[CosmicHolyGhost]

Exciting to see the X5 is now released, at least in China.  I know Fiio has taken the market niche when it comes to affordable audio.  However, I'd like them to try making a truly flagship DAP.  I would like to have an alternative to the offerings of AK, Calyx (supposedly coming out w/ something), etc.

I expect x5 can compete with Ak120 spec wise. We dont always need to use money to measure SQ (altho iriver wants u to)

 

[johnwu]

Just read a brief impression at erji.net, a Chinese forum. The writer described the sound of X5 as transparent and neutral. That's good news for me.

 

[musicheaven]

Just read a brief impression at erji.com, a Chinese forum. The writer described the sound of X5 as transparent and neutral. That's good news for me.

Now that is exciting news, we want to make sure that it is transparent so no one can ever steal it and neutral so that one would not even think of doing it.
 
Thanks for the info, can't wait to hear the impressions soon.

 

[Hutnicks]

Hmmmm. Fiio obviously took all the user suggestions into account and implemented the "Cloaking Device"

 

[musicheaven]

Hmmmm. Fiio obviously took all the user suggestions into account and implemented the "Cloaking Device"

I thought that was illegal to use not without informing the association of united planets

So are you saying now we see it now we don't

 

[Hutnicks]

I thought that was illegal to use not without informing the association of united planets

So are you saying now we see it now we don't

Pure Transparency is a killer! You may have already walked by one on a shelf at your local store

 

[musicheaven]

Pure Transparency is a killer! You may have already walked by one on a shelf at your local store

OMG it must have been the screen cracking noise I heard when walking on something hard :eek:

Unfortunately they'll un cloak them in March 2014 in stores near us, can't wait to actually try one pretty sure Amazon will sell them.

 

[bcarr112281]

  Not wishing to open up the DSD issue for discussion here again, but just a pointer, for those who desire DSD playback, to some rather interesting remarks (in a review of the Meridian Prime USB DAC):
 
http://www.ultrahighendreview.com/meridian-dac-and-headphone-amplifier-review/

 
The review is badly biased, at least regarding DSD, since it doesn't mention that Meridian's Bob Stuart was instrumental in the development of DVD-Audio. (Indeed, Stuart's "Meridian Lossless Packing" was a crucial DVD-A specification!) I suspect Meridian would be reluctant to support DSD even if it were proven the holy grail of high fidelity.
 
Here's an interesting interview with Benchmark Media engineering director John Siau. Siau's criticisms of DSD echo those I remember hearing some thirteen years ago, when SACD first arrived on the market.
 
Regards,
Brian

 

[tishi755]

when it goes on sale?

 

[hilosxdd]

So I had a little chat with James with regards to the functions that was posted a day ago,
 
Here are my questions (I asked simple questions)
 
Q:  Can the USB OTG function read external hard disk ?  
James: Yes 
*I asked how long would it take to read a 2TB external hard disk, with around 500GB of music, James said it hasn't been tested yet*
 
Q: Is the battery removable, or soldered on the PCBA ?
James: It is removable, but not available from 3rd party manufacturers
*So X5's battery is only available from FiiO, there is no 3rd party manufacturers making it (for now)*
 
Q: How much is does a spare battery cost ?
James: 10USD , not including freight cost
 
Q:How much is the MSRP in China ?
James: 2098RMB , about 350USD

 

[AmberOzL]

  So I had a little chat with James with regards to the functions that was posted a day ago,
 
Here are my questions (I asked simple questions)
 
Q:  Can the USB OTG function read external hard disk ?  
James: Yes 
*I asked how long would it take to read a 2TB external hard disk, with around 500GB of music, James said it hasn't been tested yet*
 
Q: Is the battery removable, or soldered on the PCBA ?
James: It is removable, but not available from 3rd party manufacturers
*So X5's battery is only available from FiiO, there is no 3rd party manufacturers making it (for now)*
 
Q: How much is does a spare battery cost ?
James: 10USD , not including freight cost
 
Q:How much is the MSRP in China ?
James: 2098RMB , about 350USD

Thanks mate, wonderful info. I miss chatting with you but you can't imagine how busy I am nowadays. Don't worry I didn't forget you, it is just I need more free time to write detailed reply

 
I wish OTG was USB Audio Out btw. Do you think you can ask him if it is possible to have it in the future with firmware updates?

 

[musicheaven]

I wish OTG was USB Audio Out btw. Do you think you can ask him if it is possible to have it in the future with firmware updates?

+1

OTG as described above just does not work well, most USB powered external hdds are too power hungry for the dap to work, they are just power consumers (battery as well) hence why they work well on PCs. The only solution left are hdds with external power supply. Audio OTG would have been more beneficial. Sorry to say that but that will be one useless feature.

If you think of USB keys and the such, the library scanning will put you off. If they can build a library on the USB device then I'll line up to buy one. Currently the dap might have to read one at a time song for grabbing tag information and file specs.

 

[AmberOzL]

+1

OTG as described above just does not work well, most USB powered external hdds are too power hungry for the dap to work, they are just power consumers (battery as well) hence why they work well on PCs. The only solution left are hdds with external power supply. Audio OTG would have been more beneficial. Sorry to say that but that will be one useless feature.

Unfortunately I also feel that this feature is pretty useless. Maybe we can find something super small, not ruining the battery? Still I don't think I need it, we have 2 micro sd slots already.
 
Still, if I get X5, I would really love to have USB Audio Out with FW update.
 
Also, first impressions are nice. Transparency, neutral, these are the words I am looking for instead of bright or warm or boosted etc.

 

[musicheaven]

Unfortunately I also feel that this feature is pretty useless. Maybe we can find something super small, not ruining the battery? Still I don't think I need it, we have 2 micro sd slots already.

Still, if I get X5, I would really love to have USB Audio Out with FW update.

Also, first impressions are nice. Transparency, neutral, these are the words I am looking for instead of bright or warm or boosted etc.

I understand but I wouldn't be far off saying that James implementation will be very close to the DX50, we have similar specs for the OTG and everyone complained about the OTG uselessness except for USB keys and microSD converters which still makes it awkward to lug around. I have the smallest microSD OTG device on the DX50 and I don't even use it. The library scanning makes it almost unusable.

I am curious though you can't get this USB output work in different fashion unless you make it option able from a configuration menu. I am not even convinced it can be done because of hardware implementation issues. So assuming it can, once people will try using the OTG as a host, what makes you think it will be transformed into an audio out without impacting the host functionality?

 

[musicheaven]

Well one good thing about the X7 is the poll results will be completely different after the X5 is released. The Saber DAC should be on James mind, out of this world SQ, larger screen maybe side buttons. Can't wait to see James's prototype.