Reviews by nick67
When I purchased the Boaleco PX2 amp from Sen Hu Audio, they kindly asked if I would like to try out the BX1 as well, and share some feedback about it. Since I am going to be using the PX2 anyway, I thought I could pair the tube pre-amp together and see if it adds any value. This review is purely my own opinion from using the BX1.
Quick summary:
Thoughts:
The Boaleco BX1 tube pre-amp retails for about ~$70. Its form factor is pretty much the same as the PX2 tube amp in terms of size, weight, and looks.
The knobs all feel very solid, and give good feedback when turning. It’s smooth, but you will not be able to turn it by accident.
What I like about this pre-amp is the ability to bump up the mid-bass a little without distorting the sound of my earbuds or make them sound too boomy/muddy. It makes listening to many otherwise lackluster flat earbuds sound a little more “alive”. Same goes to the ability to control the treble.
Another big plus for me is the ability to fine tune the volume output. Typically, I set the volume controls on my PC at max and exclusively use my amps to control the volume outputs. However, as I am sensitive to loud volumes, the adjustment on amps alone (such as PX2) sometimes catches me between being too soft and too loud for my liking. Using the BX1 solves this for me, so even if I am not using the bass and treble controls, I would still leave this connected to my gears.
Bluetooth works well and sounds good, similar to the PX2.
Along with the BX1, I was sent a Boaleco RCA cable. This one does not come with the BX1 and is a separate purchase. The cable looks and feels really premium, and is one of the heavier cables I own. I am confident that I can use it as a weapon in a pinch, without causing any damage to it. It is built like a tank.
I’d say, if you want to try out the tube sound on a budget, getting the PX2 is fantastic value. However, if you also want to add some simple bass and treble EQ controls, and just want to have some fun with the IEMs, buds and/or headphones you already own, then you should give this BX1 a shot.
At the time of writing, the BX1 can be purchased from Sen Hu Audio store on AE and on Lazada if you have that in your country.
Quick summary:
- Comes in a simple Cardboard box with foam inserts
- BX1 unit, 2x GE5654W tubes, 12V power adaptor
- 2 inputs: RCA, Bluetooth
- Small form factor, solid aluminum chassis, smooth dials, feels durable
- Does not add much color to the sound when connected to PX2
- Detail retrieval/output of the PX2 remains pretty much the same running through the BX1 pre-amp
Thoughts:
The Boaleco BX1 tube pre-amp retails for about ~$70. Its form factor is pretty much the same as the PX2 tube amp in terms of size, weight, and looks.
The knobs all feel very solid, and give good feedback when turning. It’s smooth, but you will not be able to turn it by accident.
What I like about this pre-amp is the ability to bump up the mid-bass a little without distorting the sound of my earbuds or make them sound too boomy/muddy. It makes listening to many otherwise lackluster flat earbuds sound a little more “alive”. Same goes to the ability to control the treble.
Another big plus for me is the ability to fine tune the volume output. Typically, I set the volume controls on my PC at max and exclusively use my amps to control the volume outputs. However, as I am sensitive to loud volumes, the adjustment on amps alone (such as PX2) sometimes catches me between being too soft and too loud for my liking. Using the BX1 solves this for me, so even if I am not using the bass and treble controls, I would still leave this connected to my gears.
Bluetooth works well and sounds good, similar to the PX2.
Along with the BX1, I was sent a Boaleco RCA cable. This one does not come with the BX1 and is a separate purchase. The cable looks and feels really premium, and is one of the heavier cables I own. I am confident that I can use it as a weapon in a pinch, without causing any damage to it. It is built like a tank.
I’d say, if you want to try out the tube sound on a budget, getting the PX2 is fantastic value. However, if you also want to add some simple bass and treble EQ controls, and just want to have some fun with the IEMs, buds and/or headphones you already own, then you should give this BX1 a shot.
At the time of writing, the BX1 can be purchased from Sen Hu Audio store on AE and on Lazada if you have that in your country.
