Thinking of buying the Fiio E7 and E9 right now.

again, I'll have my HDP tomorrow.

It is a fairly new product I see the best price around $349, but you should wait for some impression without having to regret later.

Check out audio-gd. I just ordered the nfb-12.

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB12/NFB12EN.htm

I'm actually considering e7e9 or the Fubar III (leaning more towards the Fubar III right now due to op-amp rolling and having upgraded some of its parts in 2010). I really want to hear some comparisons between these two DAC+Amp combos in the $200 range.

Here's a link to the Fubar: http://www.audiophileproducts.com/usbstereo

FWIW Gorgatron, the guy at audiophileproducts told me the following the other day via email:

The Fubar III has two Opamps. One LM4562 (soldered) onto the DAC board and one OPA2604 (replaceable) on the headphone amp board.

[...]
I also listen to the Fubar III with my tried and true Sennheiser HD600’s, sounds wonderful. Also, I use the OPA2627 SuperChip in the headphone amp section.

The LM4562 is sort of the canonical "neutral" op-amp (I used to use one in a cMoy when I wanted to have an analytical listening session), so I'm comfortable knowing that's what the DAC is using. As for the headphone amp, I love having the choice. The OPA2627 super chip is basically 2 OPA627s on one chip. I'm quite partial to the DY2000, which I've used in my 595s for 2 years -- it really brings out the best in these.

The DAC op-amp chip on the Fubar is soldered. Some amps have what they call a DIP8 socket where you can interchange (dual-channel) op-amps by simply pulling out one and sticking in another. It's very simple and requires no soldering. The Fubar has this for it's headphone amp section. I discovered the beauty of op-amp rolling a couple years ago when I built my cMoy. It's really fun to have different chips and play around with the sound, giving your headphones the ability to take on different subtle characteristics (e.g., being more warm, more laid back, more bright, or more neutral). I'm not saying the sound of your headphones will change to the point of being a completely different 'phone, but it is perceptible and helps ever so slightly. Like giving a painter different shades of the same color of paint, if you will. Just something to think about.

On the other hand, the E7/E9 has the possibility of being portable. I think that's one upshot -- indeed, that was one thing that was cool about having a cMoy amp as well. But then again, I can count on one hand how many times I've taken my '595s outside my room .

DT990s with a neutral amp like the e9&e7, u must lik ur highs!

I always thought about the combination with the DT990 (currently own the e7&e9 combo)

but i worry the highs getting even louder =/

Congrats on your purchase. Be sure to share your thoughts on the setup once you get it. I will be ordering the Fubar III within the next couple days and will try and share my impressions.

I like my E7+E9 combo for the money I am sure there are better sound for higher price, but spending 2x or more getting maybe 10-20% in return probably isn't worth the cost to me.  I am happy with the E7+E9 on my HD650 for now, E9 boost the ATH A700 soundstage better but the A700 really don't need an amp to get most out of it.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gorgatron 

Fair enough. I do see your arguement about me being eager. How do you like your E7+E9 btw? Does the e9 help at all with your A700?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by prtuc2 

It is a fairly new product I see the best price around $349, but you should wait for some impression without having to regret later.