@Cold|Drawn
I guess I'll just add some extra points..
1) Do your headphones need an amp in the first place?
If your headphones doesn't need any in the first place, improvements are usually negligible.
2) Sound preference.
An amp could make your things sound better, but IMHO it's just that the amp 'colours' the sound to your liking, hence why you think it's an improvement.
3) Synergy
From my understanding, is how well all your stuffs works together. Take nordingh's post as an example. His source + amp works well for his samson, but not for his shure.

Since you've said you're still new, these should be some good reading materials.
~ In Ear Matters: Which Way up?
~ In Ear Matters: To Amp, or Not To Amp?

It's quite long(for a lazy guy like me ); but here's some highlights for the amp part:

Generally speaking, I guess I feel the same way.

That, and sometimes even if the volume is good, the sound feels off. Something like part of the spectrum is missing or so I've been told.

p/s: By volume is good, I mean you can get it louder than enough.

@Cold|Drawn
Ur welcome. Btw, IINM, T-Muso is something like a brand, whereas PCM2704 is a chip from another brand, and is used in various products by various brands.

As for punchy bass & bright treble etc: Glossary for Describing Sound @ Head-Fi n headjam

@Lennox
Ur welcome Also, thanks to ClieOS for writing lots of useful articles.

@sheenho
For a guy who have yet to try those high end headphones, the best answer I can give is: Theoretically, yes.

As for personal exp; my IEMs sounds at least decent from my laptop built-in sound card, but I can't say the same for my 668B. Yes, it can go very loud, but the sound is just off. Treble becomes too bright, sound feels cramped, complicated parts of the song becomes messed up that the sound of guitar, hi-hats all da rojak x taw mne satu dah. I can get a headache just from a short listening session. My guess is this in an example of ''source unable to drive headphone''.

Usually, but not always. I've heard of phones w/ nice sound b4, but I can't remember which. My mild headache isn't helping me in remembering at all.

Yeah, I started with W902. Was good enough for me, until my song collections grows too big for my phone and song transfer becomes a chore due to some issues so I moved to C30.

@wkkm007
IMO sound cards are said to be better for gaming only for it's surround sound support and possibly all the special effects (3D etc) that appeals to gamers. Just a guess.

Other than those, I don't see how sound cards are better than any equivalent DACs.

@noobandroid
I remember ClieOS' review mentioned that finding an extra battery + external charger for the E11 isn't much of a chore.. Have you looked into that?

@more2teayap
Wait for E10? ETA October IINM. Quote from headfonia:

Last I checked E10's price should be close to E11's. E10 is meant to serve the audiophile community, while D3/D5 is for the general consumer, hence the higher price and supposedly better SQ.

@nordingh
You know you want to have one.

Seriously, thanks to Mike's comment, I think I might not be able to wait till E17.

@more2teayap
Seems to me like you have made your decision on this one. So, what do you plan on using the D3 with? Cuz, AFAIK, if it's headphones, you'll end up needing an amp somehow. (So you can go near-max vol on your source and control the vol w/ the amp. Supposedly better SQ. Me no experience hence the 'supposedly'. )

p/s: Oh yea, some DAC's volume can't be controlled via PC/source, I don't know if D3 is one of them.

Ok boss! You're good to go!

D3 has its own vol control? A digital one? I was convinced that it was meant to be paired with an amp/active speakers since the only thing it does is convert digital source to analog output. (Dang, I need to read more. )

Sorry, all I see is the input selector. (Optical/Coaxial)

Anyway, from the reviews, seems like D3 is a really great thing for its price.


Attached thumbnail(s)

I know that it isn't usable while charging, hence the word external charger. In other words, what I wanted to say is as what nordingh said.



Is this a new version of Go-Vibe USB DAC? Still the same RM240 or is this the RM150 one?

@sheenho
From Jaben Australia <link>:

Product Description
This one's an interesting little gadget.
It's a great sounding USB DAC, fantastic addition to any computer!
The DAC chip is a Burr-Brown PCM2702, a quality chip.
Comes in a nice little box with a USB cable.

Mike's impression on E10.

Super positive review, performing close to the $189 Audinst HUD-MX1; beats the E7 by a mile at the price of $80, it's really hard to pass on the E10.

E10 is way more tempting IMO.

A DAC w/o an amp is not really an option. YMMV

Technically, you can still make E10 as part of your experiment since you can connect the line-out to other amps, but I think I get what you mean, and I agree.

My post was merely an 'IMO' thing. Hope I didn't offend anybody.

If I have an amp, and not planning on using other amps, DAC only will be my choice. Plus I could stretch all my budget on DAC and not waste it on an amp that I most probably wont even use.

That said, I will buy a DAC only if I'm in your place.

Reviews suggest that T-Muso by bro slevin is a great choice, but it would be great if you can try the slightly more expensive Go-Vibe Mini USB DAC b4 buying.
Just my 2 cents.

Short answer: No.

Long one: For such a price, your only choice are entry level sound cards. (e.g. the SB Play!) Technically they do have a DAC and probably an amp inside; but it's not the kind that appeals to audiophiles nor does it gives any significant difference to a usual stock on-board.

Even the cheapest of a good DAC costs more than RM100, albeit being close to RM100. To know what kind of price to expect in this (audiophile) world, my advice is to go and look at Fiio products line-up. You can't find anything better but cheaper than theirs.

Is what I said. I didn't tell him to buy an E7 or anything. Or do you know anything cheaper and technically better than Fiio's range?

E3 will give a little bass boost, but I doubt it would make anything clearer. A head/earphone upgrade is recommended for a significant upgrade@difference.

W/ laptop only, or w/ DAP as well? If laptop only, get the E10. (or any other DAC/Amp combo)

I didn't have a DAC or any decent sc, so it's a must before getting an amp. Add limited budget to the equation, E10 became an easy choice over E11 and others.

Also, a Hifiman Express: HM-101 might be a good choice for those looking for DAC only.

Read for yourself here. Focus on ClieOS' and Feaio's replies.

While E10's headphone out jack do looks slightly bigger than normal 3.5mm jack, noise is pretty much normal if you somehow manages to make the internal connection loose by playing around with the jack.

Then again, I've no problem w/ my E10, even when I played around with the jack, at angles way more than a normal use would cause the jack to move.

This post has been edited by Agnaem: Nov 6 2011, 01:38 AM

D series: Consumer series
E series: Audiophile series

D3: DAC only. (Input: Coaxial/Optical; Output: Analog via RCA)

D5: DAC and a relatively low-powered@quality amp; though in a way this is already an entry lvl sound card since it has a mic-in as well. Reportedly to be more or less the same as regular on-board. (Input: USB, mic; Output: 3.5mm headphone-out & line-out, coaxial)

E10: DAC/AMP combo. (Input: USB; Output: 3.5mm headphone-out & line-out, coaxial)
The thing that *you should buy if SQ is your main concern.

Instead of comes with, it's more like you have to use the DAC to use the amp; since the only input for E10 is via USB.