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FiiO " Flagship " portable amp Mont Blanc/E12 discussing thread, the pre order unit arrives. - Page 67

post #991 of 1966
2/4/13 at 8:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Craigster75 View Post


Good feedback.  I have been focused on portable amps lately now that I am situated with headphones and the only portable amp I have found with more power is the Centrance M8 which offers charging, DAC and lots of bells and whistles, but is also 3X the size of the E12 and 5X the price.

Honestly man, for the price of the E12, you'd be hard pressed to find a better sounding amp. Admittedly, I have only heard a few and I am relatively new to the audiophile world (I consider myself to be an enthusiast, not an audiophile), but I've been working in home and commercial audio for 15 years and I know what sounds good. The E12 definitely sounds good, and I am honestly blown away at just how good it sounds.  I just did an A/B between my iPhone 5 on its own and my iPod classic w/ the E12 and the difference in sound quality is staggering. The very first thing I noticed is the enhanced soundstage and imaging, followed by a warmth and sparkle that you just don't get out of the iPhone when listening direct. A lot of people here seem to steer clear of products with warm signatures, but I love them and I think the warmth brings out the musicality in... well, the music haha. Without the bass boost the sound is definitely more neutral but that boost just fills the sound out perfectly for me (I am NOT a basshead, keep in mind). Even my mother who thinks Sirius radio sounds good was able to hear the difference between the unamped iPhone 5 and my classic/E12 setup. I can't think of any purchase in recent memory that I was this happy with. $130 VERY well spent. Good show, Fiio. 

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post #992 of 1966
2/4/13 at 8:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tortex73 View Post

Just got my E12!!!  So far so good, this is a really nice and classy piece of equipment. I was worried that the bass boost wasn't going to enough but I think the way it is implemented is beautiful- it adds a certain richness/lushness to the sound that makes it far more enjoyable to listen to, more musical even. My only complaint, and it's not really a complaint, is that it's a little on the large size. With my iPod classic velcro'd to it it's not very pocketable. Portable still, but not pocketable. Small price to pay for such great sound. Gonna have to give it some good listening time, which I plan to do with all the traveling I have coming up, but so far I am VERY happy with my purchase. 

 

Thanks for sharing your feeling with us.

 

One thing about the size, Mont Blanc should be still better than some portable headphone amp with 2 9V battery.

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post #993 of 1966
2/4/13 at 9:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by feiao View Post

 

Thanks for sharing your feeling with us.

 

One thing about the size, Mont Blanc should be still better than some portable headphone amp with 2 9V battery.

Well like I said, it is a complaint but it's not a complaint. I'm just being nitpicky. If the battery life is what people are saying it is (which I have no reason to doubt), coupled with the beautiful sound quality, then the size of it is more than acceptable. You guys really made an amazing amp at an amazing value, and I thank you for that. Be proud, you guys definitely accomplished what you set out to do :) 

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post #994 of 1966
2/4/13 at 9:16pm

 Got mine tonight. Paired up with my HE-400s... awesome. Bass hits amazingly. Highs are a bit fatiguing, maybe that will fade with some break in? But this HP is known for fatiguing highs. The bass rumbles on most bass heavy songs (EDM). Has TONS of power. I dare say I enjoy it more than my Mangi/Modi stack at the moment. Going to grab a RCA to 3.5" chord tomorrow to use the Modi as a DAC with it just for S&G's. I'm a bit slow and am trying to figure out if I can use my E17 as a DAC with the E12 and Iphone (am I mistaken?)

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post #995 of 1966
2/4/13 at 9:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TooPoor View Post

 Got mine tonight. Paired up with my HE-400s... awesome. Bass hits amazingly. Highs are a bit fatiguing, maybe that will fade with some break in? But this HP is known for fatiguing highs. The bass rumbles on most bass heavy songs (EDM). Has TONS of power. I dare say I enjoy it more than my Mangi/Modi stack at the moment. Going to grab a RCA to 3.5" chord tomorrow to use the Modi as a DAC with it just for S&G's. I'm a bit slow and am trying to figure out if I can use my E17 as a DAC with the E12 and Iphone (am I mistaken?)

