Dude, you know I like you, and I certainly respect you, but you seem very inconsistent in how you assess the DP-X1. Your review gives it 4.5 stars yet here you call it robotic. That isn't what you have been saying in the DP-X1 thread where on a few occasions you have even said you rather miss it and you have been expressing that you don't think the ZX2 is the be all and end all of DAPs. I'm only bringing this up as you are really all over the place. Frankly I don't care, but if you are going to have a position, it should be more consistent, or you need to be more careful with the language you use to describe things. saying something is analytical and robotic essentially means it sounds bad, yet you give the DP-X1 a 4.5 star review. So what is your actually feeling? It seems in this thread you rate it poorly seemingly to agree with the ZX2 crowd, and in the DP-X1 thread you seem to suggest it is rather good, but not for you. So what is it?
I have owned the DP-X1 longer than you did, and it doesn't fall apart, although I'm not entirely sure what a DAP sounds like when it falls apart? Boring, okay, that is fair as I know you like a euphoric warm presentation and that is perfectly valid. Some people love the HD 650, others find it sort of dull.
I don't take position, I give credit where it is due. You haven't seen my complaints about Zx2 ? The god damn lower-trebles is missing it sparkles and resolutions+details....it is good, yet it still has places where I need improvements, mainly the dynamic range. You know that was the real reason I purchase the DP-X1 ? It had 125db dynamic range, powerful amps, and top tier DAC ?
Now, again, I give credits where it is due. I wouldn't change it, DP-X1 were very transparent, detailed, satisfying trebles, but that is like counting every plays and plucks, but not enjoying it. It had better soundstage than Zx2, but I couldn't stand the analytical nature of it sound signatures. After all, my goal is to look for a good device that is so musical to enjoy music. I can analyze my music well enough that I don't need a too clinical and sterile gears. That were why I said up on sound signature, it is personal preferences. Specifications wise, DP-x1 beats Zx2. There were even section that DP-X1 did not distort, and yet Zx2 does. I complained about this all the time !!!
I agreed with the other fellow for calling DP-X1 being robotic as I believe he means it is too transparent, cold, detailed, and it were exactly what I observed ? I don't say DP-X1 fall a part...I meant it music, that fall a part, like I already stated, there were not enough transitional energies continuity, and it makes each details and plays kind of being counted for, but not musically played out for. I don't even know how better I can address this. I do not want to count my music....I want to hear everything in my music while enjoying it.
Now, build quality ? I only brought up what I observed so people were made aware, and it was the 2.5mm jack. Did you see me complaint about it ? Nah....I was the first one to observe and fix it. I am that confident with my DIY skills as you had seen me doing to my gears. That is my other hobbies, I love DIY, and tinkering with things. I make things better and more satisfying when it is in my hands.
After all, I stand firm on my observations. Zx2 is supreme at this moment about it blending in everything well enough and not lacking too much of anything. Is Zx2 perfect ? No...hell no....I can not wait to move away from it. DP-X1 is with very good soundstage and presentation, details, and control, but ....it lacks the musicality I need to enjoy music. At the same time, these 2 have very different sound signatures, and ofcourse we all know music is upon personal preferences. Therefore, I do what I must do, I enjoy what I like, but I have to give credits where it is due. So, tell me, why do I need to take side again ? The only side I take is primarily Audio quality then secondary is my preferences.
Have you asked yourself why was I the person to find, clarify, and confirm about zx2 improvements by doing : disables sound enhancement app, using TRRS, use 3rd party app (Poweramp alpha) ? Because Zx2 is not perfect.
sad.. spotify has been giving me lot of headache recently...their offline play will stop playing songs after few track .... the song is playing but no music..
