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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2016 23:18:35 GMT
The headphone jack on my Z2 is getting a bit temperamental so I'm looking for a decent amp / dac that works well with Android devices. Primarily it'll be used with IEMs but I wouldn't mind the option of plugging in my DT990 (250 ohm) on occasion so something with a decent bit of grunt would be welcome. I know the Mojo would be more than up to the challenge but would ideally like to spend a bit less. Say £200-250 max. I've seen the Fiio E18 Kunlun for £95 ish which is mighty tempting but worried it might not be able to drive the DT990. Saying that portability isn't particularly important with the DT990 so I could always hook up one of my O2's to the E18's line out. Anything else worth considering? Thanks for any suggestions
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2016 9:05:57 GMT
The E18 will drive the DT990 no problem. It performed very well with my HD 650. The bass boost is awesome. Surprisingly subtle.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2016 10:59:50 GMT
Nice one. Cheers Gordon.
I liked what I heard of your E18 although it wasn't exactly the quietest of surroundings. Seems to pack a lot in for the price.
Had also been looking at the Oppo HA2. It's quoted as 16-300 ohm I think but I don't know there is much difference in power between it and the E18. The DAC section might be better but higher bit-rates are wasted on me.
At £95 the E18 looks the safer bet. The Oppo at £250 is just getting to close to the Mojo for me to think it wouldn't be worth stumping up the extra and be done with it. The Mojo comes very close to having a home amp/dac in your pocket.
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Jan 15, 2016 18:24:24 GMT
how about a used ifi nano or micro?
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Post by elysion on Jan 15, 2016 23:47:44 GMT
I have two variants of the Neco Soundlab Portable V2 here. I'm using them since years and I don't feel the need for something else. I'd buy probably Neco again, if there should arise a need in the future. The Portable V2 uses AD8610 opamps and these match espcially good with some Sennheiser 'phones (like HD25-1/II, HD580, HD650), but I've made also good experiences with my Beyer 'phones (DT770-Pro, DT990-Pro, both with 250 Ohms).
One of my V2's was an early series with NiMH battery, while the other is a bit more advanced and has a Li-Ion battery. Both have reduced gains, which was a suggestion from Rabbit. I have also three Neco desktop amps. Two Mosfet V2 and one Bossfet V2.1, also with reduced gains.
I can't compare to other portable amps, since I don't have other portable amps, but I'd recommend the Necos. The portable Necos do sound almost as good as the desktop variants. I have two modded MF desktop amps (modded by Mike, 1x V2 and 1x V3) and these are not better/worse than the Necos, but they have different characteristics (tubes instead of solid state and a different appeal).
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2016 1:01:14 GMT
how about a used ifi nano or micro? Cheers Simon. I've looked at both a couple of times. The Nano I've ruled out owing to some reports of hiss with sensitive IEMs. On many levels the Micro ticks all the rights boxes with one exception - it's just too big to be truly pocket-able. If it had the same form factor as the Mojo I'd be all over it. I have two variants of the Neco Soundlab Portable V2 here. I'm using them since years and I don't feel the need for something else. I'd buy probably Neco again, if there should arise a need in the future. The Portable V2 uses AD8610 opamps and these match espcially good with some Sennheiser 'phones (like HD25-1/II, HD580, HD650), but I've made also good experiences with my Beyer 'phones (DT770-Pro, DT990-Pro, both with 250 Ohms). One of my V2's was an early series with NiMH battery, while the other is a bit more advanced and has a Li-Ion battery. Both have reduced gains, which was a suggestion from Rabbit. I have also three Neco desktop amps. Two Mosfet V2 and one Bossfet V2.1, also with reduced gains. I can't compare to other portable amps, since I don't have other portable amps, but I'd recommend the Necos. The portable Necos do sound almost as good as the desktop variants. I have two modded MF desktop amps (modded by Mike, 1x V2 and 1x V3) and these are not better/worse than the Necos, but they have different characteristics (tubes instead of solid state and a different appeal). Thanks for sharing your impressions Christian - the Neco amps do look good! Sadly the lack of a built in DAC rules them out. I'm hoping to keep things compact so a combined DAC/amp fits my needs better. I know from past experience that if I need to carry larger or multiple boxes with me they quickly end up getting left at home which defeats the purpose. I think I'll most likely order the E18 and be done with it. If I dither any longer I fear the siren like call of another Mojo might become all too alluring...the idea of the credit card bill less so Edit: just ordered an E18. Mojo fever is already abating (for now at least).
