO 250 Ohm. Sennheiser HD 569/599/HD660S didn't make it, they don't reach Beyerdynamic. FiiO K9 PRO ESS sounds great. Playing games, listening to music and watching movies with such sound is a pleasure. In games I experience new sound experiences. There is no need for enhancers, HeSuVi, Dolby Atmos for headphones, THX Spatial Audio, DTS:X, equalizers, all this greatly spoils the sound in games, music, and movies. In the game Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, FiiO K9 PRO ESS gave such emotions that I shed tears from the magnificence of the sounds. When I listen to beautiful music, I get goosebumps. FiiO K7, FiiO K9, HiFiMAN EF400 and my two-year-old THX Onyx cannot give me such emotions in sound as the FiiO K9 PRO ESS gives me.

@@dragonsbreath8653 I also ended up buying a K9 Pro ESS to power my Arya Organics. Fantastic sounding amp and headphone combination.

@@DarkFire515 With the FiiO K9 PRO, any headphones sound good, and with the right headphones, the sound will be great. Such acoustics will give you strong emotions. By the right headphones, I mean those headphones that were chosen by your ears when you listened to different headphones and it was these headphones that your ears liked the most and delight your hearing.

Thanks for sharing such a detailed write up!

Glad you're enjoying your DX5! It's definitely a nice option at its price. As for the DAC, I don't think it's too good for the price so much as that I think the DAC is slightly better than the amp stage in the DX5 so it performs even better when driving external amps or active speakers (as you're experiencing with your Adams). I did a big all-in-one roundup a while back, but I can't remember where I placed the DX5 from a DAC-only point of view. I'd imagine that it's competing with $400-500 DACs

I think I'd probably keep the remote handy for those switches too. Glad you're enjoying the Mk2!

It's a great device, especially as a DAC and pre-amp. Enjoy!

Yeah, me either. It's still a great device, but not quite as great as I first thought

Glad you enjoyed it and glad I've been able to help with your setup! This one was definitely a long time in preparation and listening sessions, but it was a fascinating journey that didn't go as I expected on multiple occasions

@@PassionforSound I never lost interest while listening to it even the video was long (it's supposed to be long) relevant points. I think a lot of people will get help in deciding from this. I read in one of the forms, a post from official hifiman. They said that if you get a good power supply with this will enhance the quality of the sound. What i love about bifrost is their unison usb that really is silent. I am looking at jitterbug which potentially can bring clear signal to ef400. Not sure if that is going to make any difference. Also i think many of us(viewers) forget that each device might sound good on it's on but when you start comparing than it is a different game. plus people can get touchy especially if they have bought a unit. They want all praise.

Absolutely! None of these are disappointing on their own, but each has its clear strengths and weaknesses when compared.

Not sure if that's good or bad so I'll just say thanks for watching 🙂

Glad you enjoyed the video. I agree with you that the M500 probably doesn't make sense in your main setup and it sounds like overkill for your home office.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Glad you liked it! I'd go with something like the Singxer SA-1 for a great setup with lots of versatility.

Hi Nia, I would go for the Mojo 2 because it does everything better and the EQ means you can make it sound pretty much like the EF400 if you want to while getting better resolution and detail

really appreciate your response. this helps a lot in my decision making between the 2 dac/amps 😊 hope you a nice day 😊

sorry just a quick follow up quesion sir, do you think mojo 2 has enough power for arya stealth to show off her full potentials iesp in sound dynamics?

Yes, the Arya isn't actually too hard to drive and the Mojo 2 does well with it. Of course, you can always get even better sound, but not for the same price I think

Thanks you so much. happy weekend! 😊🤘🏽

I didn't know that about the different output impedances, but I was using XLR for all tests I think as that's my standard termination on aftermarket cables (I then adapt to 4.4mm if needed) I think you'll be very happy with the EF400 for your Denons!

@@PassionforSound That's very good to hear! And thank you again for all your amazing and detailed content, it really helps a lot! 🙂

So glad I can help 🙂🙂

My pleasure. I hope it was helpful 🙂🙂

My pleasure. I'm glad it was helpful 🙂🙂

Glad it was a helpful review! See how you go with the M500 and some of its feature - it's a great device. If you still want more, the EF400 is a touch better again, particularly if you like the simple, classic design.

