[kova4a]

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You are one of the crazy rare dissenters that doesn't pair the C3 with the BH, correct? If so and you are using the C3 solo, then yeah, the X3 might be worth the price of admission. The C3 alone sound great, but the extra power that the amp provides can really bring out the best in a lot of gear.

Nah, I've already stated why I don't pair the two - first, synergy with my inventory (the only ones I like with that combo are the vsonics and s500 and use neither of these on the go) and second, the lack of proper bass boost coz while the BH has a bit better clarity and bigger soundstage, its bass "boost" is pretty bad IMO (and not only because it boost the top end) and doesn't do what the C3 needs, which is to add sub-bass and better control as the C3 has a bit of bass roll-off. The E11 handles that better even though it's slightly behind in overall power.

 

[Dsnuts]

You know that whole sounding neutral being better sounding I kinda beg to differ...It makes more sense to have a more neutral sound from your dap and many equate as this being a more "better" sound..I suppose however.
 
If you guys heard what my NFB-5 sounds like I doubt you will be mentioning how much "better" neutrality is..What I mean is. Now I know why the Fiio crew tunes these players to sound like they do.. These guys are going for a touch of an analog sound. Something you youngins might not know too much about but I can relate.
 
Guys that ever heard old records and cassettes and the like will relate. I think that is why i kinda prefer this sound more so than an analytical leaner sound.. More musical to my taste.. My NFB-5 has a touch of tubby sound to it that got me hooked instantly..That MOON opa on the unit is something else. Reading the NFB thread guys are like. Well I like to not turn that on as it makes the sound warmer..
 
Exactly. Not only warmer but holographic warmer with a full range that I have never heard in anything. These X3s have a bit of that going on. I consider the X3 to be a perfect companion to my NFB-5 I have at home. There for it has exceeded my expectation..Now I am considering the X5.Lol.

 

[kova4a]

Quote:

You know that whole sounding neutral being better sounding I kinda beg to differ...It makes more sense to have a more neutral sound from your dap and many equate as this being a more "better" sound..I suppose however.
 
If you guys heard what my NFB-5 sounds like I doubt you will be mentioning how much "better" neutrality is..What I mean is. Now I know why the Fiio crew tunes these players to sound like they do.. These guys are going for a touch of an analog sound. Something you youngins might not know too much about but I can relate.
 
Guys that ever heard old records and cassettes and the like will relate. I think that is why i kinda prefer this sound more so than an analytical leaner sound.. More musical to my taste.. My NFB-5 has a touch of tubby sound to it that got me hooked instantly..That MOON opa on the unit is something else. Reading the NFB thread guys are like. Well I like to not turn that on as it makes the sound warmer..
 
Exactly. Not only warmer but holographic warmer with a full range that I have never heard in anything. These X3s have a bit of that going on. I consider the X3 to be a perfect companion to my NFB-5 I have at home. There for it has exceeded my expectation..Now I am considering the X5.Lol.

Nah, I wouldn't call it holographic warmer - more like full sounding but veiled warmer. I've grown up with records and cassettes and while occasionally just for the heck of it I grab a cassette and put it in my 25-year old "portable" cassette player I'm just way too spoiled by clarity and detail and just start over-analyzing the sound

 

[Dsnuts]

That is how my NFB-5 sounds. Holographic warmer.. But detailed like nothing I have heard. IT is a crazy sounding unit..There is nothing veiled sounding about the NFB-5 or the X3. I know what veil sounds like. These don't have it.
 
I just busted open that fee bee from MP4nation the Brainwaves M5. Not bad..Much better than the strange sounding R1. Glad I chose these instead. These will make for a good beater.

 

[kova4a]

Quote:

That is how my NFB-5 sounds. Holographic warmer.. But detailed like nothing I have heard. IT is a crazy sounding unit..There is nothing veiled sounding about the NFB-5 or the X3. I know what veil sounds like. These don't have it.
 
I just busted open that fee bee from MP4nation the Brainwaves M5. Not bad..

