I wish I could send you gear to review even more headphones.

Ah, it's cool.

So, I'm feeling a bit under the weather and lost my voice, and so I'm just here sitting down completing the HP-800 review for the most part, as well as CURRENTLY rewriting my CAL review. So that will at least be something new to read. I'll release the rewritten CAL review with the HP-800 review in a few days.

I'll probably rewrite the M50 review soon as well, though it will be of the M50LE variant, which some people swear sounds better than the OG M50. I don't think so, but I'll make a note of it in the review.

That one comes later.

I just want to fix a lot of my older reviews with headphones I still have access to, and update them to my newer review style. That means both the KSC75 and 35 will get the same treatment in the future.

edit: E12, CAL, and HP800 (mostly) complete! I'll put up all three at once, just NOT YET.

Quote:

mad lust envy said:

Hmm, that sounds like the Fiio E9K is adding some bad noise. IT SHOULDN'T.

Try using the Fiio E9K alone to see if you still get bad noise. I mean like use it for music use or something. For example, plug it to the PS3 via the PS3's composite cables, or 360's red/white audio cables. Not sure what you're using.

It could be a few things. Could be whatever wall outlet/power strip you're connecting the E9K to. Could be a bad power adapter. etc. This isn't impossible, as I found my Audio-GD devices to have some noise off one of my power strips, and not the other.

Just make sure it's not the E9k alone.

Click to expand...

Ok, I tried different connections now. The E09k is just how it should be - perfect. It sounds clean as always if not connected to mixamp, but my regular source. I assume the problem lies in the Y-cable or the Mixamp itself. I also just noticed an internal break on the Y-cable (headphone jack side), causing sound issues when groping the particular spot on cable. Hopefully it's just the cable, that'd be the cheapest solution for me. Anyway, I'll get a new one.
 
Still, I'm very confused. Even without connecting the Y-cable, something's not right and it also seems, the distortion noise has nothing to do with the source, because it still occurs - even without any connected source. Of course except USB for powering and this is where it gets weird: If my Mixamp is connected via USB to PS3, lowest possible hiss/noise. If connected via USB to PC then considerably more noise (more noise added when I scroll with my mouse, lol). I also tried different USB-Ports - no use. I mean USB is THE cleanest connection method in audio section, just don't get it...
 
What's weirder: If I use my E17 Alpen instead of E09k as an external amp (aux in) and WITH the broken Y-cable there's no noise at all. It works fine. Just like plugging the headphones directly to the Mixamp, like I mentioned above. My head hurts...

My USB ports on my desktop PC were noisy as hell. I had to use a USB hub to bypass it when using my USB dacs. Thankfully, my laptop has quiet USB ports.

I'm sorry i can't be of more use. I don't normally have issues like that.

Though I did find my current Mixamp distorts at max volume when double amping, (which didn't happen with my older Mixamps), so I've lowered the master volume to around 70%.

Thanks for your support! My main problem may be solved with a new Y-cable and if not, I'll hopefully figure something out.

Has anyone heard anything more about the Audio Technica gaming headsets? http://thegamerspad.net/audio-technica-gaming-headsets-paxaus/
 
Can't really find anything about them on google, I thought they would have gotten more attention since the AD700 are so popular for gaming.

Just asking for curiosity, the "MP3" input of the Mixamp is basically the same as the RCA input, right? Feeding a source in one of them won't make any difference, as they are both encoded to Dolby Headphone. Correct me if I'm wrong.
 

I believe you're wrong. I may have to check when I'm home. Either way, NEITHER will be converted to Dolby Headphone. You need to use a digital source with Dolby Digital enabled. Analog sources like rca and the mp3 are basic stereo. Turning on the DH is just adding reverb to the RCA signal. The MP3 signal isn't affected by the DH button whatsoever.

Quote:

zack117 said:

Just received my Mixamp 2011. Using the Y-cable with amplified (E09k) headphones results in considerably, unbearable noises, hiss, whistle etc. Also at lower volume.

Click to expand...

 
Quote:

zack117 said:

Ok, I tried different connections now. The E09k is just how it should be - perfect. It sounds clean as always if not connected to mixamp, but my regular source.
 
Still, I'm very confused. Even without connecting the Y-cable, something's not right and it also seems, the distortion noise has nothing to do with the source, because it still occurs - even without any connected source.
 