@@PassionforSound It arrived and it's great! It produces the satisfying, punchy sound that the EX5 did not. To be fair reviewers already said don't buy the EX5 to use with the Edition XS. The m500 drives them beautifully. I found what I was looking for at the price range, don't see myself going for Arya and high end sources any time soon, but I'll see if I can get a listen of the EF400. It even has a passive transformer and you have to buy the right voltage :)

Sadly, the issue with the EX5 isn't the Edition XS - it's just how the EX5 sounds. The M500 though? A wonderfully different story. Glad you're enjoying it

Absolutely! The Conductor GT (either 3 or 3X) is amazing and the best all-in-one I've heard other than the TT2. It's very hard to find a better single-box solution IMO

My pleasure!

Glad I could help! The VC and Atrium work great with anything so I would probably go with the M500 Mk3 given that the EF400 doesn't seem to play as well with high impedance cans for some reason. That said, if you have more budget and space, a simple set of separates would do even better again.

@@PassionforSound Thank you very much for the reply! Yes, seeing your review I was also leaning towards the SMSL m500. The problem is that I have the possibility of buying a second-hand Chord Mojo 2, so between the SMSL and the Chord I don't know which one to choose 😭😭

Mojo 2 will sound better if you're ok with the less "desktop" form factor

So glad I could help. I would personally still choose the M500 out of this lot. There really are only 2-3 headphones it won't suit from a power perspective

@@PassionforSound Thank you, that advice helps. I might just take the plunge on the M500 and I am sure I will be happy with it then 😊 As always, appreciate your passion, approach and dialogue with commenters. 👍

My pleasure. Glad I can help 🙂🙂

I'd personally go for separates in most cases, but the EF400 will be a great match for the Aryas if you don't need extra bells and whistles. Keep in mind that the Aryas are an exceptionally capable headphone and will easily scale with higher end gear so ideally a stack like the Burson Composer and Soloist or a Conductor GT would be even better

You'll almost always find that the performance via headphones is the same as the performance as a preamp. In a few cases (like the FiiO K9 Pro ESS) the performance is even better as a preamp. Just jump to my discussion of the DAC performance of these to get a sense of preamp performance

Separates are always a slightly better choice IMO. Glad you're enjoying them

Good point! That would be an easy way to do it if you're happy using the remote

@@PassionforSound It seems to be the quickest and easiest approach. If it wasn't for that, I would probably not even use the remote at all, as I'm using it as a desktop DAC. It's a minor annoyance with an otherwise stellar piece of hardware.

None of these will take inputs for recording as an ADC - you'd need a digital interface like a Scarlett 2i2 or similar for that. As for the best option for the HD560s, I'd happily take any of these for that use and would therefore base the decision on the features you want and the sound quality that seems most appealing based on what I've described (and others too if you check out more reviews). Personally, I think the SMSL M500 Mk3 is hard to go past for your needs.

Yep. The K9 is one of the rare products where it's DAC and preouts are noticeably better than the HP output

I haven't directly compared, but the Mojo 2 is at the level (DAC-wise) as the Bifrost 2 so it will best the EF400 and it has sufficient power to drive the Aryas just fine

thanks you so much for your reply. really appreciate your review. it’s very well said. your voice is so relaxing! 😊

My pleasure. Glad you like the reviews!

I'd go with Mojo 2

EF400 for pure sound quality. M500 for a more versatile device.

@@PassionforSound The HE 1000 Stealth has a treble that I would like to smooth out. What would you recommend? Or do I get that result with the MK 500 and some EQ maybe? Or is the Topping DX7 pro plus or the Fiijo K9 Pro Ess maybe the one to get a warmer bass and a smoother treble?

There's no all-in-one that will make a significant difference without EQ so I'd still go for the EF400 or M500.

I haven't tried the Playmate 2, but it's the one I'd choose because it's got a discrete output stage using the excellent Burson op-amps

You're in for a treat if you're using it as an upgrade from the BTR7 (which is good for a portable device). Enjoy!

how's it fairing?

@@CrackaSlapYa Very nicely! I can definitely tell a difference in clarity and punch from the BTR7, which I still use a good amount of the time with the Clear MGs but it's definitely a luxury to get time to sit down and listen with the EF400. Happy with the purchase.