Off topic, but how do you like those HE-400s? They are at the top of my short list for my next pair of cans. I really want a decent open pair, all I have right now for opens are AKG k240s and I am not happy with them at all. The HE-400, DT-990, HD-650, and SR-325i are what I'm considering, but probably gonna stay away from the Grados because I want to go circumaural.  

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post #996 of 1966
2/4/13 at 9:40pm

 I bought mine a bit ago, right when all the first 'must have' reviews were coming out. I haven't experienced too many headphones so take what I say with a grain of salt. I was looking for an open can that could do what my Denon D2000's did (EQ'd for euphoric subbass). I lucked out. They do exactly that, but we're comparing an open/ortho to a semi closed/dynamic, which one needs to keep in mind. EQ'd properly with decent power really works wonders for the HE400 in my opinion and the only other open set I've considered are the LCD2.2's, but for the time being I need new closed cans (Denons need a recable, maybe full Lawton mods in the future) so I just ordered some Ultrasone Signature Pros. Overall:

 

Pros:

- Bass - perfectly textured, can reach deep

- Open - obviously, but I REALLY enjoy open cans

- Gets better with more power, but sounds great out of almost anything

- PRICE

 

Cons:

- Can be fatiguing

- Clamp/Weight - this has been getting to me lately (killing the crown of my head, needs plusher headband)

- Pleathers = No, Velours = much better, but stiff as can be. Still looking into new pads.

 

Back on topic? Sorry for the hijack!

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post #997 of 1966
2/4/13 at 10:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tortex73 View Post

Honestly man, for the price of the E12, you'd be hard pressed to find a better sounding amp. Admittedly, I have only heard a few and I am relatively new to the audiophile world (I consider myself to be an enthusiast, not an audiophile), but I've been working in home and commercial audio for 15 years and I know what sounds good. The E12 definitely sounds good, and I am honestly blown away at just how good it sounds.  I just did an A/B between my iPhone 5 on its own and my iPod classic w/ the E12 and the difference in sound quality is staggering. The very first thing I noticed is the enhanced soundstage and imaging, followed by a warmth and sparkle that you just don't get out of the iPhone when listening direct. A lot of people here seem to steer clear of products with warm signatures, but I love them and I think the warmth brings out the musicality in... well, the music haha. Without the bass boost the sound is definitely more neutral but that boost just fills the sound out perfectly for me (I am NOT a basshead, keep in mind). Even my mother who thinks Sirius radio sounds good was able to hear the difference between the unamped iPhone 5 and my classic/E12 setup. I can't think of any purchase in recent memory that I was this happy with. $130 VERY well spent. Good show, Fiio. 


I am close to purchasing based on your comments even without confirmation of a special bass-boosted edition.

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post #998 of 1966
2/4/13 at 11:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TooPoor View Post

 I bought mine a bit ago, right when all the first 'must have' reviews were coming out. I haven't experienced too many headphones so take what I say with a grain of salt. I was looking for an open can that could do what my Denon D2000's did (EQ'd for euphoric subbass). I lucked out. They do exactly that, but we're comparing an open/ortho to a semi closed/dynamic, which one needs to keep in mind. EQ'd properly with decent power really works wonders for the HE400 in my opinion and the only other open set I've considered are the LCD2.2's, but for the time being I need new closed cans (Denons need a recable, maybe full Lawton mods in the future) so I just ordered some Ultrasone Signature Pros. Overall:

 

Pros:

- Bass - perfectly textured, can reach deep

- Open - obviously, but I REALLY enjoy open cans

- Gets better with more power, but sounds great out of almost anything

- PRICE

 

Cons:

- Can be fatiguing

- Clamp/Weight - this has been getting to me lately (killing the crown of my head, needs plusher headband)

- Pleathers = No, Velours = much better, but stiff as can be. Still looking into new pads.

 

Back on topic? Sorry for the hijack!

Cool, thanks for the feedback. I'm really thinking they're going to be my next set. I'm really psyched to get a pair of orthos. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Craigster75 View Post


I am close to purchasing based on your comments even without confirmation of a special bass-boosted edition.

