Honestly, I haven't read ANYONE even in your links say that the X3 is a "mediocre player, producing mediocre sound quality" as you say.    Are you sure you read Headphonia review carefully? It does not say that the Fiio X3 has mediocre sound quality at all, quite the contrary. They say...

Do you have any links to the Fiio X3 reviews that claim it has mediocre sound quality?     The ones I've read here on Head Fi and elsewhere have mentioned it having a "warm sound" typically found in some of Fiio DAC/amp units, but I haven't seen any at all that characterized it's sound quality...

Question:  have you listened to the X3 or are you going by what you read?     I'm asking because I can't imagine it has subpar sound quality, having used several Fiio products.     And for me, I can buy one locally at B&H for $199, and if there are any major disappointments, I can exchange...

Why not try a Fiio X3?  It's $199 in the US (not sure of it's price abroad, but I have seen it for the same price on Ebay directly from Hong Kong). From what I've read sound quality is excellent, and it plays a number of lossless formats like FLAC.  It should be an excellent DAP if you don't...

Quote:   The X3 takes up to 64 GB Micro SD.  The IBasso DX50 website lists "Support SDXC and SDHC MicroSD card, up to 2TB".      Here are the specs for both:      Fiio X3   http://www.fiio.com.cn/products/index.aspx?MenuID=105026016     iBasso DX50  ...

Quote:            Since the OP already has a CMoy amp, it's not a stretch to consider that he may want to drive a pair of high impedance headphones, either now or in the future. Or perhaps since he's interested in an all-in-one devise (DAC, amp and mp3 player) that supports a variety of...

I'm glad you found a set that you like.  I tried the Sol Republic Tracks at Radio Shack the other day.  Kind of cool looking, but the design with non pivoting ear cups is one that I thought would become uncomfortable in a short time.  Plus once I heard the V-Moda M-80s I was done demoing...

If I were you, I'd forget about the Beats Studio and pick either of:   Beyerdynamic DT1350, V-Moda M-80, and Sennheiser HD25-1 II.   All three have significantly better sound and build quality than the Beats Studio and are less expensive at $219, $160 and $199 respectively (Make sure you...