[awayeah]

  Hi all. Long time lurker, first time poster. I just got a Galaxy Noe 3 and it evidently has a decent DAC, though I do find that the output seems a little bit low but that might be a setting I am missing on the phone. My question is, would it be worth it to get the E18 solely for the amp, or would it also help with sound quality, not that I am complaining with the stock phone?
 
Thanks

Here are the audio test results from Note 3 with Qualcomm SoC:
 

Test	Frequency response	Noise level	Dynamic range	THD	IMD + Noise	Stereo crosstalk
Samsung Galaxy Note 3	+0.02, -0.07	-96.5	92.8	0.0035	0.0099	-96.3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (headphones attached)	+0.01, -0.09	-96.2	92.7	0.017	0.017	-62.1

 
From gsmarena.com
 
First part is with external amp, so this is the important part in your case.
As far as tests go there is no better smartphone than Galaxy Note 3 in audio department. There are louder though.
I only have the E18 and I'm very satisfied.
But general opinion is that E12 as amp is slightly better.
 
Hope that'll help

 

[fuzzychaos]

  Here are the audio test results from Note 3 with Qualcomm SoC:
 

Test	Frequency response	Noise level	Dynamic range	THD	IMD + Noise	Stereo crosstalk
Samsung Galaxy Note 3	+0.02, -0.07	-96.5	92.8	0.0035	0.0099	-96.3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (headphones attached)	+0.01, -0.09	-96.2	92.7	0.017	0.017	-62.1

 
From gsmarena.com
 
First part is with external amp, so this is the important part in your case.
As far as tests go there is no better smartphone than Galaxy Note 3 in audio department. There are louder though.
I only have the E18 and I'm very satisfied.
But general opinion is that E12 as amp is slightly better.
 
Hope that'll help

Thanks for the info. Are you using the e18 as just an amp, or I guess I mean are you using USB OTG and how is that working if you are.

 

[awayeah]

I have HTC One - it has very similiar if not the same DAC but with built-in amp. So I didn't try E18 as amp. I can try though and give you some impressions. As DAC/Amp combo it works great. No problem with USB OTG whatsoever.

 

[fuzzychaos]

  I have HTC One - it has very similiar if not the same DAC but with built-in amp. So I didn't try E18 as amp. I can try though and give you some impressions. As DAC/Amp combo it works great. No problem with USB OTG whatsoever.

Sure, sounds good. Let me know your impressions.

 

[awayeah]

OK. I turned off the built-in amp in HTC One (I think...) and I listened to several tracks (one 24/96 and several 320kbit). I can tell you that those DACs are very similiar - differences are small. At first I thought that E18 DAC has better bass response but then on different track I liked bass better on Qualcomm DAC (keeping in mind that the differences were really really small). Same thing with highs. Mids are around the same. There is no hiss or distortions on any of them.
I used my most neutral IEMs with totally flat response (Musical Fidelity EB50).
Either way you should be satisfied.
I bought E18 because I also use it with my laptop. Price was marginally higher than E12 but given my situation usability was better.
If you planning on using it only with smartphone - probably E12 is going to be a better choice.

 

[fuzzychaos]

  OK. I turned off the built-in amp in HTC One (I think...) and I listened to several tracks (one 24/96 and several 320kbit). I can tell you that those DACs are very similiar - differences are small. At first I thought that E18 DAC has better bass response but then on different track I liked bass better on Qualcomm DAC (keeping in mind that the differences were really really small). Same thing with highs. Mids are around the same. There is no hiss or distortions on any of them.
I used my most neutral IEMs with totally flat response (Musical Fidelity EB50).
Either way you should be satisfied.
I bought E18 because I also use it with my laptop. Price was marginally higher than E12 but given my situation usability was better.
If you planning on using it only with smartphone - probably E12 is going to be a better choice.

Cool. Thanks for the update, I'll grab one of the e12's this weekend and give it a go.

 

[GavThomson]

HI All,
 
I have the E18 and the HTC One.  I've got the HTC One plugged into the E18 via the USB OTG and the E18 in Phone In mode, however it does not want to play flac files stored on my phone, mp3s are fine.   I've tried the stock player, Google Music and Media Monkey...all say unable to play this file.
 
On my laptop it works fine using media monkey.
 
Am I doing something wrong?
 
Thanks

 

[Solrighal]

Cool. Thanks for the update, I'll grab one of the e12's this weekend and give it a go.

I also have a Note 3 and am seriously considering ordering an E12 right now. Only thing that worries me is that my European Note 3 I supposed to have an inferior DAC. I should still hear an improvement though. Decisions, decisions.

 

[kdub]

I might be wrong on this but the E12 sound signature is more traditional Fiio that is more warmer and more laid back. The E18 is Fiio's new sound character being more transparent and neutral. I think this is the new direction as I've heard rumors E17K will be same sound characteristics. It all depends what you prefer. Me personally I like more neutral and transparent with no coloration as possible.

 

[StanD]

  HI All,
 
I have the E18 and the HTC One.  I've got the HTC One plugged into the E18 via the USB OTG and the E18 in Phone In mode, however it does not want to play flac files stored on my phone, mp3s are fine.   I've tried the stock player, Google Music and Media Monkey...all say unable to play this file.
 
On my laptop it works fine using media monkey.
 
Am I doing something wrong?
 
Thanks

Maybe you need an app on the phone that can play flac files. Like NeutronMP.
http://neutronmp.com/

 

[fuzzychaos]

I might be wrong on this but the E12 sound signature is more traditional Fiio that is more warmer and more laid back. The E18 is Fiio's new sound character being more transparent and neutral. I think this is the new direction as I've heard rumors E17K will be same sound characteristics. It all depends what you prefer. Me personally I like more neutral and transparent with no coloration as possible.

I'd like to hear the e18 aand the e17 side by side. So far my local place only has the e17, they did say they will likely get the e18 soon.

 

[kdub]

I'd like to hear the e18 aand the e17 side by side. So far my local place only has the e17, they did say they will likely get the e18 soon.

I bought the E07K first (similar sound to E17) but felt it was too warm sounding and not transparent for me. Lost the highs that were clearly in the song recordings. So E18 perfect alternative. What I really want is Cypher Labs Theorem 720 but it's $799 vs $160 so happy for price value.

 

[TsukiNick]

Anyone else getting problems with the usb connection to the FiiO E18? My phone will just duaconnect if the cable moves a bit

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[StanD]

Anyone else getting problems with the usb connection to the FiiO E18? My phone will just duaconnect if the cable moves a bit

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Maybe the OTG cable has a defective connector? Try another, didn't your E18 come with two such cables? It could also be the connector on the phone, hopefully not.

 

[wquiles]

I want to buy a Fiio E18.  Has the Fiio E18 been updated since it was launch?  If yes, how do I know if it is the latest?
 
Will