[ReizeiMako]

   
Thanks for the reply.
 
Yeah, my question was not so much about which player sounds better or warmer.  I loaded the most recent firmware (1.6.0) on to the DX50 and I don't hear much of a difference between it and the X3.  In other words, I think they are more or less equally warm at the moment.
 
But from what I've read, people seem to think that different DX50 firmwares sound different from one another.  So my question was pertaining to which firmware sounds the most neutral/flat, so that I can contrast it with the X3.
 
Thanks!

Try Sound Unlock 1.3.3 and 1.4 :3
 
P.S IMO with my PK2 earbuds X3 is far warmer than DX50. That's why I sold X3 recently and bought DX50.

 

[steelglam]

 
For firmware try Sound Unlocked 1.3.3 and 1.4. https://github.com/dm1try/dx50_sound_unlocked Both are quite neutral and really good. I suggest you to test them by your own IEMs and choose the one you prefer. Don't forget to enter hidden menu after install FW by turn on the player while it still lock and set "flac/irrc off/cpu default" or "flac/irrc on/cpu 312" which recommended by people in this thread.

OK, thanks very much for the information!  I'm not familiar with the hidden menu, "flac/irrc..." method of installation.  I will have to do some reading on it.

 

[Koolpep]

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, my question was not so much about which player sounds better or warmer.  I loaded the most recent firmware (1.6.0) on to the DX50 and I don't hear much of a difference between it and the X3.  In other words, I think they are more or less equally warm at the moment.

But from what I've read, people seem to think that different DX50 firmwares sound different from one another.  So my question was pertaining to which firmware sounds the most neutral/flat, so that I can contrast it with the X3.

Thanks!

Oh I see. Well the changes in FW are always hard to quantify at least for me. Hope someone else can help.

 

[CoiL]

 

 
For firmware try Sound Unlocked 1.3.3 and 1.4. https://github.com/dm1try/dx50_sound_unlocked Both are quite neutral and really good. I suggest you to test them by your own IEMs and choose the one you prefer. Don't forget to enter hidden menu after install FW by turn on the player while it still lock and set "flac/irrc off/cpu default" or "flac/irrc on/cpu 312" which recommended by people in this thread.

OK, thanks very much for the information!  I'm not familiar with the hidden menu, "flac/irrc..." method of installation.  I will have to do some reading on it.

Installation has nothing to do with it. Sound Unlocked 1.3.3 and 1.4 installation is like any other official firmware. SU just has "hidden" bootup menu with special tweak options. 

 

[steelglam]

Installation has nothing to do with it. Sound Unlocked 1.3.3 and 1.4 installation is like any other official firmware. SU just has "hidden" bootup menu with special tweak options. 

Got it. Cool! I assume there is a guide somewhere that describes the special options?

 

[CoiL]

  Sound Unlocked has "Hidden" bootup menu. To access it You must:
 
1) Turn OFF DX50 
2) Slide HOLD button to ON/LOCKED position
3) Turn ON DX50 while hold button is still ON/LOCKED position
4) You will lauch into bootup menu where You can select different settings. Choose what You prefer.
    I recommend to start with FLAC/irr off/cpu default (for large airy soundstage) or FLAC/irr on/cpu 312 (for more intimate/foward soundstage)
5) Slide hold button to OFF position and player will return into UI using settings You selected. They will stay regardless restart/turn on-off until You change them.

 
1) FLAC-only + irr OFF + CPU performance default --- more depth towards front/middle and vocals for example more out of headstage.
    More airy soundstage/imaging and more dynamics.
 
2) FLAC-only + irr ON + CPU 312kHz --- closer, more intimate and clearer imaging with little more separation in width.

...or test Your own setting and find what fits best, these are just 2 main different sounding settings to start with.

 

[steelglam]

  ...or test Your own setting and find what fits best, these are just 2 main different sounding settings to start with.

Awesome!  Thanks, CoiL!

 

[medmitry]

Rockbox Sound Unlocked 1.0.0
 
- suitable for someone who does not like the original rockbox sound signature
- based on the original 1.6.0
- includes ArgelErx's cleanup ps4 + Cholero modern_ui rockbox build
- arc-en-ciel Theme installed by default
- no more problems with an uninstall process

Install:

Suppose you have some stock version(without CWM):
- unpack su_rockbox_1.0.0.7z to the root of the internal drive of your DX50
- do update (Settings -> Advanced -> System Update)

Suppose you have RSU beta:
- copy update.img from  su_rockbox_1.0.0.7z to the root of the SD card of your DX50 
- use recovery for update

Uninstall :
- use recovery

 

[cholero]

  Rockbox Sound Unlocked 1.0.0
 
- suitable for someone who does not like the original rockbox sound signature
- based on the original 1.6.0
- includes ArgelErx's cleanup ps4 + Cholero modern_ui rockbox build
- arc-en-ciel Theme installed by default
- no more problems with an uninstall process

Install:

Suppose you have some stock version(without CWM):
- unpack su_rockbox_1.0.0.7z to the root of the internal drive of your DX50
- do update (Settings -> Advanced -> System Update)

Suppose you have RSU beta:
- copy update.img from  su_rockbox_1.0.0.7z to the root of the SD card of your DX50 
- use recovery for update

Uninstall :
- use recovery

 
Hi Medmitry.
What are the changes you did compared to the regular firmware?

 

[ReizeiMako]

Quick question: DX50's internal amp is good enough to provide a good sound for 150 ohm headphone like PK1? Any suggestion would be appreciated.

 

[CoiL]

  Rockbox Sound Unlocked 1.0.0
 
- suitable for someone who does not like the original rockbox sound signature
- based on the original 1.6.0
- includes ArgelErx's cleanup ps4 + Cholero modern_ui rockbox build
- arc-en-ciel Theme installed by default
- no more problems with an uninstall process

Install:

Suppose you have some stock version(without CWM):
- unpack su_rockbox_1.0.0.7z to the root of the internal drive of your DX50
- do update (Settings -> Advanced -> System Update)

Suppose you have RSU beta:
- copy update.img from  su_rockbox_1.0.0.7z to the root of the SD card of your DX50 
- use recovery for update

Uninstall :
- use recovery

You have not abandoned us!

Big thanks!
Will test it as soon as I solder new HO caps back to PCB. Probably will test some LO caps too.

 

[medmitry]

  Will test it as soon as I solder new HO caps back to PCB. Probably will test some LO caps too.

This fw has cold/bright signature, so you should use some "warm" caps or use rockbox EQ (I prefer the hardware way)
Pretty sure it will be sounds good with some AMP.
 
 
BTW, comparing with  AP100, DX50 is direct opposite. AP100 has a dark sound signature but it's very expressive. 

 

[CoiL]

Hmmm...

  Panasonic FC has large open soundstage, great separation and transparency/layering (better than FG imo) and very balanced dynamic sound. Nothing is over- or underdone.

I hope it won`t turn too bright/cold for me as I like slightly warm tilted or dead-neutral (but not cold/clinical) sound. But atm going with Panasonic FC for sure.
Littlebit "warmer" option would be Vishay BC 038 RSU. We`ll see, I can always open up DX50 belly again and change caps

 

 

[Silverprout]

Why don't you use ultra low esr tantalum capacitors ?
They are much better than electrolytic.

 

[cybe]

Hi
 
Quote:

  The DX90 is better, but I never felt the need to upgrade from my DX50 to the DX90, I went to X5 and then AK100 (and gloveaudio) .
 

 
That's interesting. You didn't feel the need to upgrade from DX50 to DX90 because you did prefer how the X5 sounded or.. there is another reason?
 
Thanks