Fiio amps?

[GN85]

Originally Posted by kostalex

Just got it and found it to be quite bassy (warm?). This helps some earphones, like Etys. Fiio surprised me, it has enough power to drive Yuin OK1 and PK1 louder than I want to listen them.

Any hissing?

[kostalex]

Originally Posted by GN85

Any hissing?

I heard some very low, almost inaudible hiss. Nothing that may spoil the listening. I tried with my most sensitive cans: ER-4P, CX300, OK2. Tried FIIO not connected and connected to Sansa Clip 4 GB and iPod Classic headphone out.

I beleive some sensitive cans (Shure E500, f.e.) may hiss more, but I doubt that this hiss will harm the listening experience anyway. On the other hand, I see no reason to use this low-end amp with sensitive cans.

Which cans do you use?

[GN85]

TF10 and PX-100

The hissing is not that noticeable with my MP3 players (Creative Zen Stone, and Muvo T100), but when I plug the amp into my PC (x-fi) then the hissing gets so pronounced that I can hear it while the music plays. Less noticeable on the PX-100s of course, but it's still there.

[kostalex]

I like this funny little amp.

Tried it in Classic headphone out -> FIIO -> ATH-CM700 (which is overdetailed hi-fi earbud). It changed CM700 sound from thin and almost harsh to punchy and smooth. It affects CM700 sound the same way as the tube amps do. Recommended combo!

Then I connected HD650, just for fun It does add bass and volume to them which are unavaiable unamped.

Sure, it is not the best amp I heard. But it is not a crap either. It amplifies and colors the sound in relaxed, warm, smooth and comfortable way. Kinda "tube-alike" amp for background on non-critical listening.

And it does not make the bass overhelming, untill you use some bass monsters like DT770.

[sbulack]

For convenience at work (without sacrificing any SQ that I miss), I've reduced my work rig to: Work PC -> Soundblaster USB MP3+ -> Cardas Mini-to-Mini (from headphone out of MP3+) -> Fiio -> PK1

This is a GREAT rig for while I'm at work.

About the Fiio hissing:

In this audio path: Work PC headphone out -> Cardas Mini-to-Mini -> Fiio -> PK1 no noticeable hissing (the PK1 are not all that sensitive)
In this same audio path with Shure SE530 (these are 21 db more sensitive than the PK1, every 3 db is twice the power - so these will hear hissing at 1/128th the power of the lowest audible hissing with the PK1) - low noticeable hissing when nothing is playing, but it does not distract from music.

In the audio path: Work PC -> USB MP3+ -> Cardas Mini-to-Mini (MP3+ headphone out) -> Fiio -> SE530 there is no noticeable hissing at the volume at which I would want to listen to music. When I turn the volume up (either on the PC or on the USB MP3+) to where the volume is so loud that I would never listen at it, I can hear substantial hissing. But again, none noticeable at the volume at which I would listen to music with these very sensitive IEM's. BTW, the SE530's sound really enjoyable with the Fiio. I've heard quite a bit better from sources costing 16 - 32X the price of the USB MP3+ and amps costing 15 - 50X the price of the Fiio. In terms of: do I really enjoy listening to music through this much more modest rig? You bet I do!!!

For convenience of insertion and removal at work, where there are frequent-enough conversations with folks, I'll stick with the USB MP3+, the Fiio and the PK1's.

Given this comparison between the PC headphone out and that on the USB MP3+, the hissing is coming from the sound card (or onboard sound chip) rather than from the Fiio.

[Kabeer]

How are you guys controlling volume, when connected to a fixed line-out. Im using an iMod.

[hockeyb213]

Originally Posted by kostalex

I heard some very low, almost inaudible hiss. Nothing that may spoil the listening. I tried with my most sensitive cans: ER-4P, CX300, OK2. Tried FIIO not connected and connected to Sansa Clip 4 GB and iPod Classic headphone out.

I beleive some sensitive cans (Shure E500, f.e.) may hiss more, but I doubt that this hiss will harm the listening experience anyway. On the other hand, I see no reason to use this low-end amp with sensitive cans.

Which cans do you use?

