Very nice review! Also, beautifully taken pictures, especially the picture near the top of the unit! Really much more effective than pure descriptions
 
This unit...is for someday where I am not as broke. Woohoo!

@WhatToChoose, glad you liked the review and photos. Amazing the picture quality of the iPhone, and touch up ability of Camera+. Hope that "someday" comes quickly as this is a lovely piece of kit.

Great review ......love the comparo ....you do write better than me ...that's fosho ..cheers

Coming from you, @Wokei, that's praise indeed. Was planning to do a Havi review soon, but feel mine would pale in comparison to yours. Will perhaps do a short one just to help raise the average weighting  

Hak....do it man ....me will let you'all do the proper grown up review while me like to emphasize more on the fun aspect of this hobby ....enjoy the muzik

I am definitely trading up from my original X3....the improvements are substantial!

@peareye, good to hear. Looking forward to reading your impressions when your review goes up.

Sounds pretty impressive, I am struggling with myself to buy this one or wait for the X5 second generation.

How much better can sound get? Is more expensive gear better, or are these only illusions because we are overwhelmed by some of the DAP´s finish and price point? I would like to see a blind test with all the top DAP´s included like the AK240, Sony ZX2, and Calyx M, The FiiO X3 2G, could prove that you can perfectly happy with it soundwise. Some have more storage capacity, therefore I might wait to get the X5 2G

Besides the X5 and X3 models...i have not listened to the calyx M and A&K 100 mk ii for a short time during a visit to toronto...the calyx
was definitely in a different league but also at 1,000.00 u.s. dollars! It was also large and not really pocketable like the X3...
 
One thing i noticed over the past year was that with all the firmware updates even the original X3 surpassed the sound of the X5
(with it's original firmware) so the boys are getting good at extracting more and more from the units!

@willyvlyminck: The never-ending struggle of buy now or wait for the next big thing... Am currently auditioning the Cayin N6, and will have a review of that up in a couple of weeks (I'm in a course right now so can't do a full review write-up immediately). Head-to-head, the N6 has better sound quality and staging (more dynamic, more powerful amp, better detail); however, it's 3 times the price of the X3 and about twice the size. After comparing the two, I have no regrets about purchasing an X3 2nd generation for myself; I really think it's a perfect combination of size, ease-of-use, sound quality and price. I don't doubt that I will upgrade at some point to something like a new X5 or the N6, but not right away and I'll continue enjoying what I have as it really is a fun, musical piece of kit.

Interesting that you listed "ergonomics" as a pro, considering ergonmics is my main ding on the whole FiiO DAP line; the headphone out being on top of the unit instead of the bottom. Though I might be the only person that actually stashes one's device upside down on one's pocket.

@RERO, funny, but the LO being on the bottom of the 1st gen. X3 was one of my big beefs as it felt weird stacking the wrong way with my amps. I know I'm not the only one irritated by that... guess it really is a case of "To each his own."

Is it worth upgrading from the 1st gen?

Hi @exisspl, thanks for the question. That's one I think only you can answer, but I did decide to upgrade, and here's why: 1) I preferred the sound signature of the new X3 (although I've heard that the latest firmware for the 1st gen. improved things for that model), 2) I prefer the size and ergonomics (scroll wheel, user interface) of the new model, 3) I like the ability of the 2nd gen. to drive headphones, even quite power hungry ones, without having to add an external amplifier. Just my 2¢...

Nice review and I very much appreciate the comparisons with the different amps.  I would be using my E17 with either the X3II or in perhaps an X1.  My problem, if it can be called one, is that I have not been able to tell any difference between high resolution recordings and the fare proffered by mp3s and standard iTunes recordings. 
 
I wonder if moving from an iPod to one of these is worth it.  I think breaking somewhat free of Apple makes it so but which to buy.  I will not be downloading anything in high rez as again, I cannot tell any difference.  So then, X3II or X1 remains the question.  Leaning toward the former for the outputs and features, but I would appreciate any thoughts regarding this.
 
Again, thanks for the excellent real world review.

Thanks for the comments, @OldRoadToad. Certainly appreciate the conundrum you're in. I only made the shift away from iDevices 6 months ago. My process went something like this: 1) Got revealing headphones (HD598). 2) Disappointment that 128 kbps AACs didn't sound great. 3) Researched benefits of higher resolution files. 4) Ripped a couple of CD's to 320 kbps AAC. 5) Liked what I heard on my iPhone, and began the arduous task of ripping my entire CD collection to 320. 6) Researched DAPs and decided to purchase X3 1st generation. 7) Impressed with improvement in sound quality and soundstage over iPhone. 8) Upgraded iTunes purchases via iTunes Match from 128 to 256 kbps AAC and found improved sound there, too. 9) Felt music still lacked dynamics, space and bass. 10) Researched and purchased E12A. 11) Blown away by quality of X3+E12A combination. 12) Felt satisfied with sound, but didn't like stacking for portable use. 13) Selected for X3 2nd gen. world tour. 12) Discovered new X3 sounded FANTASTIC without external amp, and preferred it head-to-head against 1st gen. 14) Wrote review and purchased my own X3 2nd gen. 15) Happy happy happy.
 
I know that doesn't address your concerns directly, but here are my thoughts. First, I haven't tried the X1 so can't compare directly. BUT, I have read that it benefits greatly from external amping. As for high resolution files, you may not be able to differentiate high rez from iTunes recordings (I assume these are 256 kbps), and I know there are a lot of very well respected Head-Fi'ers who profess that 256 or 320 is about as high as you need to go on the resolution scale (of course there are others who disagree and only want 24/192 FLAC or higher). That said, I did notice differences between players using same resolution files, with iPhone < X3i <X3ii (my opinion, YMMV). Based on what I've read on the forums, I'd say you'll likely find X1+E17 similarly satisfying as X3ii solo, and that both will be better than iPod/iPhone. Your decision can then be made based on: power-hunger of headphones you'll be driving, your feelings about stacking, the DAC+Digital Out features, and price... and that decision is yours only to make.

Thanks hakushondaimao  for the added insight, I do appreciate you taking the time to offer it!  I will have to weigh the advantages of the X3 over the X1 and choose one.  I suppose I could just get the X1 and see if I am happy with it or not and if no, move to the X3 but I am married and that would not be choosing "wisely". 
 
I would like to be able to import playlists from my iTunes folder or even from my Windows Media Player so whichever one can do that and offer me an experience close enough to my beloved 20 Gig click wheel iPod or my 60 Gig iPod classic, that is the one I will choose.   I really don't care all that much for my iPod Nano with the total touch screen.  I like the feel of the wheel and its missing on that 'Pod.
 
Thanks again!

@OldRoadToad: No worries. For what it's worth, many reviewers and users have said the X3ii wheel is better than the X1's. 

Thanks!  A tactile experience is very important to me.  I like to think that not only can quality be heard in a device such as this, but also felt.   For example, I have a lifetime sub to SiriusXM and my portable player has a nice little click wheel on it.  In some cases familiarity breeds contempt.   In one such as this, it begets a feeling of "comfort", if you will.   Thanks again for your review and  your thoughtful responses to my questions and comments.  You have been a great help.