First DAP: Fiio X1 or Xduoo X3
Dec 11, 2015 at 4:52 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 24
Madacor

Madacor

New Head-Fier
Joined
Dec 11, 2015
Posts
16
Likes
11
I've been reading quite a lot about these two DAPs but I'd appreciate some help to decide.
 
To begin with, I'd be using it with m40x headphones, so power is not a problem. Also, I don't mind the lack of features in the X3 such as playlists or gapless. I listen almost all the time to albums, and not a lot of them are live records. I don't have a huge collection yet, so no need for dual microSD.
 
This would be my first DAP, so I'm not sure if I'd detect any difference in the SQ, but it's tempting to read that the X3 sounds maybe better than the big brother Fiio X3ii. So, the key points are:
 
  1. Will a newbie like me hear the difference (using FLAC) between the X1 and the X3?
  2. I'm not planning to start a DAP collection, I want one durable and reliable player. Is the X3 good enough although it doesn't have the track record the X1 has?
  3. Finally, where I'm planning to buy them, the prices are, Fiio X1: 100€, Xduoo X3: 130€. Is it worth it the extra +30€?
 
Hope you can help me, thanks!!
 
Dec 11, 2015 at 5:38 AM Post #2 of 24
I was wondering the same. Thanks for making a vote thread. I am subscribing. 
 
From what I have heard people talking, the Xduoo X2 is comparable to Fiio X1 so Xduoo X3 should be better. Just a speculation. 
 
Dec 11, 2015 at 5:42 AM Post #3 of 24
You're welcome rikk009!
 
For what I've read in the Xduoo X3 thread, it is better than the X1, they say it compites with the X3ii. The thing is that I'm not sure if you will hear the difference unless you have expensive headphones or/and a trained ear.
 
Dec 12, 2015 at 6:15 PM Post #4 of 24
madacor said:
  I've been reading quite a lot about these two DAPs but I'd appreciate some help to decide.
 
To begin with, I'd be using it with m40x headphones, so power is not a problem. Also, I don't mind the lack of features in the X3 such as playlists or gapless. I listen almost all the time to albums, and not a lot of them are live records. I don't have a huge collection yet, so no need for dual microSD.
 
This would be my first DAP, so I'm not sure if I'd detect any difference in the SQ, but it's tempting to read that the X3 sounds maybe better than the big brother Fiio X3ii. So, the key points are:
 
  1. Will a newbie like me hear the difference (using FLAC) between the X1 and the X3?
  2. I'm not planning to start a DAP collection, I want one durable and reliable player. Is the X3 good enough although it doesn't have the track record the X1 has?
  3. Finally, where I'm planning to buy them, the prices are, Fiio X1: 100€, Xduoo X3: 130€. Is it worth it the extra +30€?
 
Hope you can help me, thanks!!
Click to expand...

I have the Fiio X1 and some Sandisk Clip players. The issue with the Fiio X1 and Xduoo X3 is the battery life, weight, and size. The X1 gets only around 10 or 11 hours of battery life vs around 8 hours for the Xduoo X3. Is around 8 hours or around 11 hours enough for you? These are also heavy to keep in a shirt pocket at over three and a half ounces.  I plan to use the X1 at home, and use my smaller and lighter players portably. I was waiting to get the Fiio M3, however the M3 wasn't available, and the Fiio x1 was on sale for $80 with a free 32GB card, so I couldn't resist. I guess I will probably also get a Fiio M3, although I am not rushing to get it now, as its current firmware is rather primitive. Hopefully in a few weeks they will have an M3 firmware that is greatly improved.
 
I still don't think using FLAC on a portable player is worth it. I use 320 kbps mp3 files.
 
Dec 13, 2015 at 5:18 AM Post #5 of 24
Thanks JK1, I´m aware of the battery of both the X1 and X3, that´s fine for me.
 
Let´s see if someone can answer my questions 
redface.gif
 
 
Dec 13, 2015 at 8:33 AM Post #6 of 24
What does the Xduoo X3 have that the Fiio X1 doesn't have? The first most obvious difference is the second card slot. Will you want to carry with you more than 128GB of music? The Fiio X1 has a much larger user base than the Xduoo X3, so it is quite likely that the X1 firmware is much more stable, and much more likely to have a larger number of updates over time. In terms of actual build quality, the reviews I read of the X3 seem to indicate that the build quality is better on the Fiio X1. This is typical, as build quality typically tends to be better when much larger numbers of units are sold.  So does quality control.The Xduoo X3 is also much newer, and more likely to not have all the kinks worked out. Having said that though, the Xduoo X3 does seem interesting, however it does seem like a riskier purchase than the Fiio X1. 
 
Dec 13, 2015 at 8:16 PM Post #8 of 24
madacor said:
 
That´s the point of this post, to see if someone can tell me whether the difference between the two DAPs is worthy the risk or not.
Click to expand...

I guess I would say the Xduoo is probably worth the risk if you want to have more than 128GB on the player. If your music library is smaller though, then I think the Fiio X1 is the better choice. So far it seems people aren't impressed with the firmware on the Xduoo X3, although that is likely to improve over time, especially if the player gets much more popular and starts selling in much larger numbers. Keep in mind that when the Fiio X1 first came out, there were many complaints about its firmware. Now though the X1 firmware is quite stable, although it is lacking in functionality compared to Rockbox(I guess almost all player firmware seems lacking compared to Rockbox).
 
Dec 14, 2015 at 1:12 PM Post #10 of 24

I decided to play safe and get the Fiio X1, It´s my first DAP and if I like it seems like a good option to pair with an amp to get a little bit more out of its sound.
 
I know it doesn´t need an amp (for headphones like my M40x) but I like the idea of trying an amp.
 
Thanks for your replies!
 
Dec 14, 2015 at 1:36 PM Post #11 of 24
madacor said:
 
I decided to play safe and get the Fiio X1, It´s my first DAP and if I like it seems like a good option to pair with an amp to get a little bit more out of its sound.
 
I know it doesn´t need an amp (for headphones like my M40x) but I like the idea of trying an amp.
 
Thanks for your replies!
Click to expand...

You made a good choice.  An amp will extend the battery life.  You could easily get 15+ hours out of the X1 when paired with an amp.  Plus, the line out on the X1 sounds excellent IMO.  The X1 pairs well with the Topping NX1 amp.  It really opens up the sound stage with open back headphones (like the HD558).  I think you'll enjoy it.
 
Dec 14, 2015 at 1:47 PM Post #12 of 24

That´s the idea, getting the NX1, although I have to have a closer look at the E11k, see if it will pair better with the M40x. However, for the price, the NX1 seems like a heck of a lot of fun to get into amps.
 
Dec 14, 2015 at 2:13 PM Post #13 of 24
madacor said:
 
That´s the idea, getting the NX1, although I have to have a closer look at the E11k, see if it will pair better with the M40x. However, for the price, the NX1 seems like a heck of a lot of fun to get into amps.
Click to expand...

It's called the A3 now.  It has a passive bass boost, the NX1 does not.  Both are good choices.  The Q1 is another option if you think you might want a DAC in the future.
 
Dec 14, 2015 at 11:56 PM Post #15 of 24
Using an external amp with the Fiio X1 seeems totally unnecessary, unless you are using 600 ohm headphones. I find that even just the Fiio X1 is annoying to carry , especially in a shirt pocket. My Fiio X1 stays home. I use a much smaller and lighter player(the Sandisk Clip+) portably. 
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top