I can hear a hiss when not using an amp with my shure se530's when music is not playing lol but ofc when you use a LOD you don't have that

[GN85]

Originally Posted by sbulack

For convenience at work (without sacrificing any SQ that I miss), I've reduced my work rig to: Work PC -> Soundblaster USB MP3+ -> Cardas Mini-to-Mini (from headphone out of MP3+) -> Fiio -> PK1

This is a GREAT rig for while I'm at work.

About the Fiio hissing:

In this audio path: Work PC headphone out -> Cardas Mini-to-Mini -> Fiio -> PK1 no noticeable hissing (the PK1 are not all that sensitive)
In this same audio path with Shure SE530 (these are 21 db more sensitive than the PK1, every 3 db is twice the power - so these will hear hissing at 1/128th the power of the lowest audible hissing with the PK1) - low noticeable hissing when nothing is playing, but it does not distract from music.

In the audio path: Work PC -> USB MP3+ -> Cardas Mini-to-Mini (MP3+ headphone out) -> Fiio -> SE530 there is no noticeable hissing at the volume at which I would want to listen to music. When I turn the volume up (either on the PC or on the USB MP3+) to where the volume is so loud that I would never listen at it, I can hear substantial hissing. But again, none noticeable at the volume at which I would listen to music with these very sensitive IEM's. BTW, the SE530's sound really enjoyable with the Fiio. I've heard quite a bit better from sources costing 16 - 32X the price of the USB MP3+ and amps costing 15 - 50X the price of the Fiio. In terms of: do I really enjoy listening to music through this much more modest rig? You bet I do!!!

For convenience of insertion and removal at work, where there are frequent-enough conversations with folks, I'll stick with the USB MP3+, the Fiio and the PK1's.

Given this comparison between the PC headphone out and that on the USB MP3+, the hissing is coming from the sound card (or onboard sound chip) rather than from the Fiio.

I'm not sure. I tried connecting the FiiO to two different computers, with the same result. Changing the volume seems to have no effect on the hissing, it doesn't even matter if the volume is muted. As soon as I connect the amp to something I hear that noise.

Oh well, wasn't really expecting much more from a cheap amp like this. At least it does an OK job on my MP3 players.

[sbulack]

Originally Posted by Kabeer

How are you guys controlling volume, when connected to a fixed line-out. Im using an iMod.

I'm using headphone out's with the Fiio. I've got a 5.5G iMod, where the line out comes from the dock and the headphone out is still a headphone out - which I use with the Fiio. Have you got a 4th gen iMod without a volume-controllable headphone out? Have you ever tried what looks like a mini-extender cable with a volume wheel in the middle? I'll send you a PM about one.

[geob]

Here are the Specifications for the E3
SPECIFICATIONS
Output Power 70 mW (32 ohms Loaded)
12 mW (300 ohms Loaded)
Signal to Noise Ratio >= 90 dB (A Weight)
Distortion < 0.05% (10 mW)
Frequency Response 10 Hz - 40 kHz
Suitable Headphone Impedance 16 ohms - 300 ohms
Weight 11 grams (without battery)
Power Supply 1 AAA Battery
Dimensions 55 mm x 23 mm x 14.5 mm

It is based on the National Semiconductor LM 4917 which is a dedicated headphone amplifier Integrated Circuit.
The amplifier provides about 6 dB of boost from 30 to 125 hertz which tapers off to 3dB of boost at 10 kHz and then a increase of boost to 4 dB in the 18 to 20 kHz region

[HellDemon]

Just got my Fiio now.

First impressions are quite good when paired with my E4c's; however as someone mentioned here, it does roll abit of the highs; it emphasizes mid-bass which is what gives it the warmth, and it's nice.
However, when paired with something that has loud system noise, yes, the hiss is very noticable when you're not playing music, but doesn't affect the music at all other than at quiet sections.

Still, all-in-all awesome deal for only $12.

[geob]

If you have a hiss look to your music source.
If you are using on a laptop mute the internal microphone or you will end up recording your fan and CDROM drive noise along with your music.
Most portable media players have poor audio output sections.(that's why they won't drive a reasonable set of headphones)

[Lil' Knight]

Just grasped one
Won at 0,01GBP =))
Can't wait to see it

[Abbadon]

Just picked up mine from the post office. With my marshmellows, it gives them some much needed bass. With my rs-1's, the sound is okay, very heavy low end, but definitely better than straight out of my ZVM.

For 12 bucks, it was a damn good deal.

[Lil' Knight]

Did you guys got any contact with the seller?