[Evshrug]

I was thinking of picking up an E17 for my laptop. Should I be waiting for the E18 or E19? 


As an aside, I have a Galaxy Nexus. I thought the issue with USB Audio on Android devices was a driver issue. What does Parall3l mean by the E18 is going to allow for Android digital out? What does the DAC (FiiO)  have to do with anything?

I think somebody typed E18 by accident instead of E19. As far as "should," you need to ask yourself if the E17 has the right mix of features for you. It is one of the best portable Amp/DAC combo components right now, with nice hardware "boosts" (less quality loss than a software EQ). You know a DAC is a Digital to Analogue Converter, right? So instead of using a soundcard in your laptop or desktop, the E17's DAC section would convert your audio from digital bits to analogue waveforms. It seems FiiO is making a portable Amp lineup – E02i, E6, E11, E12 – a portable amp/DAC combo lineup – E7, E10 (which can't act as a standalone amp for MP3 players), E17, and E19 – a standalone DAC line – D3, D5, D7 – and they have two desktop amps – E9 & E09k, A1.

I don't know much about bypassing the internal DAC of an Android smartphone like the Galaxy Nexus, but I have been happy with the built-in DACs of my portable devices, still seeing a clean effect from sending a line-out signal to an external amp. I think you wouldn't hear much difference using an external DAC unless your audio files are large with at least "lossless" compression and a high sampling rate.

 

[Mr Newyear]

I think the name should be "Fiio E12 Olympus" (From mount olympus house of greek gods or olympus mons) because it would be out of this world! It would also be a reference to the meaning of Fiio as you have to "fly" to Mars and Mount Olympus (as attempted by Bellerophon on Pegasus). Just my thoughts

 

[Evshrug]

We have the same calendar. They are approx 12 hours ahead in the time of things but if it's December..unless you are at top or end of the month, the Chinese will be in december too.

E12 does look promising but I won't be taking my 701's anywhere.

First point: good to know

2nd point: me neither. I think the E12 would work well for all my headphones, but I think my headphones that would benefit the most wouldn't make use of the E12's portability. The E12 might work awesome with V-MODA's new full-sized headphones though

I think the name should be "Fiio E12 Olympus" (From mount olympus house of greek gods or olympus mons) because it would be out of this world! It would also be a reference to the meaning of Fiio as you have to "fly" to Mars and Mount Olympus (as attempted by Bellerophon on Pegasus). Just my thoughts

Olympus would be cool! Greek mythology would work well, as long as FiiO doesn't make any products called "Icarus"
Unless... They want to make a "bad boy bass monster," lol!

 

[bowei006]

Quote:

First point: good to know

2nd point: me neither. I think the E12 would work well for all my headphones, but I think my headphones that would benefit the most wouldn't make use of the E12's portability. The E12 might work awesome with V-MODA's new full-sized headphones though

Olympus would be cool! Greek mythology would work well, as long as FiiO doesn't make any products called "Icarus"

Unless... They want to make a "bad boy bass monster," lol!

FiiO has a generally universal sound
 
The E18 and E19 are differnt things at this moment. As of right now both are a ways off and the only info is that E19 is upgrade to the E17 and E18 is an Android DAC

 

[Evshrug]

FiiO has a generally universal sound

I agree, in fact it is a characteristic that I admire about FiiO products, along with the production quality they bring to entry-level products. The "Icarus" bass monster thing was a joke, because the myth of Icarus is about a father who builds wax wings for his son Icarus, but the son is too proud and flies too high. Icarus gets too close to the sun, his wax wings melt, and he plummets back to earth in a fireball that creates the Sahara desert.
FiiO is not an "Icarus" story however, because they don't have cheap "waxen" build quality like similar products from EBay, and they support their products.

.The E18 and E19 are different things at this moment. As of right now both are a ways off and the only info is that E19 is upgrade to the E17 and E18 is an Android DAC

Oh, ok. This thread is the first I've heard of either products being in development, to be honest. I think it is great FiiO is creating an upgrade path for their users.

