Before you chime in with “Didn’t HiFiMAN introduce the Goldenwave Serenade DAC/Amplifier back in 2023?” — there is a difference between that version and this one.
The price has also dropped below $1,000 which makes this “new” iteration more appealing.
The HiFiMAN SERENADE Wireless is designed for personal audio and music fans looking for enhanced flexibility and performance with multiple streaming and physical connectivity options. An integrated Wi-Fi card allows for lossless wireless streaming of high-resolution audio.
The new SERENADE Wireless desktop DAC/headphone amplifier incorporates HIFIMAN’s proprietary Hymalaya Pro Ladder DAC, an update of the company’s first-generation Hymalaya DAC, originally released in 2021.
From Dr. Fang Bian, President and CEO, HIFIMAN Electronics: “The addition of a Wi-Fi card adds greater flexibility to the reference-quality SERENADE,…With its Hymalaya Pro ladder DAC, SERENADE Wireless is the perfect match for music lovers who want to wirelessly stream high-resolution audio for the best sound at any price…SERENADE Wireless is the next step in our mission to bring high-resolution audio to our customers, no matter their preferred source.”
HiFiMAN’S Hymalaya Pro R2R DAC, with the added support of a new FPGA algorithm and 0.01% precision resistors, provides performance that surpasses the commonplace PCM1704 in every way, reaching a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) rate of -6dB 0.0012%. Performance is equivalent to that of two PCM1704K DACs.
With a built-in Wi-Fi card, the SERENADE wireless offers significantly lower latency compared to traditional Bluetooth and is compatible with major mobile devices and PC operating systems.
The SERENADE Wireless amp circuit is based on a Class A design, supplemented by a precisely matched, discrete transistor amplifier circuit, with dozens of power transistors that are precisely matched, delivering both high-frequency airiness and warm mid-to-low frequencies.
The Serenade Wireless incorporates a 50w toroidal transformer with a full-band iron core, a large-pool filter capacitor of nearly 30,000 microfarads, and a multi-stage, multi-channel, low-noise, high-speed voltage regulator circuit.
The SERENADE Wireless uses an FET operational amplifier, with a discrete component LPF analog circuit that translates into detailed sound with high-precision, low-noise test indicators. The digital input options and supported formats are comprehensive and meet high standards.
SERENADE Wireless outputs, in addition to Wi-Fi, include 4-pin XLR, 6.35mm and 4.4mm on the front panel, with XLR balanced, RCA single-ended outputs, and a pair of RCA single-ended audio inputs on the rear panel.
Comparison
The SERENADE Wireless and previously released GOLDENWAVE SERENADE have the same outward appearance, features, and specifications except for the Wi-Fi connectivity built into SERENADE wireless. Neither unit provides Bluetooth connectivity.
SERENADE Wireless (2024) GOLDENWAVE SERENADE (2023) Price $999 $1,199 Headphone Amplifier Balanced Output Power ( THD+N<0.07% @1KHz) 4000mW@32 Ω
760mW@300 Ω4000mW@32 Ω
760mW@300 ΩHeadphone Amplifier RCA Single-ended ( THD+N<0.07% @1KHzoutput) 2800mW@32Ω
510mW@300 Ω2800mW@32Ω
510mW@300 ΩFrequency Response 20Hz-20KHz, ±0.1dB@1KHz 20Hz-20KHz. ±0.1dB@1KHz (THD+N) Signal-to-Noise Ratio 110dB, 0dBFS@1KHz 110dB, 0dBFS@1KHz Channel Separation 120dB, 0dBFS@1KHz; THD+N: 0015%, 3dBFS@1KHz 120dB, 0dBFS@1KHz; THD+N: 0015%, 3dBFS@1KHz DAC output level 4.5V/XLR, 2.2V/RCA, 0dBFS@1KHz 4.5V/XLR, 2.2V/RCA, 0dBFS@1KHz Digital Inputs and Supported Formats USB PCM: 32-bit/384kHz, DSD64-DSD256
COAX OPTICAL: PCM32-bit/192K DSD DoP64
Wired LAN: PCM44.1-PCM768DSD64-DSD512
WI-FI: PCM44.1-PCM768DSD64-DSD512USB PCM: 32-bit/384kHz, DSD64-DSD256
COAX OPTICAL: PCM32-bit/192K DSD
DoP64
Wired LAN: PCM44.1-PCM768DSD64-DSD512Dimensions (protrusions not included) 300 x 255 x 50mm
12 x 10 x 2 inches300 x 255 x 50mm
12 x 10 x 2 inchesNet Weight 3.9 kg
8 lbs, 10 oz3.9 kg
8 lbs, 10 oz
The Bottom Line
HiFiMAN is known primarily as a headphone maker, but it also has an extensive line of DAC/Headphone Amplifiers. It is interesting that after releasing the GOLDENWAVE SERENADE in 2023, they are back so soon with essentially the same unit, but with built-in Wi-Fi for $200 less.
The previous GOLDENWAVE SERENADE was still able to access the internet, but only through a wired Ethernet connection. With the new Serenade users now have both wired and wireless options available.
Another interesting thing to note is that the SERENADE Wireless doesn’t carry the GOLDENWAVE label, which is odd as both units have the same features and components.
Was this a planned omission, or can HIFIMAN no longer use the GOLDENWAVE name?
In any case, at $999, the SERENADE wireless might just be the ticket for any high-end audio system. However, if you are looking for something that is less pricey, but less flexible (no network or Wi-Fi), check out what FiiO, iFi, and Michael Fidler have to offer.
Price & Availability
The SERENADE Wireless will be available now for $999 at the HiFiMAN Store.
Related Reading
- HiFiMAN Goldenwave GA-10 Headphone Tube Amplifier: Preview
- HIFIMAN GOLDENWAVE Prelude Reference Headphone Amplifier
- HiFiMAN EF1000DAC Hymalaya Pro R-2R Ladder DAC for $15K
- HiFiMAN EF600 DAC/Amplifier Utilizes A New R2R DAC
- HiFiMAN EF499 and EF500 DAC/Headphone Amplifiers