I thought I would need the extra bass boost, but I was proved wrong. If it helps any, I'm pairing the amp with mainly my Sony Z1000 and listen to metal and stoner rock. I have been demoing the new setup with a lot of acoustic/clean stuff- AIC Unplugged, Mad Season's River of Deceit and Long Gone Day, G'N'R's Breakdown, Nevermore's Sorrowed Man, Kyuss' Space Cadet... I actually decided to give my cheapo AKG k240 a whirl right now and they're like a different headphone, I actually think I like them now haha. They still aren't nearly as detailed as I would like them to be but this E12 has made a world of a difference with them. I can't image anybody not being happy with this thing, still can't believe it's as cheap as it is. 

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post #999 of 1966
2/5/13 at 12:38am

Man... I'm quite happy with the E11, but this new E12 is rustling my jimmies, specially since i'm getting the M100 real soon.

 

Anybody that have both amps can post a couple of pics of the E12 next to the E11 for size comparison? bigsmile_face.gif

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post #1000 of 1966
2/5/13 at 12:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmsilva22 View Post

Man... I'm quite happy with the E11, but this new E12 is rustling my jimmies, specially since i'm getting the M100 real soon.

Anybody that have both amps can post a couple of pics of the E12 next to the E11 for size comparison? bigsmile_face.gif

I don't have an E11, but I did post side-by-side size comparisons of the E12 compared to the familiar size of an iPod (5th Gen). Just look in the thread's photos.
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post #1001 of 1966
2/5/13 at 1:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tortex73 View Post

Well like I said, it is a complaint but it's not a complaint. I'm just being nitpicky. If the battery life is what people are saying it is (which I have no reason to doubt), coupled with the beautiful sound quality, then the size of it is more than acceptable. You guys really made an amazing amp at an amazing value, and I thank you for that. Be proud, you guys definitely accomplished what you set out to do :) 

 

I known what you mean, just need to make sure what is the most important thing which our customer need. so what I try to known is, which should we put first when design a new amp, compact size, or power output or the battery life, it will help 

 

us make a better amp in the future. so I am not try to defend ourself.

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post #1002 of 1966
2/5/13 at 3:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmsilva22 View Post

Man... I'm quite happy with the E11, but this new E12 is rustling my jimmies, specially since i'm getting the M100 real soon.

Anybody that have both amps can post a couple of pics of the E12 next to the E11 for size comparison? bigsmile_face.gif
Sure

Quote:
Originally Posted by TooPoor View Post

 Got mine tonight. Paired up with my HE-400s... awesome. Bass hits amazingly. Highs are a bit fatiguing, maybe that will fade with some break in? But this HP is known for fatiguing highs. The bass rumbles on most bass heavy songs (EDM). Has TONS of power. I dare say I enjoy it more than my Mangi/Modi stack at the moment. Going to grab a RCA to 3.5" chord tomorrow to use the Modi as a DAC with it just for S&G's. I'm a bit slow and am trying to figure out if I can use my E17 as a DAC with the E12 and Iphone (am I mistaken?)

You need a powered usb hub in between iphone 4s (and previous) and E17 along with l7 dock.

It gets ugly for a portable setup
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post #1003 of 1966
2/5/13 at 1:26pm

Got my E12 last week. I had the E11 for awhile and in terms of bass boost, I find the E12 to be more "refined". The one setting places the bass boost just enough to not drastically change the balance of sound. Overall I'm extremely happy with the build quality (Love the metal construction > the plastic). Matches well with my black iphone5.

 

Only reason why I need to sell mine is because rent is due. =( Sigh to compulsive purchases that put me over budget.

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post #1004 of 1966
2/5/13 at 2:16pm
Ediit
 
Sorry Double post 

Edited by joe it - 2/5/13 at 2:23pm
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post #1005 of 1966
2/5/13 at 2:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by feiao View Post

 

Thanks for sharing your feeling with us.

 

One thing about the size, Mont Blanc should be still better than some portable headphone amp with 2 9V battery.

 

Hismile.gif
 
it would Be possible to have  an option of low gain so that to be able to use the e12 with iem? 
 
In this way there is a possibility of greater excursion pot volume avoiding problems; i think to decompensation channels and/or accidental movements that may damage iem and/or ear.etysmile.gif tongue.gif cool.gif
 
Thanks 
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphone Amps › FiiO " Flagship " portable amp Mont Blanc/E12 discussing thread, the pre order unit arrives.