FiiO X3MKIII || Dual TI PCM5242 || Dual-mode Bluetooth 4.1 || Dual headphone outputs || Balanced Out || 192kHz/32bit

[duo8]

Huh, the red ring around the power button isn't a light.
Missed opportunity there.

 

[Glebuzzz]

When will you update your site with detailed specification for X3III?
For now, it's not looking as an upgrade from previous X3II.

 

[Dobrescu George]

When will you update your site with detailed specification for X3III?
For now, it's not looking as an upgrade from previous X3II.

Also looking forward for more detailed specs!

So far, it looks like we have a few interesting changes:

Dual PCM 5242 vs CS4398
OPA 2140 + OPA 1622 vs OPA 1642 + LMH 6643
It has BAL
It has BT
New Touch wheel

 

[maniac2003]

Curious what the OS is going to be. I don't think it will be Android based.
Also curious to hear about the runtime of the device.

 

[fourrobert13]

Curious what the OS is going to be. I don't think it will be Android based.
Also curious to hear about the runtime of the device.

Just guessing, but I'm pretty sure it will be Linux based just like the X1II that shares similar features like the bluetooth, touch wheel, and the same DAC chip. Hopefully smother at release than the X1II was. No Aptx with the bluetooth either like the X1II which FiiO said was because of Linux if I recall correctly.

 

[maniac2003]

Ah, ok. Sounds very likely.
Android also had it's bugs, any Android based DAP maker + customers experienced this. Wouldn't it be great to just have an OS without re-sampling or max files issues? Hard to believe that such a thing is not around.

 

[AndrewPL]

Thats is strange that no aptx is because of Linux, Cowon for example had no problems implementing aptx into their Linux based new Plenue R

 

[fourrobert13]

Thats is strange that no aptx is because of Linux, Cowon for example had no problems implementing aptx into their Linux based new Plenue R

I'm going off of memory with that info, but that's what I remember reading. I'd have to go back to the X1II thread and try to find it. I'd imagine FiiO will be along shortly to fill in some blanks with the correct information considering they said this will release next month if all goes well.

 

[fourrobert13]

Here's FiiO's reason behind the lack of aptx from the X1II thread:

"you are welcome and we will try our best to discuss with Qualcomm to see if they can release the firmware SKD in linux system based on MIPS Soc."

It appears to be multiple issues than just Linux. More of a combination of Linux and the MIPS Soc. I've seen them advertise aptx with the X7II, they only say Bluetooth 4.1 on this DAP which is what leads me to believe the X3III shares similar hardware/software to the X1II.

 

[Dobrescu George]

Here's FiiO's reason behind the lack of aptx from the X1II thread:

"you are welcome and we will try our best to discuss with Qualcomm to see if they can release the firmware SKD in linux system based on MIPS Soc."

It appears to be multiple issues than just Linux. More of a combination of Linux and the MIPS Soc. I've seen them advertise aptx with the X7II, they only say Bluetooth 4.1 on this DAP which is what leads me to believe the X3III shares similar hardware/software to the X1II.

Someone is making it hard to get your hands on an APT-X driver for many systems...

AC8265 module can do APT-X, but you have to get your hands on the specific driver to enable it... I managed to get it working and fast, but the solution is not exactly official.

I have no idea what the situation is with FiiO, but this has been my experience.

 

[FiiO]

When will you update your site with detailed specification for X3III?
For now, it's not looking as an upgrade from previous X3II.

The introduction of X3 MK III is not ready for our website now , but we will release the X3 MK III into market in August , so its introduction will be ready at that time.

 

[FiiO]

what's the battery life of this player? can't find that info

it is about 10 hours.

 

[FiiO]

@FiiO While it does have SPDIF, will it also feature digital audio out via USB OTG to an external DAC?

Sorry, it does not feature digital audio out via USB OTG to an external DAC.

 

[bruce1967]

I have two X1 2nd gen DAPs so I probably don't need a new one right now but I know eventually I'll want the new X3. It's very nice looking and I'm sure it's well built.

 

[Richsvt]

Really looking forward to reading some reviews once it hits the market. Like that it kept the 2nd gen's form.