FiiO E7 VS uDAC-2

I"ve got the uDAC2 and the E7 is arriving very soon - I'll report on sonic differences when I do. The one main difference between the two is that you cannot use the uDAC2 without it being powered from the USB of your PC/laptop. In this role it performs very creditably and powered my 300 ohm HPs to good listening levels with the volume under 12 o'clock.

However, when I ran it into the Fiio E9 amp this took my Sennheiser HD580s to a whole new level of listening pleasure. So while it will power the more difficult to drive HPs a separate amp really makes a difference. I suspect that the E7 will be similar though you can take it on the move with you as it has a separate battery and it will also connect to your PC via the USB port. For its versatility this puts the E7 in front but if you're going to use a USB DAC solely with a PC/laptop then the uDAC2 has to be considered.

You should've held out for the fiio e10(coming soon). It has 24bit/96khz, and a better amp section. I'd say that the e10 is more of a direct competitor for the udac2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nagasaki_Kid 

You should've hold out for the fiio e10(coming soon). It has 24bit/96khz, and a better amp section. I'd say that the e10 is more of a direct competitor for the udac2.

I'll say FiiO D5 is more of a direct competitor of uDAC2. After all, uDAC2 is not really portable.

The E7/E9 combination is simply awesome for the price. The sound is clear, virtually neutral as far as sonic signature goes and the detail I get from my 580s is allowing me to hear things in my music I've never come across before. This beats the uDAC2/E9 combo very easily because the veil has been lifted from my Sennheisers with this combo.

I also tried the E7 with my Sansa View/HD280s and was shocked at what they did to these HPs. With the bass boost set on 1 this was like a new set of cans. Whenever I travel this is what I will have with me.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by holden4th 

I"ve got the uDAC2 and the E7 is arriving very soon - I'll report on sonic differences when I do. The one main difference between the two is that you cannot use the uDAC2 without it being powered from the USB of your PC/laptop. In this role it performs very creditably and powered my 300 ohm HPs to good listening levels with the volume under 12 o'clock.

 

However, when I ran it into the Fiio E9 amp this took my Sennheiser HD580s to a whole new level of listening pleasure. So while it will power the more difficult to drive HPs a separate amp really makes a difference. I suspect that the E7 will be similar though you can take it on the move with you as it has a separate battery and it will also connect to your PC via the USB port. For its versatility this puts the E7 in front but if you're going to use a USB DAC solely with a PC/laptop then the uDAC2 has to be considered.

E7 IMO, you might want to go for the newer e11 though

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyl1dyl 

E7 IMO, you might want to go for the newer e11 though

Sorry, typo. meant the e10

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyl1dyl 

Sorry, typo. meant the e10

Actually you are not that far off. E10's amp section is quite similar to that of E11. You can say E10 is the desktop USB DAC version of E11, with a slightly better DAC section than E7 (same WM8750, but better USB capability for 24/96). If you don't need the high output of E9 or portability of E7, I'll recommend E10 way over the original uDAC (don't have the uDAC2)
 

Hey fellas, just a quick question because I ask this already on another thread but no one replied.. can I use the USB adapter that came with the iPhone to charge the E7 straight to the wall?

Quote:

Originally Posted by foshow 

.. can I use the USB adapter that came with the iPhone to charge the E7 straight to the wall?

Yes, you should be fine.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS 

Yes, you should be fine.
 

 

Thank you and much obliged for the response.

Hey, new to all this, so some help would be appreciated.

I realize the e10 is not out yet, and likely no one has tried it, but....

I'm trying to decide on a desktop DAC/AMP to pair with my Macbook Pro and Grado 225's.

I really like the HiFiMan EF2 from what I read, but am wondering if the new e10 would be better?

Would this newer product with new technology be better (especially for half the price, compared to the EF2)?

Any suggestions are welcome, Thanks!

Here is a link with comparison between the E10 to the uDac and E7

http://www.headfonia.com/the-latest-must-have-the-fiio-e10-usb-dacamp/