The FiiO X3 Thread UPDATE: Project Back On! Read the First Post for Information. - Page 189  

I was reading lee730's paring of the DX100 & UHA6 MKII, and was wondering...

Wouldn't the (iRiver H1X0 > Sysconcept Optical > UHA6 MKII) > (DX100 > LOD > UHA6 MKII)?

That is why I initially got the iRivers was that digital optical out > line out?  Please correct me and not flame me if I am wrong.  I am not a Sound Science type, just a casual music enthusiast.

If that is the case, wouldn't (X3 > Sysconcept Optical > UHA6 MKII) > (DX100 > LOD > UHA6 MKII)?  Because if would just bypass the DX100 DAC/AMP?

Also on the horizon is the MyST 1866...

H1X0 or X3 > Sysconcept Optical > MySt 1866.

http://www.musicaacoustics.com/wp/amplifiers/myst-1866/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tera-Fi 

I was reading lee730's paring of the DX100 & UHA6 MKII, and was wondering...

 

Wouldn't the (iRiver H1X0 > Sysconcept Optical > UHA6 MKII) > (DX100 > LOD > UHA6 MKII)?

 

That is why I initially got the iRivers was that digital optical out > line out?  Please correct me and not flame me if I am wrong.  I am not a Sound Science type, just a casual music enthusiast.

 

If that is the case, wouldn't (X3 > Sysconcept Optical > UHA6 MKII) > (DX100 > LOD > UHA6 MKII)?  Because if would just bypass the DX100 DAC/AMP?

 

Also on the horizon is the MyST 1866...

 

H1X0 or X3 > Sysconcept Optical > MySt 1866.

 

http://www.musicaacoustics.com/wp/amplifiers/myst-1866/

Not necessarily. It will depend on the UHA6 MKII DAC section which is in no way comparable to the DX100s. The amp section on the UHA6 is its strong suite. Not it's DAC. So in that it won't be comparable. Now if you have a superior DAC connected to the iRiver and to the UHA6 then possibly. Then again factors will come into play such as how the iRiver handles things on its own as a transport. At least from what I've heard the iRiver isn't perfect as a transport concerning timing/jitter? You are only as strong as your weakest link.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

Not necessarily. It will depend on the UHA6 MKII DAC section which is in no way comparable to the DX100s. The amp section on the UHA6 is it's strong suite. Not it's DAC. So in that it won't be comparable. Now if you have a superior DAC connected to the iRver and to the UHA6 then possibly. Then again factors will come into play such as how the irver handles things on its own as a transport. At least from what I've heard the iRiver isn't perfect as a transport concerning timing/jitter? You are only as strong as your weakest link.

I just re-read my post.  Since I have been out of this game for so long.  I forgot you are using a LOD, and thus using the DX100 DAC.  I initially assume some optical out of the DX100 and thus some bypassing.

Nevermind.

Just hope more DAC/AMP combos coming out like the MySt 1866.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tera-Fi 

I just re-read my post.  Since I have been out of this game for so long.  I forgot you are using a LOD, and thus using the DX100 DAC.  I initially assume some optical out of the DX100 and thus some bypassing.

 

Nevermind.

 

Just hope more DAC/AMP combos coming out like the MySt 1866.

No problem. I did try the UHA6 MKII via optical toslink and coaxial and much preferred the DX100 DAC to it. The MKII DAC is harsh and unrefined in comparison. Still a good DAC when compared to lower end sources but just not comparable to the DX100 DAC nor my DACport LX. Initially I compared it to my DACport LX and was very disappointed. But then again the comparisons really aren't fair so that is to be expected.

However what it did offer was better battery life on the DX100 as I was able to lock the volume and DAC to 0 volume which greatly extends battery life. I got around 10 hours of playback that way. But not worth the sound degradation. Strangely enough on 1.2.3 I didn't notice much of a difference between the UHA6 MKII via coaxil/optical and a direct connect via the Line Out. That is because 1.2.3 was a horrible firmware and really made the DX100 sound like crap lol. This was using Op-Amp 209 as it sounded the best via the Coaxil compared to the other Op Amps, pretty much closing the gap between LO & Coaxil on 1.2.3. On 1.1.7 and especially 1.2.7 there is no comparison at all...

