[Packdemon]

I don't have any AUX outputs on my laptop, so I wanted to just connect my FiiO E09K through USB. It's not working. Do I need to download drivers, or to have to purchase the E07K/E17 DAC to be able to connect through USB? Everyplace I looked online didn't give me any good/clear information about it. Help?

 

[BelialSeraph]

Yes you'll need either the E07K or the E17 for you to be able to use the E09K via USB; It's basically a dock for the FiiO DACs. You can get a 3.5mm to RCA cable for laptop's headphone out -> E09K, but I don't know if it'll sound good though (I don't like my headphone out much).
 
The E09K is only an amplifier so it can't amplify the digital data sent through USB

 

[PleasantSounds]

  Yes you'll need either the E07K or the E17 for you to be able to use the E09K via USB; It's basically a dock for the FiiO DACs. You can get a 3.5mm to RCA cable for laptop's headphone out -> E09K, but I don't know if it'll sound good though (I don't like my headphone out much).
 
The E09K is only an amplifier so it can't amplify the digital data sent through USB

 
Looks like you were thinking one thing and wrote the other: E09K does have an amp, but it doesn't have a DAC. The USB connector is just a port replicator for the plug-in DACs.
 
I'd second the recommendation to try the 3.5mm to RCA cable first, but most likely a DAC will make a real difference.

 

[BelialSeraph]

   
Looks like you were thinking one thing and wrote the other: E09K does have an amp, but it doesn't have a DAC. The USB connector is just a port replicator for the plug-in DACs.
 
I'd second the recommendation to try the 3.5mm to RCA cable first, but most likely a DAC will make a real difference.

Yeah I wasn't exactly thinking straight when I typed that haha
 
@OP: So try out the RCA thing first if you can find/have a cheap cable, but if you decide to purchase a DAC purely to pair with it, go for the E07K as it would sound exactly the same as the E17 when docked

 

[Packdemon]

Could I also connect a DAC through the AUX? I didn't like the E07K/E17s. Would this work: http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-SD-192-pro-Upgrade-Version/dp/B00KL3S9UY ?

 

[BelialSeraph]

  Could I also connect a DAC through the AUX? I didn't like the E07K/E17s. Would this work: http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-SD-192-pro-Upgrade-Version/dp/B00KL3S9UY ?

Yes that would work. You can connect that DAC to the E09K via aux easily, but that DAC doesn't have USB input so you'd have to use a usb to coax adapter for your laptop

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Could I also connect a DAC through the AUX? I didn't like the E07K/E17s. Would this work: http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-SD-192-pro-Upgrade-Version/dp/B00KL3S9UY ?

 
That would work if your computer has a S/PDIF (optical or coaxial) output.
There is also the FiiO D03K optical/coaxial DAC ($30) and FiiO D5 USB DAC ($30)

 

[Packdemon]

So, if I buy an optical or coaxial to usb adapter I can just use that, right? I mean I can connect my amp to my dac through aux, then connect the dac to my laptop with the optical (or coaxil) usb adapter, right?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I have an optical to usb adapter, it came with the E09K. So, I can just use that right?

nope, optical to USB adapter will not work for what you need.
You need a DAC with an analog output that will connect to the analog input (RCA) on the E09K.

 

[Packdemon]

  nope, optical to USB adapter will not work for what you need.
You need a DAC with an analog output that will connect to the analog input (RCA) on the E09K.

So that's how to connect a DAC to the E09K, but then how do I connect the DAC to my laptop?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  So that's how to connect a DAC to the E09K, but then how do I connect the DAC to my laptop?

 
Use whichever digital output your laptop has, USB or optical or coaxial, to connect to a DAC,
then connect the DACs analog output (3.5mm or RCA) to the analog input (RCA) on the E09K.
I'm I making sense?
 
The FiiO D3 and D5 are low cost DAC (around $30)
 
He is a very decent DAC (ELE EL-D01) for $14.95
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290908894610?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
Here is a very decent DAC that also has a headphone amplifier (ELE EL-D02), $18.99.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261217969183?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
Here is one sold in the USA (Illinois) for $9.81
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111481508028?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[Packdemon]

   
Use whichever digital output your laptop has, USB or optical or coaxial, to connect to a DAC,
then connect the DACs analog output (3.5mm or RCA) to the analog input (RCA) on the E09K.
I'm I making sense?
 
The FiiO D3 and D5 are low cost DAC (around $30)
 
He is a very decent DAC (ELE EL-D01) for $14.95
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290908894610?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
Here is a very decent DAC that also has a headphone amplifier (ELE EL-D02), $18.99.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261217969183?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
Here is one sold in the USA (Illinois) for $9.81
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111481508028?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

You're making sense, and you've been a big help so far. My laptop has USB (doesn't have optical or coaxial). What I'm really asking is I plug-in my laptop through USB, but those DACs that you recommended don't have USB. So I would need a cable that connects USB to coaxial or optical, right? I'm not good with this, so thank you for being patient with me thus far.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  You're making sense, and you've been a big help so far. My laptop has USB (doesn't have optical or coaxial). What I'm really asking is I plug-in my laptop through USB, but those DACs that you recommended don't have USB. So I would need a cable that connects USB to coaxial or optical, right? I'm not good with this, so thank you for being patient with me thus far.

 
Just order the ELE EL-D01, $15, it's just a very basic USB DAC.
You can order the cable USB cable (USB A to B connectors) from Amazon or eBay.

 

[Packdemon]

   
Just order the ELE EL-D01, $15, it's just a very basic USB DAC.
You can order the cable USB cable (USB A to B connectors) from Amazon or eBay.

Thanks! That's perfect!

 

[Splungeworthy]

Reviving this ancient thread because I have a question that relates to this topic (quite the noob question): I have an E10K-can I use that as a DAC, and hook it up to the E09K so I can use that as an amp? I'm assuming going from analog line out from E10K, using a 3.5mm male to stereo rca male splitter into the line in rca's on the E09K. The E10K obviously hooks to my computer via USB. I'm on somewhat of a budget and do not want to get the E17K to dock with the E09K-I just need an amp with some more oomph and the E09K supplies that.  Or should I look elsewhere for an amp? The E09K seems like such a good buy for the money.