Attachments
Let me begin by saying I have several DAC/Amp in my collection, and the ones I used most at my desk is the Hifiman EF400 and the xDuoo XD05Plus. However, since acquiring the PX2, I find myself running both these DAC/Amp through the PX2 (via RCA and AUX). I find that the PX2 adds a slight “tubey” sound, and it does add a bit of warmth to the output. I would classify the PX2 as having neutral/warm tonality.
As with all tube amps, it takes about 20-30 mins to fully warm up (I usually just start listening to music while it warms up because why waste time waiting) and it does run slightly hot after running for a couple of hours (but nowhere near untouchable levels).
Since I am into flat earbuds lately, I used it most with them. It had no problems feeding my 400 Ohms buds. I could only turn the volume pot ~30-35% with them for a comfortable sound level (bear in mind I usually listen to much safer volumes compared to most others). I have tested the PX2 with several buds in my collection and they all seem to sound slightly warmer. It’s hard to describe but I prefer the sound coming out of the PX2 vs directly from my EF400 and XD05. That being said I tend to prefer running the PX2 with the XD05 as the synergy sounds better. The output sound has more “meat”.
I find that the PX2 suffers slightly from wireless interference. It does not seem to be impacted by WIFI signals, but it had some buzzing sound when I used my gate clicker while I’m seated at my desk. Otherwise, there is little to none noise floor (I did however pick up some faint sound when using it with Penon 10th).
On Bluetooth – Most of us dismiss using Bluetooth due to loss of quality but in my case, I find myself sometimes just using the Bluetooth when I’m too lazy to turn on my PC late at night. I would just connect my phone and run Spotify. It’s convenient and it sounds great too, plus the soft glow at night looks pretty cool. No issues here.
To end this, I would recommend the PX2 if you have $50 to spare and looking to try out a tube amp on a budget (At the point of writing this, Sen Hu Audio seems to be the only place to purchase this at around $50 shipped. I have no complaints at all (perhaps a slight nitpick is that the source selection is placed at the back of the unit, would very much prefer it to be at the front).
I received a unit of the Fiio X1 as part of the X1 world tour. I am in no way affiliated with Fiio, and in exchange for letting me demo the X1, I am required to give my honest thoughts about the X1.
Box Contents
I'm not going to post a picture of the box itself, since my unit is a pre-production one and it came in a plain white cardboard box. The final release would probably have some pretty nice designs so I guess we'll have to wait and see.
The X1 came with the following:
1) 3 pieces of screen protector (1 has been applied)
2) 1 black silicone case
3) 1 micro USB cable
4) Quick Start Guide
5) Warranty card
Build Quality
The X1 feels really solid on my hands. I'm still having a hard time figuring out if the body is made of aluminum or plastic, but I'm going to guess its a mix. The back cover feels like plastic, while the rest feels like aluminum. However, the plastic is really solid so I do not think there would be any issues arising from heavy usage.
Right away I noticed that each button on the X1 has an etching of its functions. This is a great addition for people like me who often skips the included manual and jump straight to the device. With the X5, I had to go through the manual (which is not a bad thing) but I sometimes find myself forgetting what each button do in the beginning.
Power, reset, volume buttons
Top left clockwise: Back, Forward, Previous, Menu buttons
As you can see in the pictures, Fiio has decided to retain the design of the center button as in the one in the X5. While I like the way it beautifully reflects light, I dislike the way it traps dirt and grime in the little ridges of the rings. Some might not be affected by it but I like my stuff clean and its a pain to remove the dirt. I had to use a stiff bristled brush to get to the little ridges where cloths can't. And since the scroll wheel doesn't sit exactly flush on the X1, some dirt also gets trapped on the sides of the wheel itself.
Notice the tiny white specs around the outside of the wheel
On the volume up key, there is a little nub so that you could tell which key you are pressing without looking. This nub is even present on the silicone case and is good news for those who keeps pressing the wrong volume keys.
Compared to the X5, the scroll wheel on the X1 feels a lot sturdier. Although it still raises a little when you press on the opposite side of the wheel, it does not feel as flimsy as the one on the X5. The scrolling action feels a lot more controlled and tight on the X1. Another point to note is that the wheel is not rubber coated, which may be a good or bad thing depending on each individual. To me, it is an upgrade as I always feel like I have to be careful with the X5 or the rubber coating would start peeling and come off and based on my experience with other gadgets, the rubber coating would start peeling off within a few years or even months regardless of how you use it.
