[bowei006]

Quote:

First of all thank you so much for your dissertation about the difference betwen the two out.
 
Anyway, I just have the optical in in my pre- amplifier so I think i'll buy a optical to coaxial switcher... or will i loose something?

It depends on how much of an audiophile you are.
 
for the most part, you won't lose anything, but of course, you are adding another 'device' into the mix which can lead to increases in jitter. As to go from Coaxial to optical, you do need to use a chip that changes the signal to a light based one. 
 
The differences to most will be inaudible. But of course, the quality of the changer has an effect

 

[Mython]

Quote:

 
Interesting pole by the way... although it shows how people are controlled by the name value of Sabre.. and I can't be the one saying out loud since I just bought a DAC for home with ES9018.

 
 
Whilst I understand why you said the above, since there is far more to a good-sounding DAP than just the DAC chip, I think that by making such a sweeping statement, you are perhaps being unfair on those who voted in the poll for a high-end DAC chip.
 
Some people like the Sabre chip because they have heard how spacious and detailed it can sound, within the context of a DAP with a well-designed amp stage, such as the DX100 and HM-901.
 
The DAC chip doesn't do all the work in achieving excellent DAP sound quality, but it does do some of the work and is thus a critical component to get right.
 
(I do, however, acknowledge that you admitted to having just bought a desktop DAC incorporating a Sabre chip)

 

[CH23]

Is it possible to roll DAC chips like it's possible to roll opamp chips?
If so, isn't it quite easy to put in one of those solderless "bridges/plugs"?




(First time using these terms, feels weird but i hope i used them right)

 

[jacal01]

Extra chip space for optical SPDIF output arguments notwithstanding, there is currently just as much a need for a portable audio file source as there is for a stand-alone portable player.  To that end the X5 or later would well serve the audiphile community by offering as much digital output versatility as it can within a small battery operated package to meet this demand for such a front-end source for their own portable rig of choice.
 
There are currently as many small portable outboard DAC/amps with only an optical SPDIF input as there are with coax SPDIF input only.  A combo coax/optical 3.5 mm TRS receptacle connector can support both requirements with but a single case hole jack.  As to optical cable fragility for mobile use, there is an armored mini to Toslink optical FO cable version available [size=11pt]here[/size] for such outdoor portable use.
 
An external SPDIF coax to Toslink digital converter unit requires its own power source, adding considerable bulk along with now a battery power pack to a portable audio gear setup.
 
Various high end battery operated USB DAC and DAC/amps can be accommodated with source USB OTG capability, probably the most versatile and valuable source option to offer at this point for portable rig application.
 
All these digital data output features available in a single high resolution file portable player would make it a highly desirable consumer product, IMO.

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

...and don't forget, Toslink can share space with the 1/8" jack.

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

Is it possible to roll DAC chips like it's possible to roll opamp chips?
If so, isn't it quite easy to put in one of those solderless "bridges/plugs"?


(First time using these terms, feels weird but i hope i used them right)

 
No. Simply put, DAC are not swappable in 95% of the cases (*roughly speaking, you'll get the idea) because they have different pins configuration. Not to mention they are surface mounted (SMT) and very difficult to desolder in the first place.
 

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Guys, I don't think it is feasible to want HM901, DX100, AK120, whatever-the-next-best-things all roll into one unit and ask for an under $500 price tag, decent battery life and size. I am not even sure if it is feasible to ask for such a device for $1500 and still do all the things everyone wants. Remember, X series is intended as a standalone high quality DAP first and foremost, not some fancy gizmo that batman will have on his belt to help him cracks into Pentagon. If all the extra features defeat / compromise too much of its first purpose, then it already fails as a product. So do understand that there is a fine line between what we wants and what can be done reasonably.

 

[Hutnicks]

Quote:

 
No. Simply put, DAC are not swappable in 95% of the cases (*roughly speaking, you'll get the idea) because they have different pins configuration. Not to mention they are surface mounted (SMT) and very difficult to desolder in the first place.
 

---

 
Guys, I don't think it is feasible to want HM901, DX100, AK120, whatever-the-next-best-things all roll into one unit and ask for an under $500 price tag, decent battery life and size. I am not even sure if it is feasible to ask for such a device for $1500 and still do all the things everyone wants. Remember, X series is intended as a standalone high quality DAP first and foremost, not some fancy gizmo that batman will have on his belt to help him cracks into Pentagon. If all the extra features defeat / compromise too much of its first purpose, then it already fails as a product. So do understand that there is a fine line between what we wants and what can be done reasonably.

Damn, no can opener after all? (sob)

 

[bearFNF]

Quote:

 
No. Simply put, DAC are not swappable in 95% of the cases (*roughly speaking, you'll get the idea) because they have different pins configuration. Not to mention they are surface mounted (SMT) and very difficult to desolder in the first place.
 

---

 
 

Not really all that tough to de-solder surface mount chips or components, just need the right gear.

Very easy actually...
 
But yeah, the pinout and internals of the DACs would have to be so close to match the rest of the circuit and software that it probably would not be worth the effort, Opamps on the other hand are more compatible, and putting a socket on the board makes it easy to swap them out.

 

[Mimouille]

So do understand that there is a fine line between what we wants and what can be done reasonably.

You mean it will not read Laserdiscs? I am disappoint.

 

[Mython]

You mean it will not read Laserdiscs? I am disappoint.

 
Well, at least it will play vinyl!

 

[AmberOzL]

Today DX50 announced with more information and price. It is extremely interesting device from the builder of DX100 but I think the capacity of it is kinda big con for me. X5 still stands strong in the future, I hope it will be perfectly functioning dap as well as good sounding too.
 
FiiO is definitely making a good use of what they have been learning in X3 experience.

 

[Achmedisdead]

Quote:

 

Today DX50 announced with more information and price. It is extremely interesting device from the builder of DX100 but I think the capacity of it is kinda big con for me.

 
Why? It will take any microsdxc card you can buy, and you won't have to format them to FAT32. So you can buy a 64GB one for about 50 dollars (or a handful of 32GB ones for $20 each), and when the 128GB ones come out, they'll be an option as well.

 

[AmberOzL]

Quote:

 
Why? It will take any microsdxc card you can buy, and you won't have to format them to FAT32. So you can buy a 64GB one for about 50 dollars (or a handful of 32GB ones for $20 each), and when the 128GB ones come out, they'll be an option as well.

64 + 8 is too small for me mate. It depends on person obviously but in my case, it is small. Min 128 gb, more is always welcome.

 

[bearFNF]

Quote:

64 + 8 is too small for me mate. It depends on person obviously but in my case, it is small. Min 128 gb, more is always welcome.

Ditto for me, need at least 80 now, more is better.

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

Based on current pricing, dx50 will go head on with x3 more than the future x5... By then, there may be a dx75