Post by Rabbit on Jul 2, 2013 15:59:42 GMT
I have a real soft spot for portable amps. They lift your music to levels that 15 - 20 years ago, would never have been envisaged.
I don't use them for volume, but for the added dynamics that they can add, so for me, the more power they can offer (with low noise) the better. I tend to match amps with headphones for certain types of things but with a large amount of power, not only can you achieve a good, healthy dynamic range, but also take headphones out of the house/away with you, that would never have been used previously since they'd need too much power for units to drive them properly.
With big power amps comes a trade off against noise, so I have quite a wide collection of power ranges. The lowest I have is the Neco set and X2 and another Neco set at X6. The lower gain of the X2 (if it is powerful enough) means that noise levels are lower and the vol pot travels smoothly to zero with no tracking problems, so it is possible to listen at low volume levels even with iem's!!
The first impression I get from this E12 is that it feels like a quality metal case and it's pretty heavy for its size. It feels like it's a quality amp at least. The weight is useful in that it doesn't fly away so easily and it also comes in a rather neat little bag that protects it from scuffs. There are also other little freebies with it, like 4 big fat bands to bind it to your player (two different sizes), a charging lead and and mini jack to jack plug lead. It also has 6 mini stick on feet. I don't see much point in the feet if you keep it in the protective bag reall, but it's a well thought out package.
Mine came set up at low gain with bass boost on. I'm always curious how they are sold, since perhaps this is the setting that the manufacturer feels is the most impressive? There is a gain switch and crossfeed switch that needs a pen or something sharpish to move it. I thought it a shame to hide the gain button away actually, since I could easily keep moving between high gain and low gain for different headphones. I switched it to hi and turned off the bass boost.
This is very powerful at 16dB. Boy does it hit. I was very surprised and it's not what I feel is a typical Fiio warm sound either. It's quite a clean sounding amp, with the bass boost off.
The battery is 880mAh/11.1 V. Battery life is supposed to be greater than 12 hours. Output power is 880mW into 32 ohms. It feels very powerful anyway. Max. output voltage is 15.5 Vp-p - max - Max. Output Current: 171.7mA.
So it provides a fair amount of power for about 12 hours. I guess the weight is the battery inside which is charged via usb socket.
I don't particularly care for the implementation of crossfeed supplied on it. It crunches the soundstage up too much and bass impact seems to go so bass boost could be needed there. The bass boost works well and pushes up the response at around 100 Hz. I prefer it off, but I guess thin recordings or headphones that need a bit of help would benefit on the move.
The sound is nicely etched and hasn't the 'bloom' I'm used to hearing on other Fiios. I have the E11 which I think is a bit more 'warm' sounding and the E5. It has a clear, open sound and seems surprisingly good to me. The one I have is for review purposes but is spanking new and hasn't been passed around. It reminds me of the old Meier Porta Corda in looks but is way more solid with its black metal case.
I've only just had a run with it and on the face of it, this is a really good little amp. Solid, powerful and pretty clean sounding. I think it retails at around £100, although some can be had on Ebay around £94 I think.
My gut feeling is that I quite like it. I'll do some more detailed listening and comparisons with it but I often find my first feeling for these things is pretty much what I am left with after a while. It drives the M50 as though it's not there and the Senn HD650 too. Easily.
Fiio may have hit the jackpot with this one since it's not too expensive and offers a tough little portable for a reasonable cost. I think its closest rival is the O2 as well. They are close.
I don't use them for volume, but for the added dynamics that they can add, so for me, the more power they can offer (with low noise) the better. I tend to match amps with headphones for certain types of things but with a large amount of power, not only can you achieve a good, healthy dynamic range, but also take headphones out of the house/away with you, that would never have been used previously since they'd need too much power for units to drive them properly.
With big power amps comes a trade off against noise, so I have quite a wide collection of power ranges. The lowest I have is the Neco set and X2 and another Neco set at X6. The lower gain of the X2 (if it is powerful enough) means that noise levels are lower and the vol pot travels smoothly to zero with no tracking problems, so it is possible to listen at low volume levels even with iem's!!
The first impression I get from this E12 is that it feels like a quality metal case and it's pretty heavy for its size. It feels like it's a quality amp at least. The weight is useful in that it doesn't fly away so easily and it also comes in a rather neat little bag that protects it from scuffs. There are also other little freebies with it, like 4 big fat bands to bind it to your player (two different sizes), a charging lead and and mini jack to jack plug lead. It also has 6 mini stick on feet. I don't see much point in the feet if you keep it in the protective bag reall, but it's a well thought out package.
Mine came set up at low gain with bass boost on. I'm always curious how they are sold, since perhaps this is the setting that the manufacturer feels is the most impressive? There is a gain switch and crossfeed switch that needs a pen or something sharpish to move it. I thought it a shame to hide the gain button away actually, since I could easily keep moving between high gain and low gain for different headphones. I switched it to hi and turned off the bass boost.
This is very powerful at 16dB. Boy does it hit. I was very surprised and it's not what I feel is a typical Fiio warm sound either. It's quite a clean sounding amp, with the bass boost off.
The battery is 880mAh/11.1 V. Battery life is supposed to be greater than 12 hours. Output power is 880mW into 32 ohms. It feels very powerful anyway. Max. output voltage is 15.5 Vp-p - max - Max. Output Current: 171.7mA.
So it provides a fair amount of power for about 12 hours. I guess the weight is the battery inside which is charged via usb socket.
I don't particularly care for the implementation of crossfeed supplied on it. It crunches the soundstage up too much and bass impact seems to go so bass boost could be needed there. The bass boost works well and pushes up the response at around 100 Hz. I prefer it off, but I guess thin recordings or headphones that need a bit of help would benefit on the move.
The sound is nicely etched and hasn't the 'bloom' I'm used to hearing on other Fiios. I have the E11 which I think is a bit more 'warm' sounding and the E5. It has a clear, open sound and seems surprisingly good to me. The one I have is for review purposes but is spanking new and hasn't been passed around. It reminds me of the old Meier Porta Corda in looks but is way more solid with its black metal case.
I've only just had a run with it and on the face of it, this is a really good little amp. Solid, powerful and pretty clean sounding. I think it retails at around £100, although some can be had on Ebay around £94 I think.
My gut feeling is that I quite like it. I'll do some more detailed listening and comparisons with it but I often find my first feeling for these things is pretty much what I am left with after a while. It drives the M50 as though it's not there and the Senn HD650 too. Easily.
Fiio may have hit the jackpot with this one since it's not too expensive and offers a tough little portable for a reasonable cost. I think its closest rival is the O2 as well. They are close.