FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier

Introduction

Today, I wanted to analyze and write my thoughts on one of my first non-headphone acquisitions when I entered this niche. The FiiO E10K is a headphone DAC/AMP that the brand has been producing since 2019 and has recently updated to the new E10K-TC version, which maintains a price of $75.99 USD / $50,000 Argentine pesos.

Since this little device has brought me so much joy, I wanted to share my opinion about it with you.

Video Review here
Previous Reviews here
If you wish to read this review in Spanish click here


Disclaimers:

• This product was purchased with my own money
• Review based in 2-4hs listening sessions each day across 6 days
• I’m a low level listener, take it into account for the analysis in the “Power” segment
• All music is lossless (Qobuz > 16bit - 44.1kHz)

Unboxing, Build & Accessories

This is the smallest and cheapest desktop DAC/AMP offered by FiiO, and despite that, it comes in packaging of considerable size with the device excellently protected by a mold made of a material resembling rubber. The mold is firm but soft to the touch when squeezed with the fingers. In a box beside it, we find the Micro-USB to USB-A cable and 6 rubber "feet".




Obviously, I will focus on the main aspect, which is the construction of the E10K. When one buys a budget audio product, it is generally assumed that the brand had to cut costs somewhere, and unfortunately, construction is often an area of interest for making products more affordable. However, with the E10K, it is the opposite. It features a fully aluminum casing. Yes, the volume wheel and switches (bass boost and gain) are made of plastic, but that does not detract from the exceptional craftsmanship for a product considered entry-level.



On the front, we have the knob/dial with markings to indicate if it's turned off ("OFF"), along with an indicator that lights up in blue when it's turned on. It also has numbers from 1 to 8 to indicate the volume level. There is a 3.5mm input for connecting headphones, as well as a "bass" switch that allows for an increase in bass gain, which I'll discuss later.



On the back, there are three ports: the power input for the E10K, which can be used with the provided Micro-USB cable to transmit the signal to the connected computer, a coaxial input that can be used to "convert" signals from other DACs or to connect external amplifiers, and the same applies to the Line Out. Additionally, the back panel features the gain switch with two modes: L (Low) and H (High). It's quite self-explanatory, with L being intended for headphones with higher sensitivity and lower impedance, while H is used for more demanding headphones.

Perhaps the least remarkable are the accessories, with the cable being a generic one but with an adequate length (1 meter), at least in my case. The rubber "feet" may seem irrelevant to many, but they came in handy for surfaces where the aluminum could scratch or easily slide if the headphone cable was pulled.



Specifications

Small but powerful, delivering 200mW at 32 ohms, the FiiO E10K is capable of bringing any type of headphones with a normal impedance/sensitivity ratio to life, and even handling more demanding ones. FiiO recommends headphones with an impedance of 16 to 150 ohms.

Having mentioned its size (specific dimensions: 79mm x 49.1mm x 21mm, weight: 78g), portability is limited as it cannot be powered through smartphones (although some users may find ways to use it with a portable battery). It also features a USB resolution of up to 24-bit/96kHz and can be used both as a DAC/AMP or solely as a DAC thanks to its Line Out input.



Functionality & Performance

Power

As mentioned earlier, I am someone who listens at relatively low volume levels compared to most people. Therefore, with the gain set to L and the volume at maximum 3 (with Windows volume at 100% and my media player at 50% volume), it is already sufficient for me.

The volume and sound output of this FiiO device are impressive to me because, at the price point I acquired it used some time ago, I haven't had headphones that have pushed it to its limits. For this review, I decided to test the E10K with three different headphones, each with different impedance, sensitivity, and drivers:



Firstly, I tested them with the 7HZ Salnotes Zero, which have an impedance of 32 ohms and a sensitivity of 108dB/V @ 1kHz, along with a 10mm dynamic driver. These specifications make the Zero similar to other IEMs on the market considered "easy to drive," as they can be adequately powered by just a smartphone's headphone jack, producing an acceptable (and even loud) volume level. Due to this, the FiiO DAC/AMP had no trouble providing power to them, and in my personal usage, I find myself using them at volume levels 1-2, depending on the genre and whether the album was recorded in a studio or is a live performance.



