[lxlx]

You'll know my opinion
Not a 2000$ dac+amp can sound better just because $$$
Bring it on

 

[god-bluff]

Basically don't worry too much about your phone it will be obsolete within 6-12 months and have a life span of 2 to 3 years so not worthy a huge investment.

Get a decent functional reliable well designed mobile with a good battery life. It is a phone first and foremost with a lot of other features including music playing. Most sound pretty decent at the end of the day, for what they are.

They can all be a source for pretty great sound with a decent USB DAC/ amp which will outlive any smartphone and serve you whatever phone you may 'upgrade' to in the future.

For example something like Moto E plus Cyrus SoundKey (tiny and light enough to disappear) will easily beat any stand alone phone (pretty confident with that statement). Yes even better than a Z3 Compact!!!

 

[artpiggo]

Basically don't worry too much about your phone it will be obsolete within 6-12 months and have a life span of 2 to 3 years so not worthy a huge investment.

Get a decent functional reliable well designed mobile with a good battery life. It is a phone first and foremost with a lot of other features including music playing. Most sound pretty decent at the end of the day, for what they are.

They can all be a source for pretty great sound with a decent USB DAC/ amp which will outlive any smartphone and serve you whatever phone you may 'upgrade' to in the future.

For example something like Moto E plus Cyrus SoundKey (tiny and light enough to disappear) will easily beat any stand alone phone (pretty confident with that statement). Yes even better than a Z3 Compact!!!

I always keep telling myself this truth. However every time greed wins and end up with new phone again and again .

Now that you mentioned, I just notice that my DAP life span before buying next one are even longer...

 

[Paulus XII]

After much testing I'm really impressed with what EIZO-Rewire E & EIZO Rewire PRO can do to the sound. Have any of you guys gave it a try? 

 
 
BTW, the Zenfone 3 ZE520KL is something that you guys should have a look at when considering sound quality and several other factors including camera. Have compared it to the Galaxy S3 with the Wolfson DAC and it's night and day difference in this case. Beats the Breeze Audio ES9018 DAC by quite a margin, but this is a $30 model. Pretty sure it beats the cheaper Hifime ES9018 too.

 

[StrikeFreedom]

I mean that the volume even at MAX isn't satisfying... And i want more.
It happened to me when I had LG V 10 and Sennheiser HD 518, for example.
I wanted the result loudly.

Most of the time low output Volume is software fault. Some phone coming with headphone DSP, in order to prevent clipping they reduce the max volume. Try PowerAmp and enable DVC (Direct Volume Control). If the problem fixed, it's software issue.

 

[artpiggo]

Xplay 6 Review has been up'ed now. Please kindly take with grain of salt. However, I try to raise all facts and issues to provide your information for your consideration as possible.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/vivo-xplay-6/reviews/18330
 
By the way, after taking "various" things into consideration. I am reluctant to audition and review phone with DAPs  to prevent further... Y' know what I mean.
But I will compare it with some mid-fi DAP in my local facebook group instead. If you want to know my opinion, PM me individually. But for pubic review here, I hold on for now.

 

[Estuera]

Does the LeTV Le Max X900 support DSD?

 

[artpiggo]

Does the LeTV Le Max X900 support DSD?

1. If only playback, most phone can do with software decode.

2. If you ask about native playback decoded by hardware then. No. Native DSD is most of time implemented in mid fi and above DAP. Now I think vivo is leading in DSD area now. (Despite that sony invented this)

 

[daulagiri]

Out of curiosity, I bought z3 compact. After reading this thread of course.

First listen using stock player, I was underwhelmed. Sound so muddy, no soundstage at all. But it's ok for movie, so.. it's salvageable after all.

Then I gave it a try again, using VLC and Neutron, still no match vs AK100ii. But the sound, especially its warmth, grows on you .

For hq listening, I still prefer my AK100ii and Shanling M1. But I can see this phone as main player for lower quality files and lossy streams (read: Apple Music). It sounds more engaging compared to my iPhone 6s. Sony beats apple on its service, shame on you Apple .

 

[artpiggo]

Out of curiosity, I bought z3 compact. After reading this thread of course.

First listen using stock player, I was underwhelmed. Sound so muddy, no soundstage at all. But it's ok for movie, so.. it's salvageable after all.

Then I gave it a try again, using VLC and Neutron, still no match vs AK100ii. But the sound, especially its warmth, grows on you .

For hq listening, I still prefer my AK100ii and Shanling M1. But I can see this phone as main player for lower quality files and lossy streams (read: Apple Music). It sounds more engaging compared to my iPhone 6s. Sony beats apple on its service, shame on you Apple .

If next time you go for lg v20, the impression might be shifting.

 

[daulagiri]

If next time you go for lg v20, the impression might be shifting.

Tried it few weeks back and you're right. It's a beast, but not much better compared to my AK, and its size puts me off.

Call me weird but physical size trumps SQ for me .

 

[god-bluff]

Out of curiosity, I bought z3 compact. After reading this thread of course.

First listen using stock player, I was underwhelmed. Sound so muddy, no soundstage at all. But it's ok for movie, so.. it's salvageable after all.

Then I gave it a try again, using VLC and Neutron, still no match vs AK100ii. But the sound, especially its warmth, grows on you .

For hq listening, I still prefer my AK100ii and Shanling M1. But I can see this phone as main player for lower quality files and lossy streams (read: Apple Music). It sounds more engaging compared to my iPhone 6s. Sony beats apple on its service, shame on you Apple .

I assume you checked the sound settings on the Z3 on its native app. Generally best with them switched off. EDIT Sometimes Cleat Audio+ or Clear Bass can be fun

There are also hidden presets for various Sony earphones. If you used the NC31 noise cancelling earphones which sometimes come supplied for example it automatically switches to its EQ preset and remains selected until changed. These presets have very drastic affect on sound.

Can't think of any other reason why the Sony should sound muddy with no soundstage.

 

[artpiggo]

I assume you checked the sound settings on the Z3 on its native app. Generally best with them switched off. EDIT Sometimes Cleat Audio+ or Clear Bass can be fun

There are also hidden presets for various Sony earphones. If you used the NC31 noise cancelling earphones which sometimes come supplied for example it automatically switches to its EQ preset and remains selected until changed. These presets have very drastic affect on sound.

Can't think of any other reason why the Sony should sound muddy with no soundstage.

Cuz they want users to buy their DAP.

 

[daulagiri]

I assume you checked the sound settings on the Z3 on its native app. Generally best with them switched off. EDIT Sometimes Cleat Audio+ or Clear Bass can be fun

Can't think of any other reason why the Sony should sound muddy with no soundstage.

I've enough fun with my Ei.XX. Enabling Clear Audio makes the pairing too fun and hard to enjoy lol.

Naah, it's confirmed muddy to my ear. But i found out that muddiness cleared out in higher volume. In higher volume, yea, z3 considerably better vs iPhone; on par with fiio Q1.

I'm a low volume listener btw (only in ~50-60db).

 

[Paulus XII]

Out of curiosity, I bought z3 compact. After reading this thread of course.

First listen using stock player, I was underwhelmed. Sound so muddy, no soundstage at all. But it's ok for movie, so.. it's salvageable after all.

Then I gave it a try again, using VLC and Neutron, still no match vs AK100ii. But the sound, especially its warmth, grows on you

.

For hq listening, I still prefer my AK100ii and Shanling M1. But I can see this phone as main player for lower quality files and lossy streams (read: Apple Music). It sounds more engaging compared to my iPhone 6s. Sony beats apple on its service, shame on you Apple .

 
What do you think about a Shanling M1 vs an LG V10 or something like that in terms of sound quality?