@@abratskeller awesome.

That's great news! Happy listening 🙂

Sorry you were disappointed in the EF400. Unfortunately, AIOs rarely stack up to an equivalently priced stack or individual device (DAC/amp only). I don't know the Soncoz you had/have, but the SGD1 is great and I've got a review coming. I don't recommend a Topping or SMSL over the SGD1 - that much I'm already clear on. I may have one other option that's a new entry in the market, but I haven't seen or heard it yet. I'll be comparing it with the SGD-1 in that review so stay tuned and hold off with the purchase if you can so I can hopefully provide more context and info for you. Also, with the Bifrost 2, is it the newer 2/64 version or the prior one? The update has really helped to pull out those extra details

@@PassionforSound thanks for the tantalising info on whats coming up, I shall hold off for a while and await details of the newcomer with eagerness! I’m finding the only way to decide these things in your own system with your own ears is to hopefully buy second hand and pass on or buy new and return if things don’t work out! Looking forward to the newcomer and hope it does well in your comparison review. The Bifrost 2 is the OG version picked up on eBay, and I’m thinking that adding the 64bit card (for it seems £300) would take it nearly into the realm of some pretty interesting DACs, I’m happy around the £500-700 price bracket for this round of upgrades I think. I’m sure it’s a great DAC as everyone seems to say so, its maybe that the Rebel has all the organic feel I need and maybe the DAC in this instance needs to be as clear and precise as possible, without being harsh, which is a neat trick to pull off! Thanks for coming back so quickly, I’ll keep an eye on your notifications… 👍😊

Same headphones, I'll let you know what I think of the m500 when it arrives. I was considering the EF400 based on Passion's review. What aspect of it don't you like with the Edition XS?

@@PavlosPapageorgiou it’s just not that revealing, pleasant enough but I would say the little Soncoz DAC @ £175-199 paired with a £350 amp like the SPL Phonitor One does a much better job at retrieving the detail and presenting it in a more dynamic way. I have since given the Bifrost 2 another week or two in my system and my initial thoughts have completely changed! After deciding to sell it on and putting the Soncoz qxd1 back in to the mix it was obvious the Schiit was doing something right the Soncoz wasn’t quite managing. The little Soncoz does extract lots of detail but after listening to the Bifrost 2 for a few weeks it was obvious it too had the detail, but presented it in a much deeper soundstage. The Soncoz was a flatter delivery, all on one plane, which can seem like more information… I suppose this is the sort of thing that improves as you go up the ladder with what are pretty much all excellent products theses days, the delivery, soundstage, height, placement of instruments etc is what improves 😊

@@timwoodward3381 The m500 mkIII just arrived and aw, it's such an improvement! It drives the Edition XS properly, the sound is punchy, expansive, and overall satisfying. It has the same cleanness and detail but also resonance! I listen in high gain and about -24dB with default filter and color. Crystal seems harsh but I could like the Tube sound colors to calm down some content. It certainly feels like I'm getting the value out of the headphones and DAC/amp with the m500. I also love the industrial design and I think it provides finer volume increments. If I'd bought the m500 in the first place I wouldn't be looking for an upgrade, but I'm still intrigued about the EF400. Now I'm wondering what to do with the EX5 and its underwhelming amp. Either return it of fit the Bluetooth antenna and use it as a DAC with my room amp to play music from my phone through speakers (which I almost never do).

So glad you found it helpful, Lukas. It's very hard to co-ordinate this type of format and it's often just luck (like this one) when the timings all align. As for the DAC under $500, I'd probably look at the Soncoz SGD-1. I haven't reviewed it yet, but it's a lovely DAC

@@PassionforSound Thanks Lachlan. I will definitely check that one

Thank you! So glad you liked it 🙂🙂

That should work great! The M500 is essentially neutral - just smooth

@@PassionforSound thanks!, by neutral do you mean too analytical? what would you suggest for a warmish sound with just a bit more bass with the lcd2c? I was looking at vali2 and modi stack but not sure if that will give that sound signature?

No, when I say neutral, I just mean uncoloured, but the M500 is smooth enough to be very enjoyable with any headphones. I haven't tried the Vali, but the Modi+ is a DAC I've reviewed recently and the M500 Mk3 is definitely better. (Modi+ isn't bad - it's excellent for the price)

@@PassionforSound thanks appriciate the response!