Next, the testing continued with two considerably more demanding headphones. To start, I tried the new KZ PR2, IEMs that have garnered a lot of attention because they require a source that can provide them with ample power to shine. Their specifications are as follows: impedance of 15 ohms and sensitivity of 94dB/mW @ 1kHz, featuring a 13.2mm planar magnetic driver. The impedance/sensitivity ratio in this case can be deceptive, as it may seem that they are not much more difficult to drive compared to the Zero, but that's not the case. With studio-recorded albums like Megadeth's "The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!" and Calvin Harris' "Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2," I found myself hovering around the 2 mark, occasionally surpassing it. However, with live albums like Iron Maiden's "Live After Death" or orchestral performances like Schubert's "Symphonies Nos. 8 "Unfinished" & 9 "The Great"" performed by the Gewandhaus Leipzig Orchestra, I found it necessary to increase the volume to 3 or higher to precisely discern instruments that were positioned further back in the ensemble, such as double basses and cellos.



Then, as the "final boss", I evaluated how well the Hifiman HE400SE (Stealth Magnet version) performed. These headphones have an impedance of 25 ohms and a sensitivity of 91dB, featuring a 10cm diameter planar magnetic driver. This pair is the only one that might warrant using the E10K's High gain setting, as they require a significant amount of power to unleash their full potential. In my experience, using them with the Low gain setting, I consistently find myself surpassing the volume level 3 mark in practically any situation (watching videos/listening to music), and during live performances, I often need to go beyond 4. However, with the High gain setting, I don't need to venture far from the volume level 2 mark.



Sound Profile

The FiiO DAC/AMP offers a sterile sound transmission, in the best sense of the term, allowing you to hear the particular sound signature of your connected headphones without coloring or altering it, remaining true to headphone’s tuning.



Soundstage and Details

Clearly, the E10K is an upgrade in terms of soundstage and detail reproduction compared to cheaper dongles. This device provides a wide soundstage to the listener's ears, along with improved localization and separation of vocals and instruments, thanks to its LMH6643 op-amp.



A simple comparison with the TempoTec Sonata HD PRO showed me during Adele's "Miss You" that the E10K generates a wider soundstage (both in width and slightly in depth), making this song less intimate compared to the dongle. Additionally, small details during the chorus, such as tambourines and faint bell-like sounds in the background, are better perceived by the FiiO device.

When compared to more powerful amplifiers like the iFi ZEN CAN, the E10K falls slightly behind in terms of details and dynamics. However, it's important to consider that the E10K serves a dual function, while the iFi device is solely dedicated to amplification.



Noise floor & Latency

One word: nonexistent. The implemented DAC (PCM-5102) in the E10K helps keep annoying noise to a minimum. When connected to my PC, I have experienced no noticeable background noise with any headphones, and this holds true for both music and gaming.

Speaking of gaming, several users have asked me about sound transmission and whether there is any additional latency when using a device like this. The answer is absolutely not. When playing competitive games like Apex Legends, I have not encountered any audio delay compared to headphones connected directly to the PC. In fact, thanks to the E10K's negligible latency, you will also benefit from its ability to eliminate any unwanted signal interference in the audio, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the sounds of the game.



Bass Boost


Credits: https://www.fiio.com/e10k_parameters

As the name suggests, the Bass Boost switch allows you to elevate the level of bass in the connected headphones. It works surprisingly well and can be useful for "enhancing" headphones that may be lacking in that frequency range. For example, the HZSound Heart Mirror IEMs greatly benefited from this function, as it enhanced their bass, which I found to be lacking impact by default.



