Fiio E1 Review

Sometimes when I'm listening to my beloved iPod and the IEM,
I feel that my IEM (In Ear Monitor) is not that powerful enough for basshead like me.
When i read about the Fiio headphone amplifier from forum, i've decided to give it a try.
Basically it has 4 types of them, which is E1 (RM70), E3 (RM35), E5 (RM80) and E7 (RM200+).

Tried E5 which i borrowed from friend, not bad to pair with my razer pro|tone.
Read a details review from ClieOS from http://www.inearmatters.net/
From his review, E1 is almost have the same SQ with E5.
E1 is specially design for ipod and iphone with the dock connection.
According to some forumer, E1 bypass the built-in amplifier in ipod which caused the bad SQ.
Sounds not bad, so i've chosen E1 over E5 because of the volume control.
With the price RM70 + RM6 postage. I've received it within 1 day after payment.


When you take it out from the parcel, the box stated wit E1.
Not a bad design tho, just that the box isn't attractive enough.
Simple and clean.


The back, with some random Japanese.


The website stated below the box.


This is what you get when u purchased an E1. ipod is not included of course.


The dock which special made for ipod/iphone.


The volume/next/pause/play control button.
Which is giving me a very plastic feel. Not that solid for me.
The silver button is not metal also, tested.


A clip for you to clip on your shirt or whateva shit you want. :P

Verdict
For the price, couldn't expect much from the amplifier.

• Little improvement of bass after i plug into my ipod Nano 3G.
• Volume can turn louder.
• Controller makes convenient.
• If your ori file of song having noise, it will be even significant when connected to E1

Overall, is still not bad for this small portable amplifier.
As i mentioned, couldn't expect much for this price :)
I've tested it with ipod nano paired with razer pro|tone.
This verdict is based on what i've tested now,

As ClieOs mentioned in his review @ LYN

E1 is what I consider to be the better of the three. It does what an amp is suppose to do, add more power and control without adding much of its own character. That is what people refer as being 'transparent' - it is there to do its job but has minimum impact to the sound signature. I would think if you can't feel any change from adding E1 to an iPod, it is either 1) your headphone doesn't benefit much from the extra power and control, 2) your headphone isn't good enough to reveal the difference, 3) you are unable to detect the change even it is there, 4) you don't think the change is that significant, or 5) combination of any of the first 4 factors.

I think i should change a better headphone soon. haha.
Anyone share your experience for any other portable amplifier?

updated:

• E1's ipod dock blocked my "hold" button below my nano 3G, you can't switch it off when u turned on. It's kind of blocking. E5 don't have such problem as it's connecting to 3.5mm audio jack instead of dock.
• E1's voice controller is cool, E5 doesn't have controller.