Fiio E07K Andes USB DAC and Portable Headphone Amplifier Black

Out of the box, this device has the look and feel of a unit made by a small company, which would not mass produce amps. As an aside, I used to have an expensive tube stereo system, which had the same build quality that this device reminds me of - Ah memories! All the parts on the E7K are well designed to make a good durable unit, which should provide years of service. The parts, however, don't seem to be designed only for this device which is perfectly fine. Case in point, the display,the illuminations will only show in the upper part of the screen (three lines at the most) and at the bottom of the screen, a small On or Recharge light. The glass screen (which also comes with it's own plastic no scratch shield that you can put on) is mostly a large wasted surface area. I am currently using only one of the two supplied rubber bands to attach my iPod classic through the middle of the E7K and in no way will the large black rubber band interfere with the display. What you see in the manufacturers photo is the most your going to ever see illuminated. This well equipped package contains what you need with the exception of the FiiO L9 shaped line out cable for iPod and iPhone. Do order what you need if it is not contained in the original package. As for the performance of this device, the sound is of very good quality! It is really good! You can also adjust bass and treble, which of course is a setting you will decide within your iPod. So this combination then becomes more like a fine tuning procedure. I like the setting in the iPod for bass reduction and keep my E7K at mostly flat. When you use E7K, you will be listening to a more stable sounding sound. As they used to describe in stereo component literature, the more powerful the amp is, the more the sounds will not be not compromised under demand loads. That is when your listening to strings and piano and then there is heavier demand signal, you don't have any loss of signals. A sudden surge, however unnoticeable it may be, will actually cause some signals to drop a little. When you listen to a FiiO amplifier you may realize that you may have been experiencing this phenomenon before you had added the fuller power. Yes, your going to be listening to the familiar songs again when you get one of these. Manufacturers of devices and headphones try to maximize results using the least power required which can result in a thinner sound. One of the nicest benefits when combing an E7K and iPod classic is that the DAC and amplifier in the iPod is not used. Only in the E7K is the DAC taking the raw data, converting the sound and amplifying the sound. Your iPod is just lighting up when touched, spinning the disk and performing the selections you ask for. I turn the volume completely down on the iPod because the volume does not serve any purpose with the E7K attached. You get, as an added surprise, a very nice battery life. I have not run out of power in any setting particularly when I have gone for long walks and even then I come home without charging to use the next day. Eventually I am going to forget to charge the unit all together as I seem to think I only need to run the device on air. Please compare this with the E6 which I have also reviewed in Amazon. The smaller unit may be all you need. I am undecided about which of the two units I like the most given that the E6 uses so little space. Yes it is like comparing apples to oranges but even with apples and oranges, you don't always know which you like best. The E7K, while more solid and has more bells and whistles including it's own DAC element, may not be worth the extra size and cost for many of you. I love both models and can not really recommend one over the other. If you don't mind the extra size and weight and do like the way you really save on battery life, then I would say the E7K is a way to go. The tiny E6 is very inconspicuous which I can't say about the E7K because people often eye my unit when they see me holding the device in my hand. Your E7K should bought with a small camera case that unzips at the top. I attach my camera case to my belt and yes it looks a little like a fanny pack. The E6 has its own tiny clip and with a needed wire jack to attach to your iPod, you can attach the E6 to your shirt or belt loop. No one is going to stare at your E6 but people may admire or find your E7K a little bit conspicuous. That is the decision you have to make. When I walk around, I take the E7K as it is already attached to the iPod. When I am home, I like listening to my laptop using the E6. I never feel like I need to switch to the E7K because both units sounds excellent.

I sometimes connect my MP3 player or tablet to my hi-fi rig and just let it play randomly. With over 5,000 individually selected tracks, it's like my personal radio station. The problems associated with this connection are well known. For one thing, the highly compressed MP3's just don't compare to other media. While the sound may be fine for casual listening, it can also be painful. Another issue has to do with volume levels. Depending on the source and processor, I've found the volume settings required using a receiver or a preamp-processor combination are significantly higher than what might be required for other sources.I decided to try this iPod sized digital audio converter (DAC) and headphone amp not only for headphone use but for a go-between the MP3 player/tablet and the pre-pro. As far as the headphone helper, yes it works as described. Although never measured, the sound was fuller and more accurate. I tried it with several pairs of headphones and in-ear phones and it helped both the sound quality and volume levels. The later was never a big issue with my headphones, but is with the connection described above.With regard to the pre-pro connection, again the sound was better and the volume levels were enhanced, but not to the degree I was hoping for. Using a 75% volume setting on the MP3 or tablet and a maximum setting on the FiiO E07K, I set the volume on my pre-pro at about 12 o'clock which is about the same as my turntable volume level. If I don't use the FiiO, I would need a 3 o'clock setting for the same volume level.The FiiO is attractive and comes with a connection cable to be used between the amp and the source component. It can only be charged using a USB connection to a powered computer and it takes a while (couple hours) to charge fully. The unit doesn't remember the previous settings, so each time you power the unit on you must adjust volume levels again. The unit comes with a couple thick rubber bands which allows you to couple the FiiO with your MP3 player. Not elegant but it works. It also came with a rubberized protector which fits around the unit comfortably, but nothing is marked, so use of the buttons is hit or miss. One of the 4 buttons on the side powers on the FiiO, but I'm never sure which one. Finally, a couple screen protectors. Nice.All things considered the FiiO E07K is a reasonably priced option to improve the sound and amplification in the use for which it was intended. Recommended.