Conclusion

The FiiO E10K DAC/AMP is a legendary product that continues to generate sales for the company, as it satisfies most basic needs for individuals looking to enter the audio world. However, a strong competitor has recently entered the scene: the iFi Uno. Due to the presence of the iFi Uno, which is approximately $10 USD cheaper in my country at the moment (E10K-TC $100 USD vs iFi Uno $90 USD, approximate prices in Argentina), my recommendation for an affordable DAC/AMP would lean towards the iFi option, which even offers slightly more power according to the specifications on their website.

On the other hand, the previous version of the E10K can be found at a very affordable price if you choose to purchase used equipment. In my case, I paid around $45 USD (15,000 Argentine pesos at that time), and at that price, it’s a no-brainer.

This is the only DAC that I have owned at this point and I am currently looking to purchases something a little bit better in quality after buying a pair of Sennheiser HD 600.  For my liking the Fiio gets plenty loud and still sounds pretty darn decent but I have an itch to listen to tubes and to see if I can get more mileage out of my newest cans.  I'd recommend this little DAC product to anybody just getting introduced to headphones.  It's a well built product with enough features to keep one happy for a lengthy period of time and it offers the versatility to take it along on the road when traveling.  It even fits neatly inside the nice nylon utility pouches that came inside a couple of my hard headphone cases.  On top of all this, it doesn't cost an arm & a leg to get started in listening to music on headphones.

If you want more or less decent AMP and DAC for you headphones for under $100 or ever $80 you have quite few choices. Your options probably are SMSL SD793-II, SMSL M2 and Fiio E10k. Maybe few more. They are mostly the same. So somehow I ended up buying E10k, positioned as an upgrade for its quite successful predecessor E10. It came to me in order to replace Creative SoundBlaster E1.
 
Sound
 
Just like the competion Fiio's E10k sounds not bad for it's price point. Company's migration toward Texas Instruments hardware did it's job. I never heard original E10 but all reviews telling the same thing: E10k a huge step forward. While listening mainly to 16/44.1 instrumental music I had impression of some kind of stage, I heard decent separation and pretty sterile picture overall. Even though I listened for the same material I did with E1 the difference is titanic.
The problem is that some review pointing out that DAC in E10k is pretty good but what makes this device sound worse than it could is amp. After reading such thing I realized that device indeed sounds a bit dark and narrow. I can't call it bright by any mean. It's not that it's bad or something. It's just dark and sterile if you know what I mean.
Device drives my 80 Ohm headphones with half of volume in low gain mode, so I'm pretty sure you can drive 250 Ohms models with now problem, although manufacturer is recommending maximum headphones impedance equal to 150 Ohms.
 
Design
 
I couldn't find a single flaw. Device has a solid build with metal connectors and Japanese ALPS potentiometer as a volume knob. Beautiful blue led light near know indicates power and gorgeous brushed metal texture allover the surface makes this piece of hardware look a bit beyond its price.
 
Verdict
 
It's nothing special. It's just decently sounding product in rock solid housing. One of a few having amp and DAC under $100. It can drive your entry level Hi-Fi or studio headphones with no ******** and show you that somewhere over there starts a realm of her majesty sound quality.

for the price is good but if you want to have that premier sound qualtiy of studio you need a dac of 300 dolllar +

When i first listened them, i surprised how they improved the sound quality. I was thinking that i wasnt going to see a big difference compared to my notebooks sound quality at first (considering the price) but they blow my mind away. After using my notebooks sound out, this is something like miracle in terms of sound quality. Bass boost comes handy if you are listening electronic music. And i liked the volume control located in front of the device. In terms of build, i accidentally dropped them from my desk 3-4 times and nothing happened. It is looking like durable too, though i cant say that to usb out, usb cable, boost and gain switches. In terms of amplifying they are good with under 100 Ohm headphones. You can buy it if you are new into audio or you want a little thing to travel with your notebook.

