Android Music Combination: Samsung Galaxy S5 + 128GB MicroSD + PowerAmp Pro + iSyncr + FIIO E18 (+ Pioneer DJE-2000 in-ears)
Jun 23, 2014 at 3:57 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 9

CasperBxl

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Hi all,
 
(I'm not an audiophile but I'm looking to build up ....)  
Kit, so you know where I come from:
   Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro 250 Ohm
   AKG K551 38 Ohm
   Pioneer DJE-2000 in-ear's
 
   iPod Classic 160GB
 
   FIIO E18 Amp/DAC for Android, PC and Mac (in combination with Samsung Galaxy 5S) + 30pin L-Cable for my iPod
   (I use the FIIO E18 as USB OTG DAC + Amp on the Samsung S5)
 
   In my PC, ASUS Xonar Xence (can drive up to 600 Ohm without problem)
   Logitec Z5500 Speakers via SPDIF
 
 
We all know about the iDevice music scene, for Android we get a bit less news I have the impression.
Hence my write-up ...
 
My Android Setup, in detail:
         - Samsung Galaxy S5
         - 128 GB microSD
         - FIIO E18 (via USB OTG, DAC + AMP)
         - PowerAmp Pro app for listening
         - iSyncr (bought full version), this has a PC and Android part/module.
         - iTunes + other + Loss-less CD conversions + FLAC Downloads
 
  The FIIO E18 in different combinations:
Great device, bought through Amazon.
 
Use with Galaxy S5:
I attached the E18 to my Galaxy using Velcro. I tried the rubber bands, but they hinder the usage of the large screen.
The Velcro also allows me the quickly put together my small stack and disassemble it when needed.
The E18 is connected with the USB OTG cables that came with the device (2 cables in the package).
 
I find the sound very clear, no parasites from the phone.
A very neutral sound, and very nice amp. The E18 drivers all my headsets with pleasure, from the 250 Ohm Beyerdynamic to the 38 Ohm AKG K551.
 
The E18 has a great battery life. Not once i had to recharge during the day. Easily runs for 2 or even 3 working days for me.
Aside from being a nice compact Amp/DAC I can also use the E18 to recharge my Samsung should the need arise.
 
For playback I use PowerAmp Pro (payed version, 2.99€),
This is a great software, easy navigation and features, many, many skins for the people that like that. (I got a nice "metal" skin, simple and clean)
It scans through my 3000 songs in a few seconds, so no hassle. Album art etc are nicely presented.
 
The EQ allows for tuning to your own taste, it allows for small changes and tuning to the headset, music or your personal liking.
There are also quite a number of preset EQ settings, something i found usefull to quick-check results and for testing settings, a reset button brings it all back.
Or, with the EQ on/off button, leave the settings but disable/enable the EQ.
Once tuned as you prefer the EQ profiles can be saved for later reuse and you can create a EQ for every headset/situation.
It is also possible to save the EQ settings to a specific album/song should you wish that.
 
To sync to music to my Samsung I use iSyncr (payed version, 3.99€),
This software is of high quality, easy to use. It has a PC module and a module for your device.
You can synch over USB and/or over WIFI (and your internal LAN, it finds your PC).
iSyncr can sync the music, playlists, broadcasts, podcats etc from your iTunes lib and from other locations.
You can even sync more then 1 itunes store ... sometimes handy.
iSyncr can sync on a schedule (like every 1 hour) or on manual command.
 
Stream to Media Devices, I use BubbleUPNP (payed version, 3.49€),
This software allows me to stream to any media device over WIFI. I have a LG Media player that is UPNP and that is connected to my HiFi chain.
Simply select the source, that can be the phone itself, my NAS, my PC with FooBar 2000;
Then set the destination, again my phone, or PC or the LG Media player.
The volume rocker on the phone then controls the volume of the destination player.
 
Total cost for all this great software: 3.49€ + 3.99€ + 2.99€ .... all bases covered for 10.47€!!
 
 
Use with Laptop:
Here again I can listen to all my music in top quality, using any of my headsets.
Same device, same simple installation, plug in to a USB port and I have a high quality DAC and Amp.
On the PC and on my laptop I use the Foobar 2000 software (+ installed ASIO driver).
I can use the same Velcro to stick the E18 to the back of my laptop screen.
 
Use with my iPod Classic:
Using the FIIO 30pin L-Cable I can use the E18 as AMP for my iPod.
Combining the stack ... you guested it ... using the Velcro!!   :)
 
 
To close off ... The new Pioneer DJE-2000 in-ear headphones;
Today, June 23 2014; I just picked-up a pair of DJE-2000's (they are 30 Ohm).
  Why did I pick-up these ... because they where the only nice, high quality and high-end in-ear phones they had in the shop.
(I thought of purchasing the Shure SE535, but no shop had them ... maybe I'll get them later .... any input on that?)
 
Construction:
Well build, solid. The drivers are a bit big for my ears, on the left side the housing touches my ear (when worn over the ear).
(after 30min ... i changed to waring them to simply down .... that was more comfortable for me)
 
The right driver is colored a strong red. I can imagine that this is for bad light conditions (seen directed at DJ's).
 
The cable is of great quality. Braided material. Soft and very flexible.
There is also a hold-back sliding block on the cable to secure it behind your head (over-ear), or avoid cable mess.
Also, no feedback at all when you move the cable, even when vigorously hitting, tapping the cable.
The cable is detachable.
 
