Boy, I've forgotten how high I have to turn the 201s up. Or maybe it's just my beanie...
OK, HD201 + Fiio E3. I'm playing U2's
The Sweetest Thing from my iPod Touch. With the Fiio, the high hat sounds "further away" (I'm guessing this means larger soundstage) and the bass is more pronounced. I don't know if this just means more bass, less treble. But for this song anyway, it works. Playing Sarah Brightman's
Ave Maria, no difference. Somewhat unexpectedly, they
do make a difference playing
Part 1 of Coltrane's
Love Supreme. The saxaphone is less harsh and in-your-face. I can hear the background percussion better. Next, Herrweghe conducting Mozart's Requiem (III/5. Confutatis). The quiet parts don't differ, but there's more punch to the brass instruments. Finally, Isaac Stern playing Tchaikovsky's Concerto for Violin. I perceive an improvement here too. More clarity, is how I'd describe it.
Final note: I don't think this is just due to the volume increasing, because I turn it down before I plug the amp in. Maybe I'm not turning it up enough. Maybe it's placebo. Meh.