The buttons on the X1 is nice as solid and gives a good (satisfying) tactile response with each press. The clicking sound does sound a little loud, and I don't think my roommate appreciates the clicks while he's asleep (I like listening to music before bed).
The X1 comes with a single microSD slot which supports up to 128 GB as per Fiio's specifications. What I like about this slot is that it doesn't come with the flimsy rubber covers. The one on my X5 became quite loose even though I only open and closed the covers for less than 10 times and I have to exercise caution each time I open it so it doesn't break. The microSD sits flush in the X1 after it is inserted.
The included silicone case is a nice touch. It feels a lot stiffer than the one on the X5 however I would've preferred it to come in gray instead of black so that I could see the charging indicator at the bottom of the device. Being a silicone case, it does pick up lint and dust fairly easily, but there's a kind of powder coating on the case so the dust could be wiped off fairly easily using just my hands.
After taking it out of my pocket
Battery life on the X1 is really good, with a rating of 12 hours by Fiio. I only had to charge it once every two days or so. No complaints there.
The screen on the X1 is decent. The screen is very bright and looking at it by itself the colors seem pretty vibrant, but when I place it next to the X5 the difference became obvious. The X5 shows a deeper and richer color while the X1 looks washed out. Of course, it isn't much of a fair comparison based on the price point of both device, but the X5 is the only other DAP I have (other than a C30).
Next to the X5
Outdoors the screen can be seen clearly
Holding down the menu key displays the information above
The user interface on the X1 is pretty similar to that of the X5, so I had no problems using it right out the box. Anyway, it's pretty simple, so much that anyone would be able to get used to it in a matter of minutes. There is a new theme function on the X1 which allows users to choose different colors on the UI but I just stuck with the grey one.
Sound Quality
The X1 does sound a little warmer compared to the X5, but not by a huge amount. I also find that the X1 is a little less detailed in comparison. But with the difference in price, I could not complain about the audio quality (which is still very good compared to other sources such as my Nexus 5). There is an EQ function which users can adjust, but I always disliked the idea of using EQ to adjust the sound of a DAP. It's just me
.
The X1 shares a single port for the Headphone out and Line out and switches between the two through the settings menu.
I didn't use any external amps during my tests because none of my gears are difficult to drive. The amp in the X1 does a pretty decent job. It only sounds a tad softer when matched with the same volume as my X5 (taking into account the X5 max out at 120 while the X1 at 100). Using my Brainwavz M4 with the X1, I only needed to set the volume to about 25-30 while I'm outdoors and below 20 when I listen to it before bed at night. With the Grado SR60 I would have to crank the volume up to about 40-43. Any higher I would feel that my eardrums would explode. So I'm guessing that it should be adequate to drive other more demanding gear (although sound quality might deteriorate without amping).
Although I prefer the sound of my X5, I find myself reaching for the X1 more when I am going out. The X1 is simply much more lighter and more compact. It just feels much more comfortable in my pocket compared to the X5 and I do not get as many pocket presses due to the stiffer buttons compared to the softer ones on the X5. For this reason, I have half a heart on selling my X5 and buying the X1 instead since it would be much more useful for my day-to-day activities. I am not one who likes to carry too many stuffs in my pocket like the X5 strapped to an e12 or something similar as I find it impractical when I am on the go.
One thing I disliked was that the idle shutdown feature maxed out at 210 seconds on the firmware (0.17 beta) it came with. So every time I paused my song to run an errand or speak to someone for a couple of minutes, I find myself having to turn on the X1 again and again. The good news is that the latest beta firmware 0.21 has updated this feature and now it maxes out at 8 minutes.
Another problem I experienced (probably the biggest so far) with the X1 is that it sometimes sort of lags and stutters while playing a song. Initially I thought it could be due to a bad music file but when I rewind to the part it stuttered there was no more issues. This has happened quite a few times randomly but I am confident that Fiio will look into this in the future firmwares.
