[maul]

   
I don't think it will be a significant upgrade. IMO the DAC has least influence in the sound chain, with the amp and headphone influencing the sound the most. Don't get me wrong, it has an effect, but not as pronounced as an amplifier can be. What you want from a DAC is for it to be as neutral as possible, and the ODAC succeeds in this. With that said, I use an ODAC with my HE-400i and it pairs great. If I were you, I would keep the ODAC, and use the money on good amp that can drive the HE-400i well. Audio-GD have some nice amps.

 
e09k perhaps? It's fairly cheap and I've been considering getting it + an odac. Taking a page from Zeos - 

 

[beaver316]

   
e09k perhaps? It's fairly cheap and I've been considering getting it + an odac. Taking a page from Zeos - 

 
Not sure how good the amp section on that is. I think a warm amp is best suited for the HE-400i, like the one im using, the M-Stage. It gives the lower end a little bit more life, just a little.

 

[Kyyul]

So I've got my 400i's in hand. I'd had them for a couple of days. I'm trying to decide if getting a schiit stack would be worth it. I currently have a Soundblaster e5, but if the schiit stack will make them preform better then I'd opt for those. 

 

[bracko]

  I'm mostly with you, except that the mids of the 500 are so smooth that it seems like a coloration. But it sounds SO GOOD. Idk, I like the 500 a lot. A member in my area got a lightly used pair for $200 and I have so much envy over that. The 500 soundstage is way bigger too. Where do you find them for ~$500?
 
EDIT: Just wanted to say that the HE-500 was my favorite headphone that I tried over the course of multiple meets, hearing most of the flagships including the Dharma. It doesn't try to be super technical, but goes like a nice speaker. Good bass weight, beautiful mids, spacious, and still has a lot of detail and good texture and timbre. Very liquid. I wish it weren't so heavy though.

 
Who sells a pair of HE-500 for $200? 

  

 
I bought a new pair a couple of months ago for $500 but it seems those days are over. I see the cheapest new are around $900 dollars. You can find used ones för $500 I guess.

 

[NeoWilson]

Bought on monday night (ebay), received today, new 2.5mm connectors. Very happy  
 
Burning in! Time to seriously look for an amp now.
 
I am leaning towards Aune X1s ($380 or $280 grey stock) since the Schiit stack are $400aud and the uber are $540

 

[swspiers]

  So I've got my 400i's in hand. I'd had them for a couple of days. I'm trying to decide if getting a schiit stack would be worth it. I currently have a Soundblaster e5, but if the schiit stack will make them preform better then I'd opt for those. 

There's really only one way to find out,  but the Schiit stack is pretty darn good stuff.

 

[Sonic Defender]

Massdrop is doing the Gustard H10 now which is really a nice amp from all the accounts I have read.

 

[ezekiel77]

Massdrop will spell the end of my finances haha. Got the Custom Art Harmony 8 Pro and the TH-X00, nearly got an amp and the UERM. Seriously hard to resist them.

 

[fjrabon]

Massdrop will spell the end of my finances haha. Got the Custom Art Harmony 8 Pro and the TH-X00, nearly got an amp and the UERM. Seriously hard to resist them.

I've spent $1400 with them this month, though only $900 was on headphones for myself.  

 

[Born2Cuddle]

If anyone is interested in the 560's are on sale at an even better deal than the sale last week
 
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/index.php/lp/pla-over-ear-headphones/he560?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA&scid=scplp8407369&gclid=CJXug9rcwskCFQmOaQodXTIP-Q
 
$700 shipped and comes with a $70 credit that you can use 60 days after your purchase.

 

[Kyyul]

Merr

  There's really only one way to find out,  but the Schiit stack is pretty darn good stuff.

 
Merry Christmas to me! I just ordered an Uber Stack! 

 

[Draulius]

I just received my HE400i in the mail today. I need some time to burn them in before really commenting on the sound, but the build quality and comfort is excellent. However, there is one minor thing that concerns me. Some scraping is occurring on the headphone adjustments, leaving small visible lines of removed paint between the holes. Does this happen on anyone else's 400i?

 

[fjrabon]

  I just received my HE400i in the mail today. I need some time to burn them in before really commenting on the sound, but the build quality and comfort is excellent. However, there is one minor thing that concerns me. Some scraping is occurring on the headphone adjustments, leaving small visible lines of removed paint between the holes. Does this happen on anyone else's 400i?

yes, I've seen this happen on other people's models.  It mostly seems to go away after a few adjustments.  

 

[rovopio]

  I just received my HE400i in the mail today. I need some time to burn them in before really commenting on the sound, but the build quality and comfort is excellent. However, there is one minor thing that concerns me. Some scraping is occurring on the headphone adjustments, leaving small visible lines of removed paint between the holes. Does this happen on anyone else's 400i?

 
Yes. Everybody's pair eventually. Unless it's being kept stationary at the same fixed level forever, then it won't happen.

 

[Sonic Defender]

Massdrop will spell the end of my finances haha. Got the Custom Art Harmony 8 Pro and the TH-X00, nearly got an amp and the UERM. Seriously hard to resist them.

I was going to get the TH=X00 as I just sold my TH 900, but non-detachable cables is a no go for me. I had my TH 900 modified to use detachable cables with SMC connectors at the cups. Shame, otherwise I was all over the X00.