HIFIMAN SERENADE (DAC/HEADPHONE AMP) FIRST IMPRESSIONS.

My first impressions of the Hifiman Serenade. Combination Headphone amp, dac, pre-amp, and streamer.
0:26... Details and specs.
4:43... Equipment used.
5:26... A close-up view.
9:02... The sound.

[@radiofreealbemuth]

I have the EF500, but I'm considering the Serenade. I think I prefer the EF500's punchy and energetic presentation, though, compared to the Serenade's laidback presentation. However, the EF500 lacks resolution and clarity to my ears; vocal layering sounds smudged. Besides that, I love the staging. There's great separation, and I enjoy the segregated depth of layers. And so if I can get that same soundstage but with better resolution and clarity, then I would consider the Serenade. Another problem with the EF500 is that the volume wheel suffers from channel imbalance, and it only equalizes once the volume wheel reaches the 8 o clock position. But the 8 o'clock position is already too loud for me, so I have to control the volume from my music source (android phone), which is not ideal

[@oxyoxi3213]

Thanks for another excellent video, good job!

[@theheadphoneexperience-wil2250]

Thank you.

[@thiagotrevisandesouza6895]

I very curious about this device .
Waiting for the full review.
Thankyou.

[@nw6066]

There is Serenade JR version (with red box). Zero youtube reviews on that quite fresh product. In case you can get it till full review (or latre on) would be awesome, thanks for sharing your listening experience!

[@SimpleMailWork]

Thank you!

[@Jacky-94]

Thank you! Currently I ´ve the Ifi Zen Dac V2 + Ifi Zen Can Signature HFM - do you think I can/should use the Ifi Zen Dac with the Prelude and Susvara?

[@richardwilliams2396]

Nice review. Looking forward to the full review. How would you rate this for soundstage with the HE1000se compared to the Fiio K9 Pro ESS? I have the non-pro version of the K9 and I experience good detail, separation and width to the soundstage but not so much depth - similar to your review of the K9 Pro I think. I suspect I will need to spend more to get the full experience from the HE1000se and that the serenade is perhaps just a marginal step up. If I could afford it, would using the K9 as a DAC with the Prelude make sense? Or would you recommend something else? Thanks!

[@theheadphoneexperience-wil2250]

I don't have the Fiio K9 Pro ESS anymore, so I can't directly compare them. The Serenade uses an R2R dac, and I find R2R dacs usually have a more 3D soundstage than Delta Sigma dacs.
That said, my favorite amp/dac for the 1000SE is the iFi Pro iDSD Signature. It uses a Delta Sigma dac but has great depth. Although at $3250 it is very expensive.

[@stevendavis1135]

Ef400 recently died and I was wondering if this thing will pair nicely with my arya organics

[@theheadphoneexperience-wil2250]

Yes, it will pair very nice.

[@Cp48533]

How would you compare this with a tube amp? Are tubes smoother

[@theheadphoneexperience-wil2250]

Class A solid state amps usually have a similar sound to hybrid type tube amps. OTL type tube amps usually have an even warmer sound.

[@criptocolorlightstech5292]

can u use it on the ps5 thats what we all wanna know ?

[@theheadphoneexperience-wil2250]

Sorry but that's one I can't answer, but I'm sure there are gamers out there that can.

[@criptocolorlightstech5292]

@@theheadphoneexperience-wil2250 ok thank u ''

[@soulfulfool]

haha what kid can afford that for stupid ps5 toy? for real it is for music not dumb kids that know nothing about it