A great review on Head-Fi' webzine! congrats.
I bought the DAP Fiio X3 2nd gen at 215$ on amazon. Very neutral in terms of acoustic signature playback compared to the iBasso dx-50 for instance. A good value for money imho. I made some tests with 2 different IEMs with a different sound shaping. Then on next week I'll test it with some headphones as well.
Balanced-shaped test: With the IEMs Dunu dn-2000. Great sound performance, very very balanced and full of details in the Mids frequecies... I would say "omnivorous" with any kind of music, a perfect bundle with the X3 with classic music. I love them. I bought the Dunu at 295$ on amazon too.
V-shaped Test: with the IEMs Ubsound Fighter aluminum. Perfect sound performance, stricktly v-shaped acoustic signature with textured and deep basses, the Highs are clean and rich in details, the Mids are warm and a little behind with a great soundstage. Very good with dance/electronic music, rock, pop, swing and jazz. A good value for money imho, I bought the Ubsound Fighter directly on the online-shop area of the ubsound.com website at 69$. I love their warm soundstage and the Italian style & design.
The main songs listened during the test.
Imany: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lpkqVQ-u_X0
Adele: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hLQl3WQQoQ0
John Legend: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=450p7goxZqg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Metallica: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj75Arhq5ho&feature=youtu.be
Imany: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hjvybhRUym8
Dire Straits/Eagle: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5GFZkKNFuPM
Carl Cox (dance/Ibiza Spain): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XHms8POkG0Q
These songs are masterpieces imho. Try to believe
Ditto