[Koolpep]

Thank you kindly. I also find the connectivity a small issue with the XB10. I think I may well give it a spin as I like the convenience over having a DAP or DAC/Amp, even though I suspect I could get better quality if I went this route.

I have the XB10 and since I have the ES100, it’s not used much at all. Usability, functionality and reliability of the connection is all better with the es100. I liked the XB10 for its sound quality but the es100 covers that too.

 

[PiSkyHiFi]

I actually prefer the AK Chips to ESS Chips

I don't know why yet, but for my Audio Technica MSR7 - it sounds great on both AK chips (The Earstudio) and ESS chips, however with my reference re-cabled Focal Elear (balanced on the ES100, unbalanced on my V20), the ESS 9218 is streets ahead in term of dynamics, precision and power.

The impedance might be the key, the MSR7 is 35 Ohm - the Elear is 80 Ohm.

Anything other than the reference headphones the differences between players on the same headphones is quite small and comes down to feel.

 

[psikey]

Just pre-ordered the Fiio BTR3 so will see how this compares to the ES100 for half the price (but no balanced). Pre-ordered for £49.49 from AMP3. The ES100 cost me just over £100 off Amazon with paid delivery.

Will be using with my LG V30+ which is fabulous wired anyway.

 

[SubMash]

Just pre-ordered the Fiio BTR3 so will see how this compares to the ES100 for half the price (but no balanced). Pre-ordered for £49.49 from AMP3. The ES100 cost me just over £100 off Amazon with paid delivery.

Will be using with my LG V30+ which is fabulous wired anyway.

Oh, finally btr3. So ldhc which you can't use anywhere, aptx LL. But it's single amp device with amp that is only better if you not using it - means no load, under load it's exactly same specs as one in es100, but it is only 1 amp. It's for sure would sound worse. Plus smaller battery, larger size.

 

[psikey]

Oh, finally btr3. So ldhc which you can't use anywhere, .

What do you mean with this part? the ES100 worked great for me with LDAC ? Or is LDHC something different ?

 

[SubMash]

What do you mean with this part? the ES100 worked great for me with LDAC ?

LHDC, sorry. New codec for Huawei phones only. Only one device supports it - btr3

 

[officerdibble]

Just pre-ordered the Fiio BTR3 so will see how this compares to the ES100 for half the price (but no balanced). Pre-ordered for £49.49 from AMP3. The ES100 cost me just over £100 off Amazon with paid delivery.

Will be using with my LG V30+ which is fabulous wired anyway.

Do you rate the V30 wired better than the ES100 using LDAC?

 

[psikey]

Do you rate the V30 wired better than the ES100 using LDAC?

Yes, but not much in it to my hearing. Would be happy to listen either with my SE846's (only actually used the SE846's via balanced).

 

[officerdibble]

Yes, but not much in it to my hearing. Would be happy to listen either with my SE846's (only actually used the SE846's via balanced).

Thanks, I have a dilemma! The ES100 unbalanced out my Pixel 2 over LDAC or swap the Pixel for an V30 - both for use with my IE800's …….

 

[psikey]

Thanks, I have a dilemma! The ES100 unbalanced out my Pixel 2 over LDAC or swap the Pixel for an V30 - both for use with my IE800's …….

ES100 is cheaper !! No need to even think about built-in sound quality of your next phone so long as it does LDAC.

Just using the V30 is better for me as it has the great number of volume control/steps which even works if using my Sony Bluetooth remote. ES100 Another thing to charge

 

[crabdog]

Thanks, I have a dilemma! The ES100 unbalanced out my Pixel 2 over LDAC or swap the Pixel for an V30 - both for use with my IE800's …….

So I've just been listening to the ES100 with the IE800S using both balanced and unbalanced out via LDAC from my Sony ZX300. Just like everything else I've tried with the ES100 it sounds absurdly good.

 

[officerdibble]

So I've just been listening to the ES100 with the IE800S using both balanced and unbalanced out via LDAC from my Sony ZX300. Just like everything else I've tried with the ES100 it sounds absurdly good.

This is good news! I think I'll grab one and sell the XB10 at a good discount...… Many thanks for taking the time to share

 

[tayano]

Am I deaf? I’m using es100 in usb-mode hooked up to my iphone. HP is HD660S. There is not a big difference between this little fella and the mojo. The mojo is a little clearer, more detailed and more natural but I really need to sit down and listen to spot any big differences. They are more similar than different, but the price is much higher for the mojo..

Need to do a bit more listening. Will be buying balances cable for hd660s soon, I wonder if it will sound better.

I don’t know if I’m impressed with es100 or disappointed with the mojo. Anybody else in a similar position?

Just to be clear. I prefer they mojo but it’s 4x the price. If I got the es100 first I may have been satisfied with that as my portable dac/amp.

 

[C_Lindbergh]

Just signed up for Tidal 30 days trail... And boy did the sound quality take me to another level with LDAC+ES100... I highly recomend switching from Spotify to Tidal if you want even better SQ! Even tho I lost around 20/500 songs because Tidal's got bit lower song quantity in their library.

 

[meinname123]

Then wait till qobuz is starting worldwide.
I use a sublime+ subscription with up to 24/192 streaming (most is in 88.2 or 96).

(Yes i know, 24 Bit and high sample rates is only for guys with golden ears and differences to 16/44.1 are more imagination than reality. - But: the mastering delivered by the studios for stuff available in 24 bit is very often much better. - And the better mastering makes the main difference.)