HiFi-M8 V2
Reference USB DAC/amp
USB + Bluetooth DAC with Balanced Headphone Amplifier
Precision Portable Reference
For a passionate audiophile with a large headphone collection, HiFi-M8 (pronounced “HiFi-Mate”) is the World’s most advanced portable D/A converter and headphone amplifier. With high-resolution USB input, studio-quality Bluetooth input, professional VU meters and four separate headphone outputs (including two balanced outputs), nothing matches this portable gem! At a meet or at the store, enjoy or compare any headphones, up to 4 pairs at once, with this Flagship DAC/AMP from CEntrance.
With HiFi-M8 V2, we proudly present the next generation of our award-winning portable DAC. Pronounced “HiFi-Mate”, the original D/A converter and amplifier took the world by storm due to its ability to drive any headphones and compatibility with most computers and phones.
In Version 2, we updated the D/A resolution, further improved noise and distortion specs, added Bluetooth input and four headphone outputs (two balanced and two unbalanced). We further added an LED VU meter, a USB C jack, and many other improvements! HiFi-M8 V2 is the next generation portable amplifier for the demanding audiophile.
HiFi-M8 V2 works with many DAPs, iOS, Android, Mac, Linux and Windows. It’s lightweight and makes it easy to listen to high-quality music anywhere. Whether you prefer balanced-armature IEMs or large overhead cans, this product is for you. Enjoy over 10 hours of music off the grid. HiFi-M8 V2 is the ultimate portable amplifier for the audiophile on the move.
What Reviewers Say
I keep adding more and more tracks to my playlists when I’m using it, and that always means it’s a special unit…
All-in-all I am very pleased with its audio quality and overall sound delivery and performance.
What makes the HiFi M8 an almost unique object among portable products is being able to drive practically anything very effectively.
The low end is truly remarkable and even without boost it is deep and fast.
As far as fidelity goes, this takes the win for the most pure sounding sub $1000 portable source that I’ve heard.
This M8 V2 has everything I’ve ever wanted and needed in a portable source.
I AM THRILLED with the sound and performance of the HiFi M8 V2. The hot side can not only drive difficult 300 Ohm Sennheiser headphones but can actually drive them with authority and skill befitting the performance of a desktop amp. And, conversely it is an excellent match for my laid back JH 13 Pro, and energetic NXEars Basso, as well as Westone ES70 customs. I was impressed enough with the sound via Bluetooth that I’ll probably always use mine in Bluetooth mode for iPhone and USB mode for MacBook, even with 100GB of lossless music on my iPhone (plus Tidal).
– HeadphoneAddict, Head-Fi.org
Excellent results. Nice full body, yet neutral sound. Black background. The Hifi-M8v2 combines all the excellent developments of earlier models. It retains the full bodied, detailed and clear sound signature that CEntrance products are known for.
Michael Goodman & Co. have a lot to be proud of with their new HiFiM8 v2 portable headphone amp/DAC! Expanding on the groundbreaking feature set of the original HiFiM8, the v2 is a Personal audio Swiss Army Knife! It’s been driving everything from my Audeze LCDs to Audio Technica ATH-ADX5000s with gusto. And I love the dB level meters — a nice touch. Check it out!!
– SonicSatori, Audio360
DAC section is much better than Chord Mojo: Better separation, Better resolution, Better clarity and detail. Sweet clear mid; Good bass detail and impact; Wider and has better depth. BT receiver is one of the best on the market in term of SQ. It can drive planar Dan Clark Ether 2.
– King Rudi, Head-Fi.org
What Customers Say
This is just the best AMP/DAC on the market today given the price. I have used CEntrance products for over ten years and they will have a huge problem to top this one :-). Totally black background, no difference (to me) between cable or Bluetooth. Great battery life.
– Joe Q.
Wow – this packs seemingly endless power and with more EQ and connection options than a Swiss-army knife. All squeezed into the form factor of a cigarette packet. (If cigarette packets were built with the durability of a tanks).
– Jay K.
The M8 V2 delivers superbly on all counts and leaves my previous Amp Dacs from Fiio, Ifi and Schiit in the dust. All my headphones (Cerene dB, Sen HD 6XX, Hifiman Sudara, Beyer DT 1990 Pro, Focal Clear, Sen HD 800S, ZMF Closed and IMR Atens) sound improved!