Final Thoughts
Fiio has produced something incredible here. With such a price point (~100 USD), it is a good DAP for those who are just starting out in the audio world and looking for better alternatives than the usual handphones and other cheap(er) China mp3 players. Knowing that Fiio will continue supporting and developing the firmware on its DAPs makes me feel like this would be a worthwhile investment for anyone who is looking for a super portable and affordable DAP. Personally, if I do not own the X5, I would have went ahead and got myself an X1 when it is released but for now, I guess I will live with the bulkier X5. I am also curious to see how other DAP manufacturers respond to the Fiio X1 with their own versions of budget DAPs in the future.
Box Contents
I'm not going to post a picture of the box itself, since my unit is a pre-production one and it came in a plain white cardboard box. The final release would probably have some pretty nice designs so I guess we'll have to wait and see.
The X1 came with the following:
1) 3 pieces of screen protector (1 has been applied)
2) 1 black silicone case
3) 1 micro USB cable
4) Quick Start Guide
5) Warranty card
Build Quality
The X1 feels really solid on my hands. I'm still having a hard time figuring out if the body is made of aluminum or plastic, but I'm going to guess its a mix. The back cover feels like plastic, while the rest feels like aluminum. However, the plastic is really solid so I do not think there would be any issues arising from heavy usage.
Right away I noticed that each button on the X1 has an etching of its functions. This is a great addition for people like me who often skips the included manual and jump straight to the device. With the X5, I had to go through the manual (which is not a bad thing) but I sometimes find myself forgetting what each button do in the beginning.
Power, reset, volume buttons
Top left clockwise: Back, Forward, Previous, Menu buttons
As you can see in the pictures, Fiio has decided to retain the design of the center button as in the one in the X5. While I like the way it beautifully reflects light, I dislike the way it traps dirt and grime in the little ridges of the rings. Some might not be affected by it but I like my stuff clean and its a pain to remove the dirt. I had to use a stiff bristled brush to get to the little ridges where cloths can't. And since the scroll wheel doesn't sit exactly flush on the X1, some dirt also gets trapped on the sides of the wheel itself.
Notice the tiny white specs around the outside of the wheel
On the volume up key, there is a little nub so that you could tell which key you are pressing without looking. This nub is even present on the silicone case and is good news for those who keeps pressing the wrong volume keys.
Compared to the X5, the scroll wheel on the X1 feels a lot sturdier. Although it still raises a little when you press on the opposite side of the wheel, it does not feel as flimsy as the one on the X5. The scrolling action feels a lot more controlled and tight on the X1. Another point to note is that the wheel is not rubber coated, which may be a good or bad thing depending on each individual. To me, it is an upgrade as I always feel like I have to be careful with the X5 or the rubber coating would start peeling and come off and based on my experience with other gadgets, the rubber coating would start peeling off within a few years or even months regardless of how you use it.
The buttons on the X1 is nice as solid and gives a good (satisfying) tactile response with each press. The clicking sound does sound a little loud, and I don't think my roommate appreciates the clicks while he's asleep (I like listening to music before bed).
The X1 comes with a single microSD slot which supports up to 128 GB as per Fiio's specifications. What I like about this slot is that it doesn't come with the flimsy rubber covers. The one on my X5 became quite loose even though I only open and closed the covers for less than 10 times and I have to exercise caution each time I open it so it doesn't break. The microSD sits flush in the X1 after it is inserted.
The included silicone case is a nice touch. It feels a lot stiffer than the one on the X5 however I would've preferred it to come in gray instead of black so that I could see the charging indicator at the bottom of the device. Being a silicone case, it does pick up lint and dust fairly easily, but there's a kind of powder coating on the case so the dust could be wiped off fairly easily using just my hands.
After taking it out of my pocket
Battery life on the X1 is really good, with a rating of 12 hours by Fiio. I only had to charge it once every two days or so. No complaints there.
The screen on the X1 is decent. The screen is very bright and looking at it by itself the colors seem pretty vibrant, but when I place it next to the X5 the difference became obvious. The X5 shows a deeper and richer color while the X1 looks washed out. Of course, it isn't much of a fair comparison based on the price point of both device, but the X5 is the only other DAP I have (other than a C30).
