PinkyPowers
Reviewer: The Headphone List
What's interesting about the defect reports is that there are so many different types of problems: they're not all the same.
So, Fiio can't simply isolate a single issue (a particular component or UI glitch); instead, it seems like the manufacturing process overall is the issue. Perhaps Fiio is cost cutting with componentry or their procedure for testing units (perhaps they test an insufficient number of samples?) is inadequate.
My sense is that Fiio releases beta level products, and attempts to cover glitches along the way, and not always successfully.
For example, the X3II still has a 5800 song limit?
For me, the X5's SQ is so good, I can overlook the rather primitive UI. It's really too bad the X5II isn't a clear cut homerun/upgrade over the X5.
I bought an X5 rather late into it's production cycle and aside from firmware issues, and the scroll wheel's lack of precision, the product works as designed, bringing superior SQ at a reasonable price.
A few random issues are normal for all electronics. If they were all alike, that would be a pattern for concern, and a genuine design flaw showing its ugly head.
You can argue it's not "a few" problems, but I've been following this thread for a while now, and see no sign the percentage is very high. Remember, a person is FAR more likely to voice their opinion when they are dissatisfied than when they are content. Even forgetting that, we are not hearing many failures.... on these forums, at least.