dunno about E series...only thing i notice is the new bundled iem instead of earpuds...
i thought u decided to go for the same A846 as blackstar?? y interested in E series now? with yr budget of $300 can get better player lah...
there is definately going to be some SQ compromise as you go down the series...from wat i hear between the X, A and S, there's abit of difference in SQ...so i assume the same for E too (considering cheaper components/parts used or simply tuned to sound lower-end by sony just to differentiate their products)...
if you are planning to set aside current budget for a nicer iem...can upgrade later lah..
just get the best player you can afford now...
once you have a good player/source...then slowly improve yr setup lah...maybe save up a bit afterwards and get a mid-range iem...then maybe some entry portable headphones tats easy to drive or in some nice desktop speakers like AE AegoM which is easy to setup for both good near-field listening and room filling sound.
used to connect my sony A816 to the AegoM...maintaining the sony player's musical signature + speakers is clean sounding & bassy enough...its very nice!
