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Fiio E9 - Distortion/Crackling with deep bass sounds (explosions, etc)

post #1 of 10
7/15/11 at 11:18pm
Thread Starter 

So I noticed that when playing games on my PC explosions often sound distorted or "scratchy" for lack of a better word--like I'm wearing ultra cheap headphones and listening to white noise ..

 

My setup goes like this: Xfi card from my PC to full-sized Denon receiver to Fiio E9 via the Denon's headphone out jack, and finally to my Beyer 880s (250 ohm).

 

I tried various things--nothing made the distortion go away. Finally I took the Fiio out of the chain and ... no more distorted bass!

 

What the hell? I've read many glowing reviews for the E9 ... am I the only one to encounter this? Any possible solutions other than ditching the E9? Please weigh in.

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post #2 of 10
7/15/11 at 11:35pm

Take out the Denon receiver, I think.  Does the receiver have any line-out on the back that you can use to connect to the E9 instead of using the Denon's HP output?  Using the receiver's HP out is most likely the issue since you are double-amping and the Denon's HP amp probably isn't good enough for the job of feeding the E9.

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post #3 of 10
7/15/11 at 11:44pm
Thread Starter 

Hey, thanks for responding, Mad Max!

 

I'm pretty sure the Denon doesn't have a line out in the back but I'll check. If not I could just try hooking the Fiio straight to my Xfi sound card, but then I won't have a way to hook up my 5.1 speaker setup (which is what the Denon is for.)

 

Thanks again for your suggestion. I'll try eliminating the Denon and post back.

 

EDIT: Just checked and the Denon does have pre-outs for left/right, center and sub. I'll see what I can rig up with those.


Edited by blinkstar - 7/16/11 at 12:14am
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post #4 of 10
7/22/11 at 2:38pm
Thread Starter 

Mad Max--you're suggestion solved my problem, but sort of created another one ... The Fiio definitely sounds better (though not perfect) running from the line out in the back rather than the receiver's headphone jack .... But, running it that way means I can't mute my speakers when I listen to headphones. Using the headphone jack on the receiver I can hit a button for headphone output only, but when I use the line out there is no way to mute my speakers ...

 

Thanks again for helping me!

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post #5 of 10
7/22/11 at 10:22pm

use the tape 2 monitor loop instead of the preamp out. The preamp out will still double your volume controls. The tape 2 loop is a real line out and will mute the speakers when engaging it

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post #6 of 10
7/22/11 at 10:36pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Not sure I actually have a tape 2 loop monitor loop (not actually sure what that is) but I will look at the back of my receiver and check.

 

Thanks again!

 

EDIT: No good, I'm afraid. I have a Dat/Tape out, but no sound comes out because nothing is connected to Dat/Tape in ... I have my PC hooked up to the receiver through the 5 channel external analog in lines in order to get 5.1 sound to my speakers. I'm thinking that sound will only come out that way through the line outs or the headphone jack ...


Edited by blinkstar - 7/22/11 at 10:44pm
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post #7 of 10
7/22/11 at 11:18pm

you will have to select tape on the receiver if you want the sound to go to the e9 then back to the usual input you select if you want the sound on the speakers

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post #8 of 10
7/23/11 at 12:08am
Thread Starter 

I don't think I can. I think it has to be set to 6 CH EX IN for me to get the 5.1 channels from my PC.

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post #9 of 10
7/23/11 at 12:22am

ahh ok. I havent tried pc based home theater yet. I have no idea how that works unless I had it in front of me


Edited by donunus - 7/23/11 at 12:23am
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post #10 of 10
7/23/11 at 12:46am
Thread Starter 

I have kind of an odd setup--analog front left, right, center, sub, rear right and left to matching line inputs on my receiver ... no digital connection. So the only thing I can set the receiver to is that 6 CH EX IN setting I mentioned previously. I am thinking of getting a sound card with digital out though ... which may open up more options. Thanks again for weighing in!

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