It's weird. I "was" at one point showing 24/192 on the screen of the X5... then I started using Foobar2000 and using the Fiio ASIO drivers and such for DSD decoding. Foobar consistently shows that the file playing is DSD, but the bit rate is 44.1KHz for some reason. I copied the file to the...

Practice fitment and testing (soldering) prior to tackling the Zen MMCX mod.

Even with all my complaining previously, the X5iii is a wonderful sounding player! Enjoying a bit of shuffling with my 10k+ songs currently on the device and my Makka Monk+

I already have them in 3.5 and 2.5, and they pretty much sound just like the Candy... but I prefer the look of the Candy over the Espresso.

If I recall, it was a super, duper.. not worth the trouble trying to fit 2 strands of Mogami W2893 into Type 1.

Now I'm slightly interested in hearing the Blue Monk, but quite happy with the Candy, SPC and Makka.

I'm still on FW: 1.1.6, and it is working pretty darn well as my USB DAC... I really haven't unplugged it to use as a DAP in about 1.5wks, lol. Ah well... maybe when I actually get to leave the house.

Candy and Espresso are the same, only color change. You may hear a tiny difference in sound due to painted shell of Espresso (according to Lee), but I didn't hear a difference.

@SHAMuuu https://www.amazon.com/SoftRound-Earbud-Replacement-Headsets-T-017-24P/dp/B00DW1X5JC/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506259341&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=heigi+earbud+foam...

@Brooko I hope you don't let the mindset of a few poison you. I for one complain a lot, I realize... but have backed off since installing the previous build 1.1.6 and using a USB Hub, I've been playing with the X5iii as a USB DAC and it has been working fairly well. No, the X5iii isn't...

Same. I'll end up giving it to one of the kids at some point and purchase the dap that will perform the way I want going forward. Unfortunately, it may end up being a retired cellphone and an add-on amp/dac that has Balanced headphone out (most likely won't be Fiio though).

Now isn't this a kick in the trousers!? My Hidizs AP60 supports 24/192KHz via USB DAC mode. I don't recall loading a driver for this either.

Agreed, and I'd want ASIO driver. My X5iii allows for 24/192 via USB as a DAC... too bad there are so many other irritating issues with the device.

@Albator75000 That is for compatibility and "driverless" use on USB 1.0, I wonder if they'll release an update that will allow for USB 2.0 and full 24/192.

@ClintonL You're about $20 shy of the Asura 2.0s, why not consider those?

This is looking like the device I might want when I upgrade from my X5iii. I'm hoping for "solid" firmware from AK... something Fiio has continually failed to provide.

Ok, that's what I meant. I have a few packs of wings from BT earbuds that I bought my wife, and they just have contact points, but don't wrap around the 'bud to stay on. I was assuming a touch of "hot glue" here and there would keep them on. I ended up buying another few from AliExpress that are...

how do those stay on?

This kind of looks interesting...

Excellent! Didn't know you had already done a re-cable. In that case, I'd probably pick up an SPC cable from VE. Get a hand terminated one that you could use the pins for later. The best sounding Monks are the SPC ones, outside of the Makka Monk of course. The cable is also very nice and...

Very easy to re-cable Monk. I would probably join the Earbuds Anonymous group and ask what cable might fit your needs. Going the route of stealing a cable from an IEM may cause more frustration than it is worth. Many of those cables are thin and often have enameled wires which are harder to solder.

Balanced is harder to explain, but the Espresso over the normal Monk is warmer mids with possibly wider soundstage. More bass, but slightly less articulate with that bass. IMHO, it is still a more enjoyable variant with most music. I prefer the SPC Monk to both though.

@Lourens I'm probably going to pick up another Schiit SYS so I can swap between PC output and X5iii for my desktop speakers (I don't really keep music on PC).

X5iii actually gets a good showing here...