[Kerouac]

  I remembered about @x RELIC x informing me that a standard 3.5mm interconnect will work (thanks for that!), so I decided to go the silly route and grab my short and inexpensive one that JDS Labs makes for $5.  With the two stacked, it's ever so slightly longer than the distance between the two ports, so lengthwise it's perfect.
 

 
Wow, I never suspected that you could use a normal interconnect on the coax-out from X5

Have to try that myself soon...
 
I wonder if the quality of the used interconnect also influences the final sq

 

[CH23]

   
Wow, I never suspected that you could use a normal interconnect on the coax-out from X5

Have to try that myself soon...
 
I wonder if the quality of the used interconnect also influences the final sq

coax is nothing more than a metal connector with 2 leads. and the implementation as used in a lot of portable players it's a mono 3.5mm plug, so it just won't be using 1 lead when you use a stereo cable
 
i use one of my long grado cables as coaxial cable, between player and wireless headphones.

 

[x RELIC x]

Wow, I never suspected that you could use a normal interconnect on the coax-out from X5 :blink:
Have to try that myself soon...

I wonder if the quality of the used interconnect also influences the final sq :rolleyes:

75 Ohm standard coaxial is more beneficial for longer distances, as is the shielding built in to the cable. Without the shielding you may pick up RF noise so don't use next to a microwave, haha. If I were using an interconnect cable it would have a well insulated ground from the signal lead at least. I tried the FiiO L16 cable with the X5 to Mojo and compared to a standard coaxial cable with the included adaptors.... There was no difference in SQ to my ears.

For such short distances the audible difference should be minimal, if any.

 

[r2muchstuff]

  I was assuming that I'd be considering the 2nd gen of the X5. Let me know if I have the incorrect forum here.
 
And I'll apologize for my relative ignorance of the technical aspects of digital playback. With that in mind, and given that my files are in an Apple Lossless format, would the X5 provide a better transmission vehicle of those files to my 2-channel stereo system than an iPod? I know the iPod has a 160GB storage ceiling, and that's a consideration.I currently use an older iPod Touch w/ a 64GB drive.

Either X5 FiiO will work great as a source for your 2 ch sys.  I too have and use iPods however, the FiiO has several advantages such as more storage, a great line out or digital out for connecting an even better DAC, they can play hi res files etc.  Line out and digital out can be accomplished with an iPod but hi res is an issue.  A Dac like the AlgoRhythem Solo connected to an iPod Classic sounds great into 2 ch.  So both iPods and FiiO can work and sound great with 2 ch, it just depends on how you use/connect them.
 
A program called Dapper will also let you sync your iTunes playlist to the FiiO, I maintain iPods and FiiOs with my ALAC playlist through iTunes and Dapper.  
 
YMMV,
r2

 

[a lab lover]

Many thanks for your response, r2. You've helped point me in a new and interesting direction!
 
Cheers.

 

[taxiq]

  coax is nothing more than a metal connector with 2 leads. and the implementation as used in a lot of portable players it's a mono 3.5mm plug, so it just won't be using 1 lead when you use a stereo cable
 
i use one of my long grado cables as coaxial cable, between player and wireless headphones.

 
Helps if the cable is made for digital as opposed to for analog.   Such as the one sold by Amazon "Micca Premium SPDIF Digital Coaxial Audio Cable - 3.5mm (1/8") to RCA, 3ft, Compatible with FiiO X3, X3II, X5 b".   Have been using this one and preferred it to the FIIO X5 adapter provided by FIIO with a 75 ohm cable.  
 
 I have been very pleased using the X5, and the X3, as servers for a desk top DAC.    From an SQ perspective, does anyone see any reason to bother with a computer, USB?

