Dan Clark Audio E3 Review: Interview, Measurements, Impressions

[droid23]

Thanks for your recommendations everyone! It gave me a good start into what's appropriate for these cans. To spend 2K on the E3, and reading that it has still so much headroom when amped properly, made me want to have good desktop setup. Ok, not a 4K amp like the CFA3, that's too much money, sorry, I wish I could just spend that so easily, but to acquire the E3, which was an actual brand new demo unit for 2K, where I probably was only the second person to try it, was already a stretch for me. I obviously bought too quickly, and now I found out that the E3 would so much benefit from a powerful specced amp. That's why I search now for more reasonably priced but still sufficient amp & dac which gives me at least 90% of its potential... tough challenge, or?

I use a Topping A90D, which should be around half of 1K.

But power is not everything. For example, I also have a Fiio Q7 which has more than enough power, but the A90D and Jan Meier‘s Corda Classic drive the E3 much better. The Corda Classic even single-ended (as it has neither balanced outputs nor inputs.) So your iBasso probably will not drive them to their full potential. Of which the E3 has lots.

I also run them on an A90D and they sound fantastic. It’s a very powerful amp.

Yes, thanks so much guys for that recommendation, looks really good. If I go stacked, this is it I guess.
I did a lot of research yesterday after all your inputs, went from Topping to ifi, Shiit, Geshelli, Gustard, to Headamp... my head exploded, lol. I have the feeling that Topping is the one brand which would give the better price/performance options.
Sorry to go into more detail now, but since I want to have a new amp and dac desktop setup, please let me ask some more questions in this regard:

1. If I go with the A90D, which DAC would you recommend? I personally would like a little bit more warmer dac, maybe something like a Geshelli JNOG2 SOCKETED, or, would there be a Topping which would fit my preferences? guess there isn't a "warmer" Topping yet?
2. I'd really also loke an AIO solution... Something like the DX9? Seems it has more than enough Watts, but also enough voltage for "maxing out" the E3? ...and it has the little bit more smooth sounding AK4499 chip, too... tempting as a stripped down single solution when your space on the desk is somewhat limited... like on my desk, but I could fit a stack somewhere^^
3. Anything else I should look at? e.g. Gustard AIO? SMSL AIO?

Sorry, thanks for your help, you see, I really need it

If it helps, I use the DC Elite with the E3 and I think it sounds pretty damn good for a portable solution.

Even try Shanling H7, has enough power for E3 and adds a bit of body on the low end.

Wow, really? Sure, these portables are on the lower spec for the E3 I guess, but if you both are happy with them, that makes me actually hoping that the ~1000mW of my DX260 might give me just enough juice to use the E3 on the go... sometimes, if really needed. I guess I'll invest in a desktop setup for the E3 primarily to have at least one place where I can reach near full potential, and the DX260 as a compromise when needed?

 

[hanumanbob]

Thanks for your recommendations everyone! It gave me a good start into what's appropriate for these cans. To spend 2K on the E3, and reading that it has still so much headroom when amped properly, made me want to have good desktop setup. Ok, not a 4K amp like the CFA3, that's too much money, sorry, I wish I could just spend that so easily, but to acquire the E3, which was an actual brand new demo unit for 2K, where I probably was only the second person to try it, was already a stretch for me. I obviously bought too quickly, and now I found out that the E3 would so much benefit from a powerful specced amp. That's why I search now for more reasonably priced but still sufficient amp & dac which gives me at least 90% of its potential... tough challenge, or?




Yes, thanks so much guys for that recommendation, looks really good. If I go stacked, this is it I guess.
I did a lot of research yesterday after all your inputs, went from Topping to ifi, Shiit, Geshelli, Gustard, to Headamp... my head exploded, lol. I have the feeling that Topping is the one brand which would give the better price/performance options.
Sorry to go into more detail now, but since I want to have a new amp and dac desktop setup, please let me ask some more questions in this regard:

1. If I go with the A90D, which DAC would you recommend? I personally would like a little bit more warmer dac, maybe something like a Geshelli JNOG2 SOCKETED, or, would there be a Topping which would fit my preferences? guess there isn't a "warmer" Topping yet?
2. I'd really also loke an AIO solution... Something like the DX9? Seems it has more than enough Watts, but also enough voltage for "maxing out" the E3? ...and it has the little bit more smooth sounding AK4499 chip, too... tempting as a stripped down single solution when your space on the desk is somewhat limited... like on my desk, but I could fit a stack somewhere^^
3. Anything else I should look at? e.g. Gustard AIO? SMSL AIO?

Sorry, thanks for your help, you see, I really need it



Wow, really? Sure, these portables are on the lower spec for the E3 I guess, but if you both are happy with them, that makes me actually hoping that the ~1000mW of my DX260 might give me just enough juice to use the E3 on the go... sometimes, if really needed. I guess I'll invest in a desktop setup for the E3 primarily to have at least one place where I can reach near full potential, and the DX260 as a compromise when needed?

