Hey guys.. I'm looking for a dac+amp for my laptop. Bonus points for use with iPad, but that's secondary. Can I do better than the fiio e17 for about 600 bucks budget?

How much more? I'll try - coffee bean @ straits right?

Still in Singapore now getting some stuff done. I'll come if I'm back by then. Thanks for the invite!

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Added on May 21, 2012, 12:10 pmOh yeah - does the TTD's DAC work with the iPad via camera connection kit? As far as I know, the e17 does not. :/

This post has been edited by hebe0330: May 21 2012, 12:10 PM

I'm probably heading back on Friday. And thanks again for the offer, but I'm kinda busy ATM. Have university registrations to complete.

And no, I don't own one. Planning to get one if I get a suitable dac. Btw, do you have an e17 for comparisons?

Hippobox+

This post has been edited by hebe0330: Jun 14 2012, 11:09 AM

That's not exactly cheap, is it?

True. But isn't the cricri+ 490?

Passing the already amped signal from the nano (inferior internal amp) through an external amp like the e6 would distort the signal. Using a LOD bypasses the internal amp of the nano, sending a pure, unamped analog signal to the relatively superior external amp, so you'd get the full effects of the e6.

And IMO, the fiio LODs are more than good enough for us beginners

IMO, it does affect the SQ but not as much as amps would do. Erm, I've heard that idevices which use Wolfson DACs perform better if compared to those with Cirrus DACs. If I'm not mistaken, iPod videos (5.5g and earlier), iPhone 4/4s and the iPad have decent DACs.

And P.S, I'm still a noob too

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Added on June 25, 2012, 3:00 pmAnd no, the quality of the analog signal depends on the DAC used.

This post has been edited by hebe0330: Jun 25 2012, 03:00 PM

I guess so. the difference may be mainly due to the internal amp instead of the DAC though. Okay I'll try to explain :

DAC stands for digital-to-analog converter. It is a chip used to process digital files (stored in binary) in your mp3 players, computers and so on into analog form (think of electromagnetic waves) to be transmitted to your headphones/IEMs.

DAP stands for digital audio player. For example, iPod, zune, and so on. It has a DAC chip in it to convert all your audio files stored inside it into audio form to be enjoyed by audiophiles like you.
So technically, you're right. Every DAP must have a DAC chip in it to enable playback.

Hope this helps.

I guess so? not sure about the technicalities

Yeah I'm curious too. Has anyone tried both the Cricri+ and the E17?
And no, E17 gives much stronger output than the thin-sounding E7. I've tried both. E7 is really bad in comparison.

If you're planning to use it with ipod only, then get the e11.
If you're using it with your comp only, get the e10.

If you want to use it with both, get the e7 (although I don't recommend it). Better still, just get the e17 and solve the dilemma once and for all

E11, hands down. unless you find them too powerful for your IEMs even on low gain output.

Go audition both at Jaben, and tell me if you decide on the Hippobox+. Give you special discount lol

This post has been edited by hebe0330: Jun 27 2012, 01:05 PM

That's at a different price range altogether

Yeah fiio e11 is better unless you find it too big/strong compared to the hippobox. And you should concentrate on amps only. Forget the DAC part for now as you're only playing from your ipod

where can one get the opamps? amazon?

okay thanks. and what technical skills do I need to be able to change it? or is it plug and play?

Cool. Thanks again for the heads up. Will be looking forward to my amp now