[jihyeu]

I am quite new to the headphone/hi-fi world. So I have very vague understanding about the audio technology such as digital signal transfer or amplifier.
 
Can anyone please tell which option has the better sound?
 
1. Ipod Classic + Fiio E17/E18
 
vs
 
2. Fiio X5 or Ibasso DX90
 
Thank you.

 

[BelialSeraph]

I have an iPod Classic and an E17 (E17 only works as an amp with the classic) and it doesn't sound as good as the E17 as a dac/amp. The FiiO X3 has the same hardware as the E17 and the X5 is supposedly better so the X5 and DX90 should sound better than the iPod combo. Both the E17 and E18 can't bypass the internal DAC of the classic as far as I know, so if you stick with the classic + amp, go with the FiiO E12 or E11 (unless you're willing to spend for a portable DAC that can bypass the classic's DAC, but they cost a lot more than the X5)