[bimbim]

   
Thats a shame - check H20Fidelity's post above for some other alternatives - people seem to get different results - I think mine lasts 6-7 hours. Maybe depends on headphones used ie: how much juice they need + how much processing is needed for the audio - I only really listen to 24/96 - 24/192 flac...occasionally 16/44 with exceptional cd's ! Also, Ive just started using my portable headphone amp again - not sure how that will effect battery life
If youre in Malaysia, a Cowon may an upgrade option from the ipod although the DAP's H2OFidelity mention are a big upgrade from the cowon Daps 

yea, but i'm gonna go to a store to test ibassos and the xduoo x3.
 
if they sound 70% as awesome as the calyx m,  i might need to save up some money for one of them

 

[dbdynsty25]

The DX90 battery was its downfall for me. I got the x3ii instead and I'm happy with it. The x5ii is great too if you want to Max out your budget.

 

[bimbim]

The DX90 battery was its downfall for me. I got the x3ii instead and I'm happy with it. The x5ii is great too if you want to Max out your budget.

noted, i'll try them at the shop later and see how it goes
 
thanks man 

 

[JimmyTryhard]

As for me and my A83, I've decided it's finally time to upgrade the cable. Got a nice piece coming my way, @Brooko will be impressed. Because I want the housings to be able to rotate as it improves the fit. The stubby nozzles and stock cable preventing the housing from spinning and only add to the fit problems.

 
Interesting, I can't wait to read about your thoughts on it. I'm a fan of aftermarkets used on the A83, and I think you may be pleasantly surprised! I think that it's a great way to freshen up the experience, too.
 
 
Speaking of freshening up the experience, I recently took a 2 week long break from listening to music entirely, and on my first listen back, everything sounds so fresh again! 

It's pretty intriguing how the brain goes through habituation, even with pleasant things like music.

 

[H20Fidelity]

   
Interesting, I can't wait to read about your thoughts on it. I'm a fan of aftermarkets used on the A83, and I think you may be pleasantly surprised! I think that it's a great way to freshen up the experience, too.
 
 
Speaking of freshening up the experience, I recently took a 2 week long break from listening to music entirely, and on my first listen back, everything sounds so fresh again! 
It's pretty intriguing how the brain goes through habituation, even with pleasant things like music.

 
Here's the cable I have coming.
 

 

[JimmyTryhard]

   
Here's the cable I have coming.
 

 
Wow! Quite a nice piece you have there. 

 
Who made it/where did you buy it? That thing looks pretty top-notch.

 

[H20Fidelity]

   
Wow! Quite a nice piece you have there. 

 
Who made it/where did you buy it? That thing looks pretty top-notch.

 
Its a cable maker in Hong Kong we've been using for a while. I've owned quite a few of these cables on different earphones, I also recommend them to others.  
 
This is the cable I ordered: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5N-OCC-Silver-Plated-Upgrade-Cable-for-Shure-SE535-SE425-SE315-SE215-SE865-UE900-/321928865088?hash=item4af474a540mozmUEOI3S-u8ev8qAMec6A
 
He does others versions / types if you check his items.

 

[d1sturb3d]

have anyone tried balanced on the A83?  I am thinking of making a balanced cable and feed it to my balanced amp..not sure if it is worth the effort hehe

 

[H20Fidelity]

  have anyone tried balanced on the A83?  I am thinking of making a balanced cable and feed it to my balanced amp..not sure if it is worth the effort hehe

 
I've run my A83 balanced from Pono Player.
 
I don't think its a great example because when running balanced apparently the output impedance doubles which is already around 3.27ohms on Pono Player single ended. Its not really worth talking about the experience because its isn't an accurate example. Actually, It was pretty scary. The bass become excessively bloated almost doubling in impact to a point I thought the dynamic drivers might rattle free from their plastic shells. The mid-range was extremely forward and shouty (if you could hear it over the bass) And the treble went to a level which was basically muted. Yet, I hear some people quite liked using A83 this way. For me, it was downright scary. 

 

[d1sturb3d]

   
I've run my A83 balanced from Pono Player.
 
