[Francisk]

Thanks for the heads up. I didn't want to change the firmware mid-review for the sake of consistency (and fear of bricking it in the process haha). I updated to 1.4.2 just now. Time for some testing ^_^

Nice review there Crabdog but honestly, ES100 will be irresistible if it incorporate the newer AK4376A DAC instead of the outdated AK4375A. I guess the AK4375A DAC is chosen instead to keep the ES100 price as affordable as possible.

 

[crabdog]

Nice review there Crabdog but honestly, ES100 will be irresistible if it incorporate the newer AK4376A DAC instead of the outdated AK4375A. I guess the AK4375A DAC is chosen instead to keep the ES100 price as affordable as possible.

It's hard to say really. They (AKM) say the AK4376A has even better sound along with better performance but that's just marketing speak until I hear it for myself. As you probably know, the way a DAC is implemented has a great impact on sound performance and it's obvious that Mr @wslee has got some serious engineering clout. I am hugely impressed by the audio quality of the ES100 regardless of what DAC it has.

Needless to say though, if ever there is an updated version of the ES100 I will be all over it like a drunk uncle at a Christmas party

 

[Francisk]

It's hard to say really. They (AKM) say the AK4376A has even better sound along with better performance but that's just marketing speak until I hear it for myself. As you probably know, the way a DAC is implemented has a great impact on sound performance and it's obvious that Mr @wslee has got some serious engineering clout. I am hugely impressed by the audio quality of the ES100 regardless of what DAC it has.

Needless to say though, if ever there is an updated version of the ES100 I will be all over it like a drunk uncle at a Christmas party

Lol Crabdog...I guess I'll get myself an ES100 for Christmas after reading your review...even with the AK4375A DAC. Thanks to you.

 

[SubMash]

Lol Crabdog...I guess I'll get myself an ES100 for Christmas after reading your review...even with the AK4375A DAC. Thanks to you.

4376 only better without load (no headphones). Under load it has exactly same specs.

 

[crabdog]

Lol Crabdog...I guess I'll get myself an ES100 for Christmas after reading your review...even with the AK4375A DAC. Thanks to you.

Awesome! I'm sure you'll love it just like everyone else does. Looking forward to your impressions.

 

[MisterMudd]

Nice review there Crabdog but honestly, ES100 will be irresistible if it incorporate the newer AK4376A DAC instead of the outdated AK4375A. I guess the AK4375A DAC is chosen instead to keep the ES100 price as affordable as possible.

Irresistible just the way it is. Thanks.

 

[CactusPete23]

It's hard to say really. They (AKM) say the AK4376A has even better sound along with better performance but that's just marketing speak until I hear it for myself. As you probably know, the way a DAC is implemented has a great impact on sound performance and it's obvious that Mr @wslee has got some serious engineering clout. I am hugely impressed by the audio quality of the ES100 regardless of what DAC it has.

Needless to say though, if ever there is an updated version of the ES100 I will be all over it like a drunk uncle at a Christmas party

The A4376A sounds like it would be great. However, it does take more power and that is important in these tiny devices.
- AKM says that the A4376A uses 36.6MW in HP Mode, and 13.7mW in LP Mode, (fs=44.1kHz). While the A4375A is 9.5mW (fs= 44.1kHz),
- Not sure if HP (High Performance Mode) is needed, but that is almost 4 times the power usage.

 

[Elzizo]

The A4376A sounds like it would be great. However, it does take more power and that is important in these tiny devices.
- AKM says that the A4376A uses 36.6MW in HP Mode, and 13.7mW in LP Mode, (fs=44.1kHz). While the A4375A is 9.5mW (fs= 44.1kHz),
- Not sure if HP (High Performance Mode) is needed, but that is almost 4 times the power usage.

This most likely explains my battery performance issues between the ES100 and the Fiio BTR3. Thanks for the technical info!

 

[Francisk]

The A4376A sounds like it would be great. However, it does take more power and that is important in these tiny devices.
- AKM says that the A4376A uses 36.6MW in HP Mode, and 13.7mW in LP Mode, (fs=44.1kHz). While the A4375A is 9.5mW (fs= 44.1kHz),
- Not sure if HP (High Performance Mode) is needed, but that is almost 4 times the power usage.

Looks like it will be a very early ES100 Christmas present for myself then

 

[SubMash]

The A4376A sounds like it would be great. However, it does take more power and that is important in these tiny devices.
- AKM says that the A4376A uses 36.6MW in HP Mode, and 13.7mW in LP Mode, (fs=44.1kHz). While the A4375A is 9.5mW (fs= 44.1kHz),
- Not sure if HP (High Performance Mode) is needed, but that is almost 4 times the power usage.

Not sure where you got those numbers, but 75 is not 9.5mw maximum usage. It's even more than that output power from specs. I bet they both identical in terms of power efficiency. They are largely same chip except that 76 has separate lp mode for almost no load scenario, like using dongle with external amp.

 

[Francisk]

Awesome! I'm sure you'll love it just like everyone else does. Looking forward to your impressions.

Looks like Christmas is 3 months earlier for me....just purchased the ES100 from Amazon

 

[crabdog]

Looks like Christmas is 3 months earlier for me....just purchased the ES100 from Amazon

That's the Head-Fi spirit!

 

[scotvl]

Looks like it will be a very early ES100 Christmas present for myself then

You won't be disappointed.

 

[Rowethren]

Thanks to Oneplus removing the headphone jack on their next phone I have decided to get an ES100 which I will clip on around my shirt collar/ top button. What is the general consensus on cable length to the headphones in these situations? I was thinking about 40cm but not sure if that might be a bit long or not.

 

[zolom]

Mine is 60cm, allowing me to keep the ES100 in my top shirt pocket.