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Advice on best SQ

post #1 of 11
7/9/10 at 9:52pm
Thread Starter 

Hello, I have been reading around on reviews and such throughout this forum and have come to value your opinions.

 

My overall question is I am in the search for a DAC/Amp combo that I can use either through an iPod 5g LOD or another scenario. The other scenario would be a combo of the Sansa Fuze paired with a NuForce Icon Mobile / iBasso T3/T4 via custom mini-mini cable. This leads me back to my question, which is would I be better off getting, an amp/dac combo for my ipod such as the iBasso D2+ or should I go ahead with the Fuze + Amp combo? I am planning on sending in my TF10 to get custom remolds so that will be my main iem. The only other headphones I have are not high impedance (pk3 and D1000) so it is not necessary that hey can power hd600 or others like them. I mainly listen to jazz and hip-hop so bass must be there but I don't need it to overwhelm. Basically I thought I should just ask your opinion and see if you would recommend any of the amp/dac I mention or another in the sub $200 category. I am basically looking for overall best sq and that is the main reason I am looking to spend this money for customs and an amp setup.

 

Also, I currently have a Clip+ for an ultraportable and was wondering if you thought the Fiio e5 would be worth the money to get for me. Mainly use the Clip for my pk3 and sometimes my TF10.  Thanks for the help.

 

Best regards,

ZeusAudio

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post #2 of 11
7/9/10 at 11:31pm

My ears thinks that Clip+ and TF10 is the best option you have - better than the ipod + amp combo. Haven't heard the sanza fuze though!

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post #3 of 11
7/10/10 at 8:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by trentino View Post

My ears thinks that Clip+ and TF10 is the best option you have - better than the ipod + amp combo. Haven't heard the sanza fuze though!


I think the Clip+ is  slightly better than the Fuze, and if you plan on using the factory firmware, the Clip+ is much closer to being gapless than the Fuze is. The Fuze does have better battery life, but the dedicated volume control of the C+ makes it better  for my use.

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post #4 of 11
7/10/10 at 7:26pm

The best portable DAC/Amp combo is the iBasso D4. Check out Skylab's review as well as Headphone-Addict. To top it off, the D4 has great synergy with the Triple.Fi 10s.

 

Keep in mind, the D4 is a little out of your budget ($20 out of your budget).

 

The only other DAC/Amp combo that comes close is the RSA Predator which is $500.

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post #5 of 11
7/11/10 at 7:42am

E5 is a waste of money. Sansas sound better without it.

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post #6 of 11
7/13/10 at 10:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ventilator View Post

E5 is a waste of money. Sansas sound better without it.


Maybe, depending on the phones you use, and the level of SQ you require.  All three of my main phones (MS-1i, RE0, inexpensive M9) sound a bit better with the Fuze + E5.  But the M9 is less refined than the other 2 and doesn't have as much ability to improve.

 

I have compared the E5 vs. the T3, PA2V2 and E7 (using the very detailed RE0, in case your wondering), and the E5 sounds 90% as good as all three of them, at 25-50% the cost.  I still have the E5 -- others have been returned or sold.

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post #7 of 11
7/13/10 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kmhaynes View Post




Maybe, depending on the phones you use, and the level of SQ you require.  All three of my main phones (MS-1i, RE0, inexpensive M9) sound a bit better with the Fuze + E5.  But the M9 is less refined than the other 2 and doesn't have as much ability to improve.

 

I have compared the E5 vs. the T3, PA2V2 and E7 (using the very detailed RE0, in case your wondering), and the E5 sounds 90% as good as all three of them, at 25-50% the cost.  I still have the E5 -- others have been returned or sold.

 

That's interesting. In all cases, with the Clip, Clip+ and Fuze, I found the E5 to give a stronger bass boost but to impair detail. I concluded I would rather have the detail than the bass, which could be increased more than enough through EQ, so I don't even use the Fiio anymore.

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post #8 of 11
7/13/10 at 10:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ventilator View Post



 

That's interesting. In all cases, with the Clip, Clip+ and Fuze, I found the E5 to give a stronger bass boost but to impair detail. I concluded I would rather have the detail than the bass, which could be increased more than enough through EQ, so I don't even use the Fiio anymore.

You probably have better ears than me -- I went to too many concerts in the 70's, fighting my way to the front row to get completely blasted by sound!! 
 

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post #9 of 11
7/13/10 at 11:06am


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by kmhaynes View Post




Maybe, depending on the phones you use, and the level of SQ you require.  All three of my main phones (MS-1i, RE0, inexpensive M9) sound a bit better with the Fuze + E5.  But the M9 is less refined than the other 2 and doesn't have as much ability to improve.

 

I have compared the E5 vs. the T3, PA2V2 and E7 (using the very detailed RE0, in case your wondering), and the E5 sounds 90% as good as all three of them, at 25-50% the cost.  I still have the E5 -- others have been returned or sold.


Interesting.....I haven't touched my E5 since I got my PA2V2, no contest there IMO. But all our ears and gears are different.

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post #10 of 11
7/13/10 at 11:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Achmedisdead View Post
Interesting.....I haven't touched my E5 since I got my PA2V2, no contest there IMO. But all our ears and gears are different.


Have to confess that I didn't give the PA2V2 an extensive comparison or listen.  It was much bigger than I thought it would be, and I'm trying to get more portable -- couldn't see getting the PA2V2 + player in my pockets!!

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post #11 of 11
7/13/10 at 11:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kmhaynes View Post




Have to confess that I didn't give the PA2V2 an extensive comparison or listen.  It was much bigger than I thought it would be, and I'm trying to get more portable -- couldn't see getting the PA2V2 + player in my pockets!!


I only use mine when I'm chilling about the house....you're right, it is a bit too big to carry around. But I usually just use my PX100's on the go, and they don't need an amp, even with my Clip+. The PA2V2 I just use for the full-size headphones at home.

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