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2016 10:32:14 GMT
Received the E18 and considering it's low price (relative terms) have few complaints. As is to be expected it lacks some of the refinement, build quality and features of something like the Mojo but to be expected given the gulf in pricing.
Soundstage seems a bit wider than my Z2 and it resolves what was my biggest gripe with the Z2....the woefully quiet headphone out with anything other than fairly sensitive IEMs. Output on the whole seems quite clean and dynamic but can perhaps get a touch 'thick' at times.
Gordon, you were spot on. The Fiio handles the DT990 with ease. On low gain I reach comfortable listening levels at around 4-5 (out of 9) on the volume dial. I know being able to drive something loud enough is only part of the equation but I'm not hearing any lack of dynamics or obvious issues in comparison to the O2.
To my ears, especially with IEMs, the E18 does sound like it has a subtle bass boost in it's default state (bass boost off). Enabling bass boost tips most of the headphones / IEMs I own, which to be fair tend to have a slight bass tilt, into the realms of 'too much of a good thing' but it's nice to have the option should the need arise.
A neat feature is that in a bind you can use the E18 as a battery pack to top up your phones battery. A basic protective pouch, reasonable selection of short cables (incl. 2 usb otg cables...sadly not angled) and rubber feet makes for a decent bundle of extras.
I have seen a few reports of people experiencing interference issues when used stacked with their phone but mine has so far been dead quiet. I know that Fiio have made at least one revision to the E18 so possibly they did something to at help alleviate it.
So far I'm quite pleased with it all things considered.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2016 1:35:10 GMT
I've been using the E18 at home for all my listening needs the last few days. Been enjoying trying my headphones with it (TH-X00 aside due to the 1/4" jack) and not a single one sounds bad. The K712 and Nighthawk in particular sound great and subjectively I think I may enjoy them paired with the E18 than my admittedly modest home set up (O2 amp + MF V-90 DAC). On low gain battery life seems excellent. Haven't kept track but certainly I'd think well over 10+ hours on a single charge using both DAC & amp functions. And still not the slightest hiccup in terms of interference when next to my phone but not used outdoors yet which may prove a better test. The physical buttons on the E18 that allow you to pause a track or to skip forwards or backwards between tracks also work when connected to a PC, which actually proves very convenient. Feels like a lot of thought has gone into the E18 and my only minor gripe remains the inclusion of non-angled OTG cables (why?) but that'll be rectified shortly. Very pleasantly surprised with this little box
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2016 3:28:11 GMT
Those buttons are also the 'wrong' way around. That really annoyed me.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 23, 2016 7:36:44 GMT
Fiio does make some quite nice stuff. He tries very hard to please on HF as well. I'm a fan of the E12a because it has a good amount of power and is 'proper flat' in shape making it really well designed for portable use. It's really tough as well.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2016 12:24:13 GMT
Those buttons are also the 'wrong' way around. That really annoyed me. They are. You can of course turn the E18 over but used that way you lose access to the battery indicator and gain / bass switches. That said it didn't take much to adjust but in an ideal world I'd prefer the play/pause button in the middle and forward/back reversed. Particularly when pressing blind. Fiio does make some quite nice stuff. He tries very hard to please on HF as well. I'm a fan of the E12a because it has a good amount of power and is 'proper flat' in shape making it really well designed for portable use. It's really tough as well. This is my first Fiio product if you exclude the EX-1 which as you know is really a Dunu IEM with a cable added by Fiio. Very impressed with both though and in terms of value for money I think they're near unbeatable. Hook them up to a laptop or mobile and you have a fantastic sounding 'hi fi' set up for £150 or so...mad.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 23, 2016 13:14:31 GMT
I have an e12 and a 12a which is supposed to be an improved version of the 12. Both great. The E12a is a fraction better and certainly makes less noise with low impedance headphones. Tough old bricks as well, so really good value. The X1, 3 and 5 are all excellent. Actually, the X1 is amazing value for money really given that you can stick 128gb cards into it and it still plays high quality flac as well. They do make some good gear but not sure about any portable dac's. I've been using a really cheap device from Topping. I bought it to see now bad it could get and was actually surprised at how well it avtually works as a portable unit. Worst thing is that everything works backwards. So when you're switching on, it feels like you're switching off because of the direction and the same goes for the volume knob. I can connect it digitally to the Ipod Touch as well, and because it's so small, it's dead easy to carry around, rubber banded to the device. Cost all of £20 as well!! I see that it's gone up to £33 now. Still a good, cheap knockabout buy though ...... www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00T5I60QQ?keywords=Topping&qid=1453554825&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
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