The Fluxlab FA10 works great at $750

 

[hanumanbob]

The woo audio WA11 is great for a portable solution too

 

[ahmonge]

Seems it has more than enough Watts, but also enough voltage for "maxing out" the E3?

Don't worry about whether it provides enough voltage (or current). An amplifier that gives x watts at a given impedance provides the current and voltage needed to achieve that power. If it did not, it would be impossible for it to deliver the specified power.

 

[ronin22]

I'd really also loke an AIO solution... Something like the DX9? Seems it has more than enough Watts, but also enough voltage for "maxing out" the E3? ...and it has the little bit more smooth sounding AK4499 chip, too... tempting as a stripped down single solution when your space on the desk is somewhat limited... like on my desk, but I could fit a stack somewhere^^

As mentioned earlier I really love my DX9 with the E3 and yes it is smooth but that shouldn't be perceived as lacking detail because the detail is all there yet no harshness. I use it on Low Gain and only have it turned up about half way, maybe a bit more sometimes so plenty of headroom for me and of course YMMV.


I actually thought about getting another one to replace my Topping stack that I use in another room but probably won't.

 

[Toddy]

Yes, thanks so much guys for that recommendation, looks really good. If I go stacked, this is it I guess.
I did a lot of research yesterday after all your inputs, went from Topping to ifi, Shiit, Geshelli, Gustard, to Headamp... my head exploded, lol. I have the feeling that Topping is the one brand which would give the better price/performance options.
Sorry to go into more detail now, but since I want to have a new amp and dac desktop setup, please let me ask some more questions in this regard:

1. If I go with the A90D, which DAC would you recommend? I personally would like a little bit more warmer dac, maybe something like a Geshelli JNOG2 SOCKETED, or, would there be a Topping which would fit my preferences? guess there isn't a "warmer" Topping yet?
2. I'd really also loke an AIO solution... Something like the DX9? Seems it has more than enough Watts, but also enough voltage for "maxing out" the E3? ...and it has the little bit more smooth sounding AK4499 chip, too... tempting as a stripped down single solution when your space on the desk is somewhat limited... like on my desk, but I could fit a stack somewhere^^
3. Anything else I should look at? e.g. Gustard AIO? SMSL AIO?

Sorry, thanks for your help, you see, I really need it

I use my A90D with an RME ADI2-DAC. But that alone would be more than 1k nowadays. And though being an AIO, its amp is by far not powerful enough for the E3. Hence the A90D.

I also use (and really like) Jan Meier‘s Corda Daccord-ff which is permanently discounted to less than 400 Euros, but that is just a DAC and would make an odd couple with something like an A90 amp. At least optically, soundwise it would probably work quite well.

 

[droid23]

Don't worry about whether it provides enough voltage (or current). An amplifier that gives x watts at a given impedance provides the current and voltage needed to achieve that power. If it did not, it would be impossible for it to deliver the specified power.

Sure, you're absolutely right of course, it should be Ohm's law, but I read somewhere that you should look also at the voltage when searching for a suitable E3 amp. (guess here, and somewhere in the ASR forum, too. Reason was, if i remember correctly, that some amps would have enough Watts on the paper, but if it doesn't have enough Vrms, the E3 could still sound "weak"... something like that)

 

[droid23]

As mentioned earlier I really love my DX9 with the E3 and yes it is smooth but that shouldn't be perceived as lacking detail because the detail is all there yet no harshness. I use it on Low Gain and only have it turned up about half way, maybe a bit more sometimes so plenty of headroom for me and of course YMMV.


I actually thought about getting another one to replace my Topping stack that I use in another room but probably won't.

Thanks a lot, that helped me better to decide.
I guess I'll give the DX9 a chance. Looking at my desk again with three monitors (2x 24 inch and one 32 inch) and some other stuff, the distance between the two 24 inch monitors and the hight there, the DX9 would just fit perfectly in between. A stack wouldn't really, unless I lift the monitors, but that I don't want necessarily since they are perfectly oriented that way. Let's see, I know there are solutions which sound better even for less, but it's also the convenience that the DX9 is easy to get here in EU, compared to a combo with Geshelli DAC, where I have to pack nearly 30% on top of the US price to get it here.
...and as we all know ourselves, and the reasons we are all here at Head-Fi, this setup likely won't last that long anyway, because the next cool thing is just around the corner, always

 

[ahmonge]

Reason was, if i remember correctly, that some amps would have enough Watts on the paper, but if it doesn't have enough Vrms, the E3 could still sound "weak"... something like that)

This is simply not possible, as long as the power is measured at the headphones impedance… or the manufacturer is lying

 

[ronin22]

