[olddude]

Nah, I'm old school, even the way they hold their instruments (the gunslinger look) bugs me.  That's NOT how you should be holding guitars.  

 
I'm thoroughly mired in the 60s and 70s, and what 80s I listen to SOUNDS like the 60s and 70s.  

 
(I did wear plaid flannel shirts in Jr. and High School, though.  Of course, in the 50s and 60s that wasn't grunge, it was just comfortable.) 

 

[Loquah]

  Nah, I'm old school, even the way they hold their instruments (the gunslinger look) bugs me.  That's NOT how you should be holding guitars.  

 
I'm thoroughly mired in the 60s and 70s, and what 80s I listen to SOUNDS like the 60s and 70s.  

 
(I did wear plaid flannel shirts in Jr. and High School, though.  Of course, in the 50s and 60s that wasn't grunge, it was just comfortable.) 

 
Olddude, why did you choose the X5 rather than the DX90 as an upgrade from the DX50? (Just curious as I am yet to hear a DX90 and I'm curious if it's worth the outlay)

 

[Saoshyant]

Nirvana unplugged to me was easily their best album. I really should remember to rip it to flac.

 

[olddude]

A few reasons: Lots of posts about how the DX90 did not sound as good as the DX50 (user preference, but still), poor battery life in the 90, I already had an iBasso and didn't feel like upgrading to another one so soon (they should have stuck with the 50 longer), I wanted to play DSD files without having to down sample them on my computer to get them to play in the DX50 (the main reason I switched over to the X5), and user reviews about the X5's quality of sound, battery life and how it didn't need an amp.  
 
The X5 sounds, to my ears, much better than the DX50 without an amp.  I always used the DX50 with my C5.  The X5 alone is better than the DX50/C5 combo.  It sings.  The X5 also seems to have somewhat of a better user interface, although I do miss the big three buttons on the front of the DX50, and the touchscreen.  It's just a matter of learning how to use the buttons on the X5, which took only a short while.  I do find myself trying to use the (non-touch) screen sometimes.  
 
Not a big point, but I got tired of the iBasso web site going down every month, and I didn't like the whole driver doesn't work on Mac problem when trying to hook it up to a computer or home system.
 
As I use the player almost exclusively for walking (two miles daily for health reasons- I am, indeed the old dude) I find the X5 quite easy to operate.  I just installed a custom FW that changed scrolling direction and rotated the screen icons counterclockwise 90 degrees- much more user-friendly.  The sound is better, the weight is less, it's easier to handle if I need to pull it from my belt bag to see the screen, I can change the volume much more easily.  I do find the sound brighter than the DX50, which was a bit of a problem on a few songs 'till I went from Comply tips to silicon (not my favorite choice of tips, but they are working) on my Altone200s.  And I find some of the delicacy of the X5 is missing when I walk as opposed to when I am sitting still- the DX50 seemed the same either way.  Maybe it's an iem issue?
 
I will say that I was entirely pleased with my combo of DX50 and C5.  I am just more pleased now.  Anyone who buys my used stack is going to have a really enjoyable set.
 
As for whether you should get a DX90, I guess you need to ask people who have both.  Having read lots of posts about both, I decided that the X5 was the way to go.  
 
A question from me to you: why are you not keeping your A83?

 

[Loquah]

  A few reasons: Lots of posts about how the DX90 did not sound as good as the DX50 (user preference, but still), poor battery life in the 90, I already had an iBasso and didn't feel like upgrading to another one so soon (they should have stuck with the 50 longer), I wanted to play DSD files without having to down sample them on my computer to get them to play in the DX50 (the main reason I switched over to the X5), and user reviews about the X5's quality of sound, battery life and how it didn't need an amp.  
 
The X5 sounds, to my ears, much better than the DX50 without an amp.  I always used the DX50 with my C5.  The X5 alone is better than the DX50/C5 combo.  It sings.  The X5 also seems to have somewhat of a better user interface, although I do miss the big three buttons on the front of the DX50, and the touchscreen.  It's just a matter of learning how to use the buttons on the X5, which took only a short while.  I do find myself trying to use the (non-touch) screen sometimes.  
 