I'm not a guy with a lot of DACs and amps that cost thousands of dollars.  I bought this because the headphone jack on my wife's laptop was crapping out. I like Fiio's stuff because for the price, they sound great, and usually have a bass boost switch that puts just enough extra kick in the lower end without going too far.  For listening I like a little extra kick in the lower end.  I use a flat sound for mixing and making music, but not for casual listening, (unless it's classical or something like that.)  This thing kills IMO.  It was a real eye opener when I plugged this in and realized how bad my laptop sounded. I use focusrite interfaces for my DAW, but you expect that stuff to sound good. It's no surprise my laptop doesn't sound like pro audio gear and I didn't expect it to. But I never tried a DAC on my laptop because I didn't realize just how bad the on board audio was compared to even a cheap DAC like this.  This was a HUGE improvement. If you like a little extra bass, but not over the top or out of balance with the rest of the music, Fiio hits the spot.  AKG's sounding a little bass light for casual listening?  This will help cure that.  It'll make ATH-M50x sound spectacular!  If you want a totally flat sound, lots of other options out there, but if you like Fiio's idea of bass boost (perfect for my taste) this is a total no brainer.  This is $75 people.  Don't talk to me about how your $1000 rig sounds better.  For less than $100 this absolutely kills.  Stomps the sh!t out of "Realtek High Definition Audio." Ugg. 

considerably better audio than macbook late 2009
 
better audio than my macbook late 2009 and iphone 3gs
 
isn’t portable. not that it would work on my iphone 3gs but anyway, would be looking to upgrade to a better sounding dac
 
here i try to review this dac. my comparison for this review is macbook late 2009, so i can only compare it to that computer. and iphone 3gs iphone.
 
build quality
now for build quality, it is made of aluminium, brushed aluminium. very strong cause made of aluminium.
the cable build quality is fine with me. people complained that it’s not good. for me i don’t complain. it’s kind of stiff micro usb to usb cable, with no particular strain relieve but cause cable is stiff it acts like a cable aliviator. some cable memory.
the bass and low high gain switches seem to be made of plastic. possibly may break because it’s made from plastic.
the volume wheel is smooth, and clicks for the switch off. and easy to turn, and easy to adjust volume precicely cause it has kind of long go and gapless volume adjustment which is good. nice blue light.
 
features
it has some coaxial out and line out at the back, which i am not using but i’ve seen some people use it to bypass internal amplifier to send e10k dac signal to external amplifier.
its actually a smallish device and doesn’t weigh much. you can easily think of it as a remote for your headphones which it kinda is with the volume wheel. and it makes headphones look like a usb headphones.
 
packaging
packaging is fine, there is nothing bad about it, simple basic packaging.
 
sound
i’ve been switching back and forth between macbook and e10k and i came to conclusion that macbook sounds a bit muffled compared to e10k fiio. and yes macbook is much more muffled to e10k. although if one would compare to new macbooks the difference might not be as apparent or any difference. i don’t know cause you need direct comparison between two.
and iphone 3gs sounds worse than macbook late 2009 so for me fiio e10k is an upgrade. for you it might not be if you have a newer macbook/computer.
 
bass
i find bass does adds bass but i think it kind of reduces the clarity in the bass at the same time.
 
pop
people have said and asked if this dac makes pops when switching songs like it did on e10, it does not. however it does make pops when you switch on the dac using the volume dial. which does not bother me cause i rarely use it, mostly i remove usb cable. and when i do use the volume weel to switch it on i don't have my headphones on. cause it mans i switch it on to use it. thanks
 
there is nothing else to say about this dac. i have no other dacs to compare it to except for how my iphone 3gs and macbook late 2009 plays. none the less audio is better and more detailed with e10k fiio in comparison to above devices. hope that helps.
 
i also did unboxing and review of it on youtube if you want to watch that. links are below.
 
Fiio e10k review part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_wLzOsVRMQ
Fiio e10k review part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUWV1W_ft1M

After returning the X3 I sat down at the dealer to compare this device to the E17. I was looking for something to improve the atrocious sound that comes out of the Realtek chip in my Dell laptop. I use a Beyerdynamic DT770 250 ohm and my frame of reference is my rockboxed clip+. When comparing it to the E17 I had the impression that it had a problem somewhere.
 
