[mplee79]

I saw in some sigs here that others are using the Fiio E5 to drive cans with impedance of ~300. I just ordered the Fiio e5 with the iem. How does this amp sound when paired with the hd600?

 

[paaj]

Not heard that e5, but most likely not even close to full potential, but it will give you enough volume

The HD600/650 sounds ok even straight out of the iPod, just remember you can do much better with a decent amp.
If you're not looking to upgrade that amp any time soon, you are probably better of searching for another headphone.
listenend genres and extra wishes will help you get some good recommendations.

 

[mplee79]

I have a decent amp. Just found it novel that something for 20 dollars, that i got free with the earphones could be used to drive my 600s =) Or that people actually do this.

I assumed the fiio was comparable to the "free gift" that one receives when signing up for a credit card. Probably get chucked in my trunk somewhere and get misplaced after a couple days.

 

[paaj]

So... you're not looking for a headphone and have the Fiio coming in? Have some patience and then tell us all about that combo

 

[K_19]

They really deserve more than an E5, better, that's all.

Reminds me of when I used to amp the K701 with my T4. It did the job and did sound pretty nice with it (mainly due to its warmness and it having decent power for an ultraportable), but ultimately, it isn't a long term solution or anything at all.

 

[Drubbing]

A HD600 +Fiio is such a quality mismatch it's not even funny, you might as well go all the way and get a HD800 and plug it straight into a ipod shuffle.

Any phone will play music on just about anything, but demanding phones need proper equipment to do what they're supposed to do.

 

[Rainbow Randy]

This is a valid question. Rather than guessing what it might sound like, I'd be interested in hearing from someone who could actually answer the question.

A $200 amp will outperform a $20 amp? Thanks a lot, guys.

 

[RedSky0]

I used to use a H320 + E3 -> HD600 portably. It improved the bass punch slightly, and the ability to reveal details very marginally, but the differences between running it with and without the amp were incredibly minor. E5 is much the same.

 

[Drubbing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedSky0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I used to use a H320 + E3 -> HD600 portably. It improved the bass punch slightly, and the ability to reveal details very marginally, but the differences between running it with and without the amp were incredibly minor. E5 is much the same.

That demonstrates the mismatch between the two. High impedance phones need power, and a portable battery amp is little more than a loudness/bass boost button, and amps aren't about providing volume per se.

 

[genclaymore]

I dont see why it cant be use for temporay til you get a better headphone amp. then again unless the HD600s are 600ohms which the E5 cant drive.

 

[TopPop]

I've done it. It doesn't sound horrible, but neither does the HD600 plugged straight into my Fuze. It just gets a lot better with higher quality amplification, that's all.