I'm currently using IE80 and I'm torn with DX90 and x5. If you guys can help which one I should pick. I like listening to RnB and Acoustic and I'm kind of a basshead.

I have the IE80 and the DX90, if you like bass for me you will not disappointed by this combo, but SilverEars that own both DAP say that the DX90 bass are unnatural, not for me at all, but who knows now ...

I have NT-6, and it reveals alot(if something has the details, it shows, if it has definition, it pushes it out).  I feel that DX90 have bass push(I don't know why a DAP would do that), but to me it seems to lack bass defintion(I think this is better way to put it).  The bass to my neutral NT-6 sound boosted on the DX90, but not on the X5.  X5 sounds laid back, and it doesn't sound forward, and the highs have lots of details.  DX90's highs has the perception of details because of it's forwardness, but it doesn't have much subtle details behind it, and the mids are not as detailed either.  Stage is much wider and more realistic with the X5.  I hope it's not the 9018k2m, but just poor implementation as the X5 is a TI/Burr Brown PCM1792A.  X5 demonstrates, the chipset has no bearing on how well the DAP outputs sound, but the circuit as a whole matters more.

Hey @silverears how long did you have the DX90?

joedoe said:

Hey @silverears how long did you have the DX90?

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I still have it, I got DX90, DX100, and X5 to compare which I like best to my NT-6.  I'm hoping DX100 can wow me.  The DAPs don't wow me like I was expecting.
 
I recommend  you hear them out yourself and find out which sig you like best as dual DAC Sabre is meaningless after I heard DX90.

smithamb said:

In most respects, the x5 and dx90 are very similar (sound wise) for example soundstage and dynamics but from what I have read, the x5 is the way to go if you like bass. I went for it coz I love bass too and the longer battery life (double the dx90) really swayed me to get it.

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I found the bass far more satisfying on X5

racy said:

I found the bass far more satisfying on X5

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Yup, it's not boosted like the DX90, and the quantity is enough, and has much better definition. It's hard to find good bass definition with portables. I know my NT-6 is capable of outputting quality bass.  If I'm hearing boosted bass on my NT-6, it's boosted bass. 

Have you guys paired X5 with Fiio E12? It sounds Amazing! E12 brings out even more detail and clarity, better bass management and wider fuller soundstage. I am listening through HE-400 and it gives more energy to the music. Perfect combo and still portable.

After extended listen.  It seems X5 has weaknesses also.  It is not as dynamic as my O2 fed from ODAC.  With ODAC/O2 combo, you can hear dynamic separation.  X5 has the sounds in the same 2D plane.  Where as ODAC/O2 dynamism is apparent as my NT-6 pushes certain sounds more forward and some reserved etc... It creates more fun sound and dynamic imaging.  Also, the X5 seems slower pased than DX90.  Although, the X5 has more textures, it's still not that clean compared to DX90.  More textures is not always desired IMO, it could sound congested.  Definately, the DX90 is for electronica, as it quick paced, and provides punchy sound, and boosted bass.  It's actually fun for electronic music.  I think the two DAPs serves different purposes for what type of music the listener uses most for.
 
Although, for most music listening X5 satifies what I listen to, but I'm not fully satisfied with it's sound as it lack dynamism.  Sounding, rather flat.  Noticed amp could help with that, with better amp it can sound more dynamic.  That's why I said DX90 has some forward features, proving more fun sound.  
 
I want a DAP that can sound like ODAC/O2, and I will be walking down the street with smile on face, as it's good pairing with NT-6.  It's my go to setup for using iem for monitoring as it's been consistently transparent.

Hello SilverEars, i've just posted this: http://www.head-fi.org/t/714421/the-dx90-by-ibasso-please-post-just-your-reviews-and-sound-impressions/1335#post_10625833
What do you think about?

Did anybody compare subj DAPs with MA9?

I have the E12 + VModa M100s with Clip+ (Boxed)

Trying to work out what would go best next with my E12 + M100's! The X5 or DX90.

Anyone got this or similar setup?

Cheers

How does the treble of the DX90 compares to that of the X5 ? The treble of the DX90 are very detailed but very harsh  to my ears especially with my fidelio L2.

Heloo i am new in the audio world and i would like to buy a dedicated DAP.My curent headphones are the Sennheiser AMPERIOR ( maybe other headphones will come later)and the music i listen  varies from electronica,rock,hiphop etc....to clasical but 50% of the music i listen is electronica(house,dubstep,trance,drum and base etc...) and 50% are the rest that i mentioned above.
      The daps i lookeed in are the FIIO x5 and IBASSO DX90 both entering my curent buget so wich of these 2 sound better and are suited for my type of headphones and music,i want to use them as USB DAC to.
Thank You!

Actually i just addicted in high res music, start from learning about the headphones then the music file types... At last, I,m studying right now about the DAC, amp and DAP. Since, you all are really well experienced on portable high res audio. Now i finally have my Sennheiser momentum , I bought it because of good outlook design and one of the best portable headphone in market. After bought my momentum, now i start to feel like no so enough to use my Iphone 5 + hippo cricri amp drive momentum... I just hope someone can suggest the best DAP for the Sennheiser Momentum. 
 
Fiio x5 or iBasso dx90 best paired with seenheiser momentum?