 

[x RELIC x]

Helps if the cable is made for digital as opposed to for analog.   Such as the one sold by Amazon "[COLOR=0066C0]Micca Premium SPDIF Digital Coaxial Audio Cable - 3.5mm (1/8") to RCA, 3ft, Compatible with FiiO X3, X3II, X5 [/COLOR][COLOR=111111]b".   Have been using this one and preferred it to the FIIO X5 adapter provided by FIIO with a 75 ohm cable.  [/COLOR]

[COLOR=111111] I have been very pleased using the X5, and the X3, as servers for a desk top DAC.    From an SQ perspective, does anyone see any reason to bother with a computer, USB?[/COLOR]

The point of not getting a coaxial cable in this case is convenience. The copper will carry the signal just fine and, again, at such short lengths in this use scenario, should not degrade the audio much or at all. The reasons for coaxial really don't apply for a 6" connector.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_cable

The cable you linked would be less than ideal for portable use to say the least. Something like this will be far more useful for stacking the X5 with the Mojo at minimal cost for a coaxial standard cable.

Short coaxial cable

Just make sure to contact the seller about making a connection for the original X5, not the second gen.

 

[taxiq]

The point of not getting a coaxial cable in this case is convenience. The copper will carry the signal just fine and, again, at such short lengths in this use scenario, should not degrade the audio much or at all. The reasons for coaxial really don't apply for a 6" connector.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_cable

The cable you linked would be less than ideal for portable use to say the least. Something like this will be far more useful for stacking the X5 with the Mojo at minimal cost for a coaxial standard cable.

Short coaxial cable

Just make sure to contact the seller about making a connection for the original X5, not the second gen.

 
Need to go a  little further.  The cable mention is 3 foot long and obviously for desktop DAC connection ( Amazon: Micca Premium SPDIF Digital Coaxial Audio Cable - 3.5mm (1/8") to RCA, 3ft, Compatible with FiiO X3, X3II, X5 b).   This cable does have the advantage that it will not short out a DAP the way a single ended cable might.  Perhaps (or not)  FIIO has a protective circuit in the X5 that would protect the unit from being shorted out should the single ended adapter they provide be mistakenly inserted into the analog  "line out" hole rather than the "coaxial out" hole. 

 
Really would like focus on answer to question:  "I have been very pleased using the X5, and the X3, as servers for a desk top DAC.    From a sound quality perspective only, does anyone see any reason to bother with a computer, USB?" 

 

[x RELIC x]

Need to go a  little further.  The cable mention is 3 foot long and obviously for desktop DAC connection ( Amazon: [COLOR=0066C0]Micca Premium SPDIF Digital Coaxial Audio Cable - 3.5mm (1/8") to RCA, 3ft, Compatible with FiiO X3, X3II, X5 [/COLOR][COLOR=111111]b).   This cable does have the advantage that it will not short out a DAP the way a single ended cable might.  Perhaps (or not)  FIIO has a protective circuit in the X5 that would protect the unit from being shorted out should the single ended adapter they provide be mistakenly inserted into the analog  "line out" hole rather than the "coaxial out" hole. [/COLOR]:eek:

[COLOR=111111]Really would like focus on answer to question:  "I have been very pleased using the X5, and the X3, as servers for a desk top DAC.    From a sound quality perspective only, does anyone see any reason to bother with a computer, USB?" [/COLOR]

I was replying to the question about the Mojo pairing and you obviously were not. :wink_face:

Anyway, I use the X5 quite often as a source to the DAC-19 desktop DAC and the Oppo HA-1. Works just fine. Personally if I don't have my MBP around I prefer not to use computer USB as I'm taxing the system CPUs at 100% with other things quite often. Audible difference is minimal from USB vs coaxial IMO.

Edit: For the record I use a similar coaxial cable to the one you linked for my desktop setups using the X5.

 

[397324]

Hi All
 
Sorry if this question has been asked before, but what differences in sound quality are there between an X5/E12A and a X5 2nd Gen/E12a? Also, same question, but without the E12A. My headphones are Shure SRH1540 and Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 On-Ear.
 
Thanks in advance.
 
Regards
 
Darren

 

[Dobrescu George]

  Hi All
 
Sorry if this question has been asked before, but what differences in sound quality are there between an X5/E12A and a X5 2nd Gen/E12a? Also, same question, but without the E12A. My headphones are Shure SRH1540 and Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 On-Ear.
 
