FiiO E9i Desktop Pre-Amp and Headphone Amplifier Dock for iPod and iPhone

First of all, the reason that I was looking for a headphone amp is to drive my new AKG 702. I have a nice stereo setup at home, but recently like to try the headphone route when kids go to bed and wife working late. I saw a lot of nice review about FiiO E9 as an entry level decent headphone amp. Some reviewers mentioned that they have no problem driving AKG 701/702. So it's on top of my list.I wasn't planning to get an E7 to pair with E9 because I already have several DAC (Nuforce uDAC 1, VALab from eBay store, and a Wyred 4 Sound DAC2). So when I saw the E9i, I was excited and jump on it because I can use it with my iPhone, and more importantly, my other DAC through the line-in in th back.First impression when I opened the package was good. Nice hard anodized finish. However, when I tried to plug in the 3.5 mm headphone plug, it's not easy to insert. Much harder than plugging into the uDAC or anything else (iPhone, notebook, etc). The quality of the socket seem questionable.The real problem starts after I plug in external source through "Line-in" in the back. There seems to be some problem with the Line-in socket. It may be a bad soldering job, or bad connector. I get loud humming noise from time to time. I tried 2 different cables and all 3 DAC above. Some combinations give very loud noise most of the time, while some other combinations will require me to wiggle the cable to find the trouble angle to hear it. But in no case can I find it completely trouble-free. That led me to return the amp after 2 days.During that 2 days, I did try the amp with my AKG 702. Compared to using iPhone with the 702, this amp definitely make the 702 sign more effortlessly. When I use it with my DAC2 from W4S, it did sound nice. However, since neither the 702 nor the E9 was fully broken in, I can't really judge how nice the sound could be with this combo.Overall, I was reasonably happy with the sound even though I didn't fully test it, but somewhat disappointed by the quality of components. Maybe I expected too much from this entry level amp due to all these nice reviews. Maybe I was just unlucky to receive a defective unit. I may give it another try if I can't find anything better than E9/E9i in the price range of <$200.

The first FiiO was thrown in the trash in great anger. The ipod dock simply failed, seemingly some connections could be cajoled into working by slight twists of the ipod (classic) but in a matter of hours it would fail again. Charging failed after it was a month or two old. The volume control was "scratchy" - so I found words to the effect that the device was improved somewhere. I bought a second one (first one was just out of warranty, and if you research the warranty terms with FiiO it is insulting. It was a little over a year old. On to #2 unit. I'm not using the dock this time, I figure it would just fail, so I use the short FiiO connector to the bottom of the ipod and then plug into the back of the FiiO "line input." This sounds much better than using the headphone jack, the reason for all this in the first place. Actually the ipod will run the HD-600's but with minimal bass, not much volume even at "full tilt" and a poor "soundstage." (All this the reason for using a headphone amp in the first place). The 2nd FiiO has been working great, volume control not scratchy at all (I believe their web site said this was "fixed"). I use this with Sennheiser HD-600 headphones and it sounds great, I have the ipod filled with Apple Lossless rips from CD's and painstaking vinyl conversions, and it couldn't sound better. I wish the dock connector looked like iti would last but it doesn't, so it's still "line in" with the ipod laying flat on the table, with a charger ready to go. Wish I could trust the connector and charging functionality. I don't.

UPDATE -The noise problem (which seems to worsen when the iPhone is charging) has gotten worse. Then, after less than three months, the unit died entirely. I think it's a bad power supply. I'll be sending it back._________________________Very nice fit-and-finish wrapped around a great sounding little headphone amp.PROs-It makes my Sennheiser HD600s really sing.Very low noise and excellent sound qualityIt's a perfect addition to my nightstand. Now I can listen on headphones without having a long extension cord running across the room from the receiver.I love that it charges the device as well.CONs-The amp is apparently not shielded against cell phone interference, so you occasionally get those annoying buzzes coming through when using it with an iPhone. Switching to airplane mode will eliminate it. (UPDATE - the noise is now there pretty much all the time.)

Received Fiio E9i about two hours ago. Immediately plugged in my iPod Touch 4 loaded with 'Apple lossless" music then attached Senn HD650's. EVERY music selection listened to so far exceeds my expectations in listening quality. Quickly learned to disable the iPod's bass boost - it's just not needed. But - was pleased to learn that iPod's equalizer functions performed when attached to the E9i. Appearance wise, it's a near twin to my E9 for the i7 docking. Only differences noted was use of a different male connection for the docking and a white line on the volume control to show its relative volume setting. Maybe two hours later of playing around, will discover something I DON'T like but in interim, will enjoy the fine music. A lot of product quality/performance for the money!

ipod does not connect properly to the dock. Some times I hear sound form one ear only. I need to add some paper in the back to make proper connection.1/8" connector is too tight. Looks like cheep components are used in connectors.The sound is ok, but not great. I prefer to listen with  Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker

Für jeder der sein iPod professionell mit seiner Hifi Anlage verbinden will. Auch die Materialwahl und die Verarbeitung passen zu einer hochwertigen Anlage...