E11 give you more option, E5 have limited option. E11 sounded better, punchier bass and clear treble. I have both. Now I keep E5 in my drawer...

Not sure I gonna sell it or not...  before I have 2 E5 and 1 E3...  E3 already sold to someone here... 1 of my E5 borrowed by a friend and next day he just pay me for it.. now left 1 E5... 
Need to wait, I gonna ask my kids 1st, they want to use or not with their headphone... 

If want best for all.. CMOY..  with RM500, can buy 2 units... buy with rechargeable battery installed to save the environments. And yes E11 also can...  never try hippo.
E7 good if you also use for desktop...


The best way is to test yourself... using your own source and headphone.... you can feel how much differences with and without the amp... using different amp too to get one that suitable...

I suggest you the head to KLAV show this weekend for own test...

Let hear from the expert...
http://www.headfonia.com/music-on-a-budget...-amps-shootout/
never as I don't like multimedia headphone... those normally good for movie...

I think I have test it before at Carrefour...  sound like 'budak2 ketuk tin'...

Yes... latest one... I read at Singapore forum, some forumer start selling E7 and get E11 instead... E11 was made for user that need normal amp without the DAC function. (that the reason I don't have E7, I don't need DAC, but when E11 out, I upgrade my E5)
WOW... Corda 

Hmm...  OK... 

When you play a music on your PC, all are in digital format. (ie MP3, FLAC), your headphone is for sure is analog. Digital data sent to your headphone won't give you anything or maybe you can hear a white noise up and down. So the DAC is to convert those Digital sound to analog before it's goes to your headphone.

Your sound card can do this but not all sound card are good especially that already built-in on your PC/notebook. Most use cheap DAC chip.

BY using E7 or other DAC, that digital sound will be pass to E7 and not using your internal sound card. This will give a good Digital to analog conversion because, of-course you will choose a DAC with a good chips like PCM2704.

Sample of USB DAC being discussed here in LYN http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1578682

There is a few seller selling this.

[attachmentid=2354420]
- this one belong to my officemate. Improved version for headphone user.

If you happy with creative then no point invest a new DAC. 

Ha ha..  E11 still new... not going to let go soon...  not before I can afford some desktop amp.

with bro E1
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=1868193&hl=

you can set time with him to test...  really nice guy...

(don't forget to ask him to bring along AIAIAI TMA-1 for testing.. tangkap leleh nanti)

If you around KLCC can meet, I just nearby.

then how if i connect a portable player to an external dac? how does it works?

digital--->analog---->digital again---->analog again?

You do not need a DAC for your portable player.  By the way, what player is that 

DAC is only for PC use with exception of the Fostex HP-P1 taking digital audio out from iPod / iPhone / iPad.

By the way, the E5 is already EOL, to be replaced by E6 in September 

E6 is an E5 replacement, not in the league of the E11  

Bro, the D5 is a totally different animal.  It is a dedicated gamers' USB/DAC.

guys i have a situation here, currently i own a Samsung Galaxy S2 and pair it with MylarOne Bijou 3. The problem is that i am not statisfied with the amount of bass produce, is there any portable amp that can boost the bass to a good level.

Thanks.

Why not u try and tell us? I've tried E11 and it is a good enough amp for its price range. Cant say much for E5 since I never tried it.

---

Added on July 30, 2011, 3:07 am

Your budget?
Its a headphone.

you go to Pavi why not got to KLAV show at JW Marriot, just next to Pavi only...  I heard Jaben bring so many amp there for testing.

Can try Jaben Network in Subang SS15 opposite AsiaCafe. Or you can go to their booth OR any other Audiophiles booth at KL AV 2011, JW Marriott.
Refer to this thread: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1973253

OR, you can PM E1 - AKG.

Its until tomorrow what? Go go go! Hehe.

Hippo around RM260
Fiio E11 around 235

Ops... eye too tired already after few hours at KLAV.... not read properly..

no hippo there.. canot test...

Offcourse too much different.. E11 can drive my SRH440 really good but E5 will not (at least to my level of hearing, I like my music to be loud, mostly heavy rock).. E5 won't give good response to music like that.

No need la... 

If I got time I will test with MP3 file later... but FLAC is the best to test actually.

Based on his test, you can already decide on which to buy. 

@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:

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