Primarily I use the E17 as USB sound card for my notebook. (Currently Thinkpad W520 with unsatisfactory onboard sound card) the road a lot, since I'm using the notebook, I decided due to its compactness for the E17. Also, I use the E17 to different devices (media receiver, gaming console, etc.) over coaxial cable or jack input.
Move the E17 comes tend not to use, but it is a little too large. The stapling part of a smartphone makes me whole in your pocket too clunky.
What I like:
+ E17 runs smoothly with standard drivers in Windows or Linux (I guess even Mac OS), and boasts all the features on the device itself, thereby annoying software is unnecessary.
+ Multifunctional: Can be used as DAC via USB / coaxial / SPDIF or AMP via 3.5mm jack line-in. Adapter (Coaxial, SPDIF) and cable (USB, jack) are included.
+ The sound quality is absolutely satisfactory for the price (installed is a single Wolfson WM8740). The signal-to-noise ratio is much better than with my onboard sound card. One should now expect but no sound miracle. Some seem to E17 for sale with high expectations.
+ The build quality is my first impression excellent. The ports and buttons are very solid and the aluminum case also survived minor bumps / falls. My hope lasts a long time (possibly followed by an update of the review).
+ Bass and Treble Control allow very easy (unlike conventional equalizers) changing the sound characteristics.
+ Amplifier (3 Gain Levels + 0dB, + 6dB, + 12dB) allows me to pick up the maximum example of my DT-880 250 Ohm. Usually I hear quiet and do not need amplifiers (even on smartphone enough for me usually even with the DT-880, the output volume), but sometimes you just want the buzz, drown) or loud noises outside.
+ The sleep timer (up to 90 minutes in 5 minutes increments) is very convenient, because I like to sleep with music.
+ Screen protector included.
+ Transport bag included.
+ Rubber feet can be positioned according to individual requirements attach.
What I do not like the awkward handling:
- To protect the display, you should press the hold switch. Thus, the screen turns off, but also all the buttons. Thus, every time you need to, for example, press to change the volume first the hold switch. The alternative is letting the display just active (in the context certainly possible, but you should not overuse) and risk screen burn-in.
- Most of the functions (all except volume and input Change) require navigating through menus. Especially when Bass and Treble Control (which I sometimes even depending on the song like change) bugging me that.
- The concept of fixing the E17 on Smartphone using the rubber bands I think is not well thought out. The rubber bands are much too wide and therefore covering basic range of smartphone displays and possibly also buttons and display of the E17 itself.
What I would like to see:
- At least the volume buttons should be (possibly optional) is not locked by the Hold button, because they already have a very strong pressure point.
- There should be a way to configure individual presets for the most common settings (Volume, Treble, Bass, Gain, etc.) and most a button which allows you to quickly switch between presets. I change too happy from time to time between headphones and it is tiresome every time to reduce eg for bass heavy headphones the bass or for high-impedance headphones to increase the volume again.
What I have not yet been adequately tested:
- Battery life (for me so far always enough, but there were so far no extreme cases)
- Optical SPDIF
- Longevity
- Robustness (moisture, heat / cold)
Conclusion: Without a doubt, for me the Fiio E17 is worth the money. But it gets even better, and I hope the successor to the E17 offers a bit more ease of use.
Side note: For me it is very rarely occurred times that the device no longer allowed to enable. A pressing the reset button did help. Questions about the device in the comments, I will gladly answer.
