[159650]

Well, since I chose the DX90 over the X5 I don't really care if the X5 sounds like an iPod. If you think that the iPod sounds good through the line out, you'd be absolutely stunned with a LOD out. I have the Fiio Alisan amplifier and the Fiio LOD out (forgot model). The Alisan has a huge advantage since it has a built in amplifier that powers through the iPods battery. It's reasonably powerful in my opinion. As for the LOD you can supply an amp of your choice. Mine is the E17. Both are LOD outs but the Alisan is good to go once connected. Try it. Best 15 bucks you'll spend. I recommend the 700 models from AKG. I had my Q701 for 5 years and I still love them. I have seldom owned headphones this long. It's one of my favorites despite the overwhelming number of IEMs and headphones I own. I even prefer it over my Denon D5K or the ESW9A.

 

[LHOD]

Ok, I will try to make myself little bit clear:
IMPORTANT: This is my opinion and it shouldn't be considered as objective.
 
I'm not saying that X5 sound like Ipod Video - those DAP's have different sound signatures(warm vs neutral/bright) and X5 is more spacious, subtle, it has something like... effortless sound, etc. I like it, I like it very much but It hasn't blown me away, I can't say that Ipod Video is garbage or is distincly weaker in comparison with Fiio product, especially in terms of price/SQ.
Many people think that more expensive DAP is going to blow their minds because of SQ leap... and it doesn't work like that. Maybe if someone is coming from Clip+/Zip to X5 then yes, definitely your mind is going to blow.
 
Here is some scenario and I hope you get the picture:
 
- if you don't have enough money and you need to rip off your pockets to get X5 or after such a purchase you family is going to starve... then just buy Ipod Video 5.5G - it's cheap and very good sounding device especially when you consider it's age and actual price. You're going to be pleased, even very pleased.
 
- if you have enough money, and don't give a f... about spending some of it on Fiio X5... the go for it. You are going to be pleased, very pleased.
 
That's it, hope it is more or less clear
You can't go wrong with any of those devices.
 
p.s.
I will try some amp with Ipod - I was thinking about smsl sap 7 or something from Fiio, maybe E11K Kilimanjaro2.
As for Q701 - I'm definitely going to try them in near future but right now I really want to try K550 and compare them to HM5.

 

[jdog]

LHOD,
 
Thanks for your impressions.

 

[jdog]

  Say that the 770 cost only 30 dollars more than the 770C rather than the usual 75 or so. Would anyone here still opt for the 770 over the 770C? Also, has anyone here have had the chance to compare the 770/770C to the 960's older single DAC version? (or even dual)

I have 2 of the iHiFi 960 models; I don't have the original 960, but I have the modified version and the dual core version.  Of the 2, I prefer the dual core version.  The background is quiet in both, but more quiet in the dual core version.  I have spent alot of time listening to the 960 dual core, the 770 and the 770C.  In my opinion, the 770 and 770C have virtually the same sound quality, and both are very nice.  I have previously listed a number of differences between the two in this thread.  If the 2 were more similarly priced, I would most likely opt for the 770 over the 770C, because it looks just a bit more stylish.  If I were to choose one based on sound quality alone, I would choose the 770C, because it is less expensive.  This assumes that the lifespan of the 2 players is similar, given the less expensive components of the 770C.  Although the sound quality of the 770s is very good, I prefer the 960 dual core.  The soundstage is deeper and wider and the overall sound is slightly warmer; but I am sure that some may well prefer the 770 sound over the 960 dual core.  I have found that if I combine my 770 with one of my Neco soundlab V2 amps, that the soundstage is expanded and the sound becomes a bit warmer and the overall sound quality becomes very similar to that of the 960 dual core.  I do not feel that either of the 770s should necessarily be paired with a separate amp as they have a good amount of power on their own, I just am saying that the sound quality can potentially be improved a bit more with an external amp.  Using my 960 dual core with the same amp offered no change in sound quality or sound stage. 

