[marcookie]

Hi everybody,
I found more than one person satisfied with the general Fiio-AKG K601/K701 combo, mainly becouse this king of dac/amp add that bit of warmth to AKG analytical headphones. 
 
I've just order a pair of K601, and... which is the best Fiio in you opinion? I'd listen to music from my Samsung Galaxy S3, that has a quite nice DAC itself, and may only need amplification (in my ears, it sound slightly better that any Apple device). But I'd also like to add a good portable DAC to my PC if possible.
I chose the Fiio brand because others are often very difficult to purchase from Italy, due to extremely high cutom taxes (30% of the item value more or less + weeks of waiting for custom absurd processes).
 
-E17 + eventually E9 amplifier? (maybe better performance, less portability, around 100+100€)
-Or E11 amp + E10 DAC/AMP for the PC? (more portability, around 60+60€)
-Another choice could be Topping D1-MKII (70€).
-Or maybe do you suggest to save something more and step up to Meier audio PCSTEP or Matrix Mini Portable?(250€ tag price)
 
Thanks a lot

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

I found more than one person satisfied with the general Fiio-AKG K601/K701 combo, mainly becouse this king of dac/amp add that bit of warmth to AKG analytical headphones. 
I've just order a pair of K601, and... which is the best Fiio in you opinion? I'd listen to music from my Samsung Galaxy S3, that has a quite nice DAC itself, and may only need amplification (in my ears, it sound slightly better that any Apple device). But I'd also like to add a good portable DAC to my PC if possible.
I chose the Fiio brand because others are often very difficult to purchase from Italy, due to extremely high cutom taxes (30% of the item value more or less + weeks of waiting for custom absurd processes).
-E17 + eventually E9 amplifier? (maybe better performance, less portability, around 100+100€)
-Or E11 amp + E10 DAC/AMP for the PC? (more portability, around 60+60€)
-Another choice could be Topping D1-MKII (70€).
-Or maybe do you suggest to save something more and step up to Meier audio PCSTEP or Matrix Mini Portable?(250€ tag price)

An Asus Xonar DG or DGX sound card for the computer and the Fiio E11 amp. for portability

 

[marcookie]

.

 

[marcookie]

Quote:

An Asus Xonar DG or DGX sound card for the computer and the Fiio E11 amp. for portability

Thank you for the advice... I'm quite sure to the E11 for the portable player, but can I install these sound cards on a laptop??? 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Thank you for the advice... I'm quite sure to the E11 for the portable player, but can I install these sound cards on a laptop??? 

For use with a laptop and Galaxy III,
get the Fiio E07K.

 

[marcookie]

Quote:

For use with a laptop and Galaxy III,
get the Fiio E07K.

I the E07K powerful enough to drive the K601 in your opinion? They are 120ohms and I've read discordant opinion on the forum...

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

I the E07K powerful enough to drive the K601 in your opinion? They are 120ohms and I've read discordant opinion on the forum...

My $27 Fiio E6 can drive my 250-Ohm headphones, with the E6's volume control near max.
So 120-Ohm headphone should not be a real problem with the E07K.
 
I would assume a more powerful amplifier might improve their audio quality.
I would think a A/V receiver or a desktop tube amplifier would pair nicely to the K601s.

 

[marcookie]

Quote:

My $27 Fiio E6 can drive my 250-Ohm headphones, with the E6's volume control near max.
So 120-Ohm headphone should not be a real problem with the E07K.

This is really great news for me... I've spent just over 100€ for the K601, and really don't want to spend double for amplification... so I think I can begin with something like E07 or E17 if I'll find it for a reasonable price.

I would think a A/V receiver or a desktop tube amplifier would pair nicely to the K601s.

 
I know need to start building my own hifi setup... but I'm still waiting for my first salary, ouch, the process will take long I suppose !

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

This is really great news for me... I've spent just over 100€ for the K601, and really don't want to spend double for amplification... so I think I can begin with something like E07 or E17 if I'll find it for a reasonable price.
 

The E07K or E17.
The newer E07K should offer improved audio quality over the older E7.

 

[marcookie]

Quote:

The E07K or E17.
The newer E07K should offer improved audio quality over the older E7.

Noted! It seems they're releasing quite a lot of stuff lately, good! Even a new E12, the page in their website is not complete yet.

 

[Chris J]

I'm really liking my E17 and E09K combination with my Q701 phones.
Not too dry or analytical, not overly warm, I'm surprised at how good this sounds for the $$$.

 

[jasonb]

E17

 

[marcookie]

Quote:

I'm really liking my E17 and E09K combination with my Q701 phones.
Not too dry or analytical, not overly warm, I'm surprised at how good this sounds for the $$$.

Thank you for you answer. K601 are not so different headphones, from what I know, so I'll try the combination too.

 

[J Bones]

Quote:

I'm really liking my E17 and E09K combination with my Q701 phones.
Not too dry or analytical, not overly warm, I'm surprised at how good this sounds for the $$$.

 
How often do you have to use the gain settings on the E17 with your 701's while on the go?

 

[jasonb]

I use my Q701 with just an E17 and use medium gain and still listen at only 25 to 30 out of 60. 
Quote:

 
How often do you have to use the gain settings on the E17 with your 701's while on the go?