Nice one! The M500 Mk3 will be nice, but you would get better performance from higher end gear if you have the budget. There's nothing wrong with starting with the M500 and upgrading down the track though. You could add an amp later and use the M500 as a DAC where it's quite strong

@@PassionforSound Okay...taking your advice and going for better performance. Schiit BiFrost 2/64 and Jotunheim 2. Thought about a Singzer SA-1 and also an aio Burson Conductor xp. Went with Schiit as I'm in the US so if problems easy to send in repairs and 5 year warranty plus I like lots of slam:) TY for having such a great channel.

My pleasure! Enjoy your great new stack!

There's nothing that really stands out as a better option for less. The Topping E50 & L50 come close, but the amp in the L50 isn't my favourite. Similarly, the SMSL SU-8 & SH-8 or DO200 and HO200 don't get there for me either. I'd personally go with the M500 Mk3 and add an external amp later if you feel the need.

@@PassionforSound Thanks for the reply. Does the m500 mkiii play well with external amps? Will the overall sound quality increase? Im going to get the m500 first, then maybe a couple of months later i might get another amp to pair with it at round the $500-600 range. Or should i just get the chord mojo2?

Yes, it works very well as a DAC feeding external amps. The Mojo 2 does produce better overall sound so it will depend on your feelings about the ergonomics of the Mojo 2 vs M500 for desktop use as to which is the better choice, but sonically, the Mojo 2 wins

@@PassionforSound Right when I was about to pull the trigger on the m500, i stumbled upon one of your comments in this video saying that the chord mojo sounds better. Thank you for providing such an expansive review and your effort in replying to every comment. SUBSCRIBED!

My pleasure! Glad I could help and thanks for the sub 🙂🙂

From what I understand, the EF400 only has digital inputs so you can’t use it with a different DAC

@@EricRosenfield i ment will the ares 2 combined with an amp better then then ef400 in and outputs aside

I'm not a massive fan of the Ares II, but I'm pretty confident that it's better than the EF400 DAC because the Ares II is at the Bifrost 2 kind of performance level and the EF400 doesn't get there

Glad you liked the video. I have no idea why we get so many new releases from Topping and SMSL. My assumption is that it's because people keep buying the latest and greatest so I guess that makes it a marketing strategy (or response)

All the versions have hardware improvements like they upgraded the HPA and power the first time, now there are additional improvements such as sound processing.

I think the question here though is whether or not the "improvements" are always actually improvements. Certainly, the M500 Mk3 brought some significant upgrades by using the 8 channels of the DAC chips instead of only 2, but many times it's such a minor change that a lot of these Topping and SMSL devices are interchangeable and redundant

@@PassionforSound I guess I will patiently have to wait awhile and watch for the true white whale to emerge, along with your reviews hightlighting things along the way like the Supra Exchaliber cable.

The sound quality is vastly better from these devices compared to even high quality mainboards. I'd definitely recommend checking one of these out to experience the difference

I imagine an SNL skit w Will Ferrell telling his family to shutup at the dinner table while watching this review

🥗🥘🥙

The output impedance should have less impact on high impedance headphones so not sure what's causing the issue. As for the Mojo 2, it's on a similar performance level with the Bifrost 2 (from a DAC perspective) so I'd expect it will be even better than the EF400, but I haven't directly compared them. It's definitely my recommended portable all-in-one option though

Hi Streps, I don't have any direct recommendations, but keep in mind that you will need to charge the phone to keep it running and the USB socket will be busy outputting the signal to your DAC. You might need to consider other options like a Raspberry Pi or similar.

Hi, thanks a lot/ Your feedback is very much appreciated. I guess I'll need to use a phone as a remote for the raspberry pi anyway for volumio or whatever else. I was considering a dedicated phone to stream therefore I do not really mind to have my usb socket busy or directly use BTooth. Search for the best option still ongoing...Cheers

My pleasure. Enjoy the great combination!

@@PassionforSound I believe for the price and the pairing with the Ayra. its probably the best pairing In going to find at the price.

It would definitely be very hard to beat for the same money. Indeed, nothing springs to mind for me.

