FiiO E7 vs E10 vs STX

[Feronix]

Heya guys!

Recently I've bought myself some proper audio gear like ATH-M40Fs headphones and Behringer MS16 Studio Monitors.

However I really get the feeling that all this gear is now being held back by my on-board sound. Obviously it's not bad, but it could be loads better and it might as well after I've spend all this money already

I was pretty determined to get an Asus Xonar STX sound card as it has a built-in headphone amp and DAC. It would cost me about €150,- Lately though, a lot of recommendations on the forums here have gone towards external devices such as the FiiO E7 and the E10. I don't mind wether the device is internal (cleaner desk) or external (ability to use it with laptops/ phones). Those would cost me €90,- for the E10 and €100,- for the E7.

The difference that I have noticed so far is that the E7 has an LCD screen (that I don't need/ want) and 2 headphones outputs (?), and the E10 has the amp of the E11, which is supposed to be a bit better.

The E10 only seems to have one output:

What I want to do though, is hook both the headphones *and* the speakers up to it (without having the change the cable every time I switch). Basically:
PC -> DAC -> Speaker
..............\-> Headphones

Or can this only be done with the STX / possibly the E7? My speakers do have a headphones passthrough at the front, as shown here:

Can I plug my speakers into the DAC and the the headphones into the speakers, or will this eliminate the effect of the headphone amp?

Any help or advice would be appreciated,
Thanks in advance

 

[MrKambo]

unless the speakers operate a pass through for the headphones as in 100% pass through no amp involved, you would lose the effect of the DAC, but not many speaker/amps offer pass through for headphones, they have there own headphone driving amps built in

Im sure James can enlighten us, wait for him to see this

 

[SuB]

If it was me, I'd stick with the STX. The headphone out is great, and it has built in outputs for speakers too. And you can switch between with the software. So.. easiest option in my opinion.

 

[jamesriley94]

The Fiio E7 and E10 are pretty similar really. I'd personally go for the E7 over the E10 as it's portable too, so can be used out and about with iPods etc.

The E7 actually has a better DAC than the STX (the differences aren't really noticeable however.
But, the STX's amp is a fair bit better, which regardless of whether your headphones need the extra power to drive them, a better amp will still mean better quality audio.

It's up to you really. All the options will give good audio quality. The STX will be better, but the Fiios are great value for the money as well.. Try for the STX, if you really can't afford it/see the extra cost being worth it, then get a Fiio.

 

[Feronix]

unless the speakers operate a pass through for the headphones as in 100% pass through no amp involved, you would lose the effect of the DAC, but not many speaker/amps offer pass through for headphones, they have there own headphone driving amps built in

Im sure James can enlighten us, wait for him to see this

I'm not sure if I'm honest. It isn't mentioned anywhere

If it was me, I'd stick with the STX. The headphone out is great, and it has built in outputs for speakers too. And you can switch between with the software. So.. easiest option in my opinion.

I thought that, but on the other hand, the FiiOs have more advantages, like being cheaper, making it possible for me to go m-ITX and being able to use them with laptops/ phones. If they can do the same things, I'd rather go for them tbh.

The Fiio E7 and E10 are pretty similar really. I'd personally go for the E7 over the E10 as it's portable too, so can be used out and about with iPods etc.

The E7 actually has a better DAC than the STX (the differences aren't really noticeable however.
But, the STX's amp is a fair bit better, which regardless of whether your headphones need the extra power to drive them, a better amp will still mean better quality audio.

It's up to you really. All the options will give good audio quality. The STX will be better, but the Fiios are great value for the money as well.. Try for the STX, if you really can't afford it/see the extra cost being worth it, then get a Fiio.

Isn't the E10 supposed to be just a tad better than the E7 though, as it has the E11's amp? Or will I just literally not notice the difference?

And how would it work if I want to use my speakers *and* headphones, can I plug them both in at once (in the E7, as it has 2 jacks)? And how would I switch between them?

 

[jamesriley94]

Isn't the E10 supposed to be just a tad better than the E7 though, as it has the E11's amp? Or will I just literally not notice the difference?

And how would it work if I want to use my speakers *and* headphones, can I plug them both in at once (in the E7, as it has 2 jacks)? And how would I switch between them?

The E7's amp is made to be more portable as it's able to run off a battery too. Having said that, it's still very good for its size/cost. The E10 probably has a better amp minorly, but to me, if you're getting a Fiio, you buy it for the portability. Seems little point to me in buying the E10 and not being able to take it around with you.

