Thanks for all your responses. I think that the X220's sound quality is not at all improved by the E17 and I'm returning it. My next employer (I don't own the X220 and I'm switching jobs) uses Apple "Macbook Air" laptops. I hope that that device also has a decent DAC. I don't use Windows. I...

Thanks for your reply Thommohawk.   I received the E17 today. I have played with it for quite a few hours now. I don't own any game console. I've also tested the E17 on a Sony NWZ-E443 music player and I cannot discern any difference using the CX870's directly in the device versus through...

After careful reading of numerous reviews, I decided that a good way to improve my music listening experience on my Lenovo X220 laptop was using a Fiio E19 DAC. I use Sennheiser CX870 in-ear earphones and I have an AKG K172HD lying around that I don't use as I own nothing to drive it properly...