[bpandbass]

Hey everyone.
 
I was looking for a DAC to hook up to my laptop, and I am deciding between the Audioengine D1 or the Fiio E07K. My current headphones are the Audio-Technica M50 (38 ohms) and the Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro (250 ohms). I am also considering getting the AKG K240 MK II in the future. The Audioengine D1 is supposed to go well with AKGs and M50s, but I am not sure if it has enough power to drive the K240s. The Fiio E07K is battery-powered, smaller and cheaper than the D1, and is dockable to the Fiio E9K desktop amp.  I also like how the E9K has a line out which I could connect to another amp, as does the D1. 
 
Am I better off getting the D1, or getting the E07K DAC and E9K desktop amp for just a little more cost than the D1? My basic requirement is a DAC I can connect to my laptop and has an amp built into it. 

 

[KT66]

I have the D1 and E07 and the d1 is much better and easier to integrate into a main hifi system

 

[bpandbass]

Quote:

I have the D1 and E07 and the d1 is much better and easier to integrate into a main hifi system

OK. From what I know about, the D1 has a headphone amp integrated into it, and its RCA line out jacks are NOT wired to the integrated amp. Does this mean that I could connect the D1 to a desktop amp such as the Schiit Magni or Asgard without worrying about double amping?

 

[Whitetriton]

Yes.  I have the D1 and can hook it up to my Audioengine A2 speakers, which are powered, and there is no problem.  Here's another thread on this topic.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/653713/audioengine-d1-rca-line-out-to-an-amplifier#post_9221348

 

[bpandbass]

Oops, I totally forgot about that posting. Thanks. What headphones to you use the D1 with?

 

[KT66]

mainly d2000 and HD600, liked my old sr60 too

 

[bpandbass]

Ok, so the D1's amp has enough power to drive 300 ohm headphones?

 

[KT66]

I find it too loud if anything, drives my hd600s and also AKG 270 playbacks , with ease , power is not an issue, oddly I find it slightly bass light, I am no headbanger and never use EQ. Playing a cd file via the D1 compared to my Linn Ikemi shows the D1 to be slightly thin
, mind you the Ikemi was £2k and the d1 £150 , so it's not really a fair comparison.

 

[Whitetriton]

Bpandbass,
 
I use the Audio Technica ATH-M50s the most with the D1, but I think it powers the Sennheiser HD650, and Hifiman HE-400/500's just fine. 

 

[bpandbass]

Ok. BTW I got the D1 and it definitely makes a difference for my Beyer DT880 Pros and M50s. It definitely cleans up the sound for the M50s too. I plan to get the AKG K240 Studios, though I am not sure if the D1 can drive them well or if I should get a little hybrid amp.

 

[TrollDragon]

You forund the Audioengine D1 able to drive your 880's well?
I have the 880 Pro's alos and found the 12mw output of the D1 was not enough, I had to go pretty high on the volume control for a decent listening level.
So I sent them back for a credit @ B&H. I had won an E17 in the FiiO photo contestand it hadn't arrived yet so I cashed in the credit for an E09K to match the E17.
 
More than enough power to drive the 880's properly with the volume around 1/3.
Line In, Line Out & Pre Out as well as USB for when the E17 Is docked.
 
So if your finding the D1 a little lacking in power and since you alread have the E07K look into the E09K.

 

[bpandbass]

Quote:

You forund the Audioengine D1 able to drive your 880's well?
I have the 880 Pro's alos and found the 12mw output of the D1 was not enough, I had to go pretty high on the volume control for a decent listening level.
So I sent them back for a credit @ B&H. I had won an E17 in the FiiO photo contestand it hadn't arrived yet so I cashed in the credit for an E09K to match the E17.
 
More than enough power to drive the 880's properly with the volume around 1/3.
Line In, Line Out & Pre Out as well as USB for when the E17 Is docked.
 
So if your finding the D1 a little lacking in power and since you alread have the E07K look into the E09K.

The D1 drives my DT880s perfectly fine for me. IDK why, but it seems all my headphones seem to respond well to amplification. I guess our opinions on "loud enough" differ. I have pretty sensitive ears. My 880s are driven surprisingly well by even my Fiio E11 pocket amp, but the D1 makes a difference. I am not sure why, but my Audio-Technica M50s have SUPER sensitive drivers to amplification. I barely have to turn the gain knob on my D1 from 0 to get super loud sound, and on my E11, the loudest I could go without hurting my ears was about 4. 
 
I don't have the E07K; the D1 is my first and only DAC. I chose the D1 because it has RCA line outs, which I plan to connect in the future to a Little Dot 1+ desktop hybrid amp that goes for about 150 dollars. I am planning to get the AKG K240s, and the D1 is supposed to go well with newer AKGs, which need less power but more current.

 

[TrollDragon]

Excellent!
For some reason I read that you had the E7... Eyes must be going as well as my hearing.

I liked the look of the D1 and the portability, but after I received the E17 / E09K combo I like the weight of it on the desk and the outputs.

Anyhow enjoy the D1 it has great specs for the price and will go good with that Little Dot down the road.

Cheers!

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2

 

[bpandbass]

Do you know if the Little Dot 1+ hybrid amp will have enough power to drive the DT880s decently? A 1+ owner told me that it should drive the 55 ohm K240s nicely and will add a layer of warmth to the DT880s, but I read a head-fier's comment saying that the 1+ doesn't have enough power for the 880s. I am not sure what to believe. Do you know?
 
I will still buy the K240 before I buy an amp. No use buying an amp to drive headphones if I don't end up liking them. As far as I know my D1 can drive them well. 

 

[TrollDragon]

Sorry, I've never used any Little Dot amps, personally I would choose the MK III for my 880's as it seems to be the most recommended around these parts for the HiZ cans. It's OTL as well so it would not do too good with the 240 MKII's. Now if you were to pick up one of the 240 600Ω versions off eBay then the LD MKIII would be a great choice.
 
Unless you have you heart set on the LD1+ I'd go with a Solid State amp, the Schiit Magni recommended to you in another one of your threads has gobs of power but no line outs. The Matrix M Stage would be a good candidate and has everything you need.