Dan Clark Audio E3 Review: Interview, Measurements, Impressions

[Frabera]

ONIX XM5 is the best DAP I use for the E3

 

[brianfromspace]

ONIX XM5 is the best DAP I use for the E3

and runner up?

 

[brianfromspace]

Now comparing the M17 w/N8 ii. N8 much warmer but also feels more powerful, weird.

 

[Anwer]

ONIX XM5 is the best DAP I use for the E3

@Frabera, can you please tell us if you tried the Chord Mojo 2 with the e3? If so, is it better or worse pairing than the Onix XM5 with the DCA e3?

 

[Frabera]

Sorry, but I did NOT try the Chord Mojo 2 as I prefer a complete DAP easier to use and do not like the Mojo concept.

 

[Frabera]

But I tried the Questyle CMA18 and was very good too and can compete in terms of sound quality with the ONIX XM5 but for the price difference the value is much better with the ONIX

 

[Zibi]

Is it worth to upgrade the 6.5 mm SE cable for Dan Clark, with balanced cable, 4 pin XLR?
I'm using RME ADI 2 DAC FS with Violectric V222
Thank you

I would say yes. I have run tests with RME ADI 2 DAC FS and V222. To my ears 4 pin out from V222 sounded better than single ended, more slam, better bass in general. I tested with Noire. In general, I have switched to pull/push 4 pin for all my headphones (HE1000SE, EditionSX, Noire, E3).

 

[Zibi]

I don’t think it is. I have the adi2 and works great with the 6.5

Pls tell me what headphones are you using? My ADI DAC FS has been disappointing for me with Noire on it's only single ended output. My current chain ADI 2 DAC FS (XLR) -> OOR (4 pins) ->Noire, (HE1000SE, Edition XS). All sound better to me than directly single ended from ADI.

 

[dougq]

Pls tell me what headphones are you using? My ADI DAC FS has been disappointing for me with Noire on it's only single ended output. My current chain ADI 2 DAC FS (XLR) -> OOR (4 pins) ->Noire, (HE1000SE, Edition XS). All sound better to me than directly single ended from ADI.

I've personally compared the Adi 2 Dac FS to the OOR with the E3, Stealth, Expanse ( and others but I'm keeping this specific to DCA) and they all sounded great. Couldn't pick one out.

I've personally gone down to a JDS Labs Element IV to get the 10 band PEQ and double the power.

 

[Brahmsian]

but closed back now that summer is starting here and my room is noisier from the AC running.

AC is the bane of my headphone experience here in Florida. It’s THE reason my next pair of headphones will be closed. If it were up to me, I’d set the unit to eighty degrees as long as I can have a decent noise floor, but the fact that I don’t live alone kind of rules this option out for me : )

Interesting question... It's always been my view that a well-balanced headphone sounds good with all genres, assuming basic levels of production quality for content. I've never bought the notion of some tunings being better for genres.

That said, I do check everything with electronica, folk, rock, and classical...

Manufacturers keep saying that, but then many of the headphones I’ve had could not have been well balanced. For instance, Sennheiser HD650 does great with vocals but orchestras sound all narrow and congested and three-blobbed, as well as tonally dark. Usually, the ones I like for classical (like Hifiman) I don’t prefer for popular genres, and vice versa.

There is a sound demo someone posted earlier in the thread, comparing the stealth and E3. Obviously not at all a real representation of what they actually sound like, but even through that I could tell the E3 was more lively than the stealth. Once I sell some stuff, the E3 is my next headphone purchase for sure. It ticks every box I look for in headphones. Plus I used to have an alpha prime and very much enjoyed those, despite some minor flaws in the treble region and overall comfort that eventually made me sell them.

Found the link to that demo

It's not accurate, but it does highlight the general differences in regards to liveliness between stealth and E3, gives you the gist of it.

God help me and my wallet: I preferred the Stealth. But I think there’s no way I would buy $4,000 headphones. I’d rather invest that in a speaker system,

 

[Ahzungulul]

AC is the bane of my headphone experience here in Florida. It’s THE reason my next pair of headphones will be closed. If it were up to me, I’d set the unit to eighty degrees as long as I can have a decent noise floor, but the fact that I don’t live alone kind of rules this option out for me : )

Manufacturers keep saying that, but then many of the headphones I’ve had could not have been well balanced. For instance, Sennheiser HD650 does great with vocals but orchestras sound all narrow and congested and three-blobbed, as well as tonally dark. Usually, the ones I like for classical (like Hifiman) I don’t prefer for popular genres, and vice versa.

God help me and my wallet: I preferred the Stealth. But I think there’s no way I would buy $4,000 headphones. I’d rather invest that in a speaker system,

litterally just eq it to make it sound like the stealth they have very similar fr so not alot of adjustment to do

 

[ThomasWolf]

Does DCA E3 share the same cable PIN out as ZMF and Audeze headphones?

 

[Frabera]

Not at all.

 

[chris.d.m.]

So is there anything close to a consensus on a solid symbiosis with the E3 and a portable amp option under $300-350?
Insofar as concern for solid sub body / punch & clarity more so than volume.

 

[Frabera]

The new Questyle M18i should make the job the way you required, U.S. dealers will obtain it shortly, but order can already be placed here :
https://thehificat.com/products/que...2qqECESF0hzqpHmQH0rt8xIwWDTqMW-HNGJOPA5Y8MNCg