[Hyperfluxe]

Hey

I'm looking for the best portable amp I can get with 30$. I've been looking at the Fiio E1, E3, and E5. I've done a lot of research on them, and it seems as the E1 and the E5 are strong contenders. My IEMs are RE0 (soon to be), and my source is an iPod Classic 160GB (latest gen). Are there any other amps within that price range that I should look into? Now, the RE0 apparently lack bass, so the E5 seems ideal for them, but there is no LOD cable. The E1 comes with an LOD cable.

Please help me choose an amp, and thank you.

 

[cck5]

i bought an E1 to use with my ipod and grados and honestly i hear no difference.i have heard good things about the e5 though.

 

[semisight]

I use a Fiio E1 with my RE0s and I'd recommend it. The iPod's HO is pretty cold compared to the Fiio E1, and you'll notice that the music sounds fuller.

I was also undecided for a while between the E1/5, what decided it for me was the compactness of the E1. I can switch tracks and change volume without looking at it and there's nothing to charge. You should hear more bass even without the bass boost feature, iPods have some bass rolloff (can't say for sure for your classic, but my friend's HDD iPod suffered from this as did my touch a bit).

 

[cck5]

if you decide on the e1 ill post mine in the FS forum as i plan on getting a new amp in the next few days.

 

[paulybatz]

Save up and buy a nice amp...my first was a mini3
Very good amp for the money, Ibasso makes very high quality at reasonable prices

 

[Hyperfluxe]

What I'm looking for before all is portability. I need something that will fit in my jeans pocket along with my iPod Classic. The E1 seems nice for that, but the cable looks HUGE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulybatz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Save up and buy a nice amp...my first was a mini3 Very good amp for the money, Ibasso makes very high quality at reasonable prices

That's what a lot of people say here, but frankly, I don't know if it's worth it. I'm spending 100$ on an amp, will it make that much of a difference. Wouldn't you be better off spending that extra 100$ on a better pair of IEMs or headphones?

 

[semisight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hyperfluxe /img/forum/go_quote.gif What I'm looking for before all is portability. I need something that will fit in my jeans pocket along with my iPod Classic. The E1 seems nice for that, but the cable looks HUGE. That's what a lot of people say here, but frankly, I don't know if it's worth it. I'm spending 100$ on an amp, will it make that much of a difference. Wouldn't you be better off spending that extra 100$ on a better pair of IEMs or headphones?

Up and to a point, yes. You'll get the most SQ per dollar out of new headphones. But eventually, there are deficiencies in your iPod's HO that cannot be cured with better phones. In a few of my songs I was getting some irritating distortion when cymbals were played, but after the E1 they sound right again. Yeah, the E1 cable is pretty big, I think I'm gonna keep mine just as it came wrapped up. You might want an E5 with a low profile LOD; that should fit in your pocket and do the job. Otherwise those iBasso T3Ds are really small. When I upgrade next that's where I'm going.

Just get the Fiio E1 used of something; it won't cost you too much, and you'll get a taste of what having an amp can do for you.

 

[Hyperfluxe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by semisight /img/forum/go_quote.gif Up and to a point, yes. You'll get the most SQ per dollar out of new headphones. But eventually, there are deficiencies in your iPod's HO that cannot be cured with better phones. In a few of my songs I was getting some irritating distortion when cymbals were played, but after the E1 they sound right again. Yeah, the E1 cable is pretty big, I think I'm gonna keep mine just as it came wrapped up. You might want an E5 with a low profile LOD; that should fit in your pocket and do the job. Otherwise those iBasso T3Ds are really small. When I upgrade next that's where I'm going. Just get the Fiio E1 used of something; it won't cost you too much, and you'll get a taste of what having an amp can do for you.

Where can you purchase an LOD cable? I've been looking with Google, but I can't find a website to buy one.

 

[semisight]

There are a lot of guys around here who can make you high quality cables of any kind for varying prices, just ask in the sale/trade forums. If you wanna be really cheap, go to my favorite cheapo site and get this. But if I were you and had the money I'd spend at least $15-20 and get something that will last you for a while.

 

[Hyperfluxe]

How much do you think it'll cost me to get a good quality but very low profile LOD? Like 20$ If I get that, and a E5, then I'll be spending 42$ on an amp/LOD. Is that worth it?

 

[cck5]

yes im going with a ibasso t3, a mini 3, or total dot mk1+ next. i really wasnt a fan of the e1

 

[semisight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hyperfluxe /img/forum/go_quote.gif How much do you think it'll cost me to get a good quality but very low profile LOD? Like 20$ If I get that, and a E5, then I'll be spending 42$ on an amp/LOD. Is that worth it?

The LOD is a one time purchase (unless it breaks). Get a good one and it should last you through whatever amps you get. Ask around the trade forums for some prices.

 

[a_tumiwa]

i recommend you cmoy than Fiio for $30 budget

 

[Hyperfluxe]

Ok, I'm about to buy a Fiio E1 since I don't want to spend 20$ more for the E5 with LOD (effectively raising the price to 40$), but I have a question about the cable length and thickness. How long is it? Can it easily fit in my jeans pocket along with my iPod Classic? Also, it looks pretty think from the picture, so it looks like it's going to be tough to stuff in my pockets.

 

[hydora]

Buy used penguin caffeine amp.
If I were you, I don't buy any fiiO product. It doesn't
improve SQ much as you expected.
But if you still want an amp, I go for Cmoy.
Cmoy amp are way better than any fiiO.
You can find many Cmoy amp in eBay.