What Is The Best FiiO Amp? ($50-$100)
Aug 19, 2012 at 12:34 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 24

biggbenn74

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I have some spare change and am looking into buying a new portable FiiO amp (but all other brands will be accepted and looked into further.) I have been eyeing the E11, AND I ALREADY HAVE THE E7, I'm wondering if it would be an upgrade from what I have. I will be using the amp to power anything from some fake Beats all the way up to my AKG Q701. I like listening to more bass heavy music. Hope there are lots of helpful responses!
 
Aug 19, 2012 at 12:58 AM Post #2 of 24
Depends on how you're going to use it. If you're going to be using it more at home, I suggest the E10. It's a DAC/AMP, similar to your E7, but much better in terms of quality. If you are going to be using it mostly on the go, I suggest the E11, which I see you have been looking at already. Good choice, I'm about to get it too. I've heard great things about it here on head-fi, and around the 'net.
 
Cheers!
 
EDIT: I've also heard the JDS Labs cMoy BB v2.03 is also very good, same price as the E11, I think. Headfonia has a good review on their site.
 
Aug 19, 2012 at 1:12 AM Post #3 of 24
If you're going to drive some demanding full-size cans like the Q701, your best bet in this price range is the PA2V2 (drives my K701 acceptably). If it has to be Fiio, then just get the E11 (but keep in mind that the soundstage will collapse quite noticeably).
 
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:29 AM Post #4 of 24
Hmm, the PA2V2... I was reading ClieOS' portable amp round-up, and he agreed that the PA2V2 had a wider soundstage, but the review scale indicates that they're not far off. The E11 was also remarked as more detailed and transparent. Here's ClieOS' review thread:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/596482/the-sub-100-portable-amps-shootout-8-1-amps-compared

I am also curious about recommendations, because I recently acquired the Q701 as well (white) and I don't know what everybody's favorite amp is (besides the O2, which is stuck somewhere between portable & desktop in size).
 
Aug 20, 2012 at 1:37 PM Post #6 of 24
Quote:
If you're going to drive some demanding full-size cans like the Q701, your best bet in this price range is the PA2V2 (drives my K701 acceptably). If it has to be Fiio, then just get the E11 (but keep in my that the soundstage will collapse quite noticeably).

Thank you for some thoughts. I still am not quite sure what I am going to do at this point. I think I'll wait another week and see what else comes up!
 
Aug 20, 2012 at 2:59 PM Post #8 of 24
There isn't much of a counterfeit problem with the E11 but buying authentic is best. Micca has an E11 combo on amazon or their site which is generally $65 Fiio E11 plus backup battery and charger


Well, I have some spare eBay cash that I need to use on eBay. Wish it were amazon. Just wanting to know about the ones on eBay. Thanks though!
 
Aug 20, 2012 at 8:56 PM Post #10 of 24
Go on to their site(FiiO) and look at authorized dealers and see if they are on ebay, Micca may be

Here's an eBay seller that FiiO lists as authorized on it's page:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FiiO-E11-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-Amp-with-Three-Level-Bass-Boost-/360478490413?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item53ee313f2d#ht_1779wt_976

Also, here is Adorama on EBay. I love Adorama, bought my camera from them :)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fiio-E11-Headphone-Amplifier-10-to-100KHz-Frequency-3-5mm-Input-Output-/330758034177?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item4d02b71301#ht_4664wt_752
 
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:13 PM Post #11 of 24
For $100 (sometimes sold for less), FiiO also offers a desktop amp called the E9 and E09k. Your E7 actually docks into the E9, so the E7's DAC is used while being powered by the E9's amp. The E9 is way more powerful than the E11 (and how often are you going for a walk while wearing your $300 AKG Q701s with a PMP & amp in your pocket anyway?), and if later you decide a more expensive DAC is worth it you can still use the E9 as an amp. Dat Knob for setting the volume is also very sexy.
 
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:25 PM Post #12 of 24
Quote:
For $100 (sometimes sold for less), FiiO also offers a desktop amp called the E9 and E09k. Your E7 actually docks into the E9, so the E7's DAC is used while being powered by the E9's amp. The E9 is way more powerful than the E11 (and how often are you going for a walk while wearing your $300 AKG Q701s with a PMP & amp in your pocket anyway?), and if later you decide a more expensive DAC is worth it you can still use the E9 as an amp. Dat Knob for setting the volume is also very sexy.

Keep in mind E90K will not work with E7.
 
I am not making a suggestion as obviously the highest costing FiiO devices are the "best" ones but whether it is worth it for the setup differs
 
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:58 PM Post #13 of 24
Quote:
Keep in mind E90K will not work with E7.
 
I am not making a suggestion as obviously the highest costing FiiO devices are the "best" ones but whether it is worth it for the setup differs

 
The bugs had been fixed in the new QOGRY(E09K), please contact the seller to make sure which revision you will buy!
 
FiiO Stay updated on FiiO at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/FiiOAUDIO https://twitter.com/FiiO_official https://www.instagram.com/fiioofficial/ https://www.fiio.com support@fiio.com
Aug 21, 2012 at 12:02 AM Post #15 of 24
Ok, 2 new questions. 
 
1. Is the E11 a good enough step up from the E7 for about $60?
 
2. I really don't have a desk for the E9, would putting it somewhere be hard for me?
 

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