The Audio Stuff - Headphone Amps Reviews

HIFIMAN Serenade Review: One Box to Replace Your DAC, Amp, and Streamer

Jakub Charkiewicz — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

HIFIMAN's all-in-one R2R DAC, discrete Class A amp, and hi-res network streamer in one 3kg box - lush, musical, and powerful enough to drive almost anything.

Verdict: Reference - 9.3/10. Price: $999.

What's good

Proprietary Himalaya Pro R2R DAC for a natural, non-clinical sound
Discrete Class A amp based on HIFIMAN's $3000 Prelude
Built-in hi-res network streamer (up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD512)
Massive, ultra-clean power supply (50W toroidal + 30,000µF)
4W into 32Ω balanced - drives 99% of headphones with headroom
Every input and output you'd need: USB, optical, coax, Ethernet, Bluetooth, RCA
Beautifully built ~3kg block of CNC-machined aluminum
Dead-silent noise floor (THD 0.0015%, SNR 110dB)

Worth knowing

Voiced warm and lush on purpose - not for fans of a bright, clinical sound
Class A circuitry runs warm by design
If you already own a similar-tier amp, the pricier Prelude is the smarter buy

Read the full HIFIMAN Serenade review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN EF500 Review: The Cheapest Himalaya R2R Ever

Jakub Charkiewicz — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The most affordable HIFIMAN unit to feature their proprietary Himalaya R2R DAC chip - 4.5W per channel balanced, network streaming, and a vertical tower form factor.

Verdict: Recommended - 8.2/10. Price: $549.

What's good

First Himalaya R2R DAC chip at this price point
Vertical tower form factor saves desk space
All-metal chassis with industrial design
Fully balanced amp section - 4.5W into 32Ω balanced
Network streaming via Ethernet (Tidal, Qobuz, NAS)
OS/NOS filter selection for tonal tailoring
117dB SNR, <0.0025% THD
131dB channel separation

Worth knowing

Gets warm during long sessions with demanding cans
Vertical-only design - awkward laid flat
No analog input - can't use as a separate amp
Soundstage is solid but not ultra-wide
Filter differences are subtle
Pricier than the EF499 with overlapping feature set

Read the full HIFIMAN EF500 review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN EF499 Review: A Real R2R DAC/Amp Under $300

Jakub Charkiewicz — Sun, 09 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A balanced R2R DAC/headphone amp with built-in network streaming for under $300 - warm, musical, and a serious one-box answer to the separates-or-not question.

Verdict: Recommended - 8.1/10. Price: $299.

What's good

All-metal chassis, no QC issues - HIFIMAN's build has matured
Smooth, precise volume pot with virtually no wobble
Doubles as a vertical headphone stand
Built-in network streamer - Tidal, Qobuz, NAS
Philips R2R chip with NOS/OS selector
Balanced output: 4.35W per channel into 32Ω
Fully balanced DAC and headphone amp
Lush, natural midrange with deep, controlled bass

Worth knowing

No analog input - can't use as a standalone amp
Soundstage is well-defined but not the widest
Layering could be slightly more refined
Primarily designed for vertical placement
Not the typical HIFIMAN Himalaya R2R architecture
THD+N of 0.008% isn't a measurement chart-topper

Read the full HIFIMAN EF499 review on The Audio Stuff

HIFIMAN EF400 Review: Entry-Level R2R DAC + Class AB Amp Combo

Jakub Charkiewicz — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT

An entry-level Class AB amp/DAC with HIFIMAN's Himalaya R2R DAC, fun subjective sound, and a slightly soft character - underpowered for the hardest planar loads.

Verdict: Recommended - 7.5/10. Price: $399.

What's good

Himalaya R2R DAC with NOS / oversampling option
Full balanced output - 4-channel mode
Beautifully built, all-aluminum chassis (~3 kg)
USB Type-C input alongside USB Type-B
Single-ended (1/4", 3.5mm) and balanced (4.4mm, XLR4) headphone outs
Pairs perfectly with most HIFIMAN headphones
Full and rich sound, typical of class A/AB designs

Worth knowing

Specced 4.4W, but independently measured closer to 3W into 32Ω
Modest objective measurements (THD+N 0.002-0.004%)
Not enough power for HE6se, Susvara, or Modhouse Tungsten
Slight wobble in the volume knob
Channel imbalance in the first 10% of volume - tricky for IEMs
Sounds a bit shouty with very raw vocals

Read the full HIFIMAN EF400 review on The Audio Stuff