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- Feb 23, 2011
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Quote:
Yeah I'm really cautious about buying DACs/amps/cables as there is a ton of marketing jargon that gets thrown around by the manufacturers. After reading some of the articles written by the designer of the Objective 2, I'm opting for more real-world testing before purchasing a product. Even with the E11 amp, the specs listed on the box aren't real-world tests.
As for the synergy stuff, I'm not a fan of it but evidently many people seek it. The O2 happens to have very good synergy with the M-100's for the most part.
Quote:I can't make any claims on the E12, but just because an amp has more power doesn't necessarily mean it sounds better.
The big buzz word for the E12 is its high output power. Most portable amplifiers supply more than enough power to drive a headphone, even with the E7's "mere" 150 mW at 16 Ω. A sensitive, low impedance headphone like the M-100 doesn't need much power at all to drive it.
Indeed, power isn't everything. But the E12 still is a smooth, well implemented, and high quality amp. Even approximately volume matched, the Mont Blanc + Line-Out clearly has a "purer" technical fidelity than the amp built into my PMP (which I realize fidelity is objective while fun/preference is subjective). Is that worth it? Up to the individual. I also frequently read that loudness is not equal to max potential SQ, that current makes a difference, and it's "difficult" to supply "enough" current without being too loud... I have not yet gotten to the bottom of that, so I can't back that up. I'm a little skeptical of the "current claims" without being educated on the science, but in practice I do hear a difference in fidelity at listening levels (and quieter), which I ascribe to better quality parts/implementation than the amp of my iPod, iPad, E5, Recon3D...
Is it the most synergistic and cost effective pairing with the M-100? Probably not, but that has a fair amount depending on personal taste. Is the E12 a good amp? Yes, very good, also very versatile for a $120 portable.
Yeah I'm really cautious about buying DACs/amps/cables as there is a ton of marketing jargon that gets thrown around by the manufacturers. After reading some of the articles written by the designer of the Objective 2, I'm opting for more real-world testing before purchasing a product. Even with the E11 amp, the specs listed on the box aren't real-world tests.
As for the synergy stuff, I'm not a fan of it but evidently many people seek it. The O2 happens to have very good synergy with the M-100's for the most part.