[mikroski]

  Hi all 
         I was wondering if anyone has tried the x5 with harder to drive headphones like say dt880-dt990 250 Ohms.
I am currently using a fiio e17 and 5th gen ipod for my portable setup and essence st and little dot mk3 for my desktop.
While I,m sure that an x5 will beat my e17 /ipod  in sound quality wise I would be interested to know if the x5 amp section would power my 250 ohm headphones any better than my e17 which does sound pretty good but not great .

I try X3 with these below phones at shop. Volume = 38/60 is as my normal listen level.
 
So, I think X5 should have no problem in term of quantity, but the sound quality is up to individual preference.
 

 

 
 
I compared X3+LCD 2.2 against AK120+LCD 2.2 with salesman at shop. We both agree that X3+LCD 2.2 give a better feeling when listen to vocal tracks due to it warm sound and a little boost in mid. The latter has better details, better sound stage but both of us think that this combo has too "audiophile" sound.
 
It just an idea, since many reviewers comment that X5 has more details and less warm than X3, so over all sound should be better than my X3.
 
my 0.02
 
P.S. I already pre-order X5 before we have any review around here, because I'm very appreciate with my X3.

 

 

[peareye]

Once I used my X3 as a DAC, I sold off my MHDT tube dac that I had for many years as even the X3 was a noticeable improvement (and way more physically convenient)...
 
so I am confident the X5 should be a step up from the X3 as well...I should know in a week or so when the X5 arrives...

 

[Cannikin]

Q for those of you who have actually acquired the X5 and had time to use it: does this device resolve the problems the X3 suffers from? IE: freeze-ups, crashes, the inability to use the gapless playback feature, an inability to display album artwork, etc? I'm still considering the X5 but only if it performs significantly better than the X3, which I found was crippled by crashes and playback problems.
 
Thank you.

 

[nmatheis]

Q for those of you who have actually acquired the X5 and had time to use it: does this device resolve the problems the X3 suffers from? IE: freeze-ups, crashes, the inability to use the gapless playback feature, an inability to display album artwork, etc? I'm still considering the X5 but only if it performs significantly better than the X3, which I found was crippled by crashes and playback problems.

Thank you.

I've got an X3, and while it does have some issues I definitely wouldn't say it's crippled. I use mine every day and rarely experience crashes with the latest firmware. That said, I do expect Fiio to stand behind their promise to customers and deliver firmware updated which resolve any remaining issues.

 

[Cannikin]

I've got an X3, and while it does have some issues I definitely wouldn't say it's crippled. I use mine every day and rarely experience crashes with the latest firmware. That said, I do expect Fiio to stand behind their promise to customers and deliver firmware updated which resolve any remaining issues.

To be fair, FiiO support finally (after 6 weeks of back-and-forth) stated that they believed I had a "defective" device and I had to return it. (I didn't request a replacement, I just wanted to be rid of it) It wouldn't play more than 6 or 8 tracks before crashing/locking up which was only resolved by hitting the reset button. Several times the device locked up for as much as 2 hours while trying to rebuild its library.  I recognize that my experience did not mirror that of MOST X3 users, but I consider a device "crippled" if it won't play more than a few songs between crashes. I suspect you wouldn't disagree if that was your experience too.
 
Let me be clear; I don't want to rehash all the problems I had with my X3, I just want to know if the X5 has - in the hands of actual users - resolved the known problems that seem to inherently be part of the X3 experience.

 

[zilch0md]

^ Thank you for posting this Cannikin.  I waited until the last firmware update was announced before ordering a HiFiMan HM-801 (after the HM-901 started shipping), but I still ended up returning the HM-801, because of numerous problems. Great sound, but I had to learn the narrow path through a mine field to use it.  No thanks.
 

 

[nmatheis]

To be fair, FiiO support finally (after 6 weeks of back-and-forth) stated that they believed I had a "defective" device and I had to return it. (I didn't request a replacement, I just wanted to be rid of it) It wouldn't play more than 6 or 8 tracks before crashing/locking up which was only resolved by hitting the reset button. Several times the device locked up for as much as 2 hours while trying to rebuild its library.  I recognize that my experience did not mirror that of MOST X3 users, but I consider a device "crippled" if it won't play more than a few songs between crashes. I suspect you wouldn't disagree if that was your experience too.

Let me be clear; I don't want to rehash all the problems I had with my X3, I just want to know if the X5 has - in the hands of actual users - resolved the known problems that seem to inherently be part of the X3 experience.

I agree that your situation sounds quite frustrating. I'm not arguing with that. I just don't want newbies to think that all X3 are bad. I'm (mostly) happy with mine, and James' post about what's coming in the next two firmware updates should go a long ways towards resolving my issues, ymmv however.

