External DAC for Fiio X3 Some help

[Morales]

Hello everyone. I got my Fiio X3 and I want to buy some external DAC to use with Sennheiser HD 600, I have understood that Fiio X3 has a DAC chip that works only for the USB mode (connected in a computer like a music server), that means Fiio X3 DAC chip is not active when I usually listen the music with the headphones and it has no way to get it on, so I`m about to buy some external DAC from the Fiio products, to be more exactly the model I`m interested is the Fiio E18 Kunlun (DAC/AMP) If you have some comments about that idea please let me know. I`m only interested in Fiio products but maybe I could change my mind. I`m trying to learn. Thanks a lot.

 

[marcgii]

Did you ever figure this out? I'm a huge fan of the E18 when paired with my HD 6XX or SE 535. But the E18 (amp portion) is light on bass when compared to other dac/amps that review well such as the FIIO Q5.

 

[buke9]

I’m totally confused here as the Fiio X3 is a Dap and you want a dac ? I have no idea if it will run a pair of HD-600’s but if it won’t then you might need a amp and not a dac/amp.

 

[buke9]

Did you ever figure this out? I'm a huge fan of the E18 when paired with my HD 6XX or SE 535. But the E18 (amp portion) is light on bass when compared to other dac/amps that review well such as the FIIO Q5.

Why are you trying to run a pair of 300 ohm headphones from a portable amp the A5 would be a better choice but why portable for high impedance open back headphones.

 

[megabigeye]

I think the OP is a bit confused. The X3 functions as a USB DAC when plugged into a computer. This simply means that you can listen to the audio from your computer through the X3, not that there is a separate chip that is activated when you use it as a DAC. You should get exactly the same sound when it's used as a DAC as when it's used as a DAP.

Did you ever figure this out? I'm a huge fan of the E18 when paired with my HD 6XX or SE 535. But the E18 (amp portion) is light on bass when compared to other dac/amps that review well such as the FIIO Q5.

I used to use the original X5 and had the same issue with the sound. I got the E12A (now updated to the A5) and it sounded much, much better. When in high gain mode, it's powerful enough to drive the HD 650 cleanly. I think the Kunlun's line-out to an A5 would suit your needs.

 

[marcgii]

Why are you trying to run a pair of 300 ohm headphones from a portable amp the A5 would be a better choice but why portable for high impedance open back headphones.

The E18 has no problem driving 300 ohm headphones and it happens to be my favorite amp for the HD 6xx. The HD 6xx can also be comfortably worn when for example, lying in bed; which is why I'd need the portability.

 

[marcgii]

I think the OP is a bit confused. The X3 functions as a USB DAC when plugged into a computer. This simply means that you can listen to the audio from your computer through the X3, not that there is a separate chip that is activated when you use it as a DAC. You should get exactly the same sound when it's used as a DAC as when it's used as a DAP.


I used to use the original X5 and had the same issue with the sound. I got the E12A (now updated to the A5) and it sounded much, much better. When in high gain mode, it's powerful enough to drive the HD 650 cleanly. I think the Kunlun's line-out to an A5 would suit your needs.

Thanks for the suggestion. But E18 has the same recommended impedance range of of up to 300 ohms. It drives my headphones just fine. Out of curiosity, do you know how the A5 sounds when compared to the E18 or Q5?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Hello everyone. I got my Fiio X3 and I want to buy some external DAC to use with Sennheiser HD 600, I have understood that Fiio X3 has a DAC chip that works only for the USB mode (connected in a computer like a music server), that means Fiio X3 DAC chip is not active when I usually listen the music with the headphones and it has no way to get it on, so I`m about to buy some external DAC from the Fiio products, to be more exactly the model I`m interested is the Fiio E18 Kunlun (DAC/AMP) If you have some comments about that idea please let me know. I`m only interested in Fiio products but maybe I could change my mind. I`m trying to learn.

The DAC chip also works, not "only works," when you plug it in via USB.

If the Digital to Analogue Converter chip in the X3 does not work when not plugged in via USB then how does it work as a Digital Audio Player that can Convert the stored Digital files to Analogue? So obviously its Digital to Analogue Converter chip has to work and Convert the locally stored Digital files to Analogue so you can hear something when you plug in a headphone or IEM.

