CoiL
Member of the Trade: Wood Audio Accessories & Modifications
I`m not the only one who says it`s the cable exchange that makes that difference in bass & kick tightness: http://www.head-fi.org/t/623013/new-philips-fidelio-x1/4320#post_10475263
Amping even improves it more but I doubt if Xonar DG is good for amping X1.
Now, that`s not a good method to draw conclusions. Onboard audio is not something adequate for making judgments.
It`s "silky smoothness" depends pretty much from your DAC/Amp. With Aune T1 it has most smoothness to it (depending on tube can be pretty silky smooth), next comes DX50 and then ELE EL-D02 DAC. I don`t know if it`s Your Xonar DG, onboard audio, cable or source files etc. but I really have not experienced any "breakups" or "edge" regarding to X1 highs section. Like I told - littlebit smoothed but clear but with no sibilance, fatigue or graininess. Well, this is only my subjective opinion
So what, I have to spend extra money to arbitrarily prove a conclusion that I, myself, can hear? Besides, I'd like to point out your post from the Fidelio X1 thread.
Xonar DG should do ok with X1 but separate dedicated amp/dac would be probably better. I personally find ELE EL-D02 DAC/Amp (recapped with ELNA SilmicII) to be good and cheap solution for X1. Aune T1 is another league of course but ELE matches with X1 suprisingly good.
So apparently, as long as my conclusion proves you right, using something other than onboard audio works. However, the moment that I decide my opinion still stands, the Xonar DG loses its ability to properly amplify my headphones? Hmm... Moving the goalpost.
I find that listening to headphones - believe it or not - is a good way to draw conclusions about something. Furthermore, for as many people that believe you about swapping out the cable making a difference, just as many people seem to agree that the treble on the Fidelio X1 is slightly artificial - the very same statement I am trying to make. I took your advice and amplified these headphones anyway, despite a measured difference of ~1 ohm. All you've done in that post was quote a bunch of people who said the impedance was higher, something I was never saying was wrong. Yet you never once proved or measured any difference in the sound, however little, using the stock cable versus an aftermarket one.
All your argument amounts to is an ad populum fantasy that does nothing to convince the reader with fact. Sound quality is not equivalent to impedance, regardless of whatever you might think, and that is fact. The ultimate irony of this whole situation is that I think you might have been right about the Fidelio X1 benefiting from an amp, as I hear slightly more bass control with the assistance of a Xonar DG.
But hey, that is only my subjective opinion.
Mmmmkay...
Quote:
Xonar DG should do ok with X1 but separate dedicated amp/dac would be probably better.
Yet you never once proved or measured any difference in the sound, however little, using the stock cable versus an aftermarket one.
Not going to argue with ppl who don`t read properly my and other ppl comments and draw conclusions comparing with onboard soundcard.
I have my subjective opinion about X1 and You have yours. Lets agree to disagree