Thanks in advance.
 
Regards
 
Darren

 
It is not entirely possible to actually convey in words. 
 
Short, E12A is smooth, better mids, larger soundstage and thicker bass than X5 alone. 
 
Between using X5 and x5II with e12A there are differences, but hard to name. tonality is a bit different.
 
For X5II vs X5, search this thread or X5 thread, I spoken very recent of these differences (last 5 pages) on one of these threads. Seems that other people heard other differences, so YMMV

 

[Imaqtpig]

Hi guys, I'm looking for a new player. I only listen FLAC, currently using UM PRO 50.
Which player would you guys suggest? I'm thinking Dx80, 90 or X5
Thanks for the help! have a great weekend  

 

[397324]

   
It is not entirely possible to actually convey in words. 
 
Short, E12A is smooth, better mids, larger soundstage and thicker bass than X5 alone. 
 
Between using X5 and x5II with e12A there are differences, but hard to name. tonality is a bit different.
 
For X5II vs X5, search this thread or X5 thread, I spoken very recent of these differences (last 5 pages) on one of these threads. Seems that other people heard other differences, so YMMV

I used to have a X5ii and found adding the E12A and improvement. The bass boost function worked well as well on colder recordings like 80's synth pop.
 
Another couple of quick questions. X5 or X3 2nd Gen just on pure sound quality and what would be a fair £ selling price for a new but opened box X5 from an official UK Fiio retailer?

 

[Dobrescu George]

  I used to have a X5ii and found adding the E12A and improvement. The bass boost function worked well as well on colder recordings like 80's synth pop.
 
Another couple of quick questions. X5 or X3 2nd Gen just on pure sound quality and what would be a fair £ selling price for a new but opened box X5 from an official UK Fiio retailer?

X5 first generation?
 
In romania, an open box great deal would be around 250$, but I understand it can be found cheaper in many places

 

[taxiq]

 
Hi. I'm new here and hoping I can get some clarification on equipment. Currently, I have a library of nearly 600 albums loaded using Apple Lossless format in an iTunes library. Though I'm don't consider myself a hi-end audiophile, I do appreciate the nuances of investing in decent equipment. Currently, I listen to my music via a traditional 2-channel stereo (Outlaw Audio amp, Ascend Sierra-2 speakers, Veledyne sub). I'm looking for advice on the best means of playing the music in my library and I'd like to be able to access my full library (~185GB). Should I be looking at a decent quality DAP? Would the X5 be an appropriate investment?

The short answer is yes, an X5 would work just fine.   It has, with two 126GB cards ($45 ea. on Amazon) the capacity you need.  And with a proper cable  like this one on Amazon search  "Belkin Speaker and Headphone Splitter" (3.5 to RCA female) you can use your interconnects to go from the X5
head phone out to your amp's inputs (you will in all likelihood want to upgrade this $2.99 cable at some point, but it will get you started). 
 
I have been using my X5 and X3 in this capacity for almost a year now with what I think is great success.   Meaning I am entirely satisfied especially with it and especially with its upgrade ability to an outside DAC.   This means the X5 is transport (and also a portable player).   I have repeated posted for someone who has experience comparing SQ of the X5 as a coaxial  transport with the SQ of a good computer using the USB output..   There appear to be a number of issues that USB presents that require fixing which is both a bother and adds to the cost.  And I don't know the SQ is any better than what can be had off a very inexpensive X5 solution.
 
Hope you give the X5 classic a try.  It is only $229 on Amazon (though recall someone had them at $199), and IMO think they are better as a transport than the newer model the X5 II, i.e. the old version has a 3.5 mm out put versus the newer model's 2.5 mm.  I think the larger will be better in the long run.  
 
Good luck with your music.
 
EDIT:  Have been corrected.   Both the X5 and the X5 II have 3.5 mm out puts.  Learn something new every day.   thx