[jasonb]

I've never used them. I'll take a look.
Quote:

 
 
Understood.  
 
Ever use HDtracks?  Can be expensive, but they have deals on downloads sometimes.

 

[HaVoC-28]

Quote:

I've never used them. I'll take a look.

 
Or just CDs that you rip .they can be very cheap . 

 

[preproman]

Quote:

I've never used them. I'll take a look.

 
 
Only thing.  They might not have your preferred genre.

 

[jasonb]

Most of my favorite music is kind of obscure. I listen to mostly prog rock and prog metal. I also like ambient, chill, and some dubstep from time to time.
 
http://www.last.fm/user/mcjasonb
Quote:

 
 
Only thing.  They might not have your preferred genre.

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

Well the E17 isn't a poor amplifier. Sure, it's not the best there is, but I'm sure it's making these Q701's sound 90, maybe 95% as good as most more expensive amps will make them sound. The rule of diminishing returns kicks in somewhere, and I'm happy with where I'm at here. I'm not going to invest more money for a 5-10% potential increase. Instead I'm going to spend more money on more new music to enjoy. 

 
The real truth is you have to try a better amp out yourself.
If that doesn't interest you right now, fine.
As you music library grows and you start downloading higher resolution files, then a better amp may become more important for you.
Try attending a Head Fi meet, bring your Qs and your music, try out other people's amps and see what YOU think.

 

[jasonb]

sounds good. if there is ever a meet in my area i'll try to come.
Quote:

 
The real truth is you have to try a better amp out yourself.
If that doesn't interest you right now, fine.
As you music library grows and you start downloading higher resolution files, then a better amp may become more important for you.
Try attending a Head Fi meet, bring your Qs and your music, try out other people's amps and see what YOU think.

 

[HamilcarBarca]

Quote:

Well the E17 isn't a poor amplifier. Sure, it's not the best there is, but I'm sure it's making these Q701's sound 90, maybe 95% as good as most more expensive amps will make them sound. The rule of diminishing returns kicks in somewhere, and I'm happy with where I'm at here.

 
Agreed. You did write "quality amp" and I missed that part.
 
Maybe the E17 isn't the best there is but it seems to be very far from the worst. Really, isn't it a 98 or 99% solution?

 

[Misios]

it's hard to put a percentage on how well the E17 powers the Q701 as it is individual on how people perceive the sound given back by it. Some may be happy with the E17, whilst some want a bit more. Diminishing returns quickly kicks in when I swap between my E17 and NFB 15.1 - the NFB 15.1 sounds better, but it's not like a new world, like some might write to justify their new expensive buy.
 
edit: I was in the same position as many of you, I went with the E17 first, then I decided i'd try the NFB 15.1 as well. I don't regret it because I got better sound, but obviously I used more money as well...

 

[tdockweiler]

What's the power output of the E17? I think I read somewhere that the E11 has a bit more power, but the E17 includes a very good DAC.
The E11 is OK with the Q701 as long as I "double amp" it. Using the headphone out of my source.
 
I remember the E10 sounding a bit better for the Q701, but I'm not sure why.
 
It seems that ever since i've been in this hobby, everyone has always told me my amps were never good enough

 
First it was the E9 with the HD-650, then the Asgard with the K702. I actually didn't want to believe the Asgard was so bad with the K702 until I heard it on the E9. Ugh.
Now I have a Headroom Micro Amp which drives everything with ease and is really powerful and everyone still thinks I drive all my headphones with a portable amp

 
I know for sure though that the Q701 and HD-650 seem really picky about amps and every penny (up to a certain point) does seem to benefit them in some way.
 
I was actually surprised how big an improvement the Micro was for the K702/Q701 compared to the Asgard and E9.
 
It'd be interesting to hear the Q701 with the E17. Maybe someday i'll get the E17 for my DJ100. Probably a bit overkill.
 