Next to the X5
Outdoors the screen can be seen clearly
Holding down the menu key displays the information above
The user interface on the X1 is pretty similar to that of the X5, so I had no problems using it right out the box. Anyway, it's pretty simple, so much that anyone would be able to get used to it in a matter of minutes. There is a new theme function on the X1 which allows users to choose different colors on the UI but I just stuck with the grey one.
Sound Quality
The X1 does sound a little warmer compared to the X5, but not by a huge amount. I also find that the X1 is a little less detailed in comparison. But with the difference in price, I could not complain about the audio quality (which is still very good compared to other sources such as my Nexus 5). There is an EQ function which users can adjust, but I always disliked the idea of using EQ to adjust the sound of a DAP. It's just me
The X1 shares a single port for the Headphone out and Line out and switches between the two through the settings menu.
I didn't use any external amps during my tests because none of my gears are difficult to drive. The amp in the X1 does a pretty decent job. It only sounds a tad softer when matched with the same volume as my X5 (taking into account the X5 max out at 120 while the X1 at 100). Using my Brainwavz M4 with the X1, I only needed to set the volume to about 25-30 while I'm outdoors and below 20 when I listen to it before bed at night. With the Grado SR60 I would have to crank the volume up to about 40-43. Any higher I would feel that my eardrums would explode. So I'm guessing that it should be adequate to drive other more demanding gear (although sound quality might deteriorate without amping).
Although I prefer the sound of my X5, I find myself reaching for the X1 more when I am going out. The X1 is simply much more lighter and more compact. It just feels much more comfortable in my pocket compared to the X5 and I do not get as many pocket presses due to the stiffer buttons compared to the softer ones on the X5. For this reason, I have half a heart on selling my X5 and buying the X1 instead since it would be much more useful for my day-to-day activities. I am not one who likes to carry too many stuffs in my pocket like the X5 strapped to an e12 or something similar as I find it impractical when I am on the go.
One thing I disliked was that the idle shutdown feature maxed out at 210 seconds on the firmware (0.17 beta) it came with. So every time I paused my song to run an errand or speak to someone for a couple of minutes, I find myself having to turn on the X1 again and again. The good news is that the latest beta firmware 0.21 has updated this feature and now it maxes out at 8 minutes.
Another problem I experienced (probably the biggest so far) with the X1 is that it sometimes sort of lags and stutters while playing a song. Initially I thought it could be due to a bad music file but when I rewind to the part it stuttered there was no more issues. This has happened quite a few times randomly but I am confident that Fiio will look into this in the future firmwares.
Final Thoughts
Fiio has produced something incredible here. With such a price point (~100 USD), it is a good DAP for those who are just starting out in the audio world and looking for better alternatives than the usual handphones and other cheap(er) China mp3 players. Knowing that Fiio will continue supporting and developing the firmware on its DAPs makes me feel like this would be a worthwhile investment for anyone who is looking for a super portable and affordable DAP. Personally, if I do not own the X5, I would have went ahead and got myself an X1 when it is released but for now, I guess I will live with the bulkier X5. I am also curious to see how other DAP manufacturers respond to the Fiio X1 with their own versions of budget DAPs in the future.
PanzerIV
I hate how it is so hard to find a quality MP3 player these days. Cowon was the best by far but seems to be no more available in North America. It is also hard to find Fiio products in Canada. I currently still use my (Cowon S9 32Gb) + (Fiio E12) amp and now a (Beyerdynamic T90) and I was looking to a player at least as good but mostly with an SD slot which let me go up to 128Gb since everybody these days are too stupid to give us back our big HDD. Instead they charge us a crazy premium price for unnecessary flash memory.
inoneear
Thanks, nick67 ... great review. I just received my X1. I notice in your review that "Holding down the menu key displays the information above", which displays the Artist/Album/Song info. Question: which button are you calling the menu key? I couldn't find one labeled "Menu" on the button layout diagram on page 3 of the user manual. Thanks!
nick67
Thanks @inoneear. The menu key is the top left one.
