[Francisk]

Upsampling a 128kbps mp3 file to a 24bit/192kHz WAV file will still give you the sound quality of the original 128kbps mp3 file. The same "Garbage IN Garbage OUT" principle applies. Honestly, you're just wasting your time upsampling, JLuecking

 

[Koolpep]

Expectation bias is a terrible thing. We listen with our brain more than with our ears. Once I received the Fiio HS2 switcher and tried the iBasso DX50 with the X3 volume matched on the same song, started at the same time. I was deeply shocked. The huuuuuuuuuuge difference between the players I experienced just with the little breaks to unplug, re-plug headphones, etc. were gone. 
 
The difference I thought was quite big, was in fact, miniscule. I couldn't believe it. I really recommend using a switcher and volume matching - it opens your mind to the possibility that your brain tricks you all the time. 
 
Anyhow, since then, I am so much more relaxed about my sources. The differences are so much smaller, just enjoy your music....
 

 

[Koolpep]

  Upsampling a 128kbps mp3 file to a 24bit/192kHz WAV file will still give you the sound quality of the original 128kbps mp3 file. The same "Garbage IN Garbage OUT" principle applies. Honestly, you're just wasting your time, JLuecking

 
I don't think this is what he means. 
 
If you use the mp3 decoder (programmed by fiio) the resulting sound is different from using the flac decoder. (same song converted). Being totally aware that no information in the song changed, but the way it's decoded....
Also, some DACs are internally running on 24 bit and "supposedly" the same song converted from 16 bit to 24 bit (again, same information in the file) is differently decoded with an audible difference. So some people claim, am not claiming this is the truth, but there is a possibility that this might affect the sound.
 
Can I be bothered with this? No - but apparently some people do!
 
I always found the cable discussion funny. and with my above post, I can't test that with an input switcher, so I don't trust my brain to tell me the truth. It let me down too many times....

 

[ClieOS]

 
Have a read here where ClieOS talks about adding an external power supply to C&C BH and the results he gets.


Source: http://www.head-fi.org/t/596482/the-sub-100-portable-amps-shootout-11-1-amps-compared#post_8154885

Funny, how ClieOs mentions the bass attack, what was it JLuecking mentioned?

I've personally heard a difference myself switching between battery and USB power with a JDS C421 unit. 

 
That happened because BH doesn't have much of a power section and instead directly connecting the battery into the whole circuit. So it runs on a 3.3V~4.2V (Li-ion normal voltage range) when it is purely on battery and jump to a 5V when connected to USB power. Of course, current supply will be much bigger on USB power as well. This is not the same for X3 or C421, as both have a much more sophisticated power section to pump up the voltage and generate a negative rail (X3 is +/-5V and C421 is +/-7V IIRC). These power sections are also regulated for a constant output so the performance rarely varies by a lot with voltage change due to battery running dry or connecting with USB power. I read a post recently on FiiO's own Chinese forum about a guy complaining over SQ dropping when the battery is almost empty and FiiO did some measure using AP machine to confirm there isn't any measurable difference in different stage of battery life. Whether there is a difference on battery vs. USB power or not is still up in the air, though I don't think it will be anywhere as significant as the case of BH.

 

[H20Fidelity]

That happened because BH doesn't have much of a power section and instead directly connecting the battery into the whole circuit. So it runs on a 3.3V~4.2V (Li-ion normal voltage range) when it is purely on battery and jump to a 5V when connected to USB power. Of course, current supply will be much bigger on USB power as well. This is not the same for X3 or C421, as both have a much more sophisticated power section to pump up the voltage and generate a negative rail (X3 is +/-5V and C421 is +/-7V IIRC). These power sections are also regulated for a constant output so the performance rarely varies by a lot with voltage change due to battery running dry or connecting with USB power. I read a post recently on FiiO's own Chinese forum about a guy complaining over SQ dropping when the battery is almost empty and FiiO did some measure using AP machine to confirm there isn't any measurable difference in different stage of battery life. Whether there is a difference on battery vs. USB power or not is still up in the air, though I don't think it will be anywhere as significant as the case of BH.

