The FiiO X3 2nd gen (ex X3K, X3II) Thread : 192K/24B, CS4398,Native DSD, USB DAC with LO and inline remote

[Blockheads88]

Hey,
 
I have been using many Fiio products in the Past the E18 and E12. This last week I recently received the X3 2nd Edition and so far I love this device.
 
If anyone has any questions about the drive let me know and will try answer.
 
I am planning on testing the OTG with an flash drive today and will let you know how it goes.
 
Thanks,

 

[jamor]

I see some people talking about the organizing.
 
Doesn't the X3 have metatagging?  Sorting by title/artist/album as opposed to your folder layout or file-name on the sd card?
 
If it does already have this, whats the problem?

 

[JaZZ]

I just got mine today. Inserted the aready prepared Samsung 128 GB card and had a brief listen. Then loaded it for half an hour. In the meantime I cut two slits into the silicon sleave which has to serve as a case for an old iRiver armband till the official «sports armband» is available. Then went to a short jogging tour.
 
 
 
The silicon sleeve solution has turned out to be very robust – no tendency of the slits to tear further at the ends. In contrast to the SanDisk Clip Sport and Zip which have served me for jogging in the past, the weight on the upper arm is noticeable, but doesn't really bother. And the sound? From the early reviews I expected it to be slightly less good than the X5. However, I never experienced greater enjoyment on the go than with the X3 II / SE846 combo this evening in the woods. Not even with the X5. How is that possible? Maybe I was in a special mood. But the sound is really great: tight and extended bass, smooth mids, sparkling treble, impressive transparency and threedimensionality, dynamics in spades. It makes me want to listen louder than I use to. Not because it doesn't offer satisfying detail at lower levels, but because it sounds so engaging and captivating. Somehow I can't imagine I would ever need higher sound quality on the go. This although I'm spoiled by the sound of the SE846 in cooperation with the Hugo. But the combination of more than decent sound quality and total freedom of movement is really something special. BTW, from these early impressions I would rate the sound of the X3 II closer to the Hugo than to the SanDisk players.
 
I haven't done a side-by-side comparison between X 3II and X5 so far, this is just a first, promising impression.

 

[Blockheads88]

Hi,
 
Yes the X3 does have sorting by Title/Album/Artist.
 
Under category you can choose how you would like to sort.
 
Right now there seems to be a slight issue by sorting by title and wants to default to File-Name and not tagged Title. 
 
Under settings there is an option towards the bottom that you can choose File Name Display - Either File Name or Title but when changing to Title it stays as File Name.
 
I am in talk's with Fiio and this should be an Firmware upgrade issue.

 

[xsk3l3t0rx]

  Hi,
 
Yes the X3 does have sorting by Title/Album/Artist.
 
Under category you can choose how you would like to sort.
 
Right now there seems to be a slight issue by sorting by title and wants to default to File-Name and not tagged Title. 
 
Under settings there is an option towards the bottom that you can choose File Name Display - Either File Name or Title but when changing to Title it stays as File Name.
 
I am in talk's with Fiio and this should be an Firmware upgrade issue.

i thought i was crazy when i noticed this too!!! whew, i thought i was losin it!

 

[nmatheis]

i agree wholeheartedly @Tuneslover ! i've been very vocal on this subject since i've received mine last week. at this point in technology, the UI of the X3II is borderline unacceptable. i expect much better usability from a 200$ media player considering it only has one real function PLAY MUSIC! the DAC feature is just icing on the cake as far as im concerned

 


have you try Ibasso's UI?
If you have, i'm somewhat interested to know your take on which one is better between the two...

I prefer Fiio's UI. If you could use buttons or touchscreen for all functions, I might prefer iBasso's UI but ultimately I prefer hardware controls for navigation.

 

[bruce1967]

  Really like the Dignis Leather case with the X3 2nd Gen. Fits like a glove 

 

I'm still waiting for mine...so it fits good? How does it feel? Does it provide a decent grip or is it slippery?

 

[betula]

So far very impressed by how it drives my HD600 with high gain very nicely, smooth and warm.  The DSD playback feature also works very well.  Very happy with this well built and portable player.

 Yes, it is a great player I enjoy it as well.
However I am slightly surprised, you find it enough for the HD600. I do not think it can drive it on a proper level. (Fiio also says, it drives headphones on good level up to 150 Ω, and our beloved HD600 is 300Ω.)  I would suggest you to try an external amp. You might be surprised.

 

[Brooko]

   Yes, it is a great player I enjoy it as well.
However I am slightly surprised, you find it enough for the HD600. I do not think it can drive it on a proper level. (Fiio also says, it drives headphones on good level up to 150 Ω, and our beloved HD600 is 300Ω.)  I would suggest you to try an external amp. You might be surprised.

