Best headphone amps according to Reddit

Reddit mentions of Creative Sound Blaster E3 Portable USB DAC Headphone Amplifier with Bluetooth and NFC

Sentiment score: 7
Reddit mentions: 9

We found 9 Reddit mentions of Creative Sound Blaster E3 Portable USB DAC Headphone Amplifier with Bluetooth and NFC. Here are the top ones.

    Features:
  • High quality headphone amplification for headphones up to 600 ohm and 112dB DAC
  • Connect the Sound Blaster E3 to your smart phone or tablets via USB for incredibly high audio streaming quality
  • Conveniently connect to smart phones or tablets via Bluetooth
  • Users with NFC-enabled phones can pair and connect to the Sound Blaster E3 by simply tapping the two together
  • Up to 8 hours of Bluetooth audio streaming or 17 hours of analog audio playback (varies with use, settings and environment)
  • Connectivity: Dual Headphone-Out, Mic In (applicable on desktop mode Only), Line In, USB
  • Built-in Microphone
  • Buttons Control: Power/Bluetooth, Volume, Next track/Forward, Previous track/Rewind, Call Answer/Play/Pause
Specs:
Height5.51 Inches
Length4.13 Inches
Weight0.3 Kilograms
Width1.85 Inches
#20 of 208

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Found 9 comments on Creative Sound Blaster E3 Portable USB DAC Headphone Amplifier with Bluetooth and NFC:

u/vsync · 2 pointsr/Moto_Z

I got this one: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B076KHXSVY/
There were others selling the exact same product; actually ordered from 2 different vendors just to see. Some are bundled with stuff like stylus or phone stand.

Works fine but unfortunately seems to be subject to electrical noise when charging. This may be unavoidable. It does seem subject to vagaries of the USB itself or the type of charger. So you might get better luck connecting with a data-only cable or USB condom, or charging from a different charger or a power pack.

Another option may be to use a USB DAC. I use Sound Blaster E3 which actually has a battery. It's also apparently possible according to USB specs to design a hub that provides power to the host (phone) while providing connection to a device (DAC). Haven't ever tried though.

More on the E3: I use it mainly in Bluetooth but it can do line-in and USB audio as well. Interestingly it also has a battery so if you hook it up as USB host it will charge the phone a little (though not sure how quickly it kills the amp). NFC doesn't work though.

u/www-ListenUp-com · 2 pointsr/audiophile

> good alternatives to these headphones with good bang for my buck

I got a chance to demo those Sonys. Can't say enough good things about them.

Also worth looking into Audio-Technica AT-M70X ($223). AT's new flagship monitor headphone with an amazing sound. Definitely gives the Sonys a run for their money, especially with such a competitive price. I might even like them better.

I'm also quite fond of NAD Viso HP50 ($249). Just an incredible closed-back can.

>amp designed for headphone listening, that I can plug into my Macbook pro and that is hopefully less than $100.

Nothing really worth looking at under $100. Maybe Creative E3 ($99) or Topping TP30 ($99).

However, if you save money on headphones by going with the AT-M70X or the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 (which are on sale for like $149), you could put the money you saved towards a better amp/DAC.

So if we assume a budget of, say, $200 for an amp/DAC, you can step up to something like Creative E5 ($189), Fiio E17 ($139) (it's even portable!), or Topping TP32EX ($159). Fiio probably makes the best offering in this range.

u/yettiTurds · 2 pointsr/gadgets

Creative Sound Blaster E3. It's one of the best I've tried. It's also an amplifier and DAC in one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J79KNPM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_IK6YAb3WXHZSR

u/Vliger2002 · 2 pointsr/headphones
  • Headphones:
  • Sennheiser HD598 | Frequency Graph
  • Sennheiser HD558 | Frequency Graph
  • Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Ohms | Frequency Graph
  • DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter)/Amplifier Combo:
  • FiiO E10K
  • Creative Sound Blaster E3
  • Amplifier only:
  • FiiO E6
  • Creative Sound Blaster E1

    The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros have great bass response, while the Sennheiser HD598's aren't as punchy in the bass. That being said, the DT770's present a bit more in the high-end frequencies, and some might find that unbalanced.

    The HD598's are certainly more balanced in their presentation. The HD558's are the cheapest option, but present great value for somebody looking for a bit more bass than the HD598's, but less than the DT770's.

    Any of these headphones paired with a proper headphone amplifier will provide a good listening experience, but different. While both Sennheiser's are open-back and will breath more to provide a wider sound stage, the Beyerdynamics are closed back and will provide a more narrow sound stage, but provide more bass response.
u/HattedSandwich · 2 pointsr/pcmasterrace

You would need a separate mic but I picked up a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 770 80ohm pros during Prime Day for $120, coupled with a SoundBlaster E3 DAC I have been sucked into another world. The noise cancellation is phenomenal and bass is incredible, but doesn't drown out the highs either. Best part is I can take it on the go with my phone if I want, so the versatility is appreciated. For the uninitiated a DAC is an external amplifier that also converts sound from digital to analog, making it crisper without the noise interference that internal sound cards can produce. The E3 can really crank up whatever you're listening to.

https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-DT-770-Pro-ohm/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469208526&sr=8-1&keywords=beyerdynamic+dt770

https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-Bluetooth/dp/B00J79KNPM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469208557&sr=8-1&keywords=soundblaster+e3

Hope this helps, not a true audiophile but it was a huge step up from my old Logitech set. Gaming headsets bad, studio headphones good

u/L8Show · 2 pointsr/audio

Depends on what you are looking for, but in general, I recommend going with fully external sound cards. That helps eliminate possibility of the card picking up noise from inside the computer. For an all around PC audio upgrade, the Sound Blaster G5 is a safe bet. Good for gaming, movies, and music with most headphones or with an amp/speakers. It's been on sale few time for under $100. They also still sell their E series which can be used on your pc or as a portable DAC/amp. I have an E1 that works well for my laptop, but I'd go E3 or E5 if looking to upgrade.

http://us.creative.com/p/sound-cards/sound-blasterx-g5

https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-Bluetooth/dp/B00J79KNPM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485818523&sr=8-1&keywords=sound+blaster+e3

If your main goal is to get get better quality music, then there's a ton of options, and you might want to go with a different company/product.

u/SIGNW · 1 pointr/gadgets

$100 street, but priced a bit lower from third party sellers/eBay, as it has been around for three years:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J79KNPM

  • Really powerful amp
  • Dual output for sharing
  • Player controls
  • DAC Mode + Line-In
  • Mic + in-line mic
  • 112db SnR with Apt-X
u/Gil_Demoono · 1 pointr/gadgets

I have a M50x and use soundblaster as my DAC and love it. I've also heard great things about dragonfly DACs, but I think they're a little pricier. Really audio quality is one of those things where you can either differentiate it well or not at all, like wine. If you can appreciate the difference going from a cheaper pair of headphones to your M40x, getting a DAC might make the quality even better. If you can't really hear the difference between your M40x and, say, a ~$30 pair or decent earbuds, a DAC might be a waste. Its kind of subjective

u/psykad · 1 pointr/technology

I picked up one of these to have wireless audio for my phone but also able to use any headphone I want.

I usually have it plugged in at my desk at work and my phone in my pocket. When I walk away from my desk I don't have to carry my headphones with me or even touch my phone when I come back to reconnect.