[wrathzombie]

I am a beginner with limited equipment and unlimited music. I have put down the things I have:
 
Headphones/IEM:
 

1. MDR-ED12LP/R
2.  Brainwavz M2
3. JVC HAS700
4. XB300
5. SR-60i
6. HD518

 
Source:
 

1. Laptop
2. Ipod Nano/Classic(Cant be rock-boxed)
3. E-72- Primarily for FLAC

 
Speakers:
 

1. Sony SRS 05 2.1 Computer speakers.

 
Portable AMP:
 

1. Fiio E5

 
I listen to a lot of heavy metal, metalcore, death metal, fusion jazz, Grunge and Indie rock. I am planning to buy a portable Dac/amp primarily for my laptop audio. I am not sure my Fiio E5 is doing anything else apart from  amplification, however the equipment I have, I am not sure if my E5 is being properly used except maybe in case of the 518.
 
P.S. Most of my music is FLAC or 320 kbps mp3s
 
I am not intending to buy any new headphones in the near future.
 
Please advice on budget DAC. Fiio E7? NuForce uDAC? Anything else. Preferable budget $150.
 
 

 

[fabio-fi]

Fiio E7/E9? 
Can be found for around $180 at micca. 

 

[Head Injury]

There's no point in getting the E9 right now. The Fiio E7 will drive all of those, and do so without a 10 ohm output impedance that will color the sound.

 

[wrathzombie]

E7 it is..
 
 

 

[wrathzombie]

I placed an order for E7 and they are out of stock currently. So wanted to check for other options in the mean time. 
 
HD- 518 is gone for now(My brother took it).
 
Got a MDR- XZ 700 instead. In short, currently all my devices are pretty easy to drive.
 
I have to admit, I am not an audiophile but definitely love a good sound. What devices would help me improve the output from Laptop.
 
Does an external USB soundcard do the job? What options do I have? Please look at my current gear and advice.
 
 
Thank you.

 

[wrathzombie]

BUMP...

 

[MalVeauX]

Heya,
 
Look at this one.
 
Very best,