[miceblue]

 
What are your opinions on the c5d compared to the FIIO E17.  I am wondering if I should upgrade for my AKG K712 pro's.  Also wondering about how it stacks up to ALO the Island.

i would go with the c5d all the way.

Yup I concur. I didn't like the E17 with my K 701 at all compared to the C5D. The C5D sounds much cleaner and articulate, more airy, and fairly smooth in the treble and upper-mids.

 

[m50man]

Interesting.. I am considering it since I have heard good things.  Still on the fence though because I may be considering a desktop unit (seeing as how using the c5d with my iPod wouldn't even convert the audio it would really just be amping the headphones right?).  It might be worth it to spend a couple hundred more to get even better quality if I'm mostly going to be needing the DAC functioning at home

 

[Smugsie]

  In order to get the C5D for an extra low price MassDrop has it on this site we just need 67 more requests to start the drop. 
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/jds-labs-c5d-portable-dac-amp?s=c5 
I think it might drop the price down to $200 

I wouldn't do that if I were you.

 

[radiohead7]

I

 

I wouldn't do that if I were you.

Why not?

 

[ThurstonX]

I wouldn't do that if I were you.

 

  I
Why not?

 
Unless something changed, that site to which you refer is verboten 'round here.

 

[m50man]

How is this unit compared to a FIIO E17?  I am finding the E17 to be lacking on clarity, depth, soundstage etc on my AKG K712 pro's.  
 
I am also interested in how this unit also compares to ALO the Island or even a desktop combo such as Asgard 2 + Bifrost

 

[worminater]

  How is this unit compared to a FIIO E17?  I am finding the E17 to be lacking on clarity, depth, soundstage etc on my AKG K712 pro's.  
 
I am also interested in how this unit also compares to ALO the Island or even a desktop combo such as Asgard 2 + Bifrost

 
Not sure on power; but I've found the c5d works much better as amp xor dac with my se846s than  my E17. Specifically, noise floor was unbearable for me to even try them long enough to draw sound quality comparisons. (c5d *almost* silent).
 
-Chris

 

[jseaber]

JDS Labs products have been banned from group buy sites since earlier this year. From a manufacturer's perspective, group buys are a really, really poor deal in the long term (the kind that puts businesses out of business).

 

[py61]

I love this amp, but 11 hours work time is poor.

 

[Semont]

It would be great if John provided a list of compatible batteries that would extend the battery life of the C5D.

 

[shuggs]

should I be seeing light between case and endplate?

just worried about dust and moisture getting in...

 

[qsk78]

  I love this amp, but 11 hours work time is poor.

More capacity battery - more weight - bigger size.

 

[Semont]

More capacity battery - more weight - bigger size.

I wouldn't mind a larger c5d. Most android phones are increasing in size all across the spectrum anyways.

 

[wmedrz]

  should I be seeing light between case and endplate?

just worried about dust and moisture getting in...

I had the same thing. When I took the face plate off I noticed tiny shards of metal sticking out of the holes where the screws go in. I filed them down to be smooth and the face plate is perfectly flush now. 

 

[qsk78]

After one month of usage, what can I shortly tell about the C5?
 
Pros:

1. build quality
2. detailed clean sound
3. fast, tight and very well controlled bass on my H3
4. neutral
5. instrument separation
6. makes XBA-H3 sound more openly and airy on highs
7. a good pair with the X5 MM

 
Cons:

1. Gain switch combined with Volume.

I switch it occasionally from low to high very often. A separate switch\knob\button would be much better.

1. Battery life could be longer/higher capacity.

 My X5 from line-out works for 16-18 hours. C5 works for 10-12 h.

1. I still cannot understand if I really like a mid-forwarded sound or not.  
2. Soundstage could be wider

 
To me the C5 has a great value for its price.