Well, I was referring to your remark about analog sound and records and cassettes and the youth. Anyway, I'm still quite tempted by the X3 but also to some extent by the DX50 - decisions, decisions 

 

[waynes world]

Quote:

Nah, I've already stated why I don't pair the two - first, synergy with my inventory (the only ones I like with that combo are the vsonics and s500 and use neither of these on the go) and second, 

 
Got it.
 

the lack of proper bass boost coz while the BH has a bit better clarity and bigger soundstage, its bass "boost" is pretty bad IMO (and not only because it boost the top end) and doesn't do what the C3 needs, which is to add sub-bass and better control as the C3 has a bit of bass roll-off. The E11 handles that better even though it's slightly behind in overall power.

 
I actually don't ever use the "bass boost" (LF switch) on the BH. Most of my stuff has ample bass, and you are right, it also boosts the top end. But I keep that vodoo SF switch on - I never seem to mind what it does. But I'll dig out the 'ol E11 and give it a try - thanks for mentioning it.

 

[H20Fidelity]

You know that whole sounding neutral being better sounding I kinda beg to differ...It makes more sense to have a more neutral sound from your dap and many equate as this being a more "better" sound..I suppose however.

If you guys heard what my NFB-5 sounds like I doubt you will be mentioning how much "better" neutrality is..What I mean is. Now I know why the Fiio crew tunes these players to sound like they do.. These guys are going for a touch of an analog sound. Something you youngins might not know too much about but I can relate.

Guys that ever heard old records and cassettes and the like will relate. I think that is why i kinda prefer this sound more so than an analytical leaner sound.. More musical to my taste.. My NFB-5 has a touch of tubby sound to it that got me hooked instantly..That MOON opa on the unit is something else. Reading the NFB thread guys are like. Well I like to not turn that on as it makes the sound warmer..

Exactly. Not only warmer but holographic warmer with a full range that I have never heard in anything. These X3s have a bit of that going on. I consider the X3 to be a perfect companion to my NFB-5 I have at home. There for it has exceeded my expectation..Now I am considering the X5.Lol.

I was discussing this recently with some others.

I think the most neutral/analytical pairing I have here is Etymotic ER4S and Studio V, While this pairing has the most detailing levels I have ever heard, probably more than I could ever ask for (strange as that sounds) it's more like listening to music with a microscope in each ear, you're dissecting music into pieces which is great fun for a while you're hearing samples decay longer, detail extent further on vocals making you think What did I just hear? I had set to "try" and stop there with the ER4S/Studio V combo, it had what I thought was everything, accuracy, separation, detail and sufficient soundstage. Only after a while I found there was something missing from the music, it was crystal clear, layered, separated, extended in detail. though misses some PRaT, which is a big part of the listening experience and also contributes towards soul, beat, swing of a song. Once I discovered that I kept listening for it noticing something was missing. That's why I personally needed to take a step back and reassess my next move looking at Westone 4 and maybe change the DAP (which is a big factor in where PRaT comes in)

So for me what I search for in DAP/IEM (combo) is a happy medium between both of those worlds and alot of that is found in a different tonality.

 

[kova4a]

Quote:

I actually don't ever use the "bass boost" (LF switch) on the BH. Most of my stuff has ample bass, and you are right, it also boosts the top end. But I keep that vodoo SF switch on - I never seem to mind what it does. But I'll dig out the 'ol E11 and give it a try - thanks for mentioning it.

Well if you actually want to boost your bass the E11's bass boost just destroy the BH's in that regard. And if you find it you can test the two with the Hifimediy and hear that there's not actually such a difference in clarity  - the BH might be better in some regards but the E11 has its strong sides too and is not that inferior as the hype in the BH thread makes you think. There's a reason why the E11 is still ranked higher than the BH in the sub-$100 portable amps shootout thread. As far as the SF I only keep it on for some of the older rock stuff where stereo separation is used to the extreme as the Sf switch does add a bit of crossfeed

 

[Dsnuts]

True. Standard analog sounds not so refined compared to todays hardware. Though I was somewhat spoiled as my father used to own the only record store in Suwon South Korea during the 70s when I was a little grasshopper. He still owns a lot of the old reel to reel and record players he got hooked up to his museum like media center in his basement..His old stuff blows the doors off of many of the new stuff guaranteed. But for the most part there is a reason why we left the analog age something like this X3 back in the days. Geeze. Able to drive any headphone and sounding as nice as it does in any format to boot. Flac performance is excellent on this player. by the way. Fiio got it going on.
 