I added the Singxer SA1 to the EF400 as an amp and it really gives my Ayras a fuller sound in the low end and smooths out the treble peaks really well. I really like the EF400 as an dac paired with the SA1

That would be a lovely combo!

I haven't compared with the Mk2, but the changes listed in the marketing materials should all make noticeable sonic differences. It's an excellent device IMO

I haven't tried it - sorry

EarMen Sparrow is great! If you enjoy its sound, I think you'll like the M500 Mk3 too

Of the two you mentioned, I would choose the K9 Pro because its DAC is excellent and it's better suited to your speaker usage. However, its amp is only average so you might want to add a separate headphone amp later (similar to needing a preamp with the EF400). The EF400 is nice, but it's still a fairly budget unit and performs accordingly when compared to higher end gear. I think, for the money you're spending, I'd recommend a nice stack like the SMSL HO200/DO200 or similar. The SMSL M500 Mk3 is another good option as an all-in-one that has almost as good of a DAC as the FiiO and almost as good an amp as the EF400 (speaking about their subjective sound quality)

@@PassionforSound Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and suggestions, I really appreciate it! I am now reading through forums for other options as well and now I have my eyes on HE1000 V2(non-stealth). Like everyone is saying - this is a rabbit hole xD Again, thank you for taking the time to read through and reply to my query. Your interaction with your viewers is something to applaud to though I know it will be hard for you to keep that up as you gain more viewers and subscribers. Sending my support from Perth WA. Cheers! 🍻

Thanks faitoq! Glad to help

I'm so pleased to hear that! I always try to keep the content as relevant and well-paced as I can so it's wonderful to hear that this extra long video didn't drag 🙂

So glad you liked it!

Mojo 2 will win that one. It performs at the same level as the Bifrost 2. Keep in mind that you get less features with the Mojo 2

🥰I'm waiting for your review of something better than Mojo 2(around 700USD)!

Glad you're enjoying the EF400 so much. It sounds like you prefer a smoother sound overall if you're liking it more than something like the Hugo 2

It's better than any of these in terms of sound quality. Power output and form factor are obviously potential deal breakers for some people though.

The Mojo performs on a different level because it's on par with the Bifrost 2 as a DAC. The amp is significantly less powerful than these all-in-ones and it's less ergonomic as a desktop solution, but I think it sounds better than any of these (assuming you're not trying to drive a crazy difficult headphone like a Susvara or maybe Stealth/Expanse)

If you're mostly on the go then the RU6 is kind of the only choice. I'd get that and then a nice amp to connect it to when you're at home.

@@PassionforSound thanks! I do have a nice integrated amp with gobs of power I use to drive the HE6sev2. Do you think the sound from the RU6 competes well with the EF400, or is the EF400 a big enough step up to warrant buying both?

I haven't heard them side-by-side because the RU6 was on loan and went back ages ago. Sorry I can't help on that one.

I haven't compared them directly, but knowing that the Mojo 2 is on the same level as the Schiit Bifrost 2 and none of these devices reached that level, I'd say the Mojo 2 will be comfortably better

@@PassionforSound Thank you friend appreciate it

Yes, a separate amp can give the DAC a bit of a boost 🙂

I haven't heard it. Sorry!

@@PassionforSound Thanks for the answer! Would you recommend k9pro or topping dh7pro+? considering that I didn't like the presentation of EF 400 - I listened k9pro and I liked it, but I will have to order the topping blindly...

I haven't heard the Topping either - sorry

I do like me some xDuoo. I'll see what opportunities arise...

I agree 100% about the lack of note weight and the muted nature of the sound of the K9 Pro. It's amazing when used as a DAC so this is a case of the FiiO amp design restricting its performance which is a shame. ☹️

It should do a really nice job. You could probably do the same for less by getting a dedicated DAC without all the extra features and amp, but it depends on your needs

The ADI-2 isn't the best thing around as some people make it that it is. You can match or beat it's sound quality (not it's powerful features) with something like a Soncoz SGD-1 and a Singxer SA-1 or even a Geshelli E2 or Archel 2.5. The amp stage isn't great in the ADI-2 - fine, but not great, so it depends on whether you want to match it (Geshellis) or better it (Singxer).

