[dsrk]

 
I wholeheartedly agree! 

It is far from ever dreaming of being neutral lol

It is the smoothest and warmest thing you can find, but it sounds good. This doesn't mean it will ever be neutral. Nor dream to be. Asahi Kasei mentions many times over and over that they don't make neutral DACs, they insist that their DACs are the smoothest on the market, and I agree with them.
 
But that doesn't stop X5-3 form having awesome bass and mids, and for people who like relaxed /smooth treble, this is the best DAP they can get, especially at the sweet price it has!
 
 

 


Yes, exactly. DX200 costing 2.5 times has much slower interface than X5 3. This is the best DAP for price to performance ratio till now, period.

 

[denony]

  How is the latest Fiio Firmware as right now performing?

 
FW 1.1.0 : released on 2017-02-10
FW 1.1.1 : released on 2017-02-25 (15 days after previous version)
FW 1.1.2 : released on 2017-03-11 (14 days after previous version)
FW 1.1.3 : released on 2017-03-17 (6 days after previous version)
FW 1.1.4 : released on 2017-03-25 (8 days after previous version)
Next FW : ???????? (previous version was released 27 days ago!

)
 
Waiting... waiting... waiting...
 
I don't understand why did they ask us the update frequency we want : http://www.head-fi.org/t/828402/fiio-x5-3rd-gen-2x-akm-4490-balanced-out-dsd-dxd-dts-android-dual-card-slot/5880#post_13371673
 
Most of us replied "often" while bugs are not fixed.

 

[JaeYoon]

FW 1.1.0 : released on 2017-02-10

FW 1.1.1 : released on 2017-02-25 (15 days after previous version)

FW 1.1.2 : released on 2017-03-11 (14 days after previous version)

FW 1.1.3 : released on 2017-03-17 (6 days after previous version)

FW 1.1.4 : released on 2017-03-25 (8 days after previous version)

Next FW : ???????? (previous version was released 27 days ago! :confused_face: )

Waiting... waiting... waiting...

Yikes. Hopefully a new one comes soon then.

 

[Karendar]

FW 1.1.0 : released on 2017-02-10

FW 1.1.1 : released on 2017-02-25 (15 days after previous version)

FW 1.1.2 : released on 2017-03-11 (14 days after previous version)

FW 1.1.3 : released on 2017-03-17 (6 days after previous version)

FW 1.1.4 : released on 2017-03-25 (8 days after previous version)

Next FW : ???????? (previous version was released 27 days ago! :confused_face: )

Waiting... waiting... waiting...

Weren't they supposed to release 1.1.5 last week..? Either they hit a major roadblock or they are giving us something new which takes time

 

[ctruth]

 

Confucius say after big happy profit party, time for bosses to break out whips again..

 

[nekromantik]

anyone here beta tested 1.1.5

 

[Mars Explorer]

Lol. If you can just keep it as a nice alternative for comparisons sake. But I would bet you could sell it pretty quickly. Enjoy the music, through whatever you have, that is all that really matters.

The problem, I swear the pure music mode sounds warmer and fuller (which I don't like) than the android mode. Please someone, do an A/B and tell me what you think.

Android mode (filter: Short delay Sharp RollOff) vs Pure Mode with same filter.

I breath a sigh of relief in Android mode, and a sense of clean space comes back into the song, and that icky warm glue disappears. Pure mode might be FiiO's classic obsession with what they feel like foisting on us, even if we'll intentioned.

 

[BloodyPenguin]

For those looking for a inexpensive 2.5mm Balanced Earbud to go with your X5 III, check out the first post in my thread where I compare the TY Hi-Z 32 2.5mm to the VE Monk+ 2.5mm:
 
"Introduction to TY Hi-Z Earbud Family: Mega Review"
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/831374/introduction-to-ty-hi-z-earbud-family-mega-review
 

 
--

 

[LCMusicLover]

Yes, I'm listening closely here and analyzing again, the warmth is there, mild but there, and it's annoying me. The bass bump adds to the perception.

