Perhaps an ignorant question, but how do you know if you've bought the "new" version?

  I think in your case, the E18 is the most bang for the buck. I don't think the E17 or the E18 out run one another much (performance wise) but the fact the E18 is comaptible with most android devices (considering the fact your S4 is the primary source) wil make it a win i guess... side note...

Rooting is not that risky. If you're thinking about it, take a look here http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-s it's a very informative forum and it has everything you need (including rom's and guides). Good luck!

the point is: i need a portable DAC/AMP, but if a little bit more money would give me that DAC/AMP functionality plus nice DAP functionality, i would spend that little more money...

mmm... please elaborate about 'the new version'? Didn't know there was one...

  I think it is necessary then, considering I'm using my laptop / Samsung gs3 as sources to...  Small side note: at the moment I have neither (X3 nor E18), but I want to buy one, depending on whether the X3 at least offers the functionality that the E18 offers (in terms of DAC/AMP besides the...

  Thanks for your response, and that is indeed my point. The only thing is: Alongside my DAP, I want to use my smartphone and laptop as well (for streaming from my NAS, spotify, etc.). Small side note: at the moment I have neither (X3 nor E18), but I want to buy one, depending on whether the X3...

I wondered whether owning the FiiO X3, makes buying the FiiO E18 (Kunlun) obsolete? Since the X3 holds the components of the well-appreciated E17 amp and offers the possibility to act as a DAC (and OTG).   I would use it with my laptop, galaxy s3, galaxy note 2014   thanks!

Dear (head)audio enthusiasts!   As the title might suggest, I wondered whether owning the FiiO X3, makes buying the FiiO E18 (Kunlun) obsolete? Since the X3 holds the components of the well-appreciated E17 amp and offers the possibility to act as a DAC (and OTG).

          ;)

  Any digital device with an analog conector has a DAC... The DAC of the e18 is in any case better than those of a phone...

I'm in, looks promising :)   Quote:   This part I do not fully understand. So is it true that the AMP of the E17 is better than the AMP of the e18? If so, why should one buy the e18? The e17 is as good to drive through an OTG cable and USB Audio Recorder PRO (which also bypasses the...

  But still, your life now is without W3s ... can't imagine... :)   what your op for now?    

  And I did. When I play them through my Samsung Galaxy S3, they sound really stunning! The soundcard of my laptop is absolutely insufficient. So a (portable) DAC / amp is needed to avoid the poor soundcard on my laptop.   I was thinking about the Alpen FiiO e17 as it is (apparently) the best...