FiiO E17 "ALPEN" - First Impression + Final Thought - Page 356

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacobi 

Thanks a lot @kalbee, @agentxxl. Let's just simplify this issue a bit. What happens when you plug your E17 to your computer SPDIF, and try to watch a dts/dolby encoded film ? Is the movie performance satisfactory ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowei006 

Depends on what you mean. There is Dolby/DTS laced PCM that is multi channel. Those won't work. E17 only supports Stereo PCM

 

But ones who uses a software to add the special effect into the stereo stream (be it stereo or multi channel) will work.Those aren't too high quality though and have very fake sounding spaceyess

As bowei mentioned (and I mentioned earlier), the E17 doesn't support multichannel audio. The digital inputs can only handle stereo PCM input. When I watch a movie or tv show that's been encoded in multichannel, I just make sure the software I use is set to downsample to two channel PCM stereo. Admittedly the soundstage isn't anywhere near the same as watching on a full 7.1 or better surround setup using speakers, but the performance is still quite amazing actually. Downsampled multichannel audio is pretty impressive when done well.

As we also mentioned, I wouldn't bother trying to use effects processors to overlay a pseudo-surround stage onto the downsampled two channel audio. Software DSP like Dolby Headphone or DTS Neo don't do a good enough job in re-creating the surround stage. Another option that I've occasionally used is the JVC SU-DH1 headphone processor and that does decode Dolby Digital and DTS via hardware DSP into a decent 2 channel headphone mix.

Using this unit I connect it as follows:

SPDIF digital out (TOSLink Mini cable) ----> JVC SU-DH1 ---> E17 Aux In or E9 Line In as Amplifier ---> Headphones

This allows me to decode Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS 5.1/Dolby PL II/MPEG-2 AAC into one of three separate Dolby Headphone modes, and also allows me to further customize the soundstage by selecting auto, movie or music mode. The gotcha is the mess of wiring needed to make it work. I've got a picture somewhere of it fully connected to my MacBook Pro and it's somewhat overwhelming with the ac adapter modification I made so that I don't have to power my SU-DH1 by batteries. If I find the pic, I'll post it. One other things about the SU-DH1 - it's very hard to find and purchase but only sells for $100 to $150. I bought mine for $120 if I remember correctly. If you really want a decent surround soundstage, this is a decent option. That said, it's as much as buying the E17 by itself, so for most it probably isn't worth it. I'll admit that I rarely use the SU-DH1 but occasionally it's fun to hookup and watch a show or two. Most of the time I'm content watching my movies and tv shows with downsampled 2 channel audio through the E17/E9 combo. Now that I've thoroughly confused you, fire away if you have more questions. :D

Dale

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacobi 

Thanks a lot @kalbee, @agentxxl. Let's just simplify this issue a bit. What happens when you plug your E17 to your computer SPDIF, and try to watch a dts/dolby encoded film ? Is the movie performance satisfactory ?

Depends.

If you are watching any of The Terminator movies AND you are wearing headphones, your head will explode.

But if you are watching Prometheus, your guts will explode.

I know this guy it happened to.

If you are watching Pokemon, your heart will explode

If you are watching Just Beiber's new movie. The family jews will be gone.

And if you are watching Justin Beiber's girlfriend?

I have an E17 from before the Alpen printing on the back.  Any issues I should be watching out for as it ages?  Was the headphone jack some were reporting an issue for a lot of folks?

I don;t use it every day or anything so I am sure it will still last, but I like to take preventative measures vs. repairs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gohanssjn 

I have an E17 from before the Alpen printing on the back.  Any issues I should be watching out for as it ages?  Was the headphone jack some were reporting an issue for a lot of folks?

 

I don;t use it every day or anything so I am sure it will still last, but I like to take preventative measures vs. repairs.

