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Does the source really matter if I use an external DAC?

post #1 of 8
11/16/11 at 7:26am
Thread Starter 

Hi, I was wondering if the source (My laptop using foobar2000 with flac files) would matter at all if I use an external USB DAC such as the Fiio E7. I will be using it with my Sony ZX700 headphones. Using the basic headphone plug in my laptop (Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520) the audio is pretty rubbish, even compared to my humble Clip+ (My only actual source component, I am on a budget!).

 

What is the most cost-effective way of getting better audio than my Clip+? The Fiio E7 looks good, but I was wondering if a dedicated source component would be better. Also, if I do go down the dedicated source route, what is the best source component for under £100ish? I listen to everything from alt rock to electronica if it matters.

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post #2 of 8
11/16/11 at 1:37pm

As long as Windows recognizes the device and can output to it, your laptop's "quality" won't make an audible difference, despite anecdotal evidence that might say so.

 

Whether the sound quality from the Fiio E7 would be any better than your clip+ could be debatable. I can't find any specs on the Clip+ but there are specs available for the Fiio E7 that seem decent.

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post #3 of 8
11/16/11 at 5:16pm

The fiio e10, the source doesn't matter to much by noise and jitter vary from laptop to laptop longs there not excessivly high there audiable you should be fine.

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post #4 of 8
11/16/11 at 5:51pm

Ya now that E10 is out i would pick that over the E7 if available hehe Unless u need it to run on battery power

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post #5 of 8
11/16/11 at 11:29pm
Thread Starter 

Ok. I thought the E10 was just an amplifier dock for the E7?

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post #6 of 8
11/17/11 at 5:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BenAdamson View Post

Ok. I thought the E10 was just an amplifier dock for the E7?



That's the E9.

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post #7 of 8
11/23/11 at 5:12pm

The dac inside the E7 is the best part of it (Wolfson WM8740). I tried it for a while on my netbook and it sounded quite good! Can't go wrong for the price really

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post #8 of 8
11/24/11 at 2:00am
Thread Starter 

I think I might get the E10, it looks really nice.

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