Thanks for the suggestion. But E18 has the same recommended impedance range of of up to 300 ohms. It drives my headphones just fine. Out of curiosity, do you know how the A5 sounds when compared to the E18 or Q5?

Are you really restricted to portables? Because a lot of desktop amps and DACs are better for the money and for not a lot more money.

 

[megabigeye]

Thanks for the suggestion. But E18 has the same recommended impedance range of of up to 300 ohms. It drives my headphones just fine. Out of curiosity, do you know how the A5 sounds when compared to the E18 or Q5?

Sorry, I don't have experience with any of that equipment, so I can't answer exactly but give an educated guess.
I'm going to guess from your description that the E18 has the same or similar DAC and amp as the original X5; from memory, I'd describe the X5 as being bass deficient and having a slightly artificial treble, which gave pianos a kind of plinky sound in the upper registers. In the plus side, the sound was very clear and detailed. Does that sound like your experience?
The A5 is an updated version of the E12 and E12A, so I assume it sounds largely the same. Bass on the E12A is much stronger than the X5 and the treble sounds much more natural. In general, the whole presentation is much smoother and more natural.
The X5 was also able to drive the HD 650 easily, but the E12A is just much better at it. My experience is that the X5's DAC is a lot better than it's amp and I'd guess it's the same with your E18.

I don't have any experience when the Q5, but I'd imagine it sounds very good.

 

[marcgii]

Are you really restricted to portables? Because a lot of desktop amps and DACs are better for the money and for not a lot more money.

I think there's been a misunderstanding. I do own desktop DACs and amps that I use (notably Topping D50, Schiit Magni, and Audeze Deckard). I am looking for Amps or DAC/Amps that have a similar tonal balance of the E18, but I will create a new thread for that.

 

[marcgii]

Sorry, I don't have experience with any of that equipment, so I can't answer exactly but give an educated guess.
I'm going to guess from your description that the E18 has the same or similar DAC and amp as the original X5; from memory, I'd describe the X5 as being bass deficient and having a slightly artificial treble, which gave pianos a kind of plinky sound in the upper registers. In the plus side, the sound was very clear and detailed. Does that sound like your experience?
The A5 is an updated version of the E12 and E12A, so I assume it sounds largely the same. Bass on the E12A is much stronger than the X5 and the treble sounds much more natural. In general, the whole presentation is much smoother and more natural.
The X5 was also able to drive the HD 650 easily, but the E12A is just much better at it. My experience is that the X5's DAC is a lot better than it's amp and I'd guess it's the same with your E18.

I don't have any experience when the Q5, but I'd imagine it sounds very good.

Thanks for your thoughts. The E18's treble didn't strike me as unnatural, but it is relatively light on bass. That's one of the reasons I like the E18 actually. I honestly prefer a tonal balance where the lows are less emphasized than what most people would prefer. The E18 does sound really bad however when paired headphones that are already bright, such as my HD 800S. For that, I most prefer the Audeze Deckard.

 

[megabigeye]

Thanks for your thoughts. The E18's treble didn't strike me as unnatural, but it is relatively light on bass. That's one of the reasons I like the E18 actually. I honestly prefer a tonal balance where the lows are less emphasized than what most people would prefer. The E18 does sound really bad however when paired headphones that are already bright, such as my HD 800S. For that, I most prefer the Audeze Deckard.

Ah, okay. I think I got confused because you posted in this thread. I kind of assumed you (like the OP, I guess) were an audio newb, but it doesn't seem like you are.
Sorry, I don't have any recommendations for you. Maybe you could use EQ?

And I may be misremembering how the X5 sounded. It's been a long time since I've heard it without an amp. Thinking about it, the upper keys of piano sounded bodiless and trumpets sometimes sounded... off. That's more like upper mids than treble, I guess, but it could also have been because of a lack of bass.

Anyway.

Good luck with the hunt!

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I think there's been a misunderstanding. I do own desktop DACs and amps that I use (notably Topping D50, Schiit Magni, and Audeze Deckard). I am looking for Amps or DAC/Amps that have a similar tonal balance of the E18, but I will create a new thread for that.

Can't you move the other equipment to where you'd use the portables then, like by your bed?