I'm currently running my AD700's straight from my PC through realtek onboard (My x-fi titanium has no headphone jack, in all its wisdom, and the front panel kits are discontinued, and my 7.1 system doesn't revert to stereo/specific settings when headphones hit them) and recently picked up the fiio e5 to hopefully boost it a bit volume wise, with perhaps some bass volume (beyond what the stock EQ settings permit, which even turned to max on the lower frequencies, is still acceptably clear)
But it makes them sound HORRIBLE. no matter what I do, bass boost on and everything just turns to audible sludge, bass boost off it sounds only slightly less muddy. plugged back into the computer and it sounds beautiful again. Tried the e5 again with the computer after reverting all the EQ settings to stock. Still disgusting sounding compared to no amp at all.
Plugging the e5 into my phone produced better results. the cans actually like the phone, though unless the phone's volume is maxed already, the amp sounds pretty hideous.
But the second I switch the AD700's for my motorcycle IEM's (klipsch S4) on the phone, the E5 suddenly makes a world of difference, transforming the klipsch buds into fabulous sounding things that I couldn't believe I ever lived without!
I'm a bit confused as to why the e5 makes my AD700's sound like garbage when they sing (to my newbie headphone-consumer ears) without it, and why it makes my IEM's sound $400 more impressive, regardless of EQ settings?
*edit* I did figure out that my x-fi was actually compatible with the front panel jack I have, and updating the beta drivers lets me use unique headphone settings, and it's pushing my AD700's even better now, they sound brilliant. And the E5 is noticeably better, but it's still making the audio WORSE than plugging it straight into the card...
Edited by Honeybadgers - 12/27/11 at 11:40am
