[hakushondaimao]

  To be fair, an amp *shouldn't* alter the sound in any way. So, my best guess is that the sound improvement is not because of the amp, but because the line-out is being used

 
Surely a DAP with sub-par internal amplification will sound better when played out of LO to a quality external amp.
 
And likewise, a DAP with quality internal amplification played out of LO to an external amp that has a totally different sound signature will sound different.
 
If the 2nd generation X3 has a similar sound signature to the E12A, then there should be little differentiation when A/B tested (DAP vs DAP+Amp) against each other. This is what I've experienced when the E12A is paired with the X3 2nd Gen. with bass boost off. With bass boost on, the combo sounds different than X3 alone (assuming one doesn't play around with EQ). With my Picollo, which has a slightly warm sound sig., I hear a subtle difference.

 

[Ultrainferno]

And of course amps can alter the sound, what would be wrong with that? It's the beauty of our hobby

 

[TheoS53]

Surely a DAP with sub-par internal amplification will sound better when played out of LO to a quality external amp.

And likewise, a DAP with quality internal amplification played out of LO to an external amp that has a totally different sound signature will sound different.

If the 2nd generation X3 has a similar sound signature to the E12A, then there should be little differentiation when A/B tested (DAP vs DAP+Amp) against each other. This is what I've experienced when the E12A is paired with the X3 2nd Gen. with bass boost off. With bass boost on, the combo sounds different than X3 alone (assuming one doesn't play around with EQ). With my Picollo, which has a slightly warm sound sig., I hear a subtle difference.

But that's the point, a quality amp shouldn't have a particular sound signature, it's only purpose should be to provide more power for more demanding headphones. If there is a difference in sound when hooking it up to an amp it *should* be because the internal headphone amp of the player is being bypassed.

But, of course, things aren't always as simple in the real world

 

[CH23]

Audio is a difficult thing to get "right"

That's why there's not a single completely flat sounding headphone, and a lot of players don't have a completely flat sound signature.

Personally i chose the e12DIY to be able to change how it sounds. But having a completely transparent amp is the goal.
Now someone make a pocket sized analoge 18 band equaliser which costs less than $150 to accompany all of this

 

[x RELIC x]

No hiss here either.

E12A rules!!!  MUSES02 dual opamp (implemented in E12A) is designed specifically for high-end pro-audio application.  IMHO, the effect of external amp with X3 2nd gen is noticeable with more revealing/brighter IEMs/headphones.  When you are dealing with warmer natural tone headphones, the difference will be subtle.  In my review test I used MSR7 which is quite revealing at top end.

Got confirmation, X5 II will be released first (possibly toward the beginning of the summer) and X7 will be released next (possibly toward the end of the summer).

Also, since I'm still getting a number of inquiries about X3 II availability, as I mentioned before - in US it should be available by mid April.

That's what I thought about the release schedule.

Did you happen to glean any specs while receiving confirmation? Screen type/size? DAC used? Amp used? Wheel?

 

[twister6]

 

No hiss here either.

E12A rules!!!  MUSES02 dual opamp (implemented in E12A) is designed specifically for high-end pro-audio application.  IMHO, the effect of external amp with X3 2nd gen is noticeable with more revealing/brighter IEMs/headphones.  When you are dealing with warmer natural tone headphones, the difference will be subtle.  In my review test I used MSR7 which is quite revealing at top end.

Got confirmation, X5 II will be released first (possibly toward the beginning of the summer) and X7 will be released next (possibly toward the end of the summer).

Also, since I'm still getting a number of inquiries about X3 II availability, as I mentioned before - in US it should be available by mid April.

That's what I thought about the release schedule.

Did you happen to glean any specs while receiving confirmation? Screen type/size? DAC used? Amp used? Wheel?

 
Sorry, no spec info was provided, only approximate release date.   But if I would have guessed, they probably going to keep screen the same size and IPS, and wheel mechanism should be similar to X3 II improvement.  Also hoping GUI will be the same as X1/X3ii.

