iRiver E10 - is it just me, or is it crazy good?

[Covenant]

So, for curiosity's sake, I recently tried plugging my HD600's directly into my iRiver E10 to compare its headphone-out to my big rig (Eastsound E5, M3 amp).

Knowing how high impedance these headphones are, I expected the iRiver to sound flat and lifeless trying to drive them directly. Much to my surprise, the little player seemed to have no trouble at all. I tend to listen at moderate volumes which probably helps, but i put on some Ozzy Ozbourne and cranked it a bit to test its mettle, and I didnt have to go past volume 30 to achieve satisfyingly head-banging loudness (40 being maximum).

Even more of a surprise, the iRiver sounded good! Damn good. I was doing some research online at the time, and was heavily engrossed in what I was reading.. and then the Corrs 'Runaway' started, and it sounded so good it broke my concentration and made me stop what I was doing to listen.

I really didnt expect that from a 'lowly' mp3 player like the iRiver. Whats worse is that i've owned this thing for almost a year now and have never tried it with my HD600, just my portables on the go, so i had no real idea of its potential

Did someone lace my coffee that night with LSDs without my knowing, or is this just a really superb sounding player? And how the hell does it drive HD600 as well as it does? I would imagine the power output of the built-in amp to be pretty mediocre.

 

[jessica_fae]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covenant /img/forum/go_quote.gif So, for curiosity's sake, I recently tried plugging my HD600's directly into my iRiver E10 to compare its headphone-out to my big rig (Eastsound E5, M3 amp).... Knowing how high impedance these headphones are, I expected the iRiver to sound flat and lifeless trying to drive them directly.... Even more of a surprise, the iRiver sounded good! Damn good.

I have an iRiver S10 which is a super tiny player. This should also not be able to handle my HD580 at all. But I also was SHOCKED at how good this combo sounded.

I have been so very impressed with the iRiver devices. I would not be surprised that your E10 (which is a much larger device) should also sound really good.

 

[nsx_23]

The newer iRivers are a disappointment compared to the old warhorses (e.g. H320).

I wonder who's tuning the sound of their players now

 

[Covenant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsx_23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The newer iRivers are a disappointment compared to the old warhorses (e.g. H320). I wonder who's tuning the sound of their players now

I wouldnt say that, I owned an H320 (it may even be lingering around here somewhere), and they both seem to be around on par. I havent done a head to head though.

It makes me wonder how my E10 would compare to one of the new 6th gen iPod classics, that were apparently redesigned for a much cleaner output stage from the Wolfston DAC. Maybe there's an Apple store around that'll have a demo unit

 

[nsx_23]

What I mean is the newer stuff like the E100, X20

 

[Covenant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsx_23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif What I mean is the newer stuff like the E100, X20

Oh, what's been changed on those models?

 

[nsx_23]

Not too sure to be honest, but they sound absolutely rubbish compared to the old players.

 

[Aevum]

what kind of hard drive did the E10 use ? can it be modded to carry a compact flash ?

 

[nsx_23]

It's probably too small to carry a CF card I think...

I got offered a new E10 for around $120. I'm so tempted to pick one up, but I already pre-ordered a 16GB D2...

 

[majkel]

Cowon D2 is sound-wise several classes below the E10. iRiver E10 is probably the best sounding player ever made. I sold the H340 as it didn't quite satisfy me sonically. The clix2 was good but corrupted ogg support made it invaluable for me.
So, another crazy sounding player besides the E10 is Teclast T39. When you plug Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro to it, the surprise is much bigger than boldly expected.

 

[HipHopScribe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsx_23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not too sure to be honest, but they sound absolutely rubbish compared to the old players.

iriver got the X20 from an OEM, it's the same player inside as one of those Insignia players. Not sure about the e100.

 

[robojack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by majkel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Cowon D2 is sound-wise several classes below the E10. iRiver E10 is probably the best sounding player ever made. I sold the H340 as it didn't quite satisfy me sonically. The clix2 was good but corrupted ogg support made it invaluable for me. So, another crazy sounding player besides the E10 is Teclast T39. When you plug Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro to it, the surprise is much bigger than boldly expected.

You USED to own a D2, which is why you may not have liked it. Recent firmware updates in the past half year or so have refined the SQ to a point where the SQ absolutely sparkles now, with or without an amp.

 

[RedSky0]

Wait, firmware updates have improved the D2's sound quality?

To my ears at least, A-Bing H320 and the D2, the iRiver is miles ahead in warmth, bass punch, proximity, and soundstage (without any effects) whereas the D2 is probably a reasonable bit more articulate/transient.

EDIT - This is based on 3.54 firmware by the way, trying the new one now

 

[robojack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedSky0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wait, firmware updates have improved the D2's sound quality? To my ears at least, A-Bing H320 and the D2, the iRiver is miles ahead in warmth, bass punch, proximity, and soundstage (without any effects) whereas the D2 is probably a reasonable bit more articulate/transient. EDIT - This is based on 3.54 firmware by the way, trying the new one now

3.55 does further improve the SQ, and with it, my D2 with my Predator sounds exactly like the Predator's DAC does when hooked up via USB. Not too shabby at all, if you ask me.

 

[majkel]

There is nothing like SQ improvement when switching from one firmware to another, especially when talking about all sound "improvers" turned off. Simply impossible.