[mangamonster]

 
FiiO has provided me with a pre-production sample of their highly anticipated E9 Desktop Headphone Amplifier. I've made a part 1 review of the E9 unboxing which provides general info about the new product and a nice hands-on visual of what you can expect to buy when the E9 goes into production.

I'm pretty excited about the product, and in my opinion, should be an excellent entry level desktop headphone amp for the budget conscious buyer. From my initial listening, the amp alone (without the e7 docked as the DAC) is neutral, has a wider than expected soundstage, and nice tonal balance. I will be doing an in-depth review in the part 2 video to give you realistic listening impressions with different cans and sources, and when the e7 is docked to it, so please stay tuned to this thread, as I will update it soon!
 
In the meantime, please enjoy my unbox-review

 
Video Review Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmJlFBDNZrQ
 
 
-Davy

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Totally subscribed to this thread. I have been waiting for a review of the E9 for aaaaaages.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

E7 + E9, looks really nice for simple desktop set up

 

[renegg]

Mine has been sent, it should be here somewhere next week 

 

[obazavil]

Heh.. suscribed too...
 
DAMN... when it will be out for everybody?

 
waiting for part 2!

 

[audionewbi]

once again thanks for your wonderful video.
Because of your E7 review I bought the e7 initially and now I will buy this for sure. I just cannot wait till I can buy this.
 
I was wondering is there any way you can perhaps hook up a pair of speakers and test it and see how it works?

 

[mangamonster]

Quote:

once again thanks for your wonderful video.
Because of your E7 review I bought the e7 initially and now I will buy this for sure. I just cannot wait till I can buy this.
 
I was wondering is there any way you can perhaps hook up a pair of speakers and test it and see how it works?

Happy to hear it! I really do love my E7 and it's amazing how it pumps out such great sound quality for so little money. In the past few years, audiophile gear truly has come to the masses on a somewhat affordable level, and I think it will only get better in the years to come.
 
When I record my 2nd review, I'll include a nice little clip of it setup to my Mordaunt Short 902i bookshelf speakers for ya

 
-Davy

 

[agdr]

Hey very good video!  I'll definitely be watching for part 2.  I have an E5 and really like it as my super-small travel/pocket amp.  I've been quite curious what the E9 would turn out to be.
 
-agdr

 

[patsyleung]

From your video, it seems the USB is a passthrough to the E7 and the RCA lineout is passthrough from the E7. Makes sense since the ports would not be accessible when docked, not to mention cleaner looking. Great job on the unboxing!

 

[Mochan]

I would love to hear more details about the E9!

 

[audionewbi]

So kind of you. Wonderful pair of speakers you have. I am using  a pair of jamo S604 with onkyo TRX S607, which is not meant to be used as a power amp only. I am happy with what it can do but its footprint on my tiny little table is easy sworing.
I am not having a high expectation on e9 been a crazy power amp but it would be a great addition if they can do so.
 
Indeed it is amazing how the the world of affordable audiophile quality gears has come to. e7 is great, i am very happy with what it can do for the price it is offered. While it can power my ER4S just fine, from time to time when I am home I do feed the need for more power and I am sure the E9 will just be the addition I need in home. cant wait to see how it will do with my akg k702.
 
Thanks for the reply back and cant wait for your second review.
 
Best regards
Mohammad-
 
Quote:

Happy to hear it! I really do love my E7 and it's amazing how it pumps out such great sound quality for so little money. In the past few years, audiophile gear truly has come to the masses on a somewhat affordable level, and I think it will only get better in the years to come.
 
When I record my 2nd review, I'll include a nice little clip of it setup to my Mordaunt Short 902i bookshelf speakers for ya

 
-Davy

 

[paconavarro]

I want one of those!!!! I very exited about it.

 

[mangamonster]

Not meaning to tease you all, but I just had to stop and post how wonderful the e9 sounds paired to my k701's. Truly amazing. I'm listening Miles Davis - Flamenco Sketches...I'm happily impressed by the separation and wiiiide sound stage. Just WOW!
 
Talk about getting front row tickets to a 50 year old album.

 
**The results from the k701 synergy so far is making me wonder if James and his team designed his amp around these cans during their testings.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

what's the most different between E7's amp section and E9?
 
is bass boost feature in E7 still can use when E7 becomes DAC?

 

[mangamonster]

Quote:

what's the most different between E7's amp section and E9?
 
is bass boost feature in E7 still can use when E7 becomes DAC?

Most noticeable difference is the presence and impact I'm hearing on the E9 over the E7. Music is driven with direct authority. The music is more involved and you can definitely pick up on the added amping to my more demanding cans. The E9 is quite a bit more neutral than the E7. Initially, the E7 has always seemed quite neutral sounding for a portable, but the E9 is even more so. Separation stands out nicely as well on the E9.
 
Through my k701's, tonal balance is more spot on. There are quite a few differences...all GOOD!
 
The E7 functions ONLY as a DAC and nothing else. BASS boost and volume control are not operable while docked. Everything is not perfect though, but I'm am leaving the amp running for another 30+ hrs as I can still hear sibilance on some songs as well as slight tinny/toppish sounds through the upper trebles. Hopefully this will mellow out a bit more.
 
One other thing is that I'm absolutely loving the alps volume pot.