Packaging and first impression
The E10k comes in a rather flat cardboard package that slides open easily. Inside you find the E10k lodged in a piece of foam and a small box that contains the USB cable and 4 rubber feet that you can stick under the device. Also included is a pamphlet in several languages that describe the DAC. 
The DAC itself is a black aluminum box smaller than a pack of cigarettes. Because it's all metal it feels like quality in your hand. The supplied micro USB cable feels considerably less solid. It's short, very thin and my particular one didn't even work properly.
 
Setting it up
I connected the device to my Windows 7 laptop and was immediately rewarded with a blue light on the front. Windows installed the drivers is seconds. Out of curiosity I also installed the Fiio driver package later but didn't really notice any difference in the sound. It does allow you to fine tine some settings.
On the front is the 3.5mm headphone jack and a big knob to adjust the sound volume and a bass boost switch. On the back you'll find a coax and a 3.5mm line out as well as a gain switch.
 
Listening to it
I fired up Foobar2000 and selected the E10k as the output device and started some listening. Frank Sinatra's Sinatra at the Sands. This is a live recording from 1966 that has been beautifully remastered. Frank's vocals are wonderfully clear and detailed. The sound stage is reasonably wide, certainly wider than the Clip's. There's good detail in it, on multiple tracks you can hear plate noises from far back in the audience. Time for Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" and I'm really enjoying the vibration of the bass' body in the intro. Diana Krall's live in Paris and I'm noticing not a huge difference with the Clip. It's wonderfully clear, the instrument separation is fine as are the vocals. It does benefit from the wider soundstage. Time for some Valkyries then. Gergiev this time. Even though this is not my favorite recording the technical quality is super on this. Here the E10k clearly outclasses the clip. During the rowdier parts of the opera the instrument separation is far better than the clip. Moving on to Everything but the Girl, "low tide of the night". Even though this track like the rest of the album lacks dynamic range it's an interesting one because of the combination of the very deep bass in the intro and a high synthesized whistle. Out of curiosity I flip on the bass switch to see what it does and it almost hurts. It doesn't distort but it gets really intense. All in all I really enjoy the sound of this. It's not fiendishly neutral, there's a bit of warmth to it and it sounds musical. It never gives the impression of doing any significant alterations to the sound.
 
Some thoughts
When I picked this device I also listened to the E17 which sounds almost the same but I had the impression that that unit had an issue somewhere, on really quiet music there was a very faint background hiss which is totally absent on the E10k. That and the price difference where the main drivers for me to pick this one over the much nicer looking E17
I think this product needs to be viewed in context. Is it the end all of DACs? No of course not, not at that price point! It's competing with the recent Sound Blaster offering as well as Fiio's own E07 and a range of other more niche products. I'm sure many people are also going to be horrified at me using this with a 250 ohm set of cans but these I just happen to own and like. I've found that the E10k packs more than enough power for me to listen to them comfortably. Unlike the Clip which I always have pretty much on max volume this has room to give. I've set the output on the PC to max and got the DAC's volume  at 4 out of the 0-8 range. What I also like is the portability of this little device. Even though it's marketed as a desktop product the fact that it's small and takes power from the USB port makes it portable enough to use with a laptop.
 
Final verdict
If you're just starting out in the world of DAC and AMPS and all that then you could do worse than pick this up. For a very decent price you get a simple device that will boost listening to music on your PC from background noise to actually enjoyable. There's nothing to configure, no settings to work out, no battery to worry about, just connect it and go! However if you are looking for something that you can also use to boost the performance of a portable device then an E07 or E17 is probably a better choice. I can also see applications for this little gadget in the living room. Hook it up to an old PC or even a raspberry pi, get RuneAudio and connect it to your home system?