Back to the E12, I want to point out that I'll happily trade the ability to charge and listen at the same time for the benefit of user-replaceable AAA batteries. I got the E5 almost right when it came out, and through heavy use I've noticed that the life of the battery is starting to fade. I like that I could buy spare batteries at a gas station for the E12 if the charge runs out, and that I could buy new rechargables for the amp when it's included batteries die perminantly. I think I voted for the AAA option before, I really believe it's the best compromise.

 

[Mr Newyear]

Quote:

Quote:

I think the name should be "Fiio E12 Olympus" (From mount olympus house of greek gods or olympus mons) because it would be out of this world! It would also be a reference to the meaning of Fiio as you have to "fly" to Mars and Mount Olympus (as attempted by Bellerophon on Pegasus). Just my thoughts

Olympus would be cool! Greek mythology would work well, as long as FiiO doesn't make any products called "Icarus"

Unless... They want to make a "bad boy bass monster," lol!

Haha I completely forgot about Icarus. We definitely do not want that happening

 

[bowei006]

Quote:

Haha I completely forgot about Icarus. We definitely do not want that happening

Their E02i Rocky has a nice bass boosting forumua. A bit muddy and more of a consumer bass boost but with the 500mW to 800mW of the E12 and a serious good bass boost. It may as well just be a bass monster
 
but the name Icarus would not be good for FiiO
 
FiiO by literal chinese translation means Flying with pride or flying with integrity. You can change the second word to honor or any prideful word but literal everyday translation as FiiO put out if "I believe I can fly"
 
The tale of icarus would be of someone or icarus himself getting too full of himself and despite some warnings, flew too close to the sun and got burned and fell back down...NOT a good name for FiiO. Don't use it.

 

[Mr Newyear]

Quote:

 
The tale of icarus would be of someone or icarus himself getting too full of himself and despite some warnings, flew too close to the sun and got burned and fell back down...NOT a good name for FiiO. Don't use it.

Exactly. It probably wouldn't even make sense as Icarus is not a mountain. I still think E12 Olympus sounds pretty epic

 

[bowei006]

Quote:

Exactly. It probably wouldn't even make sense as Icarus is not a mountain. I still think E12 Olympus sounds pretty epic

Olympus does indeed sound very nice!
 
They don't need to stick with mountains but the term and mythology of Icarus goes together with FiiO's name and imply's in a mythical sense that FiiO will get burned or drop out with the E12..... 

 

[Brooko]

Quote:

I'm not sure I see the strength of the target market though... I understand that the E12 is going to be a very powerful yet very slim portable amp, but by the time a consumer needs such an amp, aren't they using a full-size headphone such as an AKG K702 or Sennheiser 650HD? My point is why would you use an amp and music source that fits in your pocket when it is made for headphones you wouldn't walk around wearing anyway? Feel free to explain.

Quote:

E12 does look promising but I won't be taking my 701's anywhere.

 
I think I can explain this one - or my use for a powerful portable amp anyway.  I have an Arrow 4G - so will not be ever needing an E12.  I use the Arrow quite often with my DT880 600ohm or K701, or even my HD600s when:
[a] I'm listening around the house - ie in another room, away from my main listening set-up.
If I ever travel away - eg holiday to meet my family - I usually take at least 2 full sized headphones.  We have a favourite holiday spot on the sea coast.  Because I don't see them that often - it's nice to 'chill out' with my brothers and sisters - introduce them to any new music I have etc.  None of them are really into higher end gear - but they do appreciate it.  The dual HP outs on the Arrow make it very enjoyable.  Has been quite fun using binaural recorings (like the barber shop) with younger nieces and nephews as well.

