[JamesFiiO]

Quote:

I just received the amp and have let it get up to room temperature before giving it a whirl...
 
First impression is of a very high quality piece of hardware - It looks very classy and fits almost perfectly under my iPhone5 (with slim case).
 
I have a question though - The 0dB gain position...  Does that do what it says on the tin, ie doesn't actually amplify the incoming signal?  I'm confused!
With the switch in the 0dB position, the output is no louder than it is from the headphone socket of my iPhone (which I'm feeding the amp from).
 
Obviously switching to the 16dB position amplifies the sound significantly, but I don't understand the purpose of the 0dB position if it's not actually amplifying the source - Doesn't that just make it an expensive attenuator (unless it's at full volume)?
 
I realise that volume isn't everything, but clearly I'm missing something!

 
0dB gain means the output=input when the volume set to max. it is designed for high sensitivity IEMs. 

 

[JamesFiiO]

Quote:

 
I was using my various USB chargers (ie for Samsung Galaxy S2), and it seemed to take a while to charge. I then tried using my Samsung Tab2 charger, and the red light pulses much more quickly and it charges quickest. I hope that's OK!

 
Yes, the best way to charge Mont Blanc is find a USB charger for any Pad, and it is OK if you have only a small charger , just need more time to charge it . so you don't need to carry a big charger around.
 
I think it is very easy to get a USB power which output current is bigger than 500mA, and it is very safe to use a USB port in your PC or Laptop to charge it .

 

[JamesFiiO]

Quote:

 
I seriously doubt FiiO can afford to sell it for less!

 
not, the margin room for FiiO and our dealers is not so high.

 

[MrJoshua]

Quote:

I just received the amp and have let it get up to room temperature before giving it a whirl...
 
First impression is of a very high quality piece of hardware - It looks very classy and fits almost perfectly under my iPhone5 (with slim case).
 
I have a question though - The 0dB gain position...  Does that do what it says on the tin, ie doesn't actually amplify the incoming signal?  I'm confused!
With the switch in the 0dB position, the output is no louder than it is from the headphone socket of my iPhone (which I'm feeding the amp from).
 
Obviously switching to the 16dB position amplifies the sound significantly, but I don't understand the purpose of the 0dB position if it's not actually amplifying the source - Doesn't that just make it an expensive attenuator (unless it's at full volume)?
 
I realise that volume isn't everything, but clearly I'm missing something!

 
OK, with my TripleFi 10's, 0dB is plenty loud and does seem to offer some volume increase over the iPhone output, but with my HD25-1-II's, the volume is about the same unless I switch to the 16dB setting.
 
At the higher gain setting, the E12 drives my HD-650s well - They sound really nice together actually.
 
Comparing the E12 (BB off) with the Voyager (Contour off)...  The E12 has a lot more top-end sparkle - Makes the Voyager sound heavily veiled, but I suspect the Voyager is possibly just more flat.
With Contour on, the Voyager sounds more fun and the bass has more punchy impact than the E12 with BB on, but the E12 has more sub-bass grunt.
 
Overall though, my first hour with this amp is very positive - It'll be interesting to hear if it changes as it burns in.

 

[MrJoshua]

Quote:

 
0dB gain means the output=input when the volume set to max. it is designed for high sensitivity IEMs. 

 
What's the benefit then?  Forgetting LODs for a minute (and therefore the increased SQ), is it just that more current is available to the low impedance IEM than if driving them straight out of the headphone socket of the source?

 

[JamesFiiO]

Quote:

 
What's the benefit then?  Forgetting LODs for a minute (and therefore the increased SQ), is it just that more current is available to the low impedance IEM than if driving them straight out of the headphone socket of the source?

 
yes, an amp can drive the IEMs better even the volume is the same, as we tested, the iPod Classic also have 22 output impedance, and the frequency response changed when the IEMs connected to the headphone out but it is keep flat when it connect to the headphone out of an decent amp 

 

[MrJoshua]

Quote:

 
yes, an amp can drive the IEMs better even the volume is the same, as we tested, the iPod Classic also have 22 output impedance, and the frequency response changed when the IEMs connected to the headphone out but it is keep flat when it connect to the headphone out of an decent amp 

Thanks for the explanation - I'm listening to the amp now and it sounds very nice with some modern Drum & Bass

 

[MrScratch]

Oh wow. It packs quite a punch when that little neat switch gets activated. 

I was listening to U.K. Girls (Physical) from the album Felt Mountain and after that... Well, I had to take a listen to Around the World.

