HM800 or EF499: Best DAC and Headphone Amp for Streaming?

[Melissa Rauch]

Hi everyone!

I'm in the market for a new DAC and headphone amplifier with support for streaming media, and I'm trying to decide between two models OF HIFIMAN : the HM800 and the EF499.

Has anyone here had any experience with either of these? I'd love to hear your thoughts on their performance, features, and any pros or cons you've noticed. Which one would you recommend and why?

Also, if anyone knows of any HIFIMAN promo codes to save some money, that would be awesome for me!

Thanks a lot for your suggestions and help!

[creimes]

I have no experience with either of those units from HIFIMAN, I currently use my MacBook Air and SMSL DO400, Tidal and JRiver on my MacBook and DA conversion and headphone amplification done by the SMSL unit.

Hopefully someone has the gear mentioned and can chime in, I myself have no interest in an all in one unit with built in streaming as I have the laptop for that, the DO400 is a great performing unit but as always to each their own in this hobby.

Cheers,
Chad

[Melissa Rauch]

May 24, 2024 10:01:28 GMT -5 creimes said:

I have no experience with either of those units from HIFIMAN, I currently use my MacBook Air and SMSL DO400, Tidal and JRiver on my MacBook and DA conversion and headphone amplification done by the SMSL unit.

Hopefully someone has the gear mentioned and can chime in, I myself have no interest in an all in one unit with built in streaming as I have the laptop for that, the DO400 is a great performing unit but as always to each their own in this hobby.

Cheers,
Chad

Thanks for the response, Creimes! I appreciate you sharing your setup. It’s good to know that the SMSL DO400 works well for you with Tidal and JRiver on your MacBook.


If anyone else has any experience with the HIFIMAN HM800 or EF499, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Your feedback will help me make a better decision.

By the way,I found a HIFIMAN promo codes on RiteCoupons, so hopefully, it works!

Thanks again for your help, Creimes!

[cawgijoe]

May 27, 2024 0:13:58 GMT -5 Melissa Rauch said:

May 24, 2024 10:01:28 GMT -5 creimes said:

I have no experience with either of those units from HIFIMAN, I currently use my MacBook Air and SMSL DO400, Tidal and JRiver on my MacBook and DA conversion and headphone amplification done by the SMSL unit.

Hopefully someone has the gear mentioned and can chime in, I myself have no interest in an all in one unit with built in streaming as I have the laptop for that, the DO400 is a great performing unit but as always to each their own in this hobby.

Cheers,
Chad

Thanks for the response, Creimes! I appreciate you sharing your setup. It’s good to know that the SMSL DO400 works well for you with Tidal and JRiver on your MacBook.


If anyone else has any experience with the HIFIMAN HM800 or EF499, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Your feedback will help me make a better decision.

By the way,I found a HIFIMAN promo codes on RiteCoupons, so hopefully, it works!

Thanks again for your help, Creimes!

I don't have direct experience, but did a search on product and reviews. The HM800 is a portable type device. The EF499 is a desk-top device. The EF499 uses R2R technology and gets great reviews. I'm familiar with R2R ladder tech as my Denafrips Ares II dac uses it.

You probably can't go wrong with either one, however if you are listening at home and not needing a mobile unit, I would go with the EF499. My .02 for what it's worth.

[leonski]

Heard either?

I'd recomend a drop-in at Head-Fi forums and ask THERE. Huge background of listeing and combining gear for good systems.......

As a suggestion? My Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus has headphone outputs AND a Bluetooth dongle available........So I suppose

it is possible to stream by that means......I'm not familiar with the compromises involved with BT for audio...though it does support APT-X......