Volume doesn't mean much for me. I can connect my 38ohm DJ100 to my E11 with LOD cable from Sansa Fuze and get enough volume to destroy my ears and it still doesn't sound that good. Hmm, maybe it's just that I don't like the Fuze? My Clip+ sounds better, but people tell me they're identical.
 
The Q701 gets more than enough volume from my Clip+ but the mids are a bit thinner and it lacks bass. It seems the Q701 is much more harsh and fatiguing when it doesn't have enough power.
 
I'm sure the E17 is perfect for the Q701, but I never tried it myself.
 
BTW believe it or not I use the K701 for 3 years once with just a Total Airhead from a headphone out of an Ipod! Sounded amazing at the time and I also had the DT-990. This was all before Head-fi though and I never knew much about DACs and headphone amps etc. I think the Airhead has the same opamp as the E10, E11 and E17, but couldn't sound any more different than the E11 IMO.
 
I think I was coming from Bose Triport AE1s (which aren't horrible, but sound like $75 headphones).
 
I still would like to hear the Q701 from a hybrid tube amp sometime (low output impedance!). I imagine this would also be a good match with my DJ100 maybe.

 

[jasonb]

Thanks for this. I think the E17 is just great. Like you said, diminishing returns is always the issue. For $380(for both the Q701 and the E17), its a fantastic, somewhat low budget setup as it is. 
Quote:

it's hard to put a percentage on how well the E17 powers the Q701 as it is individual on how people perceive the sound given back by it. Some may be happy with the E17, whilst some want a bit more. Diminishing returns quickly kicks in when I swap between my E17 and NFB 15.1 - the NFB 15.1 sounds better, but it's not like a new world, like some might write to justify their new expensive buy.
 
edit: I was in the same position as many of you, I went with the E17 first, then I decided i'd try the NFB 15.1 as well. I don't regret it because I got better sound, but obviously I used more money as well...

 

[jasonb]

Day 4: I'm still loving these just as much as day one. So nice, very clear and detailed. Bright but not harsh, just the right amount of bass for my needs. Mid-range seems right in line. They are just what I was looking for to copy the sound of my GR01. 

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

Day 4: I'm still loving these just as much as day one. So nice, very clear and detailed. Bright but not harsh, just the right amount of bass for my needs. Mid-range seems right in line. They are just what I was looking for to copy the sound of my GR01. 

 
Qs are fantastic for the $$$
16 months later and I still think they are........

 

[jasonb]

Definitely very good for the price.... I got mine brand new, in a sealed box for only $240 shipped. Paired with the $140 E17 it's a very good low budget setup.
Quote:

 
Qs are fantastic for the $$$
16 months later and I still think they are........

 

[tdockweiler]

Has anyone tried these with an amp that has a really high output impedance?
People claim over and over that anything above say 5 ohm will make them sound awful.
 
I have them connected to my old Technics receiver from 93 with a 330 ohm output impedance and they sound just like they should

Even my DJ100 which is 30ohm and portable is fine with it. My KRKs are ruined though. I guess it depends on the headphone.
 
The Q701 from this receiver is a tad thinner than from my E9 and Micro though, but sounds fairly good.
 
Right now it's ODAC to receiver. Somehow the soundstage does seem a lot larger somehow.
 
I got this receiver from a thrift store and it's in perfect shape. That may be a good way for some to find a cheap way to drive a Q701.
It doesn't always work that well.
 
This receiver does sound a lot better with my HD-600 though.
 
I really wonder what a Q701 sounds like with a tube amp or even a hybrid tube amp. My guess is a lot fuller mids and even smoother treble. Never tried a tube amp before.
Maybe when I get more money I'll buy the Bottlehead Crack and get an HD-650.

 

[jasonb]

Why do some/most people say these aren't suitable for rock or metal? If you like to listen to your rock or metal with an analytical/neutral presentation, then these are great. I think these are great for rock and metal, especially when the recording is of good quality. I'm listening to Opeth's Blackwater Park album right now with these and my E17 with a +2 bass boost and it sounds great. Gobs of detail, but it's not at all tiring at a moderate volume.