Worth it to get a Portable amp/dac?

Okay so I'm still relatively new to all of this, and have yet to get my first amp.  I'll be studying abroad in Europe this semester, and when I get back I have plans to get a full sized desktop amp/dac along with bookshelf speakers and better headphones.  However, would it be worth it to get a more portable budget amp/dac on the lines of the fiio e7 to use while I'm over there? I guess when I come back I could use it when studying at the library (don't really have any need for a portable set up).  The sound would be coming from my dell latitude laptop (or ipod nano if I ever do go portable) and listening will be done by my ath-m50s or sennheiser cx680s.  So I guess the bottom line is, is it worth it to get a smaller amp/dac for these next few months if I'll be getting a bigger, better one when I get back?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc222284 

Well if you just want a simple rig while your over there just get a Fiio e6 and a Fiio Lod for use with you iPod you could also use the e6 on your laptop via USB. 

 

Hope I helped

Yea the e6 would be great with my nano due to the size, but I'd be using this more with my laptop so I think I'd want a DAC.  I've been looking at the e7 and the ibasso dzero.  From what I hear, the dzero is better than the e7 but after shipping its over $40 more.  I'm not sure if that's worth it giving the amount of use this thing will get (I'll use it everyday for the next four months, but after that maybe once a week).  Are there any other amp/dacs around the price of the e7 that I should be looking at? I know the e10 is better, but it isn't portable (which I may end up using at some later time).  But then again, at $25 dollars I could get the e6 later if I want something portable...uhh so many choices!

Okay so after doing some research, I think the E6 would actually be good for me.  The size just matches perfectly with my nano, and at under $30 it's worth it for the trip over there alone.  But I still need a DAC...since portability is no longer a factor I've started looking at the E10.  Has anyone had experience with the E10 that can comment on it? Since portability no longer matters is there another dac/amp around $80 that would be better than the E10? Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it.

Bump.  Anyone else care to weigh in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coop 

How about getting the E7 or the new E17? That would give you all you want in a portable setup... And...

 

You could get yourself a E9 for your desktop setup and use the E(1)7 docked for its DAC functionality.

I did consider that, but since the E7 was so much bigger than my nano I ended up getting the E6.  They match perfectly soundwise.  So for now, portability is no longer a factor.  Once I get back I'm planning on getting a higher end dac/amp along with new speakers, so I ruled the E9 out on those grounds.  I leave Sunday, so I would have to order something else over there, but right now I'm going to stick with the E6 and maybe get an E10 if I feel like I need it (from what I've read, it performs even better than the E7 and is cheaper).  But again, I'm not stuck on the E10, I would just like to get a decent, small sized amp/dac for around its price.  But thanks for your help

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowei006 

i say E17, the E7 is basically a good amp..but with the amp sound of a $20 E5 as some put it. Get the e17. it has the best parts of every fiio product together

The E17 looks great, but I don't know if it would be worth its higher price given my situation.  I'm really looking for something more in the sub $100 price range

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowei006 

The E7 has problems with it's amp section for being too weak and not good sounding. The E11 is only an amplifier that is great with ipod's, but plugging into a laptop or desktop (EVEN IF IT SAYS IT HAS DOLBY THIS, AWESOME SPECS THAT, SUPER GOOD THIS, IS A GAMING LAPTOP OR A GAMING SELF BUILT DESKTOP WITH SOME SUPER MOBO) The onboard audio is crap and using an E11 will just amplify all the noise and disotortion. 

 

Hold on...I don't think I'm making myself clear...allow me to reiterate.  I need a small, budget (sub $100) amp/dac for this next semester studying abroad.  As mentioned before, I plan on getting a full sized desktop setup when I get back, at which point this small amp/dac will be used for library, class, etc.  I don't need a battery as I have my E6 for the ipod, so a USB powered unit would be preferable.  As I said, I'm looking at the E10 right now since it is a USB powered amp/dac with pretty decent reviews and is in my price range.  As sick as it would be to get an E17, I don't think it's worth the money since I'll only use it frequently for ~4 months (while I'm abroad), after which it will be used at the most twice a week. 

How does the E10 compare to the D-zero performance-wise? Because the battery part of the D-zero wouldn't be needed as I have my E6 for portable use already.  Is the D-zero worth the extra $30 over the E10?  I've read reviews but it's always nice to get more candid opinions...

BTW ^^^^^ love your avatar hah