One in a Million by DatA and Can't Get You Out of My Head sounded awesome, while it added some earth-shaking bass to Restless by UNKLE.
 
Yep, it was a fun out-of-the-box listening!

 
 
I might be mad since I enjoyed the bass boost more with a better balanced pair of cans instead of the bass-heavy ones, I've tested the MMMs against the h/k CLs and I must say the latter sounded more engaging.
 
 
I didn't have the time to feed my X1s with my new baby, however I'm willing to take some time and have some fun listening sessions with the iMac->E17+L7->E12->X1 combo in the next days, too! ^^
 
 
Quote:

 
 
any idea what are the specs of the old ipod charger? the big one. im using that one but it gets nasty hot after an hour or two so i need to open my pc just to charge the E12 haha

 
How "old" is it? The iPod chargers I've seen in the last couple of years have a 5V DC 1A output (same as an iPhone charger) which means they are as good as iPad chargers but they'll take longer to fill the battery of your E12.

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

I just received the amp and have let it get up to room temperature before giving it a whirl...
 
First impression is of a very high quality piece of hardware - It looks very classy and fits almost perfectly under my iPhone5 (with slim case).
 
I have a question though - The 0dB gain position...  Does that do what it says on the tin, ie doesn't actually amplify the incoming signal?  I'm confused!
With the switch in the 0dB position, the output is no louder than it is from the headphone socket of my iPhone (which I'm feeding the amp from).
 
Obviously switching to the 16dB position amplifies the sound significantly, but I don't understand the purpose of the 0dB position if it's not actually amplifying the source - Doesn't that just make it an expensive attenuator (unless it's at full volume)?
 
I realise that volume isn't everything, but clearly I'm missing something!

 
More output current, baby!
And lower output impedance!

 

[MrJoshua]

Quote:

 
More output current, baby!
And lower output impedance!

Thanks Chris - Got it now
 
I'm really impressed with this amp - It's definitely a winner!

 

[cyh03176]

received e12 in uk yesterday and my hd650 sounds thicker now. bass has more substance, mid is more forward and high is relaxing. it is a good amp.
 
bass boost on, crossfeed off and gain off

 

[Dyaems]

Quote:

Oh wow. It packs quite a punch when that little neat switch gets activated. 

I was listening to U.K. Girls (Physical) from the album Felt Mountain and after that... Well, I had to take a listen to Around the World.

One in a Million by DatA and Can't Get You Out of My Head sounded awesome, while it added some earth-shaking bass to Restless by UNKLE.
 
Yep, it was a fun out-of-the-box listening!

 
 
I might be mad since I enjoyed the bass boost more with a better balanced pair of cans instead of the bass-heavy ones, I've tested the MMMs against the h/k CLs and I must say the latter sounded more engaging.
 
 
I didn't have the time to feed my X1s with my new baby, however I'm willing to take some time and have some fun listening sessions with the iMac->E17+L7->E12->X1 combo in the next days, too! ^^
 
 
 
How "old" is it? The iPod chargers I've seen in the last couple of years have a 5V DC 1A output (same as an iPhone charger) which means they are as good as iPad chargers but they'll take longer to fill the battery of your E12.

 
 
the big ones, like the one with ipod video 5th gen or maybe older

 

[Change is Good]

E12 is up for sale on Amazon my GMART Global. Are they a legitimate distributor?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B6QXWIY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1UG27DD7KR2HI
 
Edit: I ask because I'd rather purchase from Amazon even if it's $10 more. You can't go wrong with their return policy being that it's fulfilled by Amazon.

 

[bowei006]

E12 is up for sale on Amazon my GMART Global. Are they a legitimate distributor?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B6QXWIY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1UG27DD7KR2HI

Edit: I ask because I'd rather purchase from Amazon even if it's $10 more. You can't go wrong with their return policy being that it's fulfilled by Amazon.

No they are not.

Micca (TekFX)
Parts express
Headroom
Hifiman
JDS LAbs
J and R
Think Geek

are the mains ones that sell FiiO(there are like 10 more but they didn't seem to be as big named sellers as these)

Micca has free shipping and good warranty

 

[cyh03176]

Quote:

E12 is up for sale on Amazon my GMART Global. Are they a legitimate distributor?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B6QXWIY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1UG27DD7KR2HI
 
Edit: I ask because I'd rather purchase from Amazon even if it's $10 more. You can't go wrong with their return policy being that it's fulfilled by Amazon.

 
seems legit. fiio was released in the uk on 2nd April and I just got mine yesterday.