– Jacques J.
Key Benefits
Studio-Grade Quality
Studio-Grade Quality
Hybrid Power System
HiFi-M8’s is great not just for travel, but also for desktop listening. The battery buffers the mains supply, making the device insensitive to brownouts and line interference. And since its output power is so high, HiFi-M8 removes the need for a separate desktop DAC/Amp. Use it on a desktop or on a trip!
For All Headphones
The only way to satisfy both In-Ear and Overhead headphones is to use separate amps. So that’s what we did. The “Cool Side” is ultra-quiet, for driving IEMs. The “Hot Side” will push your planars to ear-splitting levels. HiFi-M8 V2 has four separate headphone outputs, meaning 8 mono amps inside!
For All Headphones
The only way to satisfy both In-Ear and Overhead headphones is to use separate amps. So that’s what we did. The “Cool Side” is ultra-quiet, for driving IEMs. The “Hot Side” will push your planars to ear-splitting levels. HiFi-M8 V2 has four separate headphone outputs, meaning 8 mono amps inside!
Professional Meters
See the mastering levels of your favorite tunes. HiFi-M8’s professional VU meters are calibrated to 0dB FS, with over 40 dB of dynamic range. Brightness is adjustable from zero to daylight. Best of all, LED meters consume only a fraction of power of an LCD screen, so the battery lasts much longer!
Stamina Mode
Stamina Mode
HiFi-M8 has a smart power management system that adjusts battery life to match your lifestyle. Far away from a charger? Turn on the Stamina mode and enjoy up to 15 hours of continuous high-quality playback. Working at a desktop? Unleash watts of power from the Hybrid Power System!
Charging Flexibility
HiFi-M8 is smart enough not to drain the battery of your phone. But it can charge from the laptop you stream from. Or a standard 5V USB charger. There are two USB C jacks on the product: one for USB audio / charging and another for charging only. You can reconfigure them with the flick of a switch.
Product Details
UPGRADING AUDIO QUALITY
CEntrance raised the bar when it launched a portable amplifier that could drive “Most Headphones Under the Sun.” As audiophiles started investing in high-end, planar magnetic headphones, they needed a compact, battery-powered amplifier that would allow them to take their headphones to work, on a trip, etc. In 2013, CEntrance produced the original HiFi-M8, a portable amp that could drive 1 W of clean power into most demanding headphones. Pronounced “HiFi- Mate”, it got awards from Absolute Sound, CNET, Inner Fidelity, and other prestigious audiophile publications. It’s is still in use in countless homes around the world and we continue to get “thank you” emails from customers, whose listening experience has been improved since they got the “Mate”. Now time has come to upgrade the legend.
20-TH ANNIVERSARY FLAGSHIP
For our 20th anniversary special, we used crowd-sourcing to come up with the best set of features. Some people like to fall asleep to music, so we made sure the noise floor was “pitch black”. Some people have many headphones, so we included four outputs, raised output power, improved D/A conversion, noise and THD specs. We added a 12-segment LED meter that makes it fun to listen to the music and is reminiscent of old Japanese tape decks. And if you don’t want the blinking lights, we added a control to adjust the brightness from zero to daylight. In keeping with the times, we upgraded to USB C jacks and allowed charging from a laptop or a standard 5V USB charger that everyone already has at home. Your HiFi-M8 V2 is smart and won’t take power from the phone, so your phone’s battery is safe.
Built ToUGH, BUILT to Last
HiFi-M8 V2 is built like a tank and is not afraid to take a beating. It takes design cues from our recording products, which are used daily around the world by CNN, ESPN, and famous touring musicians. The chassis is made from lightweight, extruded, anodized aircraft aluminum. Operation is easy and intuitive, and controls are recessed to avoid accidental bumping. You can turn on and throw your HiFi-M8 in the backpack, without worry that this will accidentally change a setting. But the best part is on the inside. Our custom Hybrid Power System uses a rechargeable battery as a buffer, to fully isolate the sensitive circuitry from the noise and interference coming from wall power. The battery circuit reconditions the supply voltages to deliver clean power to your headphones, now and for many years to come.
