IE8 bass could be overwhelming for certain ppl that's why some of them go for IE7 instead bcoz the bass quantity is less ( OMG I'm advertising ). As for me, the IE8 is jus nice, unlike Atrio where the bass is way way way too much and therefore all the details has been sacrificed.

Yes, I'm not surprised. I'm on a Dell laptop myself, and the onboard soundcard is CRAP and rife with noise-- bass just loses definition and impact, microdetails gone, highs not as crisp-- ahem. Anyway I once tried listening to Dream Theatre after using the DAC long term (didn't have the DAC with me at the time) and straightaway cannot tahan, music sounds rubbished all of a sudden.

A DAC is meant to replace your sound card and improves sound from laptops and computers in general, since it clears up noise and allows you to hear the details that are covered. With your budget I'd skip the E7 and go for either Go-Vibe or Ordnance. Ordnance and Go-Vibe DAC both sound highly similar, although I am not very familiar with the Go-Vibe's sound. The Ordnance is nice and responsive on fast songs but tends to sound a little thin in the mids and bass frequencies. Still it's fairly neutral to my ears. Not bad for RM240 budget DAC.

When I go down KL planning to pay Jaben a visit.
Really wanna know what audiophile is all about
I love music and songs and stuff

but what do audiophiles truly listen to?
thats what I wanna know