HYMALAYA LE R2R
PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512.
HIFIMANDESKTOP DAC & HEADPHONE AMPLIFIERCustomer reviews (0)
HiFiMAN EF500 DAC & Headphone Amplifier
R2R DAC that holds your cans.
A vertical desktop DAC and amp with a HYMALAYA LE R2R DAC, 4.5W balanced output, NAS and app streaming, and a built-in headphone stand.
Regular price
£459.00
Unit price
Including VAT
Free next day UK delivery
Awaiting stock arrival date — order now to reserve one from the next delivery. Nothing to pay until it arrives.
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HiFiMAN EF500 DAC & Headphone Amplifier
A little extra. A better pairing.
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MEET THE HiFiMAN
R2R DAC that holds your cans.
A vertical desktop DAC and amp with a HYMALAYA LE R2R DAC, 4.5W balanced output, NAS and app streaming, and a built-in headphone stand.
4.5W balanced
XLR 4-pin and 6.35mm outputs for demanding headphones.
Stand and stream
Doubles as a headphone stand, with NAS and app playback.
Read the full description
The HiFiMAN EF500 is a slim, upright desktop DAC and headphone amplifier with support for streaming, which doubles as a headphone stand. It uses HiFiMAN’s HYMALAYA LE R2R DAC, plays up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512, and gives 4.5W per channel into 32Ω balanced. Play from a NAS, stream from your favourite apps, or use it as a traditional USB or coaxial DAC and amp.
HYMALAYA LE R2R DAC
HiFiMAN says its HYMALAYA R2R DAC surpasses the venerable Burr-Brown PCM1704K, with lower distortion, lower noise and extremely low power consumption. HiFiMAN grades its LE modules by distortion: the best 10% (THD under 0.0015%) go to the EF1000 DAC, the next 40% to the EF600 and Serenade, and the remaining 50% (THD 0.0017–0.0028%) to the EF500.
4.5W balanced output
Each channel’s DAC feeds a switch (for the XLR line inputs), a buffer and a low-pass filter, then a four-channel volume attenuator and a dual-channel balanced output stage, for 4.5W per channel into 32Ω balanced or 1.32W single-ended, enough to drive demanding headphones from the 4-pin XLR or 6.35mm socket.
A headphone stand and amplifier in one
Hang your headphones on the EF500 itself. Its slim vertical case fits beside a computer, streamer or listening chair without taking up much space.
Three ways to listen
- NAS: play files directly from a NAS on your network, controlled from a phone or tablet.
- Streaming: stream music from your favourite apps on a phone or tablet over your network.
- DAC and amp: connect a computer or other source by USB or coaxial. Download HiFiMAN’s USB driver from hifiman.com/services for Windows.
Controls and connections
On the front are a four-position function switch (gain and NOS/OS filter settings), the volume control, a 6.35mm single-ended and a 4-pin XLR balanced headphone output. On the back are left and right XLR balanced and RCA line outputs, a network connector for streaming, USB-C, USB-B and coaxial inputs, a coaxial / NET+USB function switch, the power switch and the power socket.
| DAC | HiFiMAN HYMALAYA LE R2R · PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit · DSD512 |
|---|---|
| Headphone outputs | 4-pin XLR balanced: 4.5W per channel @ 32Ω · 6.35mm single-ended: 1.32W per channel @ 32Ω |
| Line outputs | XLR balanced · RCA |
| Inputs | USB-C · USB-B · coaxial · network (NAS and app streaming) |
| Performance | THD+N 0.0025% (line out, -8dB) · channel separation 131dB ±3dB · SNR 117dB (A-weighted) |
| Power and weight | 100–120V or 220–230V AC, 45W max · about 3.37kg |
Good to know
- Windows may need HiFiMAN’s USB driver, from hifiman.com/services.
- This is an order-on-demand item: we order it in when you place your order.
- In the box: EF500, power cable and documentation.
In the box
- HiFiMAN EF500 DAC & Headphone Amplifier
- Power cable
- User documentation
Downloads
THE FINER DETAILS
Built for
better listening.
Know what you’re choosing.
Find the right fit for your setup.
- DAC
- HYMALAYA LE R2R DAC
- Headphone outputs
- 6.35mm single-ended · XLR 4-pin balanced
- Output power
- 4.5W per channel @ 32Ω balanced · 1.32W per channel @ 32Ω single-ended
- Hi-res support
- PCM 768kHz/32-bit · DSD512
- Gain modes
- Four-position function switch
- Signal-to-noise ratio
- 117dB, A-weighted
- Distortion (THD+N)
- 0.0025% (line out, -8dB)
- Crosstalk
- 131dB ±3dB
- Weight
- 3370g
- Line outputs
- RCA · XLR balanced
- Inputs
- USB-C · USB-B · coaxial · network (NAS and streaming)
Specifications are based on manufacturer information and may change.
The press, on the HiFiMAN
Independent ears.
Their verdict.
A different perspective on your next listen.
01 / Expert review
The upright design, which also functions as a headphone stand when turned off, is very space-efficient, and the build quality is fantastic.
James
Read reviewSelected excerpts from published reviews. Scores are each publication’s own. Follow the links for their full verdicts.
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How does free delivery work?
Every UK order has a free delivery option, and orders of £50 or more qualify for free next day delivery. Order by 12 noon, Monday to Friday, for next day delivery; orders placed after 12 noon, at the weekend or on a bank holiday are dispatched on the next working day. Stock availability and destination also affect arrival — check the options shown at checkout.
Pre-orders ship when stock arrives; the next day service starts after dispatch. Full delivery information
What if it’s not right for me?
Return within 14 days for any reason, or within 30 days if faulty, with free return postage. See our full Returns Policy for conditions and how to start a return.
Can you help me choose headphones?
Absolutely. Tell us what you listen to and the headphones you have — or the ones you’re considering — and we’ll help you find a suitable pairing. Chat with us
How do I request a Price Beat?
Use the Price Beat option on this page to send us the competing offer. The team will review your request; it isn’t an automatic discount. How Price Beat works
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