[goodvibes]

Maybe because they like the Wofson or it fits their topology better?

 

[lee730]

goodvibes the discrepancies between WAV and FLAC are getting worse to my ears lol. Especially getting use to using cPlay..... What am I to do . It's ruining my enjoyment of music on my DAPs..... 24/96,24/192 is just making it that much more evident....
 

 

[TiEx]

Quote:

Maybe because they like the Wofson or it fits their topology better?

Maybe they don't know about ESS Tech es9023 yet?

 

[goodvibes]

LOL. You can't actually be serious. Lay folks infatuation with bits and manufacturer propaganda is amazing.

 

[goodvibes]

Quote:

goodvibes the discrepancies between WAV and FLAC are getting worse to my ears lol. Especially getting use to using cPlay..... What am I to do . It's ruining my enjoyment of music on my DAPs..... 24/96,24/192 is just making it that much more evident....
 

We just got our Nagra VI FW upgrade to 192 and dubs are better than ever. I was unconvinced of qualitative (as oposed to character) differences until now but this upgraded a2d is rocking at 192.

 

[turokrocks]

Hisound Studio V (55 hours Lossless and 85 hours lossy).

You're right, how did I forget it.......I am sold.
Happy Mr. Lee..........

 

[TiEx]

Quote:

LOL. You can't actually be serious. Lay folks infatuation with bits and manufacturer propaganda is amazing.

 
Please explain.

 

[goodvibes]

The idea that Fiio engineering hasn't heard of the ess dac while you have is a very strange perspective. Perhaps Fiio is moving away from charge pumps. Who knows why the they chose the Wolfson but it certainly isn't because they aren't aware of ESS. It's a pity they are already being brought to task over bits selection before anyone has even heard it. Plenty of reasons to go a different way including just liking the character of the Wofson better or it being better suited to use.
 
The character of the FW and stuff they do around the DAC will likely have a greater influence on a portable player that the actual DAC used. What's nice about ess dacs is that a lot of the peripheral stuff is on board but you need to like the way they do it to prefer it.

 

[ClieOS]

The one reason not to use ESS chip is actually far less simpler than some of you might think - it is because it will use too much power up and rendering the DAP either ultra short in battery life or much larger than the original design (and won't fit into the FiiO dock any more) since they will probably need to triple the battery capacity. ESS chip ain't optimized for portable use, which is why the handful of DAP that do use ESS are brick size in general.

 

[TiEx]

Quote:

The one reason not to use ESS chip is actually far less simpler than some of you might think - it is because it will use too much power up and rendering the DAP either ultra short in battery life or much larger than the original design (and won't fit into the FiiO dock any more) since they will probably need to triple the battery capacity. ESS chip ain't optimized for portable use, which is why the handful of DAP that do use ESS are brick size in general.

If you are talking about DX100 then it's a different story, because it uses es9018 which requires I/V stage and more peripherals. es9023 is much different.

 

[ClieOS]

No, I am not talking about ES9018. My discussion with James on using ESS chip in X3 was before anyone else even know about the project, and that's the conclusion the engineering team makes.

 

[TiEx]

Thanks for clarification. 

 

[JamesFiiO]

Quote:

No, I am not talking about ES9018. My discussion with James on using ESS chip in X3 was before anyone else even know about the project, and that's the conclusion the engineering team makes.

 
Yes, it is true, in fact, we have very good relationship with ESS since 10 years ago. at that time they were focus on DVD chip sets and now change to Hi End market. 
 
Anyway, thanks for everyone in here that you guys still interested in our X3, since the project is still under developing, I really hope the same story happen again. but I don't want our users misunderstand us. so below maybe something you will interested.
 
1, When we will release our X3? sorry, maybe after 6 months. 
 
2, M.S.R.P, almost the same as before although the cost increase a lots, we feel very sorry to our fans so we decide not to increase the price too much , the target M.S.R.P in U.S is about $150 ~ $180,  20% higher in Europe because the VAT is different.
 
3, Some modification between the original design.
 
    A, Small changes in the appearance, includes a [size=small]aluminum cover on the front panel,  and small changes on the back panel.[/size]
 
   
    B, The screen size changed from 2.2" 220*176 to 2.4" 320*240 TFT, it is not a great TFT displayer cause hard to purchase the best TFT from Samsung or Sharp , as you know, they always ask a very huge purchase order.
 
    C, The 18 pins dock is removed so X3 can't not docked into our E9/E09K .
 
    D, Added build in Flash, maybe 8G, still support TF card.
 
    E, CPU, dual core 600 Mhz, actually it is designed for table and other device, we hope it should have better performance in decoding the APE and fastest response to any control
 
    F, DAC, one WM8740, not so perfect, but still very good to an DAP which designed for audiophile, we notice that SONY, iRiver also used WM8740 in their new portable DAC/AMP and DAP.
 
    G, Hardware bass/treble/balance control, it is more useful than a software EQ which more easy in a MP3. the original design does not support any EQ or Bass/Treble/Balance control.
 
    H, AMP section change from TPA6130A to AD8397 which used in our ALPEN ( E17 ), I think most of our fans already know how good it will be in sound quality.
 
    I,  Better battery life because the new CPU consume less power now and we also put a bigger battery inside X3,
 
    J. Very simple and iPod style UI , it is just the same style but not a similar UI as iPod. support album cover , lyric display, ID3
 
    K, Almost support any kinds of music up to 192K/24BIT. includes MP3, OGG, AAC, WMA, FLAC, APE, WAV. 
 
   So far the project go smooth but anything is possible so it is not a promise to our fans. as we have too many new model running at the same time, please be patient before we have further news. I will try to update any news but
 
   nothing more to share with you right now. 

 

[JamesFiiO]

BTW, It is a good news that iRiver and Sony back to audiophile market. but too sad the new iPod is go away from audiophile. so you guys will still have more options. and FiiO is not going to be an iPod or SONY, HIFIMAN,COLORFLY or Hisound or iBasso, which means 
 
we will try to make a high quality , high performance DAC in affordable price, and still user friendly. so there are not means to compare our X3 to any other Hi Fi MP3 players, especially don't hope we will make a " Hi End" MP3.  

 

[jgray91]

"iPod style UI" and "about $150 ~ $180" sounds promising enough, although I don't see any mention of any line out capability. Would be nice to bypass the amp section at least. The ETA is a bit of a bummer though, but it is what it is. Thanks for the update FiiO!