Review: Fiio E10K Dac/Amp

[Assassin]

Introduction:

The E10K is a revision over the popular E10 dac. I will link the official specs below that tells you whats been improved over the original E10 Dac/Amp.

 

http://www.fiio.com.cn/products/index.aspx?ID=100000059783139&MenuID=105026003

 

 

The Packaging:

It no longer comes in a fancy metal fox. It has been replaced by a boring cardboard package. But it does the job just fine to protect it. I give it an 8/10. 

 

The Unit:

Some changes have been made to the design this time. The overall size is very compact.

 

The gain switch on the bottom is GONE! (They moved it, details below)

 

So the gain switch is at back! Also Micro USB for your connection! @LinusTech you spoke too soon in your Fiio E10 review. You jinxed it! For me its not a big deal. It stays on the desk all day long and does not need to be moved.The back also has a coaxial and a line in. 

 

The front is very similar. The bass boost button is now smaller and horizontal instead of vertical.

 

An apple and a half cut onion for size comparison.

 

Performance:

I'm no audio geek. But I can tell you that the sound is very pleasing. I tested it out using my Beyerdynamic Cusom One Pro and the sound was very pleasing. There was no distortion unless you turn the gain to high or enable bass boost and it only happens in certain tracks. Mainly because the COP's are a very low impedance headphones. (16 ohm if my memory serves me correct) The bass was punchy and sound was fairly balanced. Playing Battlefiled 4 on this thing was very satisfying. It was clear and you could hear the smallest of the details in the game. However compared to my Sound Blaster Z the sound was not as loud. This is understandable since the Sound Blaster has a more powerful amp. I think I will probably use the sound blaster for gaming and the Fiio for music/movies. The E10K will work just fine for games, I will update the review once I get to test it out with more a more larger sample of games. I can hear some static on max volume when no sound is playing but I think its my other equipment interfering with it. 

 

Bottom Line:

If you are in the market to get your first amp/dac this is a great place to start. It won't disappoint you. The price I think is a fair coming at about $75.99 and its available from third party sellers on Amazon. I would recommend cross referencing the third party seller on the Fiio's website to see if they are an authorized re-seller. 

[Askew]

Nice review, I was looking for an E10 but they seemed discontinued and unavailable here so now this has appeared I might track one down to test.

[ShadowCaptain]

Bottom Line:

If you are in the market to get your first amp/dac this is a great place to start. It won't disappoint you. The price I think is a fair coming at about $75.99 and its available from third party sellers on Amazon. I would recommend cross referencing the third party seller on the Fiio's website to see if they are an authorized re-seller. 

 

Compared to using your COPs without the amp on different devices how much is the difference in audio?

[frostin1990]

Yo! keep us updated very eager to know more.

[Nxl8]

I was thinking of purchasing this amp/DAC, another review is always helpful.

 

Also

 Battlefiled 4

Sounds like a secretary's favourite game 

[MrSuperb]

Too bad we in europe have to wait a little bit more ...

I want one now

[RatedBlam]

Prepare for the oddest nitpick ever: I would've liked for the bass switch to be vertical, just to make it easier to flip since device has lower chance of moving in the vertical direction.

[BarisERY]

what is the diffrence between the normal E10 vs E10K?

[Assassin]

what is the diffrence between the normal E10 vs E10K?

http://www.fiio.com.cn/products/index.aspx?ID=100000059783139&MenuID=105026003