 

[nmatheis]

Wow, a lot has happened in this thread recently!

First off, I'm very excited for X5 2nd generation and hope to be on that your. After testing X3 2nd generation, I can only imagine that the next X5 will be a very strong competitor for TOTL DAPs. Fiio's learning very quickly how to disrupt the DAP market!

There seem to be two camps on amps. One feels amps should be neutral and just boost signal for hard to drive IEM /HP. The other camp is looking for something that provides a nice "color" while boosting the signal. Neither is wrong, but they shouldn't try to invalidate the other camp's point of view. If you don't think an amp can enhance a sound chain by coloring the signal, please get yourself an amp where you can alter the components and report back. The E12 DIY is just one such example.

EDIT: And of course our age and or hearing ability affects our sensitivity to hiss. I won't invalidate anyone else's claims, as I know I just might not hear what others might be able to hear.

 

[somanydynamos]

   
Sorry, no spec info was provided, only approximate release date.   But if I would have guessed, they probably going to keep screen the same size and IPS, and wheel mechanism should be similar to X3 II improvement.  Also hoping GUI will be the same as X1/X3ii.

 
 
I've tried the demo set of X3 II, GUI is exactly the same as X1 and i must say that the wheel has improved. 

 

[originalsnuffy]

With regard to the isyncr idea.....I am far from an expert here....but do we have reason to believe that the X3 rev II has android under the covers?  If not, why should we expect that Isyncr would work with the unit?

 

[x RELIC x]

With regard to the isyncr idea.....I am far from an expert here....but do we have reason to believe that the X3 rev II has android under the covers?  If not, why should we expect that Isyncr would work with the unit?

No Android. Proprietary FW from FiiO.

 

[hakushondaimao]

But that's the point, a quality amp shouldn't have a particular sound signature, it's only purpose should be to provide more power for more demanding headphones. If there is a difference in sound when hooking it up to an amp it *should* be because the internal headphone amp of the player is being bypassed.

But, of course, things aren't always as simple in the real world

In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice...

 

[x RELIC x]

Review from Headfonia

They mention the pre-production hiss FiiO is working on and they also mention its a warmer DAP than the original X3, interesting.

From the review:

"The Second Generation X3 is warmer and more musical sounding where I find the old X3 to be more analytical with a somewhat more dry presentation. The SG also portrays more detail, timbre and better depth. To me the new X3 is quite a big step up from the first X3, not only form and usability wise, but especially sound wise."

 

[ph0n6]

Quote:Wh

Review from Headfonia

They mention the pre-production hiss FiiO is working on and they also mention its a warmer DAP than the original X3, interesting.

From the review:

"The Second Generation X3 is warmer and more musical sounding where I find the old X3 to be more analytical with a somewhat more dry presentation. The SG also portrays more detail, timbre and better depth. To me the new X3 is quite a big step up from the first X3, not only form and usability wise, but especially sound wise."

While I haven't heard the X3 1st yet, if DX50 is neutral then I doubt you can call the X3 II warm, it's actually the opposite for me, at least for the X3K preproduction unit that is (FW 0.18b).

 

[Ultrainferno]

Who's calling the DX50 neutral? And warmer also doesn't mean it's "warm". If it's freezing -30 and it's warmer, it could still be freezing -25. (awesome comparison, I know

)
I wouldn't call either of the iBasso DX50/90 neutral, I'd be more inclined to say that about the AK top models.
you should really listen to the 1st X3 if your reviewing the 2nd Gen (imho)

 

[bajraque]

About "sound signature" and "warmth" and "airy sound" - can't this be changed/added/removed simply by an equalizer? In other words changing the frequency response curve. I can't imagine anything else that would contribute to the "signature".
About "space", and "sound localization", and "stage width" - it looks for me that this is where a jitter comes in, and other phase distortions. Like sound waves with different frequencies and very sharp fronts all converted from digital to analog, and then amplified without phase distortions, properly - no phase "smeared", all waves come together at the proper moment - then you get good localization and separation.
What do you think?