EF600 Cited For “Increase in Usability”
BELLMORE, NY, June 26, 2024 – HIFIMAN, the leader in high fidelity personal audio, was awarded the prestigious 2024 Red Dot Product Design Award for the company’s EF600 balanced desktop DAC/amplifier, designed for audiophile-grade desktop performance with a slim, vertical tower industrial design.
The Red Dot statement by the jury reads: “The reduction in formality means an increase in usability for the EF600 headphone amplifier: all functions are easily and clearly accessible to the user.”
Designed for use as a DAC, or independent headphone amplifier, the EF600 is not only aesthetically appealing, it also serves as a headphone stand, reducing desktop clutter.
HIFIMAN’s Hymalaya Pro consists of an array of highly accurate resistors that use a “ladder” method of conversion. This approach converts the digital signal with maximum accuracy and overall musicality. Signal-to-noise ratio, total harmonic distortion, and energy consumption are at their musical and efficient best. Hymalaya Pro supports the common PCM signal transmitted by the most common IIS (Integrated Interface of Sound) audio interface, with a maximum 24Bit resolution.
The EF600 includes two Hymalaya Pro modules for unsurpassed sonic output, especially when compared to the more commonplace PCM1704k module. The Hymalaya Pro, with the added support of a new algorithm and 0.01% precision resistors, reaches a THD of 0.0014% (total harmonic distortion). In plain English, distortion is reduced to a previously unheard of low with no audible distractions.
High-resolution Bluetooth connectivity is achieved with an upgraded design that supports multiple codecs, including LDAC, delivering lossless sound reproduction for audiophile-level sonics.
An array of RCA and XLR inputs allows the EF600 to be used as a high-performance headphone amplifier that is fully compatible with most CD and SACD players, thanks to its balanced output.
The front panel includes two outputs – 6.35mm single-ended and XLR four-pin balanced – in addition to a four-level function switch and volume control. The rear input panel includes jacks for coaxial RCA, USB-B, and USB-C source connectors, in addition to dual (L/R) XLR three-pin full balanced line inputs and outputs and one pair of single-ended RCA inputs and outputs.
The EF600 requires the bare minimum of desktop or rack space. The physical dimensions are: 104mm/4” x 135mm/5 1/4” (top); 104mm/4” x 165mm/6 1/2” (bottom) ; 283mm/11”(height). A new industrial design that serves as a headphone stand when the DAC/amp is not in use.
Signal-to-noise ratio is measured at 118dB (weighted), channel separation is 131+/-3dB, and THD+N (line out) is 0.0014% (-8dB).
Maximum power output is robust at 5.12 wpc @32R balanced/1.8 wpc @32R unbalanced, giving the EF600 the power to drive the majority of low-efficiency planar headphones, including HIFIMAN Electronics’ flagship model, Susvara.
“It is of course an honor to receive an award from an organization that, as it accurately puts it, represents the best in design and business,” says Dr. Fang Bian, President and CEO, HIFIMAN Electronics. “The EF600 stands out in a field that too often relies on off-the-shelf technologies instead of incorporating elements that are truly unique to the category.”
The EF600 DAC/amplifier is available from authorized HIFIMAN dealers and the company’s online store, https://store.hifiman.com/
About HIFIMAN
HIFIMAN was founded by Dr. Fang Bian in 2007 and, two years later, introduced the acclaimed HM-801, the first digital audio player to feature true audiophile-grade performance from a pocket-size form factor. Since then, HIFIMAN, under Dr. Bian’s guidance, has developed an extensive selection of no-holds-barred headphones, digital audio players, and headphone amplifiers that are consistently recognized as the best in class, offering performance that belies their price point, no matter the cost.
For additional information, visit https://hifiman.com/.
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About Red Dot
Red Dot stands for belonging to the best in design and business. Its international design competition, the “Red Dot Design Award”, is aimed at all those who would like to distinguish their business activities through design. The distinction is based on the principle of selection and presentation. Excellent design is selected by competent expert juries in the areas of product design, communication design, and design concepts. For further information, visit https://www.red-dot.org/.