 
Conversely - try running the HD600 straight from the X3ii (high gain).  If you can volume match properly (SPL meter), and can fast switch, try comparing amped vs unamped.  Make sure amp does not have any EQ engaged.  You might be surprised as well.
 
Long term HD600 owner, and I've had the X3ii for quite a while now.
 
There might be a tiny bit of missing mid-bass / low-bass unamped, but its not significant.  Fiio errs on the safe side with their specs - and the HD600 is a relatively "easy" 300 ohm load to drive.
 
IMHO the X3ii actually handles them pretty well.

 

[xsk3l3t0rx]

   
Conversely - try running the HD600 straight from the X3ii (high gain).  If you can volume match properly (SPL meter), and can fast switch, try comparing amped vs unamped.  Make sure amp does not have any EQ engaged.  You might be surprised as well.
 
Long term HD600 owner, and I've had the X3ii for quite a while now.
 
There might be a tiny bit of missing mid-bass / low-bass unamped, but its not significant.  Fiio errs on the safe side with thier specs - and the HD600 is a relatively "easy" 300 ohm load to drive.
 
IMHO the X3ii actually handles them pretty well.

what are you using @Brooko to convert the 1/8 to 1/4 for the hd600s? curious cuz im a longtime hd600 user, ive got both items in front of me, but ive never used em together cuz they require different size connectors, do you recommend any? pictures of your setup w/ the hd600s. im new to portable audio, and i just discovered stacking lol. we must look ridiculous to regular people in public with big stacks in our hands, haha. stacks on stacks on stacks.....

 

[hakushondaimao]

 Yes, it is a great player I enjoy it as well.

However I am slightly surprised, you find it enough for the HD600. I do not think it can drive it on a proper level. (Fiio also says, it drives headphones on good level up to 150 Ω, and our beloved HD600 is 300Ω.)  I would suggest you to try an external amp. You might be surprised.

With the K7XX (rated at 62 ohms), I find the X3ii does a good job on its own, but benefits from pairing with an external amp (sound dynamics and staging). Have so far gotten good results with JDS Labs O2. Have yet to unleash the E12A, but that's up next.

This is the first phone that I've noticed the benefit, even the Havi B3P1. Then again, everything I have is pretty easy-driving (no 16-wheelers in my collection yet).

 

[betula]

   
Conversely - try running the HD600 straight from the X3ii (high gain).  If you can volume match properly (SPL meter), and can fast switch, try comparing amped vs unamped.  Make sure amp does not have any EQ engaged.  You might be surprised as well.
 
Long term HD600 owner, and I've had the X3ii for quite a while now.
 
There might be a tiny bit of missing mid-bass / low-bass unamped, but its not significant.  Fiio errs on the safe side with their specs - and the HD600 is a relatively "easy" 300 ohm load to drive.
 
IMHO the X3ii actually handles them pretty well.

"Pretty well" is very relative. I do not have SPL meter, just my ears to hear the difference. I own my HD600 for 2 years, X3ii for more than a week. And yes, I tried it with high gain, even from the LO. First gen X3 had more power driving them unamped. Second gen imho is weak for that. With my Vali it is just a different level. And not just one step up... This is my experience.
 

 

[x RELIC x]

what are you using @Brooko
 to convert the 1/8 to 1/4 for the hd600s? curious cuz im a longtime hd600 user, ive got both items in front of me, but ive never used em together cuz they require different size connectors, do you recommend any? pictures of your setup w/ the hd600s. im new to portable audio, and i just discovered stacking lol. we must look ridiculous to regular people in public with big stacks in our hands, haha. stacks on stacks on stacks.....

The Grado mini is very reliable and relatively cheap. Much better than the one Audeze supplies.

 

[Brooko]

 
"Pretty well" is very relative. I do not have SPL meter, just my ears to hear the difference. I own my HD600 for 2 years, X3ii for more than a week. And yes, I tried it with high gain, even from the LO. First gen X3 had more power driving them unamped. Second gen imho is weak for that. With my Vali it is just a different level. And not just one step up... This is my experience.
 

 
Each to their own I guess.
 
Mine was side by side
 
Alternative amp was NFB-12
 
Volume was matched to within 0.1 db using a calibrated meter.

 

[hakushondaimao]

  There might be a tiny bit of missing mid-bass / low-bass unamped, but its not significant.  Fiio errs on the safe side with their specs - and the HD600 is a relatively "easy" 300 ohm load to drive.

 
On that note, would you say the K7XX is a relatively "tough" 62 ohm load to drive?