[Mython]

First thing I'd like to say is thankyou to Fiio for continuing to push performance levels for DAP users with more sense than money.
 
 
 

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EDIT: just seen a different angle photograph, which negates what I said earlier, about control buttons - apologies!
 

 

 

[Mython]

 

  .... How will the firmware updates be done for this model?

 
OTA update,same as our X7.

 
 
Will you also allow the possibility to side-load firmware updates using a microUSD cable and PC? (or from a microSD card)

 

[vincik]

so... X5 3rd has same dual DAC AK4490 chips as AK380($3500)?

 

[420204]

  so... X5 3rd has same dual DAC AK4490 chips as AK380($3500)?

the DAC chip alone doesn't guarantee exceptional sound... but yes, they both have the same DAC built in. 

 

[Afghan Vet]

I'll certainly get one - checks all the boxes for me. I travel every week, so I'm always using my X5ii for CIEMs, I use it in the car as my primary source now, and I used it recently at a mini-meet to connect directly to guy's rigs through coax to their DAC - enabling me to listen to my music through their rig - instead of carrying CDs or scrolling through their music files on their laptops.
 
So for me - there are a lot of uses for this device, and I love the updated styling. Great Job FiiO!!! 

 

[tienbasse]

  so... X5 3rd has same dual DAC AK4490 chips as AK380($3500)?

Yes, sweet moment when people realize how much AK charges only for very subjective SQ.
And can't even provide 2 microsd slots...

 

[Venture Guy]

Finally, an affordable, high quality DAP that supports WiFi! I'm in...

 

[Dobrescu George]

  the DAC chip alone doesn't guarantee exceptional sound... but yes, they both have the same DAC built in. 

 
The DAC SURELY isn't the whole story. 

But after past experiences I came to expect a really good implementation from FiiO 

 

[ucanuup]

  so... X5 3rd has same dual DAC AK4490 chips as AK380($3500)?

not exactly the same, AK380 has 4490eq while X5 uses 4490en, which is a low voltage version. and those chips cost $5 each, so it means nothing.

 

[PinkyPowers]

so... X5 3rd has same dual DAC AK4490 chips as AK380($3500)?

It's understandable to find this confusing, since manufacturers have used the DAC chip has their major marketing tool for a while now. But in reality, they aren't as significant as one might think. Any of the "audiophile-grade" DACs over the last three years can sound as good, or better, than whichever one came out just last week, depending on their implementation/circuit architecture. Now a days they all do an amazing job rendering an honest recreation.

Why one DAP sounds better than another very often comes down to how much money the company invests in all the less marketable components. And of course, implementation, implementation, implementation. Utilizing the small real estate available in a DAP more efficiently than the other guy can win you the day.

Now, lets not kid ourselves. Astell&Kern products are overpriced. Everyone knows it. And yet, the fact they are overpriced does not mean there is no benefit to going with AK. They do offer more than FiiO does, generally speaking. Not only do find the sound better than any Cayin or FiiO product, even on my AK120ii, but the build quality is true luxury-tier. Cayin does a skillful job of faking luxury, much better than FiiO, but even they fall short of Astell&Kern. AK uses higher-grade materials, even in the chassis, because they know they'll make that money back 10-fold by pricing it as a "luxury item."

Not to mention, they offer SIGNIFICANTLY more Gigabytes of internal storage.

This is why I recommend folk buy used, if they're interested in Astell&Kern. It brings the price/performance ratio down to a more realistic level.

 

[ClieOS]

Now, lets not kid ourselves. Astell&Kern products are overpriced. Everyone knows it. And yet, the fact they are overpriced does not mean there is no benefit to going with AK. They do offer more than FiiO does, generally speaking. Not only do find the sound better than any Cayin or FiiO product, even on my AK120ii, but the build quality is true luxury-tier. Cayin does a skillful job of faking luxury, much better than FiiO, but even they fall short of Astell&Kern. AK uses higher-grade materials, even in the chassis, because they know they'll make that money back 10-fold by pricing it as a "luxury item."

I wholeheartedly disagreed, especially when I listen to an AK with my eyes closed

 

[ExpatinJapan]

I saw the pictures on Facebook and am quite excited by this decent mid priced Dap.

Well done FiiO

 

[Mython]

Some companies screw people to achieve short-term success.
 
Some companies serve people to achieve longterm success.
 
 
 
Thankfully, Fiio fit into the second category.

 

[blazinblazin]

Some branded other brand under theirs, charged user a lot and the workmanship is not that good.

 

[Dobrescu George]

One thing I would like to know and haven't noticed in any of the promo materials is what is the voltage swing of X5-3?