MisterMudd
1000+ Head-Fier
Hello all. Been on Head-Fi for a number of years now, learning a lot, enjoying a lot, and spending a lot (sorry about my wallet!). Another member in a DAP forum brought up a question I have had for a long time, and for which I have no known answer. My question is - why does playback sound better on my computer rig when using the Fiio X3ii solely as a DAC, than when using it as a DAP only in portable use. To elaborate, here are my two setups:
Portable: Fiio X3ii > Line out>Fiio E12> HP.
Computer: Foobar2000 or Audactiy > Fiio X3ii (DAC only) > amp (sometimes yes, sometimes no) > HP
I have recorded all my music (mostly vinyl) into 24/96 using Audacity, and playback on the computer with both Audacity and Foobar2000. I will say that Foobar2000 sounds good, but playback thru Audacity is simply AWESOME. The way I always envisioned my music sounding. So, I cannot recreate the superior sound I hear thru the computer setup, using a portable rig. Is it the playback quality of the software that is making the difference? I enjoy the portable rig but it is nowhere near the sound quality coming from the computer setup. The difference is not subtle. When used in portable mode, does the X3ii skip the internal DAC when playing back, which seems illogical as something is required for conversion of the digital information? Would it be better to use the HP out on the X3ii when in portable use?
For this reason I am now thinking that inserting the Dragonfly Black between the DAP & amp when portable might make up the difference.
I ask because I want the sweet, sweet sound I get from the computer, in my portable rig, if possible. May be it's not. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Portable: Fiio X3ii > Line out>Fiio E12> HP.
Computer: Foobar2000 or Audactiy > Fiio X3ii (DAC only) > amp (sometimes yes, sometimes no) > HP
I have recorded all my music (mostly vinyl) into 24/96 using Audacity, and playback on the computer with both Audacity and Foobar2000. I will say that Foobar2000 sounds good, but playback thru Audacity is simply AWESOME. The way I always envisioned my music sounding. So, I cannot recreate the superior sound I hear thru the computer setup, using a portable rig. Is it the playback quality of the software that is making the difference? I enjoy the portable rig but it is nowhere near the sound quality coming from the computer setup. The difference is not subtle. When used in portable mode, does the X3ii skip the internal DAC when playing back, which seems illogical as something is required for conversion of the digital information? Would it be better to use the HP out on the X3ii when in portable use?
For this reason I am now thinking that inserting the Dragonfly Black between the DAP & amp when portable might make up the difference.
I ask because I want the sweet, sweet sound I get from the computer, in my portable rig, if possible. May be it's not. Any help is greatly appreciated.