Thanks for explaining why BH has the noticeable difference. Its still quite strange if you ask me, because the difference with C421 is recognisable when in high gain driving 250-Ohm DT880, enough for me to keep the amp running on usb full time at my desk. I know members like Rudi are also using a external power banks and for whatever reason it is I do believe the member running one with X3. I don't think it's placebo. Anyway...

 

[Chaz1952]

I've had my X3 for a week now and am really enjoying listening to music on it.  When I hook it up to my PC (Windows 7) I get this warning dialog box, indicating a a need to scan & fix the X3's internal memory:

Anyone else have experience with this?  So far I've just been ignoring it, because the X3 is working flawlessly from both the internal storage and the 32GB micro SD card I'm using.
Thanks,
Charlie

 

[skalkman]

  I've had my X3 for a week now and am really enjoying listening to music on it.  When I hook it up to my PC (Windows 7) I get this warning dialog box, indicating a a need to scan & fix the X3's internal memory:

Anyone else have experience with this?  So far I've just been ignoring it, because the X3 is working flawlessly from both the internal storage and the 32GB micro SD card I'm using.
Thanks,
Charlie

That is just windows beeing a bellend, there's most likely nothing wrong with your unit/card.

 

[TrollDragon]

Windows has flagged the drive as dirty, just run the scan and clean.

Make sure you always eject the X3 from the systray and you won't have that problem down the road.

 

[Francisk]

+1...I totally agree that a good/healthy constant electrical voltage supply does affect the sound quality but as for USB cables then I think we really need a pair of Golden Ears to hear the difference between different USB cables...but then again...honestly...some people are blessed with Golden Ears. I'm definitely not one of them.

 

[headdict]

Deleted (was somehow scrambled by my editor)

 

[headdict]

Tinfoil hat stuff at it's best is rudi's "Which batteries have the best sound..."

http://www.head-fi.org/t/681714/how-important-the-battery-for-your-audio-gear-discussion-and-impression-thread

But we have a whole Sound Science "Fiction" forum for all this foolishness if you want to discuss it in detail.

At least people don't insist that batteries need to be carefully voltage calibrated and have 24K gold plated contacts. Seriously, battery-rolling is just as effective as tube-rolling, but much cheaper! So, in a way, it's a relatively good idea.

 

[TrollDragon]

At least people don't insist that batteries need to be carefully voltage calibrated and have 24K gold plated contacts. Seriously, battery-rolling is just as effective as tube-rolling, but much cheaper! So, in a way, it's a relatively good idea.

You're really joking yes?

A Duracell sounding different than an Energizer or a Hi Capacity NiMh is all pure BS...

I can assure you though that a 6AK5w sounds nothing like a 6HM5...

Rolled many tubes have you?

The members in the LD Rolling thread have put over 400 different tubes through the LD I+, II, III and IV, saying tube rolling is no different than battery rolling is like claiming all headphones sound the same... :rolleyes:

 

[Saoshyant]

Well, depending on your level of hearing loss, I suppose all headphones would sound the same.

 

[Mambosenior]

"Battery rolling."
I love it! Is this a fun bunch, or what?

 

[headdict]

You're really joking yes?

A Duracell sounding different than an Energizer or a Hi Capacity NiMh is all pure BS...

I can assure you though that a 6AK5w sounds nothing like a 6HM5...

Rolled many tubes have you?

The members in the LD Rolling thread have put over 400 different tubes through the LD I+, II, III and IV, saying tube rolling is no different than battery rolling is like claiming all headphones sound the same... :rolleyes:

Sorry, I was being imprecise. Have to think more about it. Let's just say that I doubt the efficiency of tube rolling, as it involves a lot of trial and error. I would rather use an amp as transparent as possible. I would definitely consider it no fun to mess with it. I consider EQing a superior method for sound optimization as it is much more targeted. I have to admit there are some practical obstacles I am still tampering with. To sum it up, tube (or opamp) rolling has the potential to be (ever so slightly) more effective than battery rolling. This is my personal opinion based on no tube rolling experience at all. I have not even listened to any tube sound over the past 40+ years. It's however not my intention to offend any gear enthusiasts, be it related to tubes or even :rolleyes: batteries.