It's a really good dac and amplifier but every time I plug it into its aux port I hear a little *pop* in my headphones every time the song changes. But it doesn't bother me to much. Overall good product

a beautiful device i never though they make such a sweet little thing so compatible...i use it with my mac as external sound card and my iPhone... looking to upgrade to a E17...awesome lasting battery power....silicon case is a best thing provided, super light weight....all in all awesome for its price. this product is making me upgrade to a e17 now.....

Llevo unas semanas con este Fiio y la verdad es que al principio no me gustó mucho pero cuando lleva unas horas en funcionamiento sí que se nota la differencia sobre todo utilizándolo con la tablet:1) UE triple FI 10 + Fiio + tablet Nexus 7: sonido más limpio y excelente separación entre instrumentos. Aquí se aprecia el DAC del Fiio. Es para lo que lo voy a utilizar principalmente.2) Audio technica M50 + Fiio + tablet Nexus 7: se nota el amplificador del Fiio, la tablet de por si no tenía suficiente fuerza para estos cascos...pero tampoco voy a salir a la calle con unos cascos tan grandes :)3) Para ordenador, Fiio vs Creative X-FI USB: aunque el Fiio tiene mejores componentes que la tarjeta de Creative al principio me gustaba más el sonido de Creative con los Audio technica M50, después de unas horas de funcionamiento la verdad que sí se nota que suena mejor, también el ajuste de treble y bass en el propio Fiio ayuda mucho. Aunque no me gastaría 90 E si ya tengo una tarjeta de sonido decente.Vale la pena comprarlo? Depende, si tienes unos buenos cascos y quieres utilizarlos con tu móvil para obtener el mejor sonido posible vale la pena...aunque si quieres algo bueno bonito barato siempre está el Sansa Clip y los cascos Beyerdynamic dtx 101, que en conjunto cuestan lo que el Fiio y suenan muy bien. Todo depende de cuanto quieras gastar y si realmente "necesitas" lo mejorcito o simplemente algo bueno.Si vas a utilizarlo con un móvil Android fijate si tiene OTG (mi movil no tiene asi que lo utilizo con la tablet) y si hay una versión de Cyanogenmod para ese modelo, si es así probablemente reconozca el Fiio.

Il DAC con amplificatore esterno si presenta molto bene, il fronte in vetro ed il retro in alluminio spazzolato nero sono legati da una cornice di alluminio nero liscio ben robusta, i tasti cromati sono ben realizzati e restituiscono un ottimo feedback, anche lo slider per il blocco dei tasti è ben costruito. Il piccolo schermo led è ben contrastato, giallo e cyano su nero; non spreca energia inutilmente, tutta la potenza è convogliata al DAC e all'amplificatore. Presente inoltre un led di stato nella parte inferiore del dispositivo, centrato rispetto la cornice che indica lo stato di carica (rosso), in funzione (blu) ed in carica mentre in funzione (viola). Piccolo, essenziale e con molte potenzialità, l'E07K restituisce un feeling premium, FiiO ha scelto un estetica sci-fi, moderna ma ricorda qualcosa del nostro passato per un prodotto hi-fi.Il DAC USB con amplificatore esterno mi è stato consegnato oggi, la spedizione è stata celere e puntuale come da standard Amazon e con piacevole sorpresa ho trovato il contenuto della confezione molto ricco.Vado ad illustrare gli elementi presenti nella scatola:-manualistica-6 piedini in gomma adesivi (antiscivolo, da attaccare arbitrariamente sulla scocca dell'E07K)-cavo USB-miniUSB per ricarica e collegamento al pc-cavo doppio jack audio da 3.5mm-2 pellicole protettive per il vetro anteriore.-bumper in gomma per l'E70K che copre anche i tasti cromati e lascia libere solo le uscite-custodia in velluto nero-2 bande di gomma elastica per legare insieme E07K ed un altro dispositivo-DAC USB con amplificatore esterno FiiO E07KNon è presente nella scatola un cavo miniUSB-microUSB per collegare direttamente l'E07K al nostro dispositivo, questo inoltre non è facilmente reperibile in rete. La soluzione migliore è dotarsi di un cavo OTG al quale collegare il cavo USB-miniUSB presente nella confezione.L 'E07K è molto versatile, difatti oltre alla configurazione principale DAC USB + amplificatore, è possibile utilizzarlo come DAC con amplificatore esterno grazie all'uscita line-out o semplicemente come solo amplificatore.La riproduzione di formati lossless 24bit tra i 90khz e i 96khz è magnifica, dove in precedenza i formati ad alta risoluzione venivano penalalizzati dalla bassa qualità dell'output, con l'E07K si può godere di tutte le frequenze e le profondità del suono, il dettaglio è altissimo. Con una buona registrazione live è possibile percepire chiaramente il suono della pagina dello spartito che viene girata, o del bicchiere che viene posato su di un piano non lontano, sembra di essere sul palco in mezzo ai musicisti, il bello e che ciò può avvenire anche in mobilità all'aperto oltre che nel nostro domicilio. La riproduzioni di filmati in HD restituisce un "effetto cinema" in cuffia. La risoluzione e la tridimensionalità del suono sono ottime, la gestione della gamma delle frequenze è buona se non distinta, gli alti sono cristallini, i medi e i bassi buoni.Consigliato a tutti gli amanti della musica, che posseggono delle buone cuffie e vogliono sfruttarle a pieno in mobilità. Il prezzo è molto vantaggioso considerato l'hardware, la bontà della costruzione e la versatilità del prodotto.