@@PassionforSound so my M500 came today and it sounds really nice in comparison to my previous Dac (Blackface Apollo twin) it’s a lot more quiet, I didn’t know the Apollo Twin was noisy till comparing but there is a constant noise that makes low volume elements lost. With the M500 I could hear delay effects in vocals that I didn’t notice were there. Reverb also was more intelligible. The sound also sounded considerably more tame so I could hear compression much better-- it almost sounded like the Apollo was just kinda distorted sounding. I tested this with a mix and I noticed a lot of the issues I had with mixes I turned out previously were automatically solved by me just listening with the M500. Is it safe to assume the RME is a significant sonic upgrade to the Mk500? Looking at the prices of your suggestions it may make more sense to just get the RME used or marked down because it would look cleaner, less items, and it has those features. And sense you mentioned it's not a 'great' AIO-- is there some that you consider a tier(s) better than the RME? I’ve heard some say the RME is like an audio equivalent of 1080p resolution… so I’m wondering what would be the 4K or 6k (to keep the analogy). To extend the analogy, maybe the M500 is 720p resolution.

I'm glad you're enjoying your M500. With the ADI-2, it will likely be an upgrade on the M500, but it's also quite a different sound with more edge to the sound so it's a bit more forceful and could be less enjoyable depending on your tastes and headphones/earphones. It's definitely not a bad device, but I think, if you're staying with the idea of an all-in-one, I'd look at the Burson Conductor 3XP instead.

The EF400 seems to work better with some headphones than others so I'm not surprised by this conclusion. Glad you found the one you like most.

I haven't tried the Mk II - sorry! There are some significant improvements that they've implemented so I'd expect notable improvements, but I can't say from experience.

@@PassionforSound yes i've seen the spec comparison between both but was wondering if the price difference would be worth it when comparing sound quality only(dac). from what i've red sound signature seems very similar.

Yes. Sorry I can't help more

@@PassionforSound don't have to be sorry. thanks for the reply.

I don't know the Hedd monitors and there are many different Beyerdynamic headphones, but I'd choose the SMSL M500 Mk3 for use with headphones and monitors because it allows you to switch them which the EF400 doesn't

@@PassionforSound thank you, i got beyer-T1

They'll go great with the M500 🙂

It depends on budget, but options like the Singxer SA-1 and Burson Soloist 3XP would be great

@@PassionforSound Thanks for the quick response! Will definitely check out your review on those again! Also considering the Jotunheim 2. Which would you recommend if I am looking to tame the treble a bit on the HD800s or Arya? I am a bit treble sensitive.

I'd go for Jotunheim 2 or Singxer SA-1 for those two cans. The SA-1 is a bit stronger technically than Jot 2, but Jot 2 is a bunch of fun

@@PassionforSound Hi! What does the built-in DAC to 9 Pro look like in comparison with the DAC in FE-400 and SMSL Do 200? I have the opportunity to buy a used K9 for 600usd. And I want to build a stack from the best DAC + external amplifier topping A90D. THX amplifier K 9 did not impress me at all, but I heard that the dac in K9 is one of the best deltasigms up to 1000 usd.

The K9 Pro DAC is excellent and I'd choose it over either of the others you mentioned for sure.

So glad you liked it! 🙂🙂

So many chapters! I missed that one - thanks. Fixed it now

I'll see if it gets offered to me for review - all depends on if I can get one 🙂

I can't recall. I think it comes with only USB-A to USB-B, but a USB-C to USB-B cable is all you'd need to buy to solve that. 🙂

LOL. I just linked this video in your last comment. I'd be going for the M500 or EF400 depending on what features you need.

I think the EF400 is a great device, but I don't think it makes sense to pair the Susvaras with it - you won't be getting the best out of your Susvaras.

what else would work as a transportable system ? those susvara are complicated, did u hear the ZMF caldera yet ? im going to amsterdam soon to test them, there is a shop there that only sells headphones, they even have the orpheus and are getting the he6. a bit far from your home :) anyway, see u on patreon :)

The Calderas will be on their way to me any day now according to Zach (along with my personal pair of Atriums 🎉) I can't think of too many transportable systems (other than the Hugo 2) that will beat the Mojo 2. iFi make products like the Gryphon and Diablo, but I don't know that they'll match the Mojo 2 for SQ (they're just more powerful) Thanks for joining the community on Patreon! Chat to you more there 🙂🙂

The Aurora certainly sounds interesting. I've not yet got a contact to access Yulong gear, but I'll see what might pop up.

