Hi,
 
I'm looking for an amp or amp+DAC for my setup.
I mainly need it to listen to music on my International Galaxy S3, which I heard already has a decent DAC (Wolfson?).
But also an Amp with a DAC would be nice for my gaming laptop, which has a really ****ty sound card.
 
I was thinking of getting the FiiO E17.
 
The question is:
What would I benefit more from in terms of Audio Quality on the S3 if I were to spend ~$200 and ignoring improvements for my laptop.
Or is the E17 an optimal choice?
 
Advice would be much appreciated.

The E17 is not a good choice, because it can’t interwork with the Galaxy S3 for the time being.
 
You can find a list of USB DAC/amp reportedly interworking with the Galaxy S3 at the following link:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/345#post_8721536

Quote:

danba said:

The E17 is not a good choice, because it can’t interwork with the Galaxy S3 for the time being.
 

Click to expand...

 
Isn't the built in DAC in the International S3 (Wolfson I believe) sufficient as far as a DAC goes?
And focus on an amp only?
Also I heard that with Jelly Bean (i do have a leaked version) E17 does actually work (with some kernels).

Quote:

lentus said:

 
Isn't the built in DAC in the International S3 (Wolfson I believe) sufficient as far as a DAC goes?
And focus on an amp only?
 

Click to expand...

 
According to NZtechfreak, "the E7 sounds dramatically better than the headphone port."
http://www.head-fi.org/t/608535/wolfson-dac-confirmed-for-galaxy-s3/315#post_8437683
http://www.androidnz.net/2012/06/galaxy-s-iii-usb-audio-is-it-really.html
 
stock international S3 > digital audio stream > USB out >> FiiO E7 USB DAC including a Wolfson WM8740 conversion chip > FiiO E7 amp >> a given headphone
 
"sounds dramatically better than"
 
stock international S3 > digital audio stream > internal DAC including a Wolfson WM1811 conversion chip > internal amp > headphone out >> a same given headphone
 
And E17 is better than  E7.
 
 

lentus said:

Also I heard that with Jelly Bean (i do have a leaked version) E17 does actually work (with some kernels).
 

Click to expand...

 
Do you have a link? 
 
There is a unreliable info:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1UFZGEPXQ5FHN

If I were going to just use the built-in DAC, what would be a recommended amp under $100 for the Galaxy S3? I'm guessing it would need to have USB, is that correct (vs. something like the Airhead)? FiiO E11? Thanks for any info.

Hippo CriCri+

Quote:

ostewart said:

Hippo CriCri+

Click to expand...

 
The CriCri+ has a DAC though, doesn't it? I guess the regular CriCri would be the Hippo to try -- does it have USB? (Still looking for an answer on my USB question above, though) How does E11 compare to the Hippos?

Yes it is a DAC too, which you can connect through USB from the S3 for better SQ otherwise your just going to amp the headphone out signal, as there is no line out option, double amping is not usually good. You might as well get a DAC too

Quote:

lentus said:

Hi,
 
I'm looking for an amp or amp+DAC for my setup.
I mainly need it to listen to music on my International Galaxy S3, which I heard already has a decent DAC (Wolfson?).
But also an Amp with a DAC would be nice for my gaming laptop, which has a really ****ty sound card.

Click to expand...

 
I have an S3 which I use with digital audio out to my iBasso D10.  It sounds really great.  Check the page provided by DanBa above and choose one of the DAC/Amps on the list.