 

[Feronix]

The E7's amp is made to be more portable as it's able to run off a battery too. Having said that, it's still very good for its size/cost. The E10 probably has a better amp minorly, but to me, if you're getting a Fiio, you buy it for the portability. Seems little point to me in buying the E10 and not being able to take it around with you.

Fair enough I guess. Does that also mean that I can use both, headphones and speakers on it at the same time, seeing as it has 2 output jacks?

Or will this device not help much when using speakers anyway?

 

[iBeInspire]

E10 has a line out on the back to connect to active speakers

 

[Feronix]

E10 has a line out on the back to connect to active speakers

I thought that was an input?

Edit; Nvm, the USB is actually the input and the other two are outputs. Guess I'm going for one of the FiiOs!

All I need to decide now is E07k vs E10

 

[PEXON]

For monitors, there are better DACs out there than the FiiOs. FiiOs are better for portable headphones. If it was me, I would prefer a second hand amp and reciever head for monitors.

What source do you use at the moment and will you be feeding the DAC with a good input, its no god getting a DAC and listening to 128 bit tracks, you are going to want to rip CDs in FLAC to get the best out one.

 

[Feronix]

E10 has a line out on the back to connect to active speakers

Wait, does it work the same way on the E07k?

For monitors, there are better DACs out there than the FiiOs. FiiOs are better for portable headphones. If it was me, I would prefer a second hand amp and reciever head for monitors.

What source do you use at the moment and will you be feeding the DAC with a good input, its no god getting a DAC and listening to 128 bit tracks, you are going to want to rip CDs in FLAC to get the best out one.

I'm going to be using both, monitors and speakers though. About 50/50. Besides, I don't use my studio monitor speakers to monitor anything, I use them as day-to-day speakers.

Don't worry, the audio files that I have are of pretty good quality
(Not all as some are really old recordings but meh).

 

[PEXON]

Well the E7 sounds like it fits the bill. I use mine for portable use with the digital input from my HTC One with my HD239 and the DAC really does a phenomenal job, as I said, you must pump quality tracks through it, or (if your ears arent trained) you wont hear much difference.

 

[Feronix]

Well the E7 sounds like it fits the bill. I use mine for portable use with the digital input from my HTC One with my HD239 and the DAC really does a phenomenal job, as I said, you must pump quality tracks through it, or (if your ears arent trained) you wont hear much difference.

Thanks! Do you have an E7/ E07k?

Could you confirm that I can plug my speakers and headphones in at the same time like you apparently can with the E10?

If it can, I'm getting the E07k, if it can't, E10 it is

 

[PEXON]

I have the E7.

You can plug both inputs in, but they will automatically output through each channel, you will need an inline switch to turn off one output or simply unplug/ turn down speakers.

 

[Feronix]

I have the E7.

You can plug both inputs in, but they will automatically output through each channel, you will need an inline switch to turn off one output or simply unplug/ turn down speakers.

Hmmm, might as well get the E10 then as that one supports it natively.
Must admit that I don't exactly know how the switching works, but I'm assuming that it does it automatically when the headphones are being plugged in or there should be some kind of button/ switch?

Didn't really plan on taking it with me anyway, if I'm honest.

Thanks for the info!

 

[PEXON]

Well, if has an onboard channel killer it can do it, if not just take the jack out, simple.

 

[iBeInspire]

Nope, E10 works the same. If you have both Speakers/Cans plugged in, both will play the same sound at the same time. It's really not much of a concern though, since it's very easy to turn a knob on your speakers and mute them, same goes for headphones and the wheel on the E10.

I personally got the E10 cause it was £10 cheaper (on amazon, £60), used a proper wheel as a volume control, instead of the fiddly buttons and I'd honestly never take an E7 with me while commuting since it would just be too bulky and annoying.

Having said that, if portability a concern, go for the E7... if not, get the E10 just for ease of use

Also bear in mind that the E10 is VERY slightly ''warmer'' sounding, while the E7 is a tad ''colder''... I know that those are words you'd usally only see on Head-Fi, but all it means is that the E10 is slightly more bass-oriented, while the E7 has a tenancy to play high frequencies a tad... louder(?) or more in-your-face Also remember, these are TINY differences that'd you'd honestly struggle to hear with both of these devices side by side, but I just thought I'd throw it in for the sake of it