Not a big point, but I got tired of the iBasso web site going down every month, and I didn't like the whole driver doesn't work on Mac problem when trying to hook it up to a computer or home system.
 
As I use the player almost exclusively for walking (two miles daily for health reasons- I am, indeed the old dude) I find the X5 quite easy to operate.  I just installed a custom FW that changed scrolling direction and rotated the screen icons counterclockwise 90 degrees- much more user-friendly.  The sound is better, the weight is less, it's easier to handle if I need to pull it from my belt bag to see the screen, I can change the volume much more easily.  I do find the sound brighter than the DX50, which was a bit of a problem on a few songs 'till I went from Comply tips to silicon (not my favorite choice of tips, but they are working) on my Altone200s.  And I find some of the delicacy of the X5 is missing when I walk as opposed to when I am sitting still- the DX50 seemed the same either way.  Maybe it's an iem issue?
 
I will say that I was entirely pleased with my combo of DX50 and C5.  I am just more pleased now.  Anyone who buys my used stack is going to have a really enjoyable set.
 
As for whether you should get a DX90, I guess you need to ask people who have both.  Having read lots of posts about both, I decided that the X5 was the way to go.  
 
A question from me to you: why are you not keeping your A83?

 
Thanks for taking the time to provide such a detailed response!
 
As for my A83s, I am in no rush to part with them, but they don't get a lot of ear time because I have SE846s and my ears are quite tricky to fit with universals due to narrow canals that bend quite sharply at the first bend. The A83s are an outstanding IEM though - incredibly detailed and transparent, but without sacrificing bass.

 

[kenz]

Was running my Fiio X5 with E12 and JH13pro for over 4 hours straight.
 
Got the greats Barbara Streisand, Bee Gees, Bryan Adams and Billy Joel running through their hits ... haven't had this much fun listening since my DX100 days. 

 

[3ternalDr4gon]

I was worried an E12 wouldn't be enough to drive my H8P, but it seems like it's enough to drive CIEM's. Now it's ganna be even harder trying to wait for them to come lol, I couldn't be any more excited 

 

[Dobrescu George]

buying an external batterry and playing directly from it, to make x5's batterry life longer?.... a good ideea?.... or it will brake faster?.....
 
[i remember that for phones it is a very bad thing to use them while charging....]

 

[lee730]

I have to agree with you on this. Using a device while it is charging is really not good for the battery. It generates more heat which in turn can have an impact on other components in the device. I've still done this before though to speed up burn in of my IEMs....

 

[Kerouac]

  A few reasons: Lots of posts about how the DX90 did not sound as good as the DX50 (user preference, but still), poor battery life in the 90, I already had an iBasso and didn't feel like upgrading to another one so soon (they should have stuck with the 50 longer), I wanted to play DSD files without having to down sample them on my computer to get them to play in the DX50 (the main reason I switched over to the X5), and user reviews about the X5's quality of sound, battery life and how it didn't need an amp.  
 
The X5 sounds, to my ears, much better than the DX50 without an amp.  I always used the DX50 with my C5.  The X5 alone is better than the DX50/C5 combo.  It sings.  The X5 also seems to have somewhat of a better user interface, although I do miss the big three buttons on the front of the DX50, and the touchscreen.  It's just a matter of learning how to use the buttons on the X5, which took only a short while.  I do find myself trying to use the (non-touch) screen sometimes.  
 
Not a big point, but I got tired of the iBasso web site going down every month, and I didn't like the whole driver doesn't work on Mac problem when trying to hook it up to a computer or home system.
 
As I use the player almost exclusively for walking (two miles daily for health reasons- I am, indeed the old dude) I find the X5 quite easy to operate.  I just installed a custom FW that changed scrolling direction and rotated the screen icons counterclockwise 90 degrees- much more user-friendly.  The sound is better, the weight is less, it's easier to handle if I need to pull it from my belt bag to see the screen, I can change the volume much more easily.  I do find the sound brighter than the DX50, which was a bit of a problem on a few songs 'till I went from Comply tips to silicon (not my favorite choice of tips, but they are working) on my Altone200s.  And I find some of the delicacy of the X5 is missing when I walk as opposed to when I am sitting still- the DX50 seemed the same either way.  Maybe it's an iem issue?
 