Of course except USB for powering and this is where it gets weird: If my Mixamp is connected via USB to PS3, lowest possible hiss/noise. If connected via USB to PC then considerably more noise (more noise added when I scroll with my mouse, lol). I also tried different USB-Ports - no use. I mean USB is THE cleanest connection method in audio section, just don't get it...
 
What's weirder: If I use my E17 Alpen instead of E09k as an external amp (aux in) and WITH the broken Y-cable there's no noise at all. It works fine. Just like plugging the headphones directly to the Mixamp, like I mentioned above. My head hurts...

Click to expand...

 
Quote:

change is good said:

Yea, it has to be a ground loop issue. I get it with my M-Stage on certain wall outlets and not on others. I think there's a ground loop adapter you can buy or something. I, personally, haven't gotten around to it because I can only hear it on higher gains (which I never really use).

Click to expand...

 
 
Like Change is Good said, it sounds like it could be a ground loop issue.  I think that would explain why you don't get noises when using the battery powered E17, and why the noise goes away when you use either the mixamp or E09K separately. 
 
Apart from that, you may also be using a "noisy" USB port for power (try testing it using batteries for power), and it sounds like some of your connectors like the mixamp's HP jack and the Y connectorare a little flakey.
 

But the underlying noise issue sounds like it's a ground loop.

So my E17 came in.... here is the ridiculous frankenstein needed for an E17+12 setup...



I'll be running the E17 through the USB dac, and whenever I game on PC, I'll hook up the spdif from the U3 to to the E17's spdif in. That in effect makes the D03k.... obsolete, but oh well...

mad lust envy said:

So my E17 came in.... here is the ridiculous frankenstein needed for an E17+12 setup...



I'll be running the E17 through the USB dac, and whenever I game on PC, I'll hook up the spdif from the U3 to to the E17's spdif in. That in effect makes the D03k.... obsolete, but oh well...

Click to expand...

Ha I use the exact same set up, but I also have an audioengine d1 to compare as dac
So much detail with the k701 I got chopper gunner in every game

What annoys me is that the Fiio right angle cables are TOO short, and get in the way of the E12's volume knob... I had to resort to one of my ancient Astro Mixamp cables...

The E12 has quite possibly the worst user interface I've experienced in a portable headphone amplifier...

If the input and output ports were switched, the right-angle adaptor wouldn't be an issue. Instead, I use the straight LOD to access the volume knob but then the whole thing is way too long in my pocket an is just plain awkward to handle.

Pocket use isn't an issue, as it's only for transportable/laptop use. I'm just pained by how bad the cable management is. They need to hurry up and make a dac that is more ideal with the E12... or at least an E12 w/dac.

The L7 LOD on the E17 drives me nuts as well...it feels awkward/flimsy.

Quote:

zack117 said:

Ok, I tried different connections now. The E09k is just how it should be - perfect. It sounds clean as always if not connected to mixamp, but my regular source. I assume the problem lies in the Y-cable or the Mixamp itself. I also just noticed an internal break on the Y-cable (headphone jack side), causing sound issues when groping the particular spot on cable. Hopefully it's just the cable, that'd be the cheapest solution for me. Anyway, I'll get a new one.
 
Still, I'm very confused. Even without connecting the Y-cable, something's not right and it also seems, the distortion noise has nothing to do with the source, because it still occurs - even without any connected source. Of course except USB for powering and this is where it gets weird: If my Mixamp is connected via USB to PS3, lowest possible hiss/noise. If connected via USB to PC then considerably more noise (more noise added when I scroll with my mouse, lol). I also tried different USB-Ports - no use. I mean USB is THE cleanest connection method in audio section, just don't get it...
 
What's weirder: If I use my E17 Alpen instead of E09k as an external amp (aux in) and WITH the broken Y-cable there's no noise at all. It works fine. Just like plugging the headphones directly to the Mixamp, like I mentioned above. My head hurts...

Click to expand...

 
USB on a desktop is the dirtiest connection on a desktop, period.
This is one the reason why USB headsets are stupid. Your USB's I/O is shared with a multitude of sources, not just a mouse and keyboard. It also routes itself from the ethernet port, also adding to the fact there's so many other components nearby (PCI-E slots for example). 
 
A laptop is usually a non-issue because it really only shares its I/O with... well, a mouse if you have one connected.
 
I'm fairly sure as the others have said, you have a grounding loop issue. Your power supply isn't grounded properly or your power extension strip is faulty.
When I first got my E09k, I had an issue with slight distortion when the volume pot is over 12 o'clock. I just needed to change my power strip and problem was fixed after that.