 

[CashNotCredit]

Quote:

 
I think I can explain this one - or my use for a powerful portable amp anyway.  I have an Arrow 4G - so will not be ever needing an E12.  I use the Arrow quite often with my DT880 600ohm or K701, or even my HD600s when:
[a] I'm listening around the house - ie in another room, away from my main listening set-up.
If I ever travel away - eg holiday to meet my family - I usually take at least 2 full sized headphones.  We have a favourite holiday spot on the sea coast.  Because I don't see them that often - it's nice to 'chill out' with my brothers and sisters - introduce them to any new music I have etc.  None of them are really into higher end gear - but they do appreciate it.  The dual HP outs on the Arrow make it very enjoyable.  Has been quite fun using binaural recorings (like the barber shop) with younger nieces and nephews as well.

 
^This

Plus, even though it may not be usable on the morning commute, it definitely is nice for people who want to listen to their high-end headphones at the office. Carrying around a large and heavy amp is impractical for office use, but if someone is going to be listening to music for 3-4 hours straight while working everyday, they're going to want to use their top-of-the-line gear. The E12 lets people do that without being large and resource-intensive.
Quote:

...but literal everyday translation as FiiO put out if "I believe I can fly"

FiiO Space Jam: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture?

 

 

[bowei006]

Quote:

 
^This

Plus, even though it may not be usable on the morning commute, it definitely is nice for people who want to listen to their high-end headphones at the office. Carrying around a large and heavy amp is impractical for office use, but if someone is going to be listening to music for 3-4 hours straight while working everyday, they're going to want to use their top-of-the-line gear. The E12 lets people do that without being large and resource-intensive.
FiiO Space Jam: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture?

 

Make a cool FiiO video!
 
Quote:

 
I think I can explain this one - or my use for a powerful portable amp anyway.  I have an Arrow 4G - so will not be ever needing an E12.  I use the Arrow quite often with my DT880 600ohm or K701, or even my HD600s when:
[a] I'm listening around the house - ie in another room, away from my main listening set-up.
If I ever travel away - eg holiday to meet my family - I usually take at least 2 full sized headphones.  We have a favourite holiday spot on the sea coast.  Because I don't see them that often - it's nice to 'chill out' with my brothers and sisters - introduce them to any new music I have etc.  None of them are really into higher end gear - but they do appreciate it.  The dual HP outs on the Arrow make it very enjoyable.  Has been quite fun using binaural recorings (like the barber shop) with younger nieces and nephews as well.

I did the same when I had the E17 but I have since just stayed desktop. TF10's are incomming my way so I need to do that even less but I get what it means. 500mW at the very least to 800mW is quite A LOT OF POWER for such headhones

 

[Evshrug]

I think I can explain this one - or my use for a powerful portable amp anyway.  I have an Arrow 4G - so will not be ever needing an E12.  I use the Arrow quite often with my DT880 600ohm or K701, or even my HD600s when:
A] I'm listening around the house - ie in another room, away from my main listening set-up.
B] If I ever travel away - eg holiday to meet my family - I usually take at least 2 full sized headphones.  We have a favourite holiday spot on the sea coast.  Because I don't see them that often - it's nice to 'chill out' with my brothers and sisters - introduce them to any new music I have etc.  None of them are really into higher end gear - but they do appreciate it.  The dual HP outs on the Arrow make it very enjoyable.  Has been quite fun using binaural recorings (like the barber shop) with younger nieces and nephews as well.

Thanks for the thought, sounds fairly reasonable. Also to the other post that mentioned transport to/from the office, I hope to do that.

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

Will E12 be able to use while charging? This is a big flaw for me for E11 personally and why I wouldn't concider one. Also how many bass boost settings are planned? Any chance to add more than the 2 on E11, especially at least one lower one. I don't know how E11 is configured but I'd personally opt for +1.5dB boost, 3dB boost and 5-6dB boost. 

 

[bowei006]

If fiio is going withtheir public announced battery config then yes. Charging while use will be a feature.