[StanD]

We did drive the HE400i, the AKG K702, SENNHEISER HD650, BEYER DT 880/250. All on low gain. And all sounded better on the E12a. He who rules out the E12a based on the max output, really misses the better sound.
Just saying.....

Other than SNR, what property of the E21A makes it sound better?

 

[bzippy]

When the red light stops blinking, it is supposed to be charged.

yeah that i know that, sorry, i was unclear wtih my question. i was wondering when to charge it and what is best for the battery? only after it dies? that is not so convenient, obviously. so is it ok to keep it plugged in until i use it?

 

[HotIce]

As I said, even though I did not take mine apart to look at the ICs (and the pictures floating around, only show the top PCB with decent resolution), I am pretty confident the E12 has dedicated charging IC, which will take care of all the charging logic for the E12 battery configuration.
This is why I leave mine constantly plugged to the USB, when it sits on my desk, and it has been fine for a while.

 

[bzippy]

We did drive the HE400i, the AKG K702, SENNHEISER HD650, BEYER DT 880/250. All on low gain. And all sounded better on the E12a. He who rules out the E12a based on the max output, really misses the better sound.
Just saying.....

not my experience at all. i wanted to like the E12A more than, or at least as much as, my E12 to drive my HD600's. i was hoping this because i like the E12A bass boost more than the E12 (either version). but for me the E12 sounded better with the HD600's (with bass boost off, which is what matters most to me).

 

[bzippy]

As I said, even though I did not take mine apart to look at the ICs (and the pictures floating around, only show the top PCB with decent resolution), I am pretty confident the E12 has dedicated charging IC, which will take care of all the charging logic for the E12 battery configuration.
This is why I leave mine constantly plugged to the USB, when it sits on my desk, and it has been fine for a while.

ok, good to know. my concern was mostly about the negative effect on lifespan from keeping it fully charged most of the time.

 

[Chris J]

ok, good to know. my concern was mostly about the negative effect on lifespan from keeping it fully charged most of the time.

I would keep it unplugged when using it to eliminate power line noise.

Of course the E12 has a charging management chip, what do you think makes the red charging light blink?

 

[StanD]

I would keep it unplugged when using it to eliminate power line noise.

Of course the E12 has a charging management chip, what do you think makes the red charging light blink?

Leprechauns?

 

[bzippy]

I would keep it unplugged when using it to eliminate power line noise.

Of course the E12 has a charging management chip, what do you think makes the red charging light blink?

yes, i got that and i always do unplug it when in use. i was only asking about what is best to do when not using it. i'd love to have it almost always plugged in when not in use but there was a post or two in the previous pages that said something about the chemistry getting "weird' when kept at 100% all the time (whatever that means), and that cycling is important. perhaps the amount of discharging that happens after using it once or twice is enough to satisfy this recommendation? i'm guessing it is so that's what i'll do.
 
the only reason i'm so annoyingly concerned about this is that i want to maximize the lifespan of this battery. i have the v1 version and i got it used, so i have no idea what abuse it has taken so far. i really love this amp and am trying to put off for as long as possible the quandary of what to do when the battery gives out, which would be to either find another of these rare v1's (and not knowing the health of that battery), send it to China for battery replacement (ugh), or embark on a new, lengthy hunt for a unit that suits me as well as this one does.
 
anyway, thanks.

 

[StanD]

 
yes, i got that and i always do unplug it when in use. i was only asking about what is best to do when not using it. i'd love to have it almost always plugged in when not in use but there was a post or two in the previous pages that said something about the chemistry getting "weird' when kept at 100% all the time (whatever that means), and that cycling is important. perhaps the amount of discharging that happens after using it once or twice is enough to satisfy this recommendation? i'm guessing it is so that's what i'll do.
 
the only reason i'm so annoyingly concerned about this is that i want to maximize the lifespan of this battery. i have the v1 version and i got it used, so i have no idea what abuse it has taken so far. i really love this amp and am trying to put off for as long as possible the quandary of what to do when the battery gives out, which would be to either find another of these rare v1's (and not knowing the health of that battery), send it to China for battery replacement (ugh), or embark on a new, lengthy hunt for a unit that suits me as well as this one does.
 
anyway, thanks.

Find someone with some repair skills and read the below link.
http://fiio.me/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=40032
 
I'll bet that all versions open the same way.

 

[HotIce]

Batteries deteriorate with time. This happens to all of them. If you want to preserve them longer, you need to keep them in cold temperatures at about 40..50% charge.
But that defeats the point of having something ready to use when you need
I would not worry about the battery, as it will last longer than your interest in the E12. By them time it will have to be replaced, the E15 will be out, with glittering new features, and you will want to grab that one.
Replacing the battery should not be requiring major surgery. Two screws on the back, pull the gain pin, pull the slide where the PSB sits, and replace the battery.
It "should" just have a connector, so soldering might not be involved at all.

 

[Dobrescu George]

Batteries deteriorate with time. This happens to all of them. If you want to preserve them longer, you need to keep them in cold temperatures at about 40..50% charge.
But that defeats the point of having something ready to use when you need

I would not worry about the battery, as it will last longer than your interest in the E12. By them time it will have to be replaced, the E15 will be out, with glittering new features, and you will want to grab that one.
Replacing the battery should not be requiring major surgery. Two screws on the back, pull the gain pin, pull the slide where the PSB sits, and replace the battery.
It "should" just have a connector, so soldering might not be involved at all.

what is fiio e15?..
 
also, as far as SQ goes, e12 and e12a are just so neutral that they can compete with amps at any price, i love the fact that they are very colorless! But i really do think that if the batterry is protected against over-charge and bump charge, we are more than fine!
 
the only thing i can ask, is if anyone managed to replace the battery, as this would actually be good, but i remember fiio saying that they would change it personally, but also considering the low price, i might get the next thing they create when batterry dies.

 

[HotIce]

I made the E15 up , just to message the fact that by the time you might need to replace the battery, other more interesting (as not necessarily better sounding, but simply newer) things will be on the market.

 

[Dobrescu George]

I made the E15 up

, just to message the fact that by the time you might need to replace the battery, other more interesting (as not necessarily better sounding, but simply newer) things will be on the market.

fiio has made a point in a tradition of what they produce new is better..

 

[bzippy]

  Find someone with some repair skills and read the below link.
http://fiio.me/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=40032
 

 

Batteries deteriorate with time. This happens to all of them. If you want to preserve them longer, you need to keep them in cold temperatures at about 40..50% charge.
But that defeats the point of having something ready to use when you need

I would not worry about the battery, as it will last longer than your interest in the E12. By them time it will have to be replaced, the E15 will be out, with glittering new features, and you will want to grab that one.
Replacing the battery should not be requiring major surgery. Two screws on the back, pull the gain pin, pull the slide where the PSB sits, and replace the battery.
It "should" just have a connector, so soldering might not be involved at all.
 

 
good posts, both. and likely the most relevant: probably the E15 point. i will stop worrying and learn to love the bomb. thanks, folks.

 

[StanD]

   
 
good posts, both. and likely the most relevant: probably the E15 point. i will stop worrying and learn to love the bomb. thanks, folks.

You took some good advice from Slim Pickens.