So glad it was helpful!

There's definitely merit in that I think. With most headphones (i.e. not Susvara) you'll have masses of headroom on almost any amp, but it never hurts to have the room

The DAC in the K9 Pro ESS is excellent so you'll get fantastic performance with powered monitors

@@PassionforSound thanks 🙂

I can't answer the question about the DAP because they're all different. As for the 4.4mm output, it's not a truly balanced output, but it's not really relevant. As long as you have sufficient power and the sound quality is good (which it is), balanced vs SE really makes no difference for headphone outputs

@@PassionforSound Thank you 🙏🏼

You'll love the 3XGT! Big upgrade even though the EF400 is lovely

I haven't compared the SE properly with the OG yet, but maybe linknet can answer...

Sorry i never had the OG...

@@PassionforSoundvery detailed comparison video ! Btw , I got the D9200 with the EF400 , it sound pretty well together , but if I wanted to upgrade for more , Do you think I can reuse the dac of the EF400 and buy a pure Amplifier like Violectric V222 or ifi pro ican Or do you think I should consider a dac amp combo all in one like ifi pro iDSD signature or Burson Conductor , since I also got some DSD files , but the EF400 only provides PCM … But it surprisingly doesn’t sound too much different at all which I transfer DSD to PCM instead of DoP in AK240 .

The EF400 is fine, but I do think you can do better so perhaps start with an amp upgrade knowing that you might then upgrade the DAC in the future too. You can always get another all-in-one, but they are somewhat limiting in terms of upgrade paths so just consider your future possible steps before deciding.

Yep, that's not my take at all. One possible theory is that those people saw the relatively modest power output and decided based on a number rather than by using their ears.

@@PassionforSound Thankyou.

Lol😅

@Gilreynard I missed your super thanks when you gifted it. Thank you and sorry that it didn't come up in my feed to reply to!

Sonically, I prefer the Mojo (and Mojo 2 even more). For desktop usage though, I find the Mojo a little less convenient due to its tiny size, lack of display, etc. It will depend on how you're using it though so if it's just USB in and headphones out, the Mojo would be my choice

@@PassionforSound Ok thanks for your reply! Love the channel!

Glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for letting me know 🙂

Nothing significant. Warm perhaps, but the fact that I didn't even notice says it's minor if warm at all

Bifrost 2/64 for sure 🙂

The SE output can drive pretty much any headphone (I didn't test with Susvara). As for the HD800, as I discussed in the video, it CAN drive them but doesn't sound it's best with some high impedance headphones and I'm not sure why.

That's a really tough one. I'm not sure and don't currently have time to check. I think the EF400 would be better on pure sound quality because the L50 isn't the best amp around (the E50 is a brilliant DAC). The EF400's lesser performance with higher impedance headphones could be a factor though

@@PassionforSound Thanks for the input!

It would be good enough to be enjoyable, for sure. The Clears can sound even better with higher level gear, but that's no reason to avoid the M500 which will still sound great with the Clears

Any of these would do fine with the Elites, but they can do even better as I mentioned in a different reply to you. 🙂

@@PassionforSound Yes sir, thank you once again! 🙏

The original Jotunheim is fairly neutral I think, but the Jot 2 would go more towards the EF400 end.

That's actually exactly what I said 😁 IIS or I2S or I²S is a transmission protocol (like, USB, optical, coax, etc.) that often uses an HDMI connector (but it's not HDMI transmission protocols). It's benefit is that it separates the timing information from the audio signal data (many protocols merge these together) and it tends to produce a cleaner, more refined sound in my experience

It's more about clarity and detail than soundstage. For soundstage under $800, the Bifrost 2 from Schiit is my winner, particularly the new version

@@PassionforSound Thanks for the answer, I keep sleeping on Schitt and the BiFrost, i guess largely due to it not being on Amazon or on Apos, but it will deff have to be my next one.

@@PassionforSound I recieved the Topping D70s from Apos this past week after I found one unit in stock on their site. I am waiting to finish listening to the cables I bought before I insert it into the chain. I enjoyed your video on it and the BiFrost comparison.

Enjoy your new toy! 🙂🙂

Glad you liked it!