Fiio x5 vs Ibasso dx90
Oct 28, 2014 at 9:45 PM Post #256 of 446
  - Tried the X3 but find the wheel rather fragile and weird.(Just my feel and it could differ from X5)

 
X3 with wheel?
 
Nov 9, 2014 at 3:50 PM Post #260 of 446
I have read a good number of the reviews on both players in this thread but, still not sure which player to go with.
 
- I currently have a Creative Zen and im looking to upgrade. X5 and DX90 mainly because i like the option of having buttons more than touch screen and i like a good variety of EQ settings. I MUST hear detailed background vocals!!
 
- I listen only to R&B, Rap and Jazz (Toni Braxton, Isley Brothers, Amel Larrieux, Nas, etc). Mostly in the gym and on long flights (5+hrs).
 
- Using Klipsch Status headphones.
 
Which player should I go with?
 
Also, if somebody here has both players and can you test "Toni Braxton - Holiday Celebrate" in each player and tell me which sounds the best (most detailed)?  This is my go to test track when testing audio in cars and equipment. There's a lot going on in this track and a great player will pick up everything.
 
Thanks in advance!
 
Nov 9, 2014 at 5:25 PM Post #261 of 446
Both players are sonically good. Very good.
 
From HO I perceive X5 to be a bit more detailed because the soundstage is more intimate, studio like, rather than more spacious stage like presentation on DX90. It is hairsplitting difference though.
 
For your type of use DX90 may fit better due to smaller size and lighter weight. When rockboxed, the navigation is pure button type, no need to touch the screen. I personally prefer it that way.
 
It is a hard call, I thought about keeping just DX90, but decided to keep both of them. The LO on X5 is a cracker.
 
If you want a variety of EQ presets the rockboxed DX90 is the only way. 10-band fully adjustable parametric EQ with ability to save as many presets as you wish. Only one custom EQ available on both players with stock firmware.
 
Cheers. 
 
Nov 9, 2014 at 5:34 PM Post #262 of 446
  Both players are sonically good. Very good.
 
From HO I perceive X5 to be a bit more detailed because the soundstage is more intimate, studio like, rather than more spacious stage like presentation on DX90. It is hairsplitting difference though.
 
For your type of use DX90 may fit better due to smaller size and lighter weight. When rockboxed, the navigation is pure button type, no need to touch the screen. I personally prefer it that way.
 
It is a hard call, I thought about keeping just DX90, but decided to keep both of them. The LO on X5 is a cracker.
 
If you want a variety of EQ presets the rockboxed DX90 is the only way. 10-band fully adjustable parametric EQ with ability to save as many presets as you wish. Only one custom EQ available on both players with stock firmware.
 
Cheers. 


Thank you!
 
Nov 12, 2014 at 11:46 AM Post #263 of 446
Was firmly in the x5 camp, and was about to pull the trigger on an x5 and e12. In the end went for a Dx90 for the following reasons:
 
x5 benefits from an external amp, whereas the Dx90 is more accomplished as a standalone device.
Wider sound stage on the Dx90 (Staging has proved to be truly outstanding with my Fidue a83s)
The jog wheel on the front of the x5 can be a little on the fragile side, and in combination with the unmarked buttons is more of a faff than the Dx90 touch screen
Dx90 (Mango) UI is more configurable, but this is pretty irrelevant because....
Dx90 can be Rockboxed!
 
My only concern with the Dx90 was the battery, and to be honest it is pretty crap. Using Rockbox I am lucky if I get 7 hours out of the battery.
 
Otherwise think I made the right choice, my only criticism is with the stock firmware (Mango) and its bass capabilities. The Dx90 produces very tight bass, which is an accurate reproduction of the source recording and for most will be what they are looking for. I am a bit of a bass head, and cannot tweak the eq in Mango to get the kind of punch I am looking for. Rockbox resolves this issue, producing gut rumbling levels of bass without negatively impacting the rest of the spectrum, and as I installed it the day I received the Dx90 this hasn't been a issue. 
 
Nov 16, 2014 at 10:15 AM Post #264 of 446
Was planning to get x5 or dx 90, i am looking for a better sound-stage player and something that does not involve used of amplifer. Hope you guys can give me some suggestion as i am quite new to player.
 
Current iem/headphones/player:
ipod video 5 gen
westone Um3x rc
Shure se535
Fostex t50rp
 
Nov 16, 2014 at 1:08 PM Post #265 of 446
  Was planning to get x5 or dx 90, i am looking for a better sound-stage player and something that does not involve used of amplifer. Hope you guys can give me some suggestion as i am quite new to player.
 
