[syryanyang]

Headphones I have: Mrspeakers Mad Dog      DT990premium 250ohm   Philips Fidelio L1
Headphones I'll probably buy in foreseeable future: AKG Q701  Shure 1440
I already have a Fiio E17 but it is not good enough to drive all my cans.
Should I simply hook it up with E09K or get rid of it for better set-ups.
Budget's about $300-$400

 

[syryanyang]

Guys, I really need some help here.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Just get the Fiio E09K, fine for headphones from 62-Ohms to 600-Ohms.
With headphone under 80-Ohms, just use the E17 by it's self.

 

[Headzone]

Quote:

Just get the Fiio E09K, fine for headphones from 62-Ohms to 600-Ohms.
With headphone under 80-Ohms, just use the E17 by it's self.

Have you heard them both side by side? Does the Fiio E09K have the same black background that O2 amp has?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Have you heard them both side by side? Does the Fiio E09K have the same black background that O2 amp has?

I have the Essence STX, which uses the same head amp. chip as the Fiio E09(K)
and also have the O2, to me they sound the same.

 

[MattTCG]

Another vote for the e09k ...it's great!!

 

[stv014]

Quote:

Have you heard them both side by side? Does the Fiio E09K have the same black background that O2 amp has?

 
Not if you are using IEMs or very sensitive headphones. But with the Q701 and DT990-250, it should have no audible noise. In general, the O2 is better for low impedance headphones.

 

[ostewart]

My vote is O2, it just sounds so good with any headphone, you never have to worry about high output impedance or anything like that, and it will drive most headphones fine. Also I know not to judge by only measurements, but wow are the measurements good.

 

[syryanyang]

Thanks for all your replies. Now I have another option in mind, that is Matrix M-stage DAC+amp. Any ideas?

 

[Prava]

Quote:

Thanks for all your replies. Now I have another option in mind, that is Matrix M-stage DAC+amp. Any ideas?

 
I'd take the Objective 2 as I,too, have the Matrix. For me, the Matrix creates hissing in low impedance headphones, whether the O2 is dead silent at all times. Also, if you keep in mind the output impedance of both the Matrix and the O2, the O2 is better with low impedance headphones... and as good with higher impedance cans.

 

[autoteleology]

I have the Objective2 amp and it's incredibly transparent. It's a pretty big difference from my E9.

 

[HamilcarBarca]

Quote:

Thanks for all your replies. Now I have another option in mind, that is Matrix M-stage DAC+amp. Any ideas?

 
My M-Stage produces low-frequency pink noise at higher volumes. That's a real problem but, otherwise, I like it.
 
I also have the ODAC+O2 combo. It's audibly superior.

 

[asdfghjkzxcvbnm]

Quote:

Just get the Fiio E09K, fine for headphones from 62-Ohms to 600-Ohms.
With headphone under 80-Ohms, just use the E17 by it's self.

So does that mean it for under 80 ohms it sounds better with E17 by itself or will there still be a slight improvement?  And also is E09K+E17 a good setup for Q701?

 

[h4mm3r 0f th0r]

o2/odac combo is better without a doubt...

 

[asdfghjkzxcvbnm]

But will it still do a good job of driving the Q701?