[Light - Man]

  What turns me off the E12A is the lower output power compared to the E12.

 
I suppose output is not everything, the A5 is supposed to be fairly similar in output to the E12 but the A5 uses muses02 op amps so it may be worth waiting for.

 

[pranavtripathi]

I believe it will be suitable for IEMs and full size headphones too. If you carefully see, Fiio Q5, their flagship DAC /Amp has a three stage gain. They might implement the same in A5. If they do, people have more options to choose from.

 

[snellemin]

The A5 looks nice and looks to be a whole lot cheaper than the DIY version.  The A5 looks like my DIY with the Muses02 installed.  I am using the Buf634 instead of the LME49600.  

 

[Light - Man]

  The A5 looks nice and looks to be a whole lot cheaper than the DIY version.  The A5 looks like my DIY with the Muses02 installed.  I am using the Buf634 instead of the LME49600.  

 
Have you tried your DIY with the LME49600 and if so, how do it compare to the Buf634?  

 

[snellemin]

   
Have you tried your DIY with the LME49600 and if so, how do it compare to the Buf634?  

I have, but don't remember how it sounded.  But if I chose the Buf634, it must've been better to my ears.  Just looking at specs alone, the LME49600 has a higher pulse current vs the Buf634. So greater transients is what I translate it too.
 
 I can say the Muses02 is excellent for both Full size headphones and IEM's.  

 

[snellemin]

   
Have you tried your DIY with the LME49600 and if so, how do it compare to the Buf634?  

For fun I swapped in the LME49600.  I am using the Muses01 right now for it's old school analog sound signature.
 
So the difference between the Buf634 and LME49600, is that the LME49600 sounds more spacious. Is a good thing for those listening to closed-backed headphones.
 
LME's
 

 
Buf634

 

[FiiO]

Dear all,
Our A5 has already released:

  http://www.head-fi.org/t/822914/fiio-releases-the-new-amplifier-a5-that-strives-for-perfection

 

[ceemsc]

Dear all,
Our A5 has already released:   [COLOR=FF4400]http://www.head-fi.org/t/822914/fiio-releases-the-new-amplifier-a5-that-strives-for-perfection[/COLOR]

Excellent & long awaited news!!

I notice the FiiO website has already taken down the sales information for the E12 & E12A, so 2 questions :-

1) What are the size measurements of the A5 compared to the E12 ? (I need to know whether it will be a straight swap-out in my rig.)

2) What is the +dB level & frequency of the Bass boost for the A5 compared to the E12's of +6dB @ 64Hz as the website only says "Level 1"? (This is essential for when using the Amp on non-EQ'd external audio & was a key reason why I haven't purchased an Objective 2 Amp.)

 

[TheoS53]

Excellent & long awaited news!!

I notice the FiiO website has already taken down the sales information for the E12 & E12A, so 2 questions :-

1) What are the size measurements of the A5 compared to the E12 ? (I need to know whether it will be a straight swap-out in my rig.)

2) What is the +dB level & frequency of the Bass boost for the A5 compared to the E12's of +6dB @ 64Hz as the website only says "Level 1"? (This is essential for when using the Amp on non-EQ'd external audio & was a key reason why I haven't purchased an Objective 2 Amp.)

A5 is the exact same size as the E12A...and AFAIK it also has the same bass boost as E12A, not E12

 

[ceemsc]

A5 is the exact same size as the E12A...and AFAIK it also has the same bass boost as E12A, not E12

So in a sense the same size as the E12 albeit approx. 10g heavier.

The E12A Bass Boost is +4dB but the key-point is the frequency. I'm hoping this will be in the 32hz range similar to the E12 Version 1 as this will help with counteracting my Sennheiser HD700 Sub-Bass Roll-off.

I'm also hoping that MUSES02 OP-Amp provides a wider sound-stage than the narrower one presented by the E12.

 

[Dobrescu George]

I wonder if it'll be a smooth amp like E12A or a treble happy amp like E12.

 

[pranavtripathi]

I'm just hoping they've sent out tour units so someone can post a detailed review really soon!!

 

[Blazer39]

  I wonder if it'll be a smooth amp like E12A or a treble happy amp like E12.

well it has same op-amps of E12A, so most likely it will sound like E12A but with E12 power.
 
im so excited for the amp, could be my first proper amp to pair with X3II

 

[HotIce]

Here they say price should be around USD120 ...
 
https://www.samma3a.com/en/blog/fiio-x1-2nd-genration-a5-q5-iphone-7-i1-cable-and-if3-headphones-and-more-was-released-in-autumn-event--305.html

 

[Dobrescu George]

  Here they say price should be around USD120 ...
 
https://www.samma3a.com/en/blog/fiio-x1-2nd-genration-a5-q5-iphone-7-i1-cable-and-if3-headphones-and-more-was-released-in-autumn-event--305.html

 
 
Whoa, this is very exciting then!