Dan Clark Audio E3 Review: Interview, Measurements, Impressions

[dougq]

I'm not sure the treble needs to be tamed but I know positioning might have a big impact. Also you could do a little EQ to match your preference. That'd be crazy of a cable lowered the treble.

 

[Zhuyaj]

Yep I'm already shelved the 2k onwards and that help a lot in eq! I was just wondering in general if anyone has any great cable recommendations! Earcup position is super annoying to work around and not giving me what I want so any suggestions there would be great!

 

[Frabera]

Yes, from Forza Audio Works : "Noir HPC MK2" sounds smooth and much less agressive than the Vivo which sounds much too bright and metallic.

 

[Zhuyaj]

Thanks for the recommendation @Frabera

 

[jarnopp]

What's everyone's favorite aftermarket cable for the e3. I heard good things about the Artic magnus v2, as they tames some of the high trebles.

Any other suggestions from you guys?

I like the silver cables from Lavricables. I’m not a huge fan of”cables make a difference” but I needed a shorter cable, and they are well made, clean sounding and well priced.

 

[Inju]

Thanks for the recommendation @Frabera

Most cables won't make a difference in sound quality. I suggest blind testing any cables that claim they do. In my opinion If a cable makes a difference in high frequency it's likely a bad cable. Spend the money on an eq, tube amp and tube rolling, DAC like the A90 III Discrete, learn about filters, RME stuff that also has eq. If you're hard-core buy a test rig and tune a custom set for yourself.

 

[Zhuyaj]

Most cables won't make a difference in sound quality. I suggest blind testing any cables that claim they do. In my opinion If a cable makes a difference in high frequency it's likely a bad cable. Spend the money on an eq, tube amp and tube rolling, DAC like the A90 III Discrete, learn about filters, RME stuff that also has eq. If you're hard-core buy a test rig and tune a custom set for yourself.

Thanks for the tip. So do you think materials like copper and silver will sound the same? Just curious if it even makes a difference.

 

[Inju]

Thanks for the tip. So do you think materials like copper and silver will sound the same? Just curious if it even makes a difference.

Run a YouTube search, check ASR and the nearly everything says it does not EXCEPT for microphonics. Microphonics, is real. Microphonics is when the cable brushes against your clothes or anything and the vibrations can be heard. Looping the cable around your ears reduces this greatly. In terms of silver and copper, no difference unless you have some weird cable that's like half the size of your arm for some specific headphones that has some strange impedance. I buy cables for how they look. Litz cables should make the biggest difference but honestly not measurable.

However connectors should be focused on and where they plug in being moisture resistant. I've had copper tarnish at the interconnects because they were not properly sealed cables and moisture such as sweat got into the part that plugs into a set of IEMs and turned green.

 

[Matez]

Yes, from Forza Audio Works : "Noir HPC MK2" sounds smooth and much less agressive than the Vivo which sounds much too bright and metallic.

Yup, smoothness (as in: lack of harshness) is a big part of many boutique headphone cables.

 

[Buenodrake]

Would anyone be able to weigh in on the pairing of an SP2KT DAP with a PA10 for the E3s? I am going to get the E3's and want a portable solution, and I keep bouncing between the iFi Gryphon and the Astell and Kern PA10. I know the PA10 is a Class A amplifier and would more than likely drive and sound better with the E3. However, how much better over the Gryphon is it? The reason I ask, is the Gryphon has so many attractive features that the PA10 does not. The ultimate goal is to optimally drive the hungry E3's without being constrained to a desktop. I also read a previous comment mentioning the WA WA11 Topaz, which I may be able to get some wiggle room to get if it would beat out the Gryphon and PA10 in performance/quality. Thanks ahead of time for all advice!

 

[Zaghamkarim]

The PA10 is probably not the best pairing for ann external amp with a flagship DAP, it gives a power boost - but is ultimately more of a budget offering. From experience it adds a boost to the low end, the cross feed is a plus, but it does this at the cost of clarity & soundstage. The internal amp of a sub-flagship DAP is more enjoyable, at least from my experience.

 

[Buenodrake]

The PA10 is probably not the best pairing for ann external amp with a flagship DAP, it gives a power boost - but is ultimately more of a budget offering. From experience it adds a boost to the low end, the cross feed is a plus, but it does this at the cost of clarity & soundstage. The internal amp of a sub-flagship DAP is more enjoyable, at least from my experience.

Thank you for your input! A budget offering is fine, there has to be a budget involved or else a stray shoe may come flying at me from my wife lol. In your opinion, what would be the best bang for buck/budget option for a portable amp? Sound does not have to be god tier, just worth the cost of entry. Seems like a lot of trouble, Noire X is easier to drive but everything I hear about the E3 makes it seem like the last closed back I would ever need.

 

[Waddiewadkins]

Thank you for your input! A budget offering is fine, there has to be a budget involved or else a stray shoe may come flying at me from my wife lol. In your opinion, what would be the best bang for buck/budget option for a portable amp? Sound does not have to be god tier, just worth the cost of entry. Seems like a lot of trouble, Noire X is easier to drive but everything I hear about the E3 makes it seem like the last closed back I would ever need.

Why not get NX and out the rest of the money in to driving that like a dream. It woukd sound better than a not optimally driven E3 perhaps.

 

[Buenodrake]

Why not get NX and out the rest of the money in to driving that like a dream. It woukd sound better than a not optimally driven E3 perhaps.

That is a fair point, may I ask what you would recommend that would run an NX like a dream with an SP2KT (or possibly just the DAP itself) to where an E3 would not be needed? My intention grabbing the E3 would be 1 purchase with no intention of upgrading later, with what research I have done the E3 fits that one and done goal more than the NX.

 

[Waddiewadkins]

That is a fair point, may I ask what you would recommend that would run an NX like a dream with an SP2KT (or possibly just the DAP itself) to where an E3 would not be needed? My intention grabbing the E3 would be 1 purchase with no intention of upgrading later, with what research I have done the E3 fits that one and done goal more than the NX.

No idea. Was just doing lay man audio arithmetic.