Umm,

don't drop it in water! or let it get wet!

don't keep it somewhere hot, let it breathe, heat is the enemy of all things electronic!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gohanssjn 

I have an E17 from before the Alpen printing on the back.  Any issues I should be watching out for as it ages?  Was the headphone jack some were reporting an issue for a lot of folks?

 

I don;t use it every day or anything so I am sure it will still last, but I like to take preventative measures vs. repairs.

With mine, the headphone jack, yes.

I kind of miss the "E17" print.

Does anyone know if you are still getting some gain out of the E17 even with the gain setting at 0db? Would having the unit set at 0db considered "low gain" 6db being a mid level and 12 being high gain?

I think something had been mentioned previously about this in the thread but I can't find it 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris J 

 

Umm,

don't drop it in water! or let it get wet!

don't keep it somewhere hot, let it breathe, heat is the enemy of all things electronic!

Lol.

I've been lurking and getting a lot of great info from Head-fi.

I've just purchased my first headphones-Grado 225 and I'm looking for some good options for a first amp.

The 17 looks like a good starting point to me. I'm trying to decide if it makes sense to pair it with the the E 9 or just use it alone.

Let me see if I understand this right: The advantage of the 17/9 combo is that you get a portable amp and DAC plus a designated desk amp in one pretty affordable package. Does that sound about right?

My other thought would be to get the e17 and then wait to get a full size amp later.

I'd love some advice relative to the merits of combining the E17 w/ the E9 one way or the other.

I've been lurking and getting a lot of great info from Head-fi.

I've just purchased my first headphones-Grado 225 and I'm looking for some good options for a first amp.

The 17 looks like a good starting point to me. I'm trying to decide if it makes sense to pair it with the the E 9 or just use it alone.

Let me see if I understand this right: The advantage of the 17/9 combo is that you get a portable amp and DAC plus a designated desk amp in one pretty affordable package. Does that sound about right?

My other thought would be to get the e17 and then wait to get a full size amp later.

I'd love some advice relative to the merits of combining the E17 w/ the E9 one way or the other.

Quote:

Originally Posted by markm1 

I've been lurking and getting a lot of great info from Head-fi.

 

...

 

I'd love some advice relative to the merits of combining the E17 w/ the E9 one way or the other.

Welcome to the forum as a poster! And of course the usual salutary greeting 'Sorry about your wallet!!' :)

As far as the E17/E9 combo, I can't say I've been more pleased. For the money, the combo has to be one of the best deals going for a portable DAC/amp that some call 'mediocre' but is really quite impressive and well-featured. I've compared it to much higher priced models using the same Wolfson DAC and to my ears, the DAC does as good of a job as most of the pricier models. The feature set supporting coaxial and optical SPDIF, USB DAC and AUX in is pretty hard to come by at this price point. And add the desktop E9 (now E09K) to the bundle, and the combo shines even more! Docking the E17 in the E09K gives you the extra power to drive headphones that are typically harder to drive, i.e. 250 ohm and above. And you still get to use all the features of the E17. The only aspect that isn't used when docked is the AUX in, but the E09K has it's own line in so it's not missed.

If it's your first headphone amp/DAC, you might be happier with just the E17, especially since your Grado 225s have a low impedance of 32 ohms. That said, a lot of the comments I've read about the 225 (and others by Grado) is that they really benefit from an amp. Certainly adding the E09K to the bundle won't disappoint, and in the absolutely worst case scenario that you don't feel you like or need it, the E09K can be easily resold by itself or as part of a bundle with the E17 should you decide to move up to a higher end amp/DAC. Personally I don't see myself selling the E17/E9 until something better comes along at a similar price point. I do have plans to buy a better desktop amp and possibly DAC (looking at the Schiit Mjolnir and Gungnir combo) but the E17/E9 will remain part of my arsenal for quite a while.

Dale

Could anyone please help me out in this?

If I connect my E17 to Macbook air via USB, I could see the charging bars active but it is not getting detected in macbook air sound option. Sound is also not playing via E17

Thanks