Current iem/headphones/player:
ipod video 5 gen
westone Um3x rc
Shure se535
Fostex t50rp


"x5 benefits from an external amp, whereas the Dx90 is more accomplished as a standalone device"
above has already given you the answer
darthsmile.gif


DX90
 
Nov 26, 2014 at 4:04 PM Post #266 of 446
Just curious, would a 128 GB iPhone 6 be a decent alternative if one already has an outboard DAC and is not as interested in HD music? It seems like the price would be comparable to, or less than, an x5 or dx90 with 128 GB of memory, and you get the phone functions and other features as well. I have an iPod touch now, but have outgrown the 65 GB with my music files. I do value sound quality, and wonder if all three of the above would work, or whether the sound quality would be substantially better with the x5 or dx90. I apologize if this is a little off topic.
 
Nov 26, 2014 at 8:56 PM Post #267 of 446
A number of things pop out from your request, but the main one to me is: "...not as interested in HD music.."  If that is the case, then your file sizes will likely not be as large as the ones we typically see in DSD, DXD, or even flac files.  Your typical MP3 file is possible between 3 and 12MB each.  Even if they are ALL 12MB, you could easily fit over a thousand songs on your 128GB iPhone 6.  Problem being, you DON'T get to use the full 128GB on your phone for music.  It is shared with contacts, email, space needed to be free for IOS updates, pictures, videos, etc...
 
The advantage of DX90 is that the microSD slot can accept up to 128GB cards that can be dedicated to music only.  And better yet, IF you manage to fill a card with all of your music, you have the option to copy specific Genres of music to each card.  128GB card for Classical/Orchestral/Instrumental, Then maybe a 64GB card for ROCK (All types) then maybe another 128GB card for Jazz/Soundtracks/Electronic/HipHop/Rap/House/Top 40, and then maybe a last 64GB card for Jazz/Blues/Country.
 
Point is you have the flexibility of swapping cards and songs as you like ON THE FLY with a DX90 that you don't have with an iPhone/iPad/iPod. 
 
I don't have an iPhone 6, but my iPhone 4S & iPhone 5 phones play music "decently", but not really providing that FULL sound that the DX90 provides unless I tether my iFi iDSD Micro and use the Onkyo Player APP to play the hi-res/HD DSD audio files, and then they sound great since they are using the iDSD Micro's DAC and amplifier.  But still, once I fill that iPhone or iPad with photos or video from my trip, that available space evaporates VERY quickly, and I wind up dumping files from my Apple devices just to make room again....
 
Just my 2 cents.
 
Nov 26, 2014 at 10:19 PM Post #268 of 446
I understand what you are saying Knorris. Actually, I really only use my iPod Touch for music, my music files are almost all in FLAC format, and the thing is nearly full (64 GB). I prefer to rip my cds in lossless format. When I mentioned HD, I was referring to music encoded in greater than CD quality. The x5 and DX90 seemed like great options, but I don't know if I should be deciding between either one when the iPhone 6 might be a good alternative assuming I use an outboard DAC. By the way, I am not tied to Apple, I care more for good sounding music.
 
Nov 27, 2014 at 1:58 AM Post #269 of 446
Kentak, I was where you were a year ago. Have now bought both X5 and DX90 and never use iPhone for music anymore. Better the iem/headphone, more difference. In fact just moved from Westones W40s to Share 846s and suddenly the gap between mp3 320s and FLACs on good recordings is so great, mp3s need replacing. Some DSDs and 24/96 I have also raise the bar, whether format or mastering hard to know.

Not amped my iPhone, but these two DAPs are so good that if you appreciate good sound, go for a DAP. Ive been into HiFi for 35 years, now these DAPs get 90% of my listening, didnt realise how good portable audio could be. Mind you, its cost me on iems but the daps scale up so well to better partnering equipment.
 
Nov 27, 2014 at 9:17 AM Post #270 of 446
I see what you are saying. Having an outboard DAC is one thing, but if one wants portability (and that is what these DAPs are all about) the X5 and DX90 will sound much better with a good iem/headphone. In addition, I have the added option of adding 24/96 music at some point, and memory capacity should not be an issue.
 
This thread is very interesting and informative. If I were to get either the X5 or DX90, the things I would be looking for is the DAP that produces a fairly flat response, does not have fatiguing highs, and produces vocals and acoustic instruments that are spacious and lively.  From what I read, the general consensus is that the X5 presents music that is more intimate, like that played in a small club, while the DX90 presents a bigger soundstage, similar to that played a big concert hall. I also see that the DX90 produces more detailed highs (some say more forward) but at the same time non-fatiguing. Fatigue is one of my main concerns. Some have also said that the DX90 artificially boosts the bass and maybe the treble, but I know opinions vary. Finally, some people find the sound from the X5 to be not as lively.
 

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