 

[waynes world]

 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I have 2 of the iHiFi 960 models; I don't have the original 960, but I have the modified version and the dual core version.  Of the 2, I prefer the dual core version.  The background is quiet in both, but more quiet in the dual core version.  I have spent alot of time listening to the 960 dual core, the 770 and the 770C.  In my opinion, the 770 and 770C have virtually the same sound quality, and both are very nice.  I have previously listed a number of differences between the two in this thread.  If the 2 were more similarly priced, I would most likely opt for the 770 over the 770C, because it looks just a bit more stylish.  If I were to choose one based on sound quality alone, I would choose the 770C, because it is less expensive.  This assumes that the lifespan of the 2 players is similar, given the less expensive components of the 770C.  Although the sound quality of the 770s is very good, I prefer the 960 dual core.  The soundstage is deeper and wider and the overall sound is slightly warmer; but I am sure that some may well prefer the 770 sound over the 960 dual core.  I have found that if I combine my 770 with one of my Neco soundlab V2 amps, that the soundstage is expanded and the sound becomes a bit warmer and the overall sound quality becomes very similar to that of the 960 dual core.  I do not feel that either of the 770s should necessarily be paired with a separate amp as they have a good amount of power on their own, I just am saying that the sound quality can potentially be improved a bit more with an external amp.  Using my 960 dual core with the same amp offered no change in sound quality or sound stage. 

 

 
Hurry up and get the 800 will ya? I'd love to hear how it compares soundwise to the 770 and 960 dual core...

 

[159650]

Oh sorry, I didn't mean to say that the iPod and the X5 sounded the same. I meant to say that you're roughly on the same level according to your description. Sorry I had to make you clear that up again.
 
Just make sure the connection is a LOD out. The headphone out on the iPod Video is actually a major weakness of the player. I can't listen to music through the 3.5mm out anymore since I've started using the LOD connection a year ago. They just don't compare. 
 
I'm sure the AKG K550 is a fantastic choice. I looked in to them myself and wanted a pair at some point but couldn't justify them since I still own the Denon D5K which rarely get head time to begin with. The AKG get a majority of my home listening time. 

 

[159650]

Thanks jdog!
 
Another question. Do you by any chance know how the 812V2 compares to the 770? I feel like the higher cost of the device and the size should translate to higher quality components (I know that this is not necessarily the case. But unless I know for sure, I just feels like the 812V2 is a more capable device). 

 

[jdog]

   
Hurry up and get the 800 will ya? I'd love to hear how it compares soundwise to the 770 and 960 dual core...

I'm still lurking around the Xuelin website and keeping my fingers crossed that they may consider me as one of the reviewers for the 800.  The site just continues to say that the notification date for all this will be announced soon.  The text regarding the 800 has been re-ordered a bit, but the information is all the same as I posted earlier in this thread.  The prototype of the 800 looks very nice, lots of buttons for you....

 

[waynes world]

  I'm still lurking around the Xuelin website and keeping my fingers crossed that they may consider me as one of the reviewers for the 800.  The site just continues to say that the notification date for all this will be announced soon.  The text regarding the 800 has been re-ordered a bit, but the information is all the same as I posted earlier in this thread.  The prototype of the 800 looks very nice, lots of buttons for you....

 
Love buttons! My "backlighting" issues go "poof - gone" lol!
 
Do you think it would help to send them an onslaught of "For the love of God, give jdog the 800 for review will ya?" emails?

 

[jdog]

@ Waynes World, thanks for your offer of support.  I would certainly appreciate any help I could get to be able to review the 800, but I really don't know what or who Xuelin is really looking for in a reviewer...  They may be more inclined to offer the reviews to professional or trade magazines, and I could certainly understand this.  I have already e-mailed them 3 times to offer my services, so they may well think I'm an unbalanced harasser already....  So, like I say, I'll keep my fingers crossed and see what happens....

