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Hey Envy if you don't mind, can you write up a short review on the e7or e9..not sure if it's the search function but I'm not finding much on either products. I know e9 has been released recently but havent found much of anything on the e7s.
Quick and dirty, here are my impressions.
E7 - Not a very powerful portable amp, but has a really good clean DAC and fantastic Bass Boost settings (which are more sound signature changing that just mere bass boosting). It works well with 32ohm Beyers, as well as the DT770 Pro 80. Don't expect it drive hard to drive headphones LOUDLY. In fact, while the amp sounds better on the E7, the E5 has very SLIGHTLY more volume... the E7 makes a better DAC/AMP than an amp alone. Bass Boost 1 is great on bright headphones, as it adds a hint of warmth with a subtle (and I mean subtle) boost in bass. The other 2 Bass Boost settings add a LOT more bass and makes it even warmer. The treble significantly rolls off with Bass Boost 2 and 3. If you're looking for a DAC, the E7 is splendid. As for portable amping, don't expect miracles. Since it's made to be a PORTABLE amp, I will say that this will work wonderfully on portable headphones that may need some extra juice. It's in a whole 'nother league from the E5. I'd skip the E5 and come straight to the E7 as far as portable amping goes. Besides the E7 pairs up real well to the E9, so if you're looking into the E9, you should NOT miss the E7 if you have no decent portable amp.
E9 - Here's the quick and dirty: POWERFUL. Relatively transparent, not adding or taking anything away from a headphone's innate sound signature. Very clear amping. It's essentially a power amp that is true to the original source in relation to the headphone you're using. So it you find a headphone lacking bass, it will still lack bass. If you find it too warm/bright, it will stay too warm/bright. There is NO coloration of the sound that most people will able to hear. If you want a great amp at a great price that can drive most of your toughest headphones, the E9 will do so. If you want to add or take away something to the sound, go with a tube amp, as the E9 is as true to the source as I can see any amp having without having to spend a LOT more money. What it WILL do is refine and tighten up the sound as it's driving the headphones I own with ample power. No matter if you use low or high gain, you will pretty much NEVER pass the 12 o' clock position on the volume pot. Let me say it again: If you are looking for an amp that fixes sound signature problems that you find on your headphones, the E9 is not it. Unless your headphones were very underdriven before, the E9 pretty much lets you hear what your headphone really sounds like at it's core, so that may help those who listened to their headphones off crappy soundcards or plugged directly into ipods and whatnot.
E7/E9 alone - A lot of people are looking for an amp and dac to pair up with their computers. For $200 or even less if you shop around, I don't think ANYONE who wants to stay true to the original source in relation with the headphones they own will be anything less than ecstatic about this powerful, yet affordable amp/dac combo. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
9/10 based on price, performance, and staying true to my headphones. I was looking for an amp that wouldn't change the way my headphones sounded, but would drive them with ample power. The E9 is exactly what I hoped for.
Those are my opinions, so take it however you want... I'm not the final word when it comes to amp/dac properties, but I have heard other impressions of people who have owned amps worth over $600, and they say the E9 is just as good as them if you want transparency.
As usual YMMV, as we all hear differently. OP said it adds a bit of warmth. I initially found it adding just a touch of brightness. Now it just sounds fairly neutral post-burn in (about 100+ hours so far)