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

No problem. I did try the UHA6 MKII via optical toslink and coaxial and much preferred the DX100 DAC to it. The MKII DAC is harsh and unrefined in comparison. Still a good DAC when compared to lower end sources but just not comparable to the DX100 DAC nor my DACport LX. Initially I compared it to my DACport LX and was very disappointed. But then again the comparisons really aren't fair so that is to be expected. However what it did offer was better battery life on the DX100 as I was able to lock the volume and DAC to 0 volume which greatly extends battery life. I got around 10 hours of playback that way. But not worth the sound degradation. Strangely enough on 1.2.3 I didn't notice much of a difference between the UHA6 MKII via coaxil/optical and a direct connect via the Line Out. That is because 1.2.3 was a horrible firmware and really made the DX100 sound like crap lol.

That is good to know.  I think that is why I gave up on trying to pair the H1X0 with any DAC/AMP combos.  Nobody willing to step up the DAC/AMP / optical input model.  Hopefully with the X3, someone will step up.  I just noticed the MyST 1866 is just a DAC, so hope is fading.  DAP + DAC + AMP is too cumbersome.  DAP + DAC/AMP, you can at least wear it on your belt.  I look forward to the possibilities of the X3, and hopefully iBasso, Leckerton or FiiO can come out with an high-end DAC/AMP combo.  iBasso should be able to transfer their knowledge and the DX100 DAC into a D13 DAC/Improved AMP combo package, but may not make business sense for them.

Edit:  I just noticed a volume knob on the MySt 1866, need time to do more research.  Window of hope.

It is indeed a DAC/AMP

http://www.head-fi.org/t/616889/myst-1866-bluetooth-optical-coaxial-usb-dac-headphone-amp-impressions-thread

Super-long and super-expensive though:

http://mycroft.su/ru/catalog/cifroanalogovye_preobrazovateli/myst_portadac_1866ocub

Quote:

Originally Posted by stozzer123 

If this is similar to the studio im out.

If you mean output impedance....Fiio has a fairly good track record on low headphone output impedance.

(E9 is a bit higher, but its more semi desktop).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExpatinJapan 

If you mean output impedance....Fiio has a fairly good track record on low headphone output impedance.

 

 

E11	0.05
E5	0.15
E7	0.15
	0.22
E9	10.10

 

(E9 is a bit higher, but its more semi desktop).

The E9 made my Denon 5000s sound like turbo fart cannons ;). On certain tracks even making my head vibrate. The horns really came out on those songs lol (not in a good way).

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

The E9 made my Denon 5000s sound like turbo fart cannons ;). On certain tracks even making my head vibrate. The horns really came out on those songs lol (not in a good way).

I have a Fiio E11 bought in a weak moment, thinking of taking a hammer to it for fun. Blow the cobwebs off it

lol well with harder to drive cans I can see it as being a very good value. But it is what it is :). Funny part is I didn't know any better at the time and wondered why I was always left disappointed in the amp. Come to find it was due to the impedance lol. Until I got the O2 I pretty much stuck it out. But once I go the UHA4 I much preferred that amp and stuck to that while the E9 just collected dust. I did sell it though to help fund the O2 amp. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

impedance   
 

This impedance list is doing the rounds lately...

http://monoadc.blog64.fc2.com/blog-entry-99.html

(looks best with google chrome).

Awareness is great for audiophiles lol.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tera-Fi 

Also on the horizon is the MyST 1866...

 

H1X0 or X3 > Sysconcept Optical > MySt 1866.

 

http://www.musicaacoustics.com/wp/amplifiers/myst-1866/

OT: I've played with the Myst1866 before and although it's nice I keep feeling it's more a proof of concept (to be a digital integrated amp taking in multiple digital pre-amp). If I recall correctly my impression of it is that it's a tube-ish sound. More on the the Myst1866 thread.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/616889/myst-1866-bluetooth-optical-coaxial-usb-dac-headphone-amp-impressions-thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by H20Fidelity 

I stole this from facebook
Early working X3 Prototype! / UI shoot of X3

Screw it, I don't even need a case, where do I buy it?