bluet0ps
New Head-Fier
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- Nov 13, 2005
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Just out of curiosity, how would you compare the sq of x3 with RB vs other daps like x10, fiio x1, 2,3 and later variants)?
Just out of curiosity, how would you compare the sq of x3 with RB vs other daps like x10, fiio x1, 2,3 and later variants)?
From what I have read so far, the X3 > X10 as far as sound quality. Although I would much prefer a click wheel like on the iPod, some FiiOs, and the X10. It's unfortunate that the X10 click wheel is supposedly pretty crappy.
I think when you factor in the cost-value ratio of the X3 vs the others you listed, plus the features others lack (such as dual cards, ability to run Rockbox, etc), the others you listed would need to sound absolutely stellar in comparison to justify 3-7xs the cost.
Keep in mind that they pretty much all have EQs and a slew of settings, allowing you to tune the sound any way you want. When you look at it that way, they all have the ability to have the 'same sound quality' in theory (ignoring any differences in output power, distortion, SNR, etc).
When you look at it that way, they all have the ability to have the 'same sound quality' in theory (ignoring any differences in output power, distortion, SNR, etc).
this is not strictly true, they will possibly still sound different no matter how you tweak the EQ although you might achieve an approximate similarity - different components and implementation innit.
I have recently took ownership of an AGPtek H1, its sound quality is on another level compared to xDuoo X3 (as much as I love it) , and no amount of rockbox EQ tweaking will get it to sound the same.
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply the Xduoo X3 was "as good" or "the same" as any other player. There's certainly no comparison between the X3 and higher-end players that are in another league, such as Astell and Kern AK380, HiFiMAN HM-901, Altmann Tera-Player, etc.
I agree that unique hardware architecture in the amplification design, op-amps, DAC chip, etc can and does color the sound from player to player. The pocket DAPs in players in BLUET0P's LIST use very similar basic overall architecture - no tubes, massive electrolytic capacitors, etc. When you boil it down to the players IN BLUET0P's LIST, I would argue that most of the differences bluet0p's ears could detect in sound are basically due to the particular DAC and Op-Amps used. I'm basing this on the experience owners of the FiiO E12 DIY, where the hardware stays exactly the same and the only variable that changes is the Op Amps & buffers. Obviously, the sound is also influenced by how well player X matches his headphones in power output and impedance, use of an analog volume knob vs digital volume implementation, component balancing & matching, and the quality/brand/accuracy of discrete components that effect line noise, jitter, distortion, SNR, etc.
But I feel that comparing the Xduoo X3 to an equivalent FiiO DAP is like saying which is 'better' - a 4-door Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla? Despite the answer being extremely subjective, they two are so close you really have to consider other ways to evaluate overall differences - ergonomics, minor feature differences, UI, appearance, brand reputation, dealer support, price, etc. What about comparing a Honda Civic and a Tesla Model S? There's no comparison, despite both having 4-doors and being able to get you from A to B.
The X10 uses slightly different internal components as the X3. Reports are that they sound close, but slightly different. Because they have different DACs and Op Amps, they'll never sound exactly "the same". But can they be made to sound close enough to one another? Based on my testing with the iPod and X3, I believe so. I'll be able to personally back that claim up myself if/when Rockbox is ported to the X10. Ignoring the interface and outward appearance differences between the X3 and X10, and concentrating strictly on sound, is the X10 worth 2.5xs the price of the X3? That's up to each individual, but not to me at the X10's current price.
There's much more available (in Rockbox) to tune the sound than just the EQ. There's a slew of other sound settings such as crossover, stereo width, gain, frequency cutoffs, center frequencies, dithering, compression, etc. I have played with most of the settings, and without any EQ changes whatsoever, changing those settings has a huge effect on the sound.
I was curious to try an apples and apples hardware comparison myself (ignoring interface, and ruling out software/UI differences by only looking at Rockbox). So I finally got around to Rockboxing my iPod Classic 5.5, and I configured Rockbox identical to how I have it set up on the Xduoo X3. The sound of the iPod is definitely a bit different for the exact same song/bitrate/format. However, I was able to tweak the settings of each to the point where I was no longer able to tell the difference between the 2 when blind A/Bing (my daughter would randomly plug in 1 or the other player behind my back and I would try and tell which one was which).
In the end, what's universally recommended as the best way for bluet0p to answer the question in a subjective situation like this, is for bluet0p to go to a meet or retailer and demo the units on the list in person. That's the only way to really know for sure, because bluet0p's ears are different than yours or mine.
My original comment was more reassurance that given the slew of settings available in Rockbox on the X3, bluet0p would be able to tweak and tune the sound to his/her liking using the dizzying amount of settings available in Rockbox. Will it be exactly the 'same'? No. Can it be made to sound so close it would be difficult for him to tell the difference in a blind A/B test? I feel it is.
Lol fair enough. however i'll still stand by my comment that my H1 a similarly priced DAP to my xDuoo X3 sounds far superior (detail, clarity, soundstage) that no amount of twiddling in rockbox can match.
That's quite interesting. I'd be interested in checking one out someday. I assume you got yours used, as they aren't produced anymore?
no , it was bought new. i'm in UK, new from Amazon
Thanks for all your replies. Another question though, how is the rockbox experience with the x3 compared to rb in ipod classic? With the ipod i met occasional freezing, especially that i organize and transfer files via itunes and not just the simple drag and drop which is also supported by rockbox. On the same subject, how does the rb/x3 handle 2 128gb sdcard with morethan 20k mp3/aac files and a few more gigs of flacs? Thanks.
slaterlovesspam,
Thank you so much. I was trying to decide between the x3 and the fiio x3ii. Likewise, I'll be coming from an LG v10 and ip5s which are already good sounding, hence, i am expecting my next dap to sound better than my current dap/smartphones.