Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Fiio E17 vs Asus Xonar Essence?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Fiio E17 vs Asus Xonar Essence?

post #1 of 7
1/11/13 at 12:33pm
Thread Starter 

I won't be using the amp on either as I'll be outputting to the Fiio E9, though both DACs seem to have similar options. I'm not bothered about Dolby virtual 5.1 stuff - but I do wonder which DAC is best like for like.

Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #2 of 7
1/11/13 at 12:48pm

With the stx you are over buying, and with the fiio you are over paying. Get the shiit modi. It is 100 bucks and sounds pretty darn good. 

 

You could also get the audio engine D1 dac/amp which would allow you to pre amp your e9. 

Reply
post #3 of 7
1/11/13 at 12:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tjj226 Angel View Post

With the stx you are over buying, and with the fiio you are over paying. Get the shiit modi. It is 100 bucks and sounds pretty darn good. 

 

You could also get the audio engine D1 dac/amp which would allow you to pre amp your e9. 


I agree with this if you won't be using the amp on either one. The STX is a great sound card, and the Fiio E17 is a great device (both worth the cost, the Fiio especially), but if you have no need for the amp, just getting a dac is a better option.

You can't go wrong with the $99 Schiit Modi.

Reply
post #4 of 7
1/11/13 at 7:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thommohawk View Post

I won't be using the amp on either as I'll be outputting to the Fiio E9, though both DACs seem to have similar options. I'm not bothered about Dolby virtual 5.1 stuff - but I do wonder which DAC is best like for like.

Just get the Asus Xonar DX or D1 sound card ($70) and plug the Fiio E9 into it.

Reply
post #5 of 7
2/7/13 at 4:59pm

I got a Schiit Modi and was pretty disappointed coming from a Xonar DX. There was a lot of "crunch" from the Modi, the sound stage was smaller, and there was a lot less detail. There was also what felt like an overpowering, omnipresent bass effect that made everything feel less clear.

 

I'm curious if anyone can provide details on how a DX sounds vs the E17.


Edited by maskedbacon - 2/7/13 at 5:00pm
Reply
post #6 of 7
2/7/13 at 5:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by maskedbacon View Post

I got a Schiit Modi and was pretty disappointed coming from a Xonar DX. There was a lot of "crunch" from the Modi, the sound stage was smaller, and there was a lot less detail. There was also what felt like an overpowering, omnipresent bass effect that made everything feel less clear.

 

I'm curious if anyone can provide details on how a DX sounds vs the E17.


You are saying that you felt going from the dx to the modi was actually a downgrade?

Reply
post #7 of 7
2/7/13 at 5:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SunshineReggae View Post


You are saying that you felt going from the dx to the modi was actually a downgrade?

Yep. I have the feeling that saying that around here is taboo :)

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Fiio E17 vs Asus Xonar Essence?