 

[Barra]

 

I've got an X3, and while it does have some issues I definitely wouldn't say it's crippled. I use mine every day and rarely experience crashes with the latest firmware. That said, I do expect Fiio to stand behind their promise to customers and deliver firmware updated which resolve any remaining issues.

To be fair, FiiO support finally (after 6 weeks of back-and-forth) stated that they believed I had a "defective" device and I had to return it. (I didn't request a replacement, I just wanted to be rid of it) It wouldn't play more than 6 or 8 tracks before crashing/locking up which was only resolved by hitting the reset button. Several times the device locked up for as much as 2 hours while trying to rebuild its library.  I recognize that my experience did not mirror that of MOST X3 users, but I consider a device "crippled" if it won't play more than a few songs between crashes. I suspect you wouldn't disagree if that was your experience too.
 
Let me be clear; I don't want to rehash all the problems I had with my X3, I just want to know if the X5 has - in the hands of actual users - resolved the known problems that seem to inherently be part of the X3 experience.

 
Having the tour unit for close to 10 days now I can say that it has worked as advertised and without a glitch. I am not a hard core UI critic and demand little from the X5 other than to chose a folder to play songs at random while being able to go forward and back through the list. However, it starts quickly, reads my MicroSD cards from my DX50 without a hitch, and has an easy to navigate UI. I am sure that the super critical will always find issues if they compare to the more polished iDevices, but my main concern is to hear great sound quality that the iDevices are unable to produce.
 
My most critical issue that I am having with the X5 is not being able to get work done as I cannot put it down continually thinking - just one more song. 

 
I posted a review a few days ago if you want more details:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/fiio-x5-high-res-portable-music-player/reviews/10579

 

[AUDIOBREEDER]

Thought of buying Sony ZX-1 (no DSD support), wanted to buy AK240 (but I'm not that serious of an audiophile) , X5 suits my style has the DSD & price looks great.
I know I wont be listening to DSD but I'd like a player that supports it and has the latest 'gossip'

 

[Shenook]

  Thought of buying Sony ZX-1 (no DSD support), wanted to buy AK240 (but I'm not that serious of an audiophile) , X5 suits my style has the DSD & price looks great.
I know I wont be listening to DSD but I'd like a player that supports it and has the latest 'gossip'

I would like a drm free way to buy dsd on DVD or blue ray. Just no easy way to get great recorded music. I don't trust stupid hd tracks upsampling tricks. Sorry burn me once shame on you. Burn me twice shame on me. Nope no twice ever for me. I don't do business no matter how small or big with unethical companies.

 

[Insidious Meme]

As much as I'm good with the DAP I do have, I do keep track of currently developing ones. Nice to see the X5 looking good for general release.

 

[doublea71]

  Hi all 
         I was wondering if anyone has tried the x5 with harder to drive headphones like say dt880-dt990 250 Ohms.
I am currently using a fiio e17 and 5th gen ipod for my portable setup and essence st and little dot mk3 for my desktop.
While I,m sure that an x5 will beat my e17 /ipod  in sound quality wise I would be interested to know if the x5 amp section would power my 250 ohm headphones any better than my e17 which does sound pretty good but not great .

I had a tour unit for awhile and I do have the E17: The X5 does not put out as much juice as the E17, but it sounds so much better. I have a pair of Mad Dogs, which are not easy to drive, and the E17 can push it to volumes that are hazardous while the X5 just barely reaches uncomfortable levels. However, the X5 is so revealing compared to the E17 that it was as if I were wearing a different set of headphones. You may need an additional amp with your 250 ohm cans to reach your desired volume, but stick with the X5's dac as it is very well implemented. While listening to Beck's Sea Change, there were parts where I thought to myself, "I'm pretty sure he ate cole slaw for lunch." That's an exaggeration of course, but the level of detail was really something.

 

[Shawn71]

That is correct.

It's not 100% confirmed, but there is a good chance the X5 will soon be able to support 256GB of storage. 

You meant onboard/inbuilt memory rite? as we all know it supports 128GB*2=256GB mSD, thru TF slots(2)......already.

 

[Niyologist]

  That is correct.
 
Unlike the X3, which can be bought for $160-$200 and features a more mainstream market(I believe), the X5 would be more targeted towards those that would buy their own mSD cards.
 
It's not 100% confirmed, but there is a good chance the X5 will soon be able to support 256GB of storage. 

 
It is 100% confirmed. Go on the Fiio website and see it yourself.

 

[darkarn]

Is it just me (based on observing my friends' reactions to the X5) or that the X5's UI has that "Either you get it or don't" kind of a feeling?