What do I need to drive the HiFiman Edition XV?

Headphones
1

Hey everyone, new here! Just about to start my journey down the rabbit hole of HiFi audio and just looking for some help on what I need to drive the HiFiman Edition XV headphones. I’ve read some info about them and can’t really seem to find a good answer to my question.

First of all, after reading up on these headphones on here, other forums, websites, blogs and reviews, it seems to me that these headphones will only blow your mind and sound their best when they are powered with a fairly strong power source? Almost everyone is talking about needing to use a desktop DAC and Amp stack or DAC/Amp combo. And I have a few questions about that.

First of all, I already have a great little DAC/Amp from FiiO. The FiiO KA5 dongle DAC/Amp. It has 122mW per side on an unbalanced 3.5mm output and 265mW per side with the balanced 4.4mm output. So according to most Headphone calculators that figure how much power you need, my FiiO KA5 has PLENTY of power to power these Edition XS headphones (which those online calculators say I need around 63mW per side for the Edition XV). And yet when I’m reading about the Edition XV, and what you should get to power them, 99% of all the responses and replies are for a desktop DAC and Amp stack or combo. But with no explanation. And of course, I’d rather not spend more money on more stuff I really don’t need unless I ABSOLUTELY need that to make these headphones sing. I’ve read so many reviews that say with the right amount of power, these headphones (and most planar headphones in general) are absolutely incredible. Some of the best under $1000! So I am willing to buy a DAC/Amp combo or stack it it’s absolutely necessary. But just want to check and see if my FiiO KA5 is good enough or not? And if not, why?

And then can you talk more about how and why these DAC/Amp desktop stacks that cost $150-500 are so great? What makes them better than my FiiO KA5 I have? I specifically bought this KA5 for my IEMs because so many reviews said it had a ton of power and could power all IEMs and even most headphone easily. And I read a lot of people say when good headphones get a lot of power and have a great DAC, they REALLY sing and sound absolutely insane compared to less powerful and lesser DACs. That with more power and a better DAC, they have MUCH better soundstage, detail, separation, etc. Everything is just way better. And I don’t understand how or why?

Also, if my FiiO KA5 isn’t going to cut it and give me close to “the best sound possible” with these headphones, then would something like the FiiO K11 Amp/DAC desktop combo work really well? Or the FiiO K5/K7 Pro? The JDS ATOM 2 + ATOM DAC? Or anything else in the $100-180ish range for both the DAC and Amp that you might suggest?

I’m also curious as to how and why desktop DAC/Amps costing 150+ give you better sound? Reviews claim they add incredible soundstage and imaging to your headphones? While I sometimes read from certain experts that this is total BS and not real and just marketing from the companies. So if anyone can explain in simple terms to a newbie WHY a good desktop DAC/Amp combo or stack is SO much better than nothing at all or my FiiO KA5, I would greatly appreciate that. I’m not here just for suggestions for DAC/Amps, but to learn as well.

Thanks everyone, looking forward to being part of this community.

Cheers

2

Try them with the KA5 first. If you find the headphone lacking or you’re underwhelmed, you can try them with a combo or an integrated from Schiit, JDS Labs or a different FIIO, but at that point the problem is likely that you just don’t like the headphone.

3

I’m rather experienced in “entry/mid hifi” equipment, but to this day I can’t tell you why, only what. I have the Edition XS and it’s an amazing headphone however the headband is a cat turd in a dog’s mouth, it clicks at random intervals when turning left or right. I have done budget round up’s of dac’s and amp’s and honestly a budget dac is harder to do than a budget amp. The Douk U3 is a stout budget amp, but finding a dac is difficult as I said. The syba sonic sd-dac is on par with high end onboard audio.

I should say before continuing, that I don’t know why some products are better than others, just loose understandings.

Someone once said that the reason onboard audio sounds like a turd is due to a high output impedance, not to mention noise. But I can say that the first thing you will notice when legit underpowering a headphone is the bass gets boomy/bloomy and underwhelming. So, you need enough power but clean power and signal, that’s where the DAC comes in.

In year’s past Fiio was known for clean but lacking power, I haven’t kept up on their newer products, but I’d imagine they have kept with clean while massively upping the amount.

Before I continue you need to understand the two most important thing’s I’ve experienced with new hardware and getting used to it. First of all, different is crap, your brain doesn’t know what to do with it. Sometimes a new headphone is a banger out of the box, sometimes even when it’s obviously a superior product, your brain hates it. You need some brain burn in time, maybe go back and forth and spend time on other products and take a break before coming back to it. Secondly, no matter how good a headphone is…. That initial “this is amazing” or “now I get it” wear’s off and it’s just sound. Your brain will normalize anything if it’s what it’s used to. So in the end a pair of Kph-30ci’s will sound as good as a summit fi setup, if you listen to it long enough.

My entire point is that if you’re into the hobby enough, it becomes very subjective and even at a detriment to enjoying it all. Sometimes headphones need pad’s or EQ, sometimes you just don’t like them, and on rare occasions they don’t have enough power.

If my sudo-subjective opinion means anything, your Fiio will give you everything you desire from these headphones considering you give them enough brain burn in time.

I will say that I haven’t experienced the same thing twice even among the same equipment within reason, and I have owned 30+ headphones a half dozen dac’s and a few more than that amp’s.

You need to learn to not be critical and just listen to the content you enjoy.

*edit: I just put the XS on because I was curious why I despised them so much, and no immediate issues.

4

I own the XV. I love it! I 've been asking that as well. I own the ZenDac V2, and the fiio k 13. I like the XV better in the k 13. I also own the onix Alpha dongle and like that better than my ZenDac. If I was poor I would get the onix Alpha dongle and then upgrade my desktop later. Then, I will also have a great portable Dongle. The Fiio K13 has a great desktop parametric equalizer. I got rid of the 2K dip and did not like the EQ. I now listen to the XV flat with no EQ. The Onix Alpha and the Fiio k13 make the sound more organic and less sharp/metallic( to my ear). Something like the topping Dx2 we’ll give it a lot of power and sharpen the sound- not what I want in my XV.

IF you love your Edition XV now, ENJOY IT THE WAY IT IS NOW! THEN upgrade after you have gotten milage out of your current setup! No need to rush. This is a great journey! If the XV is now making you smile when you listen to it,:sign_of_the_horns::sign_of_the_horns:. Wait until your smile wears off a bit. THEN, think about upgrading the DACAmp.
We all unfortunately don’t have golden ears. I’m not sure I will ever hear a difference beyond the k13. In this hobby know your real sound limit. Too many people buying expensive equipment- even if their ear can’t hear the difference.

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Thanks for response. Very thorough and helpful. But I already went with another headphone a few weeks ago.

I did a lot more research on HiFiman in general as I started to see lots of people questioning their build quality and having lots of reviews saying they won’t warranty their product. Plus, I did even more research on headphones in general and after I found the DCA Drop Aeon X Closed, I was hooked. Almost every review from someone that knows what they are talking about saying it’s quite possibly the best closed back headphone under $1000, saying that it takes EQ SO well, and that the build and comfort is top of the line, I decided to pony up the extra cash and get those instead. And boy they weren’t lying! Absolutely LOVE these headphones. They’re something else for sure. Very special. And with EQ, I can tailor them to almost any sound I want. The comfort is the best I’ve ever experienced and the build quality is really good. I spent a bit more for them (plus a DAC/Amp that can actually supply enough voltage and current, went with the SMSL DL200) but it was totally worth it! I’m listening to these pretty much every single night I come home from work and on the weekends at my computer desk.

Thanks for your input though, much appreciated.

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