[vampire666]

Hi there!
I would like to buy a DAC and can0t yet decide between the E17k Alpen 2 and the E18.
I would use it most of the time connected to my notebook (which has pretty much awful audio quality) and to be connected to my Android 5.1 Lollipop smartphone (Cubot P12), but mainly to my pc.
Which should I chose?
I know the E18 bigger a battery, is certified for Android while the E17k might not work, the E18 has also physical buttons to play/pause, forward/rewind the song (but doesn't have EQ or display which the E17k have), but which of the two devices "sound better" as DAC?
 
Thank you.

 

[vampire666]

Consider that the E17k I can get for 119€ while the E18 for 169€

 

[Me x3]

  Hi there!
I would like to buy a DAC and can0t yet decide between the E17k Alpen 2 and the E18.
I would use it most of the time connected to my notebook (which has pretty much awful audio quality) and to be connected to my Android 5.1 Lollipop smartphone (Cubot P12), but mainly to my pc.
Which should I chose?
I know the E18 bigger a battery, is certified for Android while the E17k might not work, the E18 has also physical buttons to play/pause, forward/rewind the song (but doesn't have EQ or display which the E17k have), but which of the two devices "sound better" as DAC?
 
Thank you.

Both should work very well. If you can go a bit higher you can get the FiiO X3II which is a great DAP and can be used as a USB DAC/AMP just like E17K and E18

 

[vampire666]

Thanks for the suggestion, the FiiO X3II is a very interesting device, but I was looking at something that had the possibility of working with android phones, not to mention that I would have to spend even more of what I intended to...but I will keep that option in mind.

 

[Me x3]

Most of the times FiiOs like the Q1, E17K and E18 work fine with android phones able to send audio through USB.
You'll need a USB OTG cable and sometimes a particular app like HibyMusic. There's a huge variety of phones and android versions so it's really hard to asure it will work in your case.
These are all high quality products. In my experience, the Q1 is slightly smoother while the E17K is a bit more detailed, but both are great in terms of SQ.
I would pick the E18 only if you prefer its form factor. I wouldn't expect it to sound much better than E17K or Q1, and it's more expensive normally.
 
In other words, pick the one that fits your preferences best. Sound quality is great in all of them.

 

[vampire666]

Thanks for the replies  Me x3, I decided to get the E17K
Now I just have to find a micro usb to micro usb male, I can't find it anywhere.

 

[TehDoge]

Bit late to the party, E18 is supposed to "officially" support Android and comes with two USB OTG cables, the E17k not so much so I hope it works (like I got lucky running a Dragonfly v1.0 OTG with a Z5)

 

[vampire666]

Even if I'll find out that the e17k won't work with my Android I will still used it attached to my notebook most of the times, so no problem.

Thanks for your reply TehDoge.

 

[Me x3]

  Even if I'll find out that the e17k won't work with my Android I will still used it attached to my notebook most of the times, so no problem.

Thanks for your reply TehDoge.

 
Maybe you can use an OTG cable going from micro-USB to female full-size USB and then a regular USB cable. I think it should work.
On top of that, you can always use the E17K as a portable amplifier for the smartphone using 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable.

 

[TehDoge]

 
Now I just have to find a micro usb to micro usb male, I can't find it anywhere.

I see what you mean, found one easy on Amzon.com, .it not so much.
 
 

 

[vampire666]

   
Maybe you can use an OTG cable going from micro-USB to female full-size USB and then a regular USB cable. I think it should work.
On top of that, you can always use the E17K as a portable amplifier for the smartphone using 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable.

 
Thanks for the suggestion, I will try that!

 
I see what you mean, found one easy on Amzon.com, .it not so much.
 
 

Just found one on ebay, but comes from China so delivery is going to be slooooow (generally one month or so).
I ordered one, but in the meanshile I will try Me x3's suggestion.

 

[vampire666]

Just wanted to update the thread saying that my new FiiO E17k arrived today and it works fine with my cheap Android phone: the Cubot P12!

 

[TehDoge]

Good news! How's the battery drain? Does the DAC work without the USB supplying power?

 

[vampire666]

I didn't notice any significant battery drainage, but I0m using the device connected to the pc most of the time.
I have to test it a little bit more (didn't have much time).

 

[damobananna]

Hi

 
Does she work connected from the usb3 port ?I have an akjr and the dac does not support usb3 connect :/ As i have destroyed the headphone out port on my laptop I need a good cheap dac to replace but I have an expensive gaming laptop it only has usb3 ports :/