The DX50 should be a nice player as well..I think either way your dealing with bang for the money for certain.

 

[kova4a]

Quote:

I was discussing this recently with some others.

I think the most neutral/analytical pairing I have here is Etymotic ER4S and Studio V, While this pairing has the most detailing levels I have ever heard, probably more than I could ever ask for (strange as that sounds) it's more like listening to music with a microscope in each ear, you're dissecting music into pieces which is great fun for a while you're hearing samples decay longer, detail extent further on vocals making you think What did I just hear? I had set to "try" and stop there with the ER4S/Studio V combo, it had what I thought was everything, accuracy, separation, detail and sufficient soundstage. Only after a while I found there was something missing from the music, it was crystal clear, layered, separated, extended in detail. though misses some PRaT, which is a big part of the listening experience and also contributes towards soul, beat, swing of a song. Once I discovered that I kept listening for it noticing something was missing. That's why I personally needed to take a step back and reassess my next move looking at Westone 4 and maybe change the DAP (which is a big factor in where PRaT comes in)
 

Well, the er4s is a beast but definitely not the most versatile. I personally wouldn't even put it near a source that's playing the popular contemporary music. It's amazing with acoustic stuff and instrumentals though. I don't analyze the music when I'm listening with it - I just close my eyes and I'm there - cracking chairs, breathing, fingers on the strings and foot tapping. Awesome stuff. I do have suspicions that it will be a good pair with the X3 as it always can benefit from a more warm and full sounding source that has plenty of power.

 

[H20Fidelity]

Well, the er4s is a beast but definitely not the most versatile. I personally wouldn't even put it near a source that's playing the popular contemporary music. It's amazing with acoustic stuff and instrumentals though. I don't analyze the music when I'm listening with it - I just close my eyes and I'm there - cracking chairs, breathing, fingers on the strings foot tapping. Awesome stuff. I do have suspicions that it will be a good pair with the X3 as it always can benefit from a more warm and full sounding source that has plenty of power.

I agree on both accounts. I think the Studio V might push ER4S a little "too" analytical.

X3 is something I would need to hear first, I'll get a chance to demo DX50 before jumping in.

 

[Dsnuts]

Ya any phones under 300Ohms I have no doubt in my mind you will be able to drive with ease using this unit..Walking around with my X1 is now a very good possibility. Lol.
 
I read many complaints about the battery life on the unit averaging roughly 10-12 hours of use.. With this power on tap that is actually pretty good. If this was limp than that is sorta weak but I am willing to forgo some battery power for actual driving power I don't know about you guys. I am listening to it using my VS1Ds. Excellent synergy. So far the unit sounds excellent with everything I plug into it.
 
I tried plugging my 2stepdance to it as well. I can imagine this is going to be a bit like how the X5 is gonna sound..

 

[kova4a]

Quote:

I tried plugging my 2stepdance to it as well. I can imagine this is going to be a bit like how the X5 is gonna sound..

I was just going to ask whether you tried it with the stepdance. The X5 might be better depending on what DAC they'll use.

 

[Dsnuts]

Both my CKS1000s and XBA-3 agree with the sound. Lol. I haven't heard anything I have that don't agree with this player. So the power and sound is turning out to be very versatile one for all my phones. This makes it even a better value for me.

 

[Dsnuts]

Quote:

I was just going to ask whether you tried it with the stepdance. The X5 might be better depending on what DAC they'll use.

I think the X5 is gonna be very interesting...This sounded excellent with the 2step. More stage and separation of sound. Though it doesn't have the same clarity as using the 2step with my ME. It does bring the sq level up using the 2step...
 
I am perfectly happy with what the player throws out however..