New Fiio E09K with E17 vs E9 with E17

[admin_exported]

Hi everyone, 1st post on the forum as I cant find much info anywhere else on the internet.

Looking for anyones opinion on the new E09K headphone amp, if anyone has one/looking to get one, and how they feel it performs with the E17 Dac. Also peoples opionions on the E9 with a E17 as they can be picked up cheap with the new model just being released.

Im using a pair of AKG K550's and playing lossless files from my PC.

Thanks

 

[quadpatch]

Welcome Alex

I used to have an E9 with my E7 but got rid of it before getting the E17. From what Headfonia write the E9 with the E17 is a bit pointless as the internal head amp is good enough. I never noticed much improvement with the E7 and the E09k has no audio quality improvements (only technical ones) so I wouldn't bother if I were you. If you have the money to spend it will be better on a totally different DAC or another pair of headphones.

The Audinst HUD-MX1 is noticably nicer than the Fiio E17 (or wait for the HUD-Mini)

The Arcam rPac sounds like a good bet but I haven't heard that one.

The HRT Headstreamer is very similar in quality to the Fiio E17 and not worth the extra £50 and the loss of versatility imo.

The Epiphany Acoustics EHP-02D, if you can stretch to £187 and don't mind being plugged into the wall it's by far the best DAC/amp I've heard for this kind of money!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the repsonse,

I took the plunge and ordered one on Monday, turned up yesturday and to be honest i was quite disappointed. It adds a little bass but takes away a certain warmth from the E17 and iv already switched back to just using the E17. Needless to say it will be returned and the money possibly spent elsewhere.

Im going to keep an eye out for the HUD Mini. At present though i think the E17 suits my needs, its used as a DAC and with my ipod when on the move, or atleast it will be once I can find a decent LOD cable, the Fiio L3 cable was very poor!

How do you rate your D7000?

Thanks

 

[quadpatch]

Oh I heard some interesting news about the HUD-Mini if you are interested. They are launching on the 17th of this month and up until the 31st it will be $99 on eBay (normally $128 ). I will be buying it purely based on the quality of the HUD-MX1 but bare in mind that I haven't heard this one and neither has anyone else. If you want a big step up from your Fiio I can recommend the Epiphany or Yulong D100 mkII.

I absolutely love the Denon D7000's but since you like the AKG K550's I would be very careful. Compared to the Denon's the AKG's sound very light on bass depth/kick and painful on the treble. This can be down to personal preference though. Are there any other headphones you have or like?