Need a headphone dac/amp advice - Page 2

the e9 has a substantial amount of power so the e10 wont have more (in fact it has about 25% of it), the e11 has more power than the e10 but doesn't have a DAC - which is what the e17 will be when it comes out.  The e9 is a very good amp for the money.  The e7 is fine for redbook but I don't use mine too much more myself.  I'd also look at the nfb-12.

Quote:

Originally Posted by holden4th 

You can go for the E9 and add your own DAC after that. There is nothing wrong with the E7/E9 combo but maybe the E10 will add a bit more - who knows? I use the E9 with both the E7 and an HRT Music Streamer II and know that the E9 as an amp for your cans can not be beaten for the price.

I haven't touched the gain on my Audinst; of course, if you feel it is necessary, the feature is there to use.  I'm listening to it right now at less than 9 o'clock and it's plenty loud.  You'll want to be sure that you max out the volume in the music player and computer to prevent bit-loss and just control volume via the Audinst.