 

[waynes world]

  @ Waynes World, thanks for your offer of support.  I would certainly appreciate any help I could get to be able to review the 800, but I really don't know what or who Xuelin is really looking for in a reviewer...  They may be more inclined to offer the reviews to professional or trade magazines, and I could certainly understand this.  I have already e-mailed them 3 times to offer my services, so they may well think I'm an unbalanced harasser already....  So, like I say, I'll keep my fingers crossed and see what happens....

 
What language did you email them in? I only ask because I emailed them a while ago (in English) about something, and they never responded. I don't know if it had anything to do with the language, the subject, or simply indifference, but I'm wondering if it was the fact that it was in English.

 

[Abu Noman]

Hi, I'm a new member here. Want to buy a dap which will be my first dap. Please suggest me whether I buy the Ibasso dx50 or the Xuelin ihifi 770. Actually I became a fan of 770 after reading jdog's awesome review and sharing .What a cooperation he has shown to us! I prefer deep bass with detailed mid and treble at the time of listening music. In this regard which dap will be most preferable for me please suggest . Sorry for my poor English that is not presentable at all!

 

[jdog]

   
What language did you email them in? I only ask because I emailed them a while ago (in English) about something, and they never responded. I don't know if it had anything to do with the language, the subject, or simply indifference, but I'm wondering if it was the fact that it was in English.

I wrote them in English also; I have never been able to get much help by directly contacting Xuelin.   I tried to call the company once (stayed up til MN to 2AM, CST), but I never got past a musical introduction... Through the generous help of Penon Audio, I have gotten some issues resolved with the company (the repair of my 960, access to the firmware for the 770C).  I did get one brief response from someone at Xuelin after my first email re: the 800; the message just said the iHifi 800 would not be available until January 2015 and that was it.  I have a friend who is Vietnamese and she is married to a Chinese man; I'll have to see if he can put together an email message for me... Thanks for the suggestion and I'll let you know if I get a response...

 

[jdog]

Hi, I'm a new member here. Want to buy a dap which will be my first dap. Please suggest me whether I buy the Ibasso dx50 or the Xuelin ihifi 770. Actually I became a fan of 770 after reading jdog's awesome review and sharing .What a cooperation he has shown to us! I prefer deep bass with detailed mid and treble at the time of listening music. In this regard which dap will be most preferable for me please suggest . Sorry for my poor English that is not presentable at all!

Well, I do not have any of the iBasso players and I've never listened to the DX50.  I know that a couple of people that post in Head Fi have commented on the DX50 and the 770.  You might try to contact them for their impressions; the 2 posters I am aware of are RollK2 and cleg.  As for the 770, there are 2 headphone out ports.  The port closer to the on/off/hold button provides more bass and treble than the other more neutral port, and so depending on the earphones you use, I would imagine that you could get a nice quality sound pattern that you would enjoy from the 770c.  I listen to alot of rock music and blues-rock, so the 770/770c gives me the bass I need.  In my opinion, the 770C is a very nice DAP at a very reasonable price.  But I am really a fan of the Xuelin sound, so I am probably a bit biased.  Since this is your first DAP, I would highly recommend that also try to get opinions from Waynes World, dedPrince, dogegg, Niyologist and others who have the 770/770c, before you buy.  Good luck.
 
PS, your English is quite good, so I hope you keep posting... 

 

[Niyologist]

Hi, I'm a new member here. Want to buy a dap which will be my first dap. Please suggest me whether I buy the Ibasso dx50 or the Xuelin ihifi 770. Actually I became a fan of 770 after reading jdog's awesome review and sharing .What a cooperation he has shown to us! I prefer deep bass with detailed mid and treble at the time of listening music. In this regard which dap will be most preferable for me please suggest . Sorry for my poor English that is not presentable at all!

For a versatile UI, I would easily go for the DX50. That was my original choice, but then after finding out that the 770C could have similar SQ to the 770, then I said "Shut up and take my money" to Penon Audio. After coming from the Cowon J3 (Best DAP form factor in the market), I was still impressed with the 770C, even though it doesn't have a Custom EQ. I guess it all comes down to preference.