Anyone wanna buy a FiiO X5 III Limited Edition metallic Ferrari Red? Not the normal red. I refuse to tolerate warmth of any kind in a DAC/DAP.

 
Well, these appear to be moving briskly on the Head-Fi For Sale forum.  I saw one go up and close in about 4 hours yesterday (maybe the day before?)
 
I may be in the same boat, although I'm not sure yet.  I impulsively bought a Cowon Plenue 2.  At first, I didn't hear enough difference to justify the cost, and figured I'd just return the P2.  But, as the Cowon has burned in, I'm starting to waver.  The Cowon plays as USB/DAC out of my iPhone, which I couldn't get the X5iii to do, so the whole streaming thing becomes a (mostly) non-issue.
 
And the Cowon is starting to sound really good to me, detail, and sound stage mostly. Really, all the things I love about the X5, but even more so. Tonality is really very close -- same DAC family, so I guess that's no surprise. I do like the 2 slots in the X5, but I could move to a 256Gb microSD and probably have enough storage.Decisions, decisions 

 

[psikey]

   
FW 1.1.0 : released on 2017-02-10
FW 1.1.1 : released on 2017-02-25 (15 days after previous version)
FW 1.1.2 : released on 2017-03-11 (14 days after previous version)
FW 1.1.3 : released on 2017-03-17 (6 days after previous version)
FW 1.1.4 : released on 2017-03-25 (8 days after previous version)
Next FW : ???????? (previous version was released 27 days ago!

)
 
Waiting... waiting... waiting...
 
I don't understand why did they ask us the update frequency we want : http://www.head-fi.org/t/828402/fiio-x5-3rd-gen-2x-akm-4490-balanced-out-dsd-dxd-dts-android-dual-card-slot/5880#post_13371673
 
Most of us replied "often" while bugs are not fixed.

 
I got a PM last week from Fiio asking me to test OTA firmware update speed on next release which they hinted could have been end of this week but not be updated since. Must be any day now.

 

[dsrk]

Dont take me wrong, but if its 1 person's opinion out of the blue and is really odd in comparison lets leave it and get back to topic. 


 


Help each other find best pairing, best sound, best EQ settings, best cases, best places to find music, best suggestions so that fiio improves the OS. 


 


 


If someone compares a Sports car to Animal pulled card, i dont see merit in explaining anything. 

 


Yes, that's exactly why I did not argue with him when he sounded so sure that X5 3 is way inferior. I kind of got pissed off.

You won't find night and day difference between the sound quality of flagship mobiles like LG V20, S7 or S8 or iPhone 7 and very good DAPs like X5 when it comes to details. But, it's not just about the details though, it's about how those details are presented and pronounced. And how natural they sound.

Now back to X5 3 and my HD650s, I am really looking for an AMP that can properly drive them.

Can anyone suggest a reasonable AMP to use with X5 3?

 

[enragedlemon]

Dont take me wrong, but if its 1 person's opinion out of the blue and is really odd in comparison lets leave it and get back to topic. 


 


Help each other find best pairing, best sound, best EQ settings, best cases, best places to find music, best suggestions so that fiio improves the OS. 


 


 


If someone compares a Sports car to Animal pulled card, i dont see merit in explaining anything. 

 


Yes, that's exactly why I did not argue with him when he sounded so sure that X5 3 is way inferior. I kind of got pissed off.

You won't find night and day difference between the sound quality of flagship mobiles like LG V20, S7 or S8 or iPhone 7 and very good DAPs like X5 when it comes to details. But, it's not just about the details though, it's about how those details are presented and pronounced. And how natural they sound.

Now back to X5 3 and my HD650s, I am really looking for an AMP that can properly drive them.

Can anyone suggest an reasonable AMP to use with X5 3?

I'd highly recommend the FiiO A5. The paring is delightful.