Thanks a lot, that helped me better to decide.
I guess I'll give the DX9 a chance. Looking at my desk again with three monitors (2x 24 inch and one 32 inch) and some other stuff, the distance between the two 24 inch monitors and the hight there, the DX9 would just fit perfectly in between. A stack wouldn't really, unless I lift the monitors, but that I don't want necessarily since they are perfectly oriented that way. Let's see, I know there are solutions which sound better even for less, but it's also the convenience that the DX9 is easy to get here in EU, compared to a combo with Geshelli DAC, where I have to pack nearly 30% on top of the US price to get it here.
...and as we all know ourselves, and the reasons we are all here at Head-Fi, this setup likely won't last that long anyway, because the next cool thing is just around the corner, always

Funny, I have mine right between two 24 inch monitors as well- fits perfect

 

[Grunt66]

I spent just over a month listening to the E3’s and comparing them to my Denon AH-D9200’s. First my system:

DAC Schiit Yggy+ OG

AMPS: Schiit Folkvangr with Mullard E88CC tubes, Schiit Mjolnir 3 (MJ3)

EQ: Schiit Lokius

Source: Apple Mac Mini M2 PRO

After my first listen I decided to burn in the E3’s by playing music via Tidal for two weeks straight (336 hours). That definitely helped with the sound they produced for the better. I was looking for an improvement in sound quality over my 9200’s. To make a long story short I just never connected with the E3’s. They sounded good but I never felt connected to music no matter what I played through them. I tried various EQ adjustments on my Lokius and they sounded somewhat dull and not alive. I would switch out the E3’s for my Denon D9200’s and I felt as though I was at a concert when I closed my eyes and I would start tapping me feet. I enlisted the help of my wife of over 37 years that tolerates my hobby for my headphone setup and she stated the E3’s sounded dull / muffled compared to my Denon’s. The E3's need power and my Folkvangr did the job but I had the volume almost maxed out. The MJ3 had no problem at all powering the E3's.

If anyone is interested I just dropped off the E3’s at UPS and they are going back to Crutchfield, so keep an eye out for the open-box.

 

[theveterans]

Have you tried any of ZMF's closed backs? DD drivers are a lot easier to get the slam and dynamics out than planars in general

 

[DarginMahkum]

I spent just over a month listening to the E3’s and comparing them to my Denon AH-D9200’s. First my system:

DAC Schiit Yggy+ OG

AMPS: Schiit Folkvangr with Mullard E88CC tubes, Schiit Mjolnir 3 (MJ3)

EQ: Schiit Lokius

Source: Apple Mac Mini M2 PRO

After my first listen I decided to burn in the E3’s by playing music via Tidal for two weeks straight (336 hours). That definitely helped with the sound they produced for the better. I was looking for an improvement in sound quality over my 9200’s. To make a long story short I just never connected with the E3’s. They sounded good but I never felt connected to music no matter what I played through them. I tried various EQ adjustments on my Lokius and they sounded somewhat dull and not alive. I would switch out the E3’s for my Denon D9200’s and I felt as though I was at a concert when I closed my eyes and I would start tapping me feet. I enlisted the help of my wife of over 37 years that tolerates my hobby for my headphone setup and she stated the E3’s sounded dull / muffled compared to my Denon’s. The E3's need power and my Folkvangr did the job but I had the volume almost maxed out. The MJ3 had no problem at all powering the E3's.

If anyone is interested I just dropped off the E3’s at UPS and they are going back to Crutchfield, so keep an eye out for the open-box.

This is very normal, especially if you are comparing these two directly one after the other, and especially if you are used to hearing the Denons. D9200 is a very bright HP with a strong midbass. Your ears are used to that brightness. Anything that is naturally tuned will most probably sound dull after hearing D9200.

The hearing is not fully absolute, there is a relative component which gives your auditory system room to adopt. I would not recommend making such comparisons one after the other, especially if one HP has very prominent bass or treble, and if your ears are used to that.

 

[DP42]

This is very normal, especially if you are comparing these two directly one after the other, and especially if you are used to hearing the Denons. D9200 is a very bright HP with a strong midbass. Your ears are used to that brightness. Anything that is naturally tuned will most probably sound dull after hearing D9200.

The hearing is not fully absolute, there is a relative component which gives your auditory system room to adopt. I would not recommend making such comparisons one after the other, especially if one HP has very prominent bass or treble, and if your ears are used to that.

A/B works well when trying 2 new components against one another, but if trying a new component against one your brain is already baselined with, then better to just listen to the new one only for a couple of weeks to let your brain adapt to the new one. Then go back and listen to the old one and see if you like it better.

 

[Frabera]

It is very hard to find the right amp with the E3 especially with the DAP's, and when you think you found it, it unfortunately do not sound the way you expect with some tracks...This does not happen with other known HP like ZMF's etc...