I don't think its a great example because when running balanced apparently the output impedance doubles which is already around 3.27ohms on Pono Player single ended. Its not really worth talking about the experience because its isn't an accurate example. Actually, It was pretty scary. The bass become excessively bloated almost doubling in impact to a point I thought the dynamic drivers might rattle free from their plastic shells. The mid-range was extremely forward and shouty (if you could hear it over the bass) And the treble went to a level which was basically muted. Yet, I hear some people quite liked using A83 this way. For me, it was downright scary. 

Thank you for the response..hmmn I'll diy some cable with kobiconn to run on the balanced amp..no way knowing it unless I try haha

 

[H20Fidelity]

Thank you for the response..hmmn I'll diy some cable with kobiconn to run on the balanced amp..no way knowing it unless I try haha

I think it was just the Pono player though. My ASG-2 show a similar bass presence balanced as well from Pono.

I use DX80 with A83 these days, once the cable we've spoken about arrives I'm done. Ready to straddle my horse and ride off into the sunset.

 

[LoryWiv]

I use DX80 with A83 these days, once the cable we've spoken about arrives I'm done. Ready to straddle my horse and ride off into the sunset.

Sure you will....until the next swift muscular horse beckons majestically bathed in the golden light of tomorrow's sunrise!!!
 
How does the the DX80-A83 combo. differ sound wise from the DX90-A83?

 

[H20Fidelity]

  Sure you will....until the next swift muscular horse beckons majestically bathed in the golden light of tomorrow's sunrise!!!
 
How does the the DX80-A83 combo. differ sound wise from the DX90-A83?

 
I'm having trouble making a complete comparison or decision on their differences. Not because they sound the same, simply its been tricky.
 
DX80 certainly sounds higher in resolution and clarity, slightly thinner and less digital or processed. 

 

[bimbim]

an update, i went to the shop to try DX80 and X5, but their demo unit was sent to other city because there's some kind of gathering.
the store owner let me try his only available player sony PCM-100 which is actually a recorder.
well i tried it anyway but the sound is really amazing, i also compared a83 with JH5 pro and JH Roxanne.
believe it or not, roxanne is the worst of the bunch (maybe need an amp to power those 12 drivers.
but since i cant try the dx80 i went back and got a pm from @Wokei who's selling his dx90
i went to try it, just like @jon parker said, a83 really shine with DX90
finally got myself a DX90 since the price is almost half of dx80 in retailer 
 
thanks for the help guys
 
Quote:

   
I'm having trouble making a complete comparison or decision on their differences. Not because they sound the same, simply its been tricky.
 
DX80 certainly sounds higher in resolution and clarity, slightly thinner and less digital or processed. 

hmm that's funny, since a review from headfonia (youtube) said the dx80 is more digital sounding than dx90   

 

[H20Fidelity]

  hmm that's funny, since a review from headfonia (youtube) said the dx80 is more digital sounding than dx90   

 
Well, that's the thing ain't it, one impression often varies to the next. The reviewers at headfonia are only human like anyone else.
 
But for the record the general perception on Head-fi is a less digital sound than DX90.
 
How about we look at some examples? 
 
 
Quote:

 
from memory (since i sold my dx90 a month ago) , i think that DX80 has a more enjoyable sound than DX90 as the dx80 lows are more robust (always used my bass switch with my dx90) and the highs are less 'metallic'/digital without being rolled-off
 
 

 
 

  I haven't had much time to compare it with the DX90 yet, but what I subjectively can say is yes, the DX80 sounds different (though both have got a metrologically flat FR and low output impedance). To me, the DX80 sounds more analogue and less digital (which is the attribute I have in mind when I think of the DX90). Soundstage is different as well, with more depth.
Which is the better out of the two, SQ-wise? Well, I can't say for myself yet, but imho it is up to one's personal preference and neither is really better nor worse than the other.

.
 

 
 

I agree, it doesn't resemble any of the DX90 firmware. It's less digital yet more vibrant, the level of resolution is simply above thier previous DAP's imo.

 

 
It seems the consensus is DX80 sounds less digital than DX90? But like I said each reviewer is only human with their own 'personal' perception. End of the day if one is familiar with the CS4398 Cirrus DAC chip DX80 does take on a lot of that high resolution and clarity which sits well with Fidue A83, some may even call it partially synthetic.