I will say that I was entirely pleased with my combo of DX50 and C5.  I am just more pleased now.  Anyone who buys my used stack is going to have a really enjoyable set.
 
As for whether you should get a DX90, I guess you need to ask people who have both.  Having read lots of posts about both, I decided that the X5 was the way to go.  
 
A question from me to you: why are you not keeping your A83?

I have both DX90 / X5. If I should have to pick one at this moment I guess it would be the X5, so you probably made a wise decision for an old (guess I'm even older) dude...
But as you mentioned, it's all about preferences in the end!
 
For power/SQ, imo they're almost on par. But I prefer the slightly brighter/better detailed X5. When I bought the DX90 it was clearly an upgrade over the DX50 (which I used mostly with a BH2), so I sold that one without a doubt.
Now I find it very practical to have them both. DX90 is most of the time connected to my home rig for mega jukebox purposes. When I have to charge the X5 I usually grab for it.
Batterylife of DX90 is not good (± 5 à 6 hours is way too short imo!) but on the other side it is also charged to 100% twice as fast as the X5. The extra msd slot on the X5 is great and scanning library goes much faster!
 
Main reason that I chose the DX90 over the X5 initially was the replacable battery. When I read eke2k6's post this morning I really felt sorry for him. I would break out in a cold sweat and feel pretty angry and frustrated when this should happen to me after such a short time...

 

[kenz]

Still .... running the X5 through the power source and playing seems to yield the best performing SQ in my experience...
 
Bad for the player battery but oh so nice sounding... 

 

[x RELIC x]

buying an external batterry and playing directly from it, to make x5's batterry life longer?.... a good ideea?.... or it will brake faster?.....

[i remember that for phones it is a very bad thing to use them while charging....]

In general, the chemistry of lithium batteries requires them to be used constantly (drained and charged) or the ions will become unbalanced and performance will suffer. Also, don't deep discharge your battery often as this will also kill lithium batteries. It's best to 'top up' your lithium battery often and only do a deep discharge (run dead) about every 30 days to re-calibrate the 'capacity guage'. I forget the exact reasoning as I researched it some time ago and my take away was 'use the battery and charge often', but the fine science details left my noggin. Also, lithium batteries hate heat, so store them in a cool place at around 40-60% charge when not in use for long periods. If a lithium battery is discharged too far it will die forever.

This was after I had an iPod Classic constantly docked and when I used it for portable use I would only have approximately 1 hour play time.

 

[CH23]

In general, the chemistry of lithium batteries requires them to be used constantly (drained and charged) or the ions will become unbalanced and performance will suffer. Also, don't deep discharge your battery often as this will also kill lithium batteries. It's best to 'top up' your lithium battery often and only do a deep discharge (run dead) about every 30 days to re-calibrate the 'capacity guage'. I forget the exact reasoning as I researched it some time ago and my take away was 'use the battery and charge often', but the fine science details left my noggin. Also, lithium batteries hate heat, so store them in a cool place at around 40-60% charge when not in use for long periods. If a lithium battery is discharged too far it will die forever.

This was after I had an iPod Classic constantly docked and when I used it for portable use I would only have approximately 1 hour play time.

I thought i was slowly killing the battery by using it all day, and charging/listening all night.
Seems i was keeping it alive then

 

[x RELIC x]

I thought i was slowly killing the battery by using it all day, and charging/listening all night.
Seems i was keeping it alive then

Yup.

Just don't let it run till it dies all the time and you'll be fine. You should charge it when you have around 2 bars remaining on the capacity gauge and unplug when it's full most of the time, and once a month run it low for maximum life. If it dies from a drained battery run to a charger or it may not be brought back to life if left in that state too long.

 

[magicalmouse]

   
Thanks for taking the time to provide such a detailed response!
 
As for my A83s, I am in no rush to part with them, but they don't get a lot of ear time because I have SE846s and my ears are quite tricky to fit with universals due to narrow canals that bend quite sharply at the first bend. The A83s are an outstanding IEM though - incredibly detailed and transparent, but without sacrificing bass.

I had a similar problem and could never get any tips to fit securely for long (shure/westone/comply) in the end i had some ACS customs tips made and the difference to fit and security is amazing, they also sound better and isolate better  - due to the fit/material.