Das Gerät wertet die Qualtität der Musik definitiv auf. Seit ich Beyerdynamik Custom One Pro (COP) benutze, merke ich deutlich wie schlecht die Qualität von iPhone 3Gs und iPad 4 (obwohl iPad klingt definitiv viel besser als iPhone)ist. Erst nach gewisse Einstellungsänderung in iOS-Device (Lautstärke-Anpassung und EQ auf off, CD neu rippen auf ALAC-Format) bekommt man bessere Audio-Qualität aus i-Device. Eigentlich nicht besser, eher lauter. Da ich aber kein Gehörschaden haben möchte fange ich wieder digitale Musik mit dem Laptop zu hören. Ich war dann doch überrascht wie gut die Audioqualität vom meinen Rechner ist im direkten Vergleich mit iPhone 3Gs und iPad 4. Seitdem liebe ich wieder mein Sony Vaio-Laptop.Trotz dem bin ich nicht überzeugt genug. Nach gewisser Recherche hier in Internet habe ich gelesen, daß der Rechner bzw. mobilen Geräte einen guten D/A-Wandler benötigen. Da dieser Fiio E07K gute Bewertungen hier in Amazon bekommt und ich Geld nicht über 100€ ausgeben möchte fällt die Entscheidung relativ einfach. No Risk no Fun dachte ich.Das Gerät finde ich persönlich gut verarbeitet. Es fühlt sich gut in Hand trotz Made in China! Angeschlossen mit Windows 7 geht ganz einfach und wird sofort ohne Treiber erkannt (auch mit USB 3.0). Nebenbei wird das Gerät auch während des Betrieb mitaufgeladen. Die Akkuleistung reicht auf jedem Fall bei mir bis zum 19h 22 Min. bevor Fiio sich selbst ausschaltet. Die Default-Einstellung von Fiio ist sehr gut für mein Bedürfnis. Einzig nur die Gain muss ich auf maximal 12 und die Lautstärke dafür auf 18 (maximal 60) einstellen. Auf einmal höre ich mehr Leben, Dynamik und sehr detailsreich von einem guten CD-Aufnahme. Das macht sehr viel spaß und leider auch süchtig. Ich muss dann auch Musik nicht mehr so laut hören. Manchmal denke ich alle Musik gut gehört zu haben. Von wegen, weit gefehlt. Mit Laptop Sony Vaio, Fiio E07K und Beyer COP lerne ich meine ganze Musiksammlung neu zu lieben. Gute Aufnahme wird zum einem Hörerlebnis. Man hört mehr details. Die Musik klingt auf einmal sehr warm und viel klarer. Schlechte Aufnahme wird durch Fiio leider nicht besser geworden. Auf ein Probehören mit HD-Audioformat in Flac 96/24 höre ich leider kein Unterschied zum guten CD-Aufnahme. Hier vermute ich, dass mein Kopfhörer Beyer COP das schwächste Glied in der Kette ist.Super wichtig für iOS-Besitzer. Fiio E07K funktioniert auch mit iPhone 5 und iPad 4 unter iOS 7. Mit iPod Nano (aktuelle Version) leider nicht. Man soll nur dieses "lightning auf USB Kamera-Adapter, ZML MD821ZM/A" Kabel kaufen und die Ladefunktion bei Fiio E07K ausschalten. Ein ähnlich sehr gutes Hörerlebnis wie mit Rechner und vorallem auch unterwegs gute Audioqualität zu hören.Ich werde grundsätzlich jedem diesen Fiio E07K empfehlen. 5 Sterne von mir weil voll funktionsfähig mit einige iOS-Device unter ios 7.