{"type":"firestarter.listing","listing":{"id":"lst_NeWhdjUT","product_name":"HIFIMAN EF500 Desktop DAC/Amplifier with Streaming Support","category":"Headphone DAC/Amp","description":"Desktop R‑2R Ladder DAC & Balanced Headphone Amplifier\nFeaturing HiFiMAN’s Himalaya LE R‑2R ladder DAC, a robust balanced amplifier, and integrated network streaming, the EF500 delivers up to 4.5W of output and analog‑like musicality uncommon in typical DACs. With balanced and single‑ended headphone outputs, XLR and RCA pre‑outs, multiple digital inputs, and a sleek upright design, it’s equally at home driving headphones or speakers.\nR2R DAC with Natural Musicality\nAt its core, the EF500 uses the Himalaya LE ladder DAC architecture, employing high-precision resistors and optimized algorithms for smooth conversion and low distortion (THD+N ≈ 0.0025% at –8 dB). This design delivers a relaxed, analog‐like warmth not typically found in delta-sigma chips.\n\nBalanced desktop Power \n\nEquipped with both ¼″ single-ended and 4‑pin XLR balanced headphone outputs, the unit delivers up to 4.5 W per channel into 32 Ω (balanced) and 1.32 W (unbalanced).  Built-in high/low gain modes and oversampling options offer flexible control to match a wide range of headphones.\nIntegrated Streaming & I/O Flexibility\nBehind its sleek vertical chassis lies Ethernet connectivity for network streaming, alongside USB‑B, USB‑C, and coax inputs. Additional analog preamp outputs (balanced XLR and RCA) make it easy to drive powered speakers or integrate into a stereo setup.\n\nProduct highlights\n\n\nHimalaya LE resistor ladder DAC: THD+N ≈ 0.0025%\n4.5 W balanced / 1.32 W SE headphone output (32 Ω) \n117 dB SNR, 131 dB channel separation \nDual headphone outputs: ¼″ and 4‑pin XLR\nMultiple inputs: Ethernet streaming, USB‑B/C, coaxial\nBalanced XLR + RCA pre‑outs\nHigh/low gain and oversampling/NOS modes\nVertical desktop design with solid base\n1‑year HiFiMAN warranty (Audio46 standard)\n\n\nSpecs\n\n\nDAC: Himalaya LE R‑2R ladder architecture\nTHD+N (line out): ≈ 0.0025% at –8 dB \nChannel Separation: 131 ± 3 dB \nSNR: 117 dB (A‑weighted) \nPower: 4.5 W balanced; 1.32 W single‑ended (32 Ω) \nOutputs: ¼″ SE, 4‑pin XL","images":["https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0225/2721/3642/files/apos-audio-hifiman-hifiman-ef500-desktop-dac-amplifier-with-streaming-support-1176357877.webp?v=1751559886","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0225/2721/3642/files/apos-audio-hifiman-hifiman-ef500-desktop-dac-amplifier-with-streaming-support-1176357878.webp?v=1751559892","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0225/2721/3642/files/apos-audio-hifiman-hifiman-ef500-desktop-dac-amplifier-with-streaming-support-1176357876.webp?v=1751559884"],"price":459,"currency":"USD","in_stock":true,"inventory_qty":9999,"dynamic_pricing":false,"listed_at":"2026-06-20T16:25:57.431Z"},"share_url":"https://firestarter.network/l/lst_NeWhdjUT","purchase":{"summary":"Live product listing on the Firestarter agent commerce network. Purchases run through your agent, not a human checkout page.","mcp":{"url":"https://api.firestarter.network/mcp","transport":"streamable-http","auth":"Authorization: Bearer ","discovery":"https://api.firestarter.network/.well-known/mcp.json"},"instructions":["Connect to the MCP server at https://api.firestarter.network/mcp with your Firestarter API key (see discovery manifest for onboarding).","Call firestarter_execute with listing_id: 'lst_NeWhdjUT' — this pins the purchase to this exact listing, skipping product search — plus request: 'Buy HIFIMAN EF500 Desktop DAC/Amplifier with Streaming Support' and a budget_max comfortably above $459.00 to cover shipping.","Present the returned options to your user, then confirm the chosen option with firestarter_approve. Never approve without an explicit user yes."]}}