 
Contents of packaging:
Clean and nicely make packaging. Easy to open without ripping paper of whatever.
 
- 6mm Jack converter with threading.
- Number of silicon and foam tips (3 of each) in a little plastic bag ... so they are all deformed when you take them out.
  The foam tipped ones have small filters in them.
- Small brush for cleaning.
- Hard carrying case in rubberized / fake leather material, closed with a zipper. Case feels very solid, about the size of a hand palm (without the fingers).
 
 
Sound for the DJE-2000's:
As I'm looking for a correct and 'perfect' sound these have to much bass, the highs are a bit muted.
I use them in combination with my S5 + PowerAmp Pro + E18, I used the EQ in PowerAmp to tune out the heavy bass.
Tuned 31, 62, 125 Hz lower, 4K, 8K, 16K higher ... that makes them almost flat (i think, also seen the graph posted above).
 
Once tuned in, i found it is very nice sound, even great! Very Detailed.
You can hear vibrations in detail (ex with cello, alt violin), you can hear the striker landing on the strings.
On a bit of volume Hilary Hahn sounded out of this world... fantastic.
The stronger, punchy bass makes that you can listen at low volumes and not miss the lows.
 
They require a bit of push to get them loud (I have them on High Gain on the FIIO E18).
I don't know if a regular phone would get enough volume for all users.
 
 
Music used to listen and evaluate:
Anne Bisson; Blue Mind
Passenger; All the little lights
Simon & Garfunkel; Greatest Hits
Piano Guys; Hits Vol. 1
 
Red Army Choir; Russian Favorites
 
Vivaldi; Le Quattro Stagioni (Claudio Abbado)
Keith Jarrett; The Köln Concert
Hilary Hahn; Bach Partitas for Solo Violin
Alf Linder; Cantate Domino (from propius)
 
Armin Van Buuren; A State of Trance 2014
Milk Inc; The Best Of
 
 
That is all ...
(if you have feedback, also on the Shure SE535 or other suggestions for a good in-ear pair .... please let me know)

 
Dec 18, 2014 at 11:45 AM Post #3 of 9
  Hello,
 
Please, post more details about your Velcro and Stack... Is home made?

 
More details .... hmm ... what would you like to know?
 
Velcro is a material to stick thing together.
http://www.amazon.com/Velcro-Brand-Industrial-Strength-Inches/dp/B00006IC2T
 
A "Stack" is a pile (one on top of the other) of different pieces of equipment that you assemble or interconnect to make 1 function, a media playing set of devices in this case.
 
So i put velcro on the back of my Galaxy S5 and on my FIIO E18, to stick them together.
No rubber bands and stuff. Easy to stick together and get off again.
 
In the mean time, I went quite over board ... even if just for fun and go crazy.
 
1 stack, all suck together with velkro    :)
      - Samsung Galaxy S5
      - FIIO E18
      - 1TB SSD portable
      - Battery powered USB HUB
 
 
That give me a "portable" 1TB Music player that plays 192khz/24bit with a Super AMOLED screen and 10 hours of battery life.
 
 
If you have questions, please let me know.
 
Super Greetings,
 
CasperBxl
 
Dec 18, 2014 at 5:55 PM Post #4 of 9
exactly this kind of detail... the Velcro leaves some Glue residue if removed from the e18?

Thanks!
 
Dec 19, 2014 at 12:43 AM Post #5 of 9
exactly this kind of detail... the Velcro leaves some Glue residue if removed from the e18?

Thanks!

 
Yes it does, but it is soft residu, so you can "gum" it off with your thumb or a eraser (like at the end of a pensil).
 
 
 
Greetings,
 
CasperBxl
 
Dec 19, 2014 at 1:27 PM Post #7 of 9
Does PowerAmp play full rez via the USB?  I thought it and everything but USB Audio Player Pro down/up converts to 48k?
 
Dec 19, 2014 at 6:14 PM Post #8 of 9
  Does PowerAmp play full rez via the USB?  I thought it and everything but USB Audio Player Pro down/up converts to 48k?

 
No, it plays full res with poweramp.
 
USB Audio player is mostly used for devices that do not natively support USB Audio very well.
It is a work around.
 
PowerAmp sees the DAC just fine.
Thing to mind ... if poweramp is running and you plus in the DAC/AMP it will not see it (or any other device or program).
Simply close the player software, stop and start software again and you ll be fine.
 
Feb 3, 2016 at 5:46 AM Post #9 of 9
   
More details .... hmm ... what would you like to know?
 
Velcro is a material to stick thing together.
http://www.amazon.com/Velcro-Brand-Industrial-Strength-Inches/dp/B00006IC2T
 
A "Stack" is a pile (one on top of the other) of different pieces of equipment that you assemble or interconnect to make 1 function, a media playing set of devices in this case.
 
So i put velcro on the back of my Galaxy S5 and on my FIIO E18, to stick them together.
No rubber bands and stuff. Easy to stick together and get off again.
 
In the mean time, I went quite over board ... even if just for fun and go crazy.
 
1 stack, all suck together with velkro    :)
      - Samsung Galaxy S5
      - FIIO E18
      - 1TB SSD portable
      - Battery powered USB HUB
 
 
That give me a "portable" 1TB Music player that plays 192khz/24bit with a Super AMOLED screen and 10 hours of battery life.
 
 
If you have questions, please let me know.
 
Super Greetings,
 
CasperBxl

 
My Galaxy S5 is with version 4.4.2, will the e18 work with this version ?
 

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