Great DAC, but ....

FiiO E17 (ALPS) USB DAC headphone amplifier [192K / 24bit (SPDIF)]
Hi, I have today received the item (bought via Urban-tech with FBA via Amazon), delivery was accustomed quickly, packing everything good. The article itself is housed in a small box. The box includes: a small velvet bag to carry around or protection, 1x Mini USB cable 1x Toslink to 3.5mm Toslink adapter, 2 x rubber straps (no idea what), 1x short about 10 cm angle 3.5mm to angle 3 , 5mm jack + manual (NOT in German), but at least English.

Then everything prepared with the following constellation:

Macbook Pro 13 "(March 2012 EDT) via Toslink in the DAC, from there into the Audio Technica ATH-M50s. So everything digital in the DAC and the DAC converts precisely in analog stereo and forwards it to the headset. Oh, before you have one gets going in the Macbook still (to see Utilities) in the Audio Midi Setup menu still 24bit and 96Hz.

At DAC still chosen according to the correct input and all Soundverbesserer to 0!

Was leaked Miscellaneous 24/88 or 24/96 material (Bob Marley, The Doors, Rage Against the Machine, Adele) and will also come on, unfortunately the joke: There are really only minimal nuances (especially in the heights), I out there listening as more, eg drums Hi Hats. Please do not misunderstand, I hear definitely not so much out there that I can say for myself: I bought! I was really surprised, but anyway. I still have all the gain presets tried, also brought nothing, except of course a correspondingly higher volume.

Then I briefly used the same chain, but this time cut through the Onkyo 616, also via Toslink and with Pure Audio. In this mode, the Onkyo everything is turned off, which could affect the sound, again via headphones. The sound was in my opinion the same. Actually, I was glad that the Onkyo Such a result creates, so I have done nothing wrong and time saving scarce 150.

Who so this is DAC?

I would say definitely have for the people who want your HiFi equipment upgrade, but so far no or possibly substandard AV receiver that does not have a digital input. It may well be that the DAC develops its epic breadth there, for me it was not exactly like that. Recommended the device is of course for the road (is just small and compact), but by which I mean that the playback should be digitally definitely, because otherwise you would have multiple conversion, whereby the sound is certainly not better. :)

Thus, the device returns.

I hope I could you get an overview. :)

If you have questions: Fire away!