Dan Clark Audio E3 Review: Interview, Measurements, Impressions

[Kevintj604]

You think the aune s17 pro would work using the k9 akm as a dac as well? I listened to that at Headphonebar a month ago and it sounded amazing (but different headphones than the E3)

I'd just bring what you have or see what Travis recommends. Last time I was there he had an E3 to demo so you'll get a better idea in store.

 

[WreckedEm2]

I'd just bring what you have or see what Travis recommends. Last time I was there he had an E3 to demo so you'll get a better idea in store.

Got it. I'll do that, thanks. I guess I just need to wrap my head around the fact you can't really run the E3 with a DAP, which was what one of my potential use cases was. I'll head down there in the next week and get some advice.

 

[Kevintj604]

Got it. I'll do that, thanks. I guess I just need to wrap my head around the fact you can't really run the E3 with a DAP, which was what one of my potential use cases was. I'll head down there in the next week and get some advice.

Nope. I had the same idea regarding my E3. I'm actually looking at selling it because of this. I just picked up a Focal Lensys and it's phenomenal. With my KANN Max i'm thrilled with it. It's more resolving than the Radiance was and scales beautifully. Perfect travel companion because of the form factor.

 

[ahmonge]

At less than a watt not even close

If you refer to the Fiio K9 AKM, it brings between 1W at 16 Ohms and 2W at 32 ohms on the balanced output, so for the E3 (27 Ohms) it's safe to assume 1,5 W of output power.

 

[Kevintj604]

If you refer to the Fiio K9 AKM, it brings between 1W at 16 Ohms and 2W at 32 ohms on the balanced output, so for the E3 (27 Ohms) it's safe to assume 1,5 W of output power.

You can try it but I'll state this again the E3 along with the majority of Dan Clarks higher end headphones need boatloads of power. Even at 1.5 watts that's nowhere near enough. And it's not just power. The E3 also needs a lot of current. It's similar to the Tungsten in this regard.

 

[swedishpat]

Got it. I'll do that, thanks. I guess I just need to wrap my head around the fact you can't really run the E3 with a DAP, which was what one of my potential use cases was. I'll head down there in the next week and get some advice.

Or you can get a good portable amp for the DAP. I run the E3 off the portable basso PB5 amp and it sounds awesome

 

[WreckedEm2]

Or you can get a good portable amp for the DAP. I run the E3 off the portable basso PB5 amp and it sounds awesome

I was thinking that, too, but also thought it might defeat the purpose of the se300's amp and warmth/sound options, which was the whole reason I bought it in the first place, but I could look for a nice warm portable amp solution just for those particular headphones, I suppose. Just seems overkill.

 

[SolarCetacean]

I'm starting to agree that the E3 benefits from a lot of power headroom on the amp. I just listened to it today with the HeadAmp CFA3 at Capital Audiofest and it was the best I've heard the E3. I was pleasantly surprised at how punchy and impactful percussion notes were on the E3; I didn't hear it punch that hard when I demoed it on the Ferrum Erco which has a respectable headphone output. But I also tried the E3 on an OTL tube amp and it was possibly the worst I've ever heard the E3. It still had some impact to percussion notes, but the midrange was veiled and honky. My reaction was "I don't recall the E3 sounding this weird". And it didn't sound that weird on the CFA3.

 

[cagix]

Yes i have listen e3 on gsx mini with gustard a26 it was very wonky with very little bas. On same rig he 1000 se was absolutely stelar that much that i who is more on iems think about it for myself. And what is surprise for all when i want 2 headphone in the world my choice at the moment is hifiman he 1000 se and clark aeon 2 open it was very good.

 

[Waddiewadkins]

Yeah, these amp experiences are finally telling me that this is a 3k spend really. These experiences tell me I shouldn't muck about getting them and then not providing enough power that wont even make the things sound their best! It's been fun following the best soundstage closed back headphones in the world chat.

 

[dougq]

Yeah, these amp experiences are finally telling me that this is a 3k spend really. These experiences tell me I shouldn't muck about getting them and then not providing enough power that wont even make the things sound their best! It's been fun following the best soundstage closed back headphones in the world chat.

The schiit magni unity with dac will drive the complete perfect at 180. All of jds labs ams will too

 

[kobaomg]

Currently considering selling my Ether 2 to get a E3. I actually love the Ether 2, but nowadays I barely get the chance to use open-back headphones. Is the sound of the E3 really absolutely different? I would be pairing it with a Hugo 2.

 

[Frabera]

A Hugo 2 will not be the right choice might be too bright and too analytical, and fatigue may appear quickly.

 

[jarnopp]

Currently considering selling my Ether 2 to get a E3. I actually love the Ether 2, but nowadays I barely get the chance to use open-back headphones. Is the sound of the E3 really absolutely different? I would be pairing it with a Hugo 2.

I sold my Ether 2s and Aeon Noires after getting the E3. It’s better than the Noires at everything, which it resembles, and yes, different from the Ether2. I never really warmed to the Ether (pun intended) as they were too dark overall for me. I think Hugo2 would be a fine pairing. Mojo2 sounds great and is a bit closer to H2 than OG Mojo.

 

[jarnopp]

A Hugo 2 will not be the right choice might be too bright and too analytical, and fatigue may appear quickly.

I haven’t found E3 to be fatiguing ever, except one album that escapes me right now.