[nmatheis]

Purchased a few Fiio amps. Only 1 IC included with each. Try Velcro instead of bands.

 

[gearofwar]

Which would be a better amp for IEM, JDS C5 or Fiio E12A , for use with X5? could anyone here recommend me?

 

[nmatheis]

With typical IEM, I get about 25% use of volume pot with E12A. I enjoy the sound signature but wish the low gain were even lower. I haven't heard the JDS C5 but I suspect it's a leaner sound signature than E12A and might have better control over volume with typical IEM. Someone who's heard both will have to confirm, though.

It's been mentioned before, but I'll post it again. Headfonia compared E12A vs. JDS C5 here: LINK.

 

[reihead]

Question for X5 and E12a owners:
is the pairing of the X5 and the E12a better sounding than the X5 lineout sound?

The lineout of the X5 is remarkable.

If you own the fidue A83 please feel free to add impressions about the pairing.

Thanks

 

[nmatheis]

What do you mean reihead? I imagine we're all using X5 LO -> E12A when we pair them.

 

[ReizeiMako]

I think he mean HO.

 

[reihead]

I mean using the LO with earphones. Of course the sane way of doing this is using the X5 as usb DAC.

 

[Kerouac]

I mean using the LO with earphones.

Listening with earphones straight out of X5's LO? You know volume on LO is always on max, right?
I made that mistake once and almost damaged my hearing...

 

[Replicant187]

i know some poeple actually do that with X1's LO, using volume control buttons on the cable. they said it sounds better.

 

[Kerouac]

using volume control buttons on the cable.

Oh yeah...I don't have cables with volume control myself, so I totally forgot about this option

 

[nmatheis]

Won't you have higher impedance straight out of LO? If so, is it really "cleaner LO" people like or do they just like their HP with higher impedance source?

 

[DeeKay10]

I will conclude this by saying that yes, the X5+E12A does sound better than listening to the X5's line-out directly, substantially.
I believe the X1 has some special arrangement in the hardware which might cause its line-out to receive some amplification on the way. I'm yet to listen to a device through line-out that doesn't sound muffled.
 
Edit: Thought I'll add this here for clarification.
Many reviews mention the X5's line-out to be outstanding indeed. What they mean though, is that the X5 as a DAC paired to an amplifier (as opposed to other DACs), is great, not its actual line-out port. In that regard, the X1's DAC is allegedly good as well (based on reviews I've read).

 

[reihead]

DeeKay10 thanks.

Indeed listening straight from the LO is not a good idea. That's why I said using the X5 as usb dac, then you can control the volume from the computer.

Anymore impressions?

 

[gearofwar]

^ I noticed X5 is crazy hot when using as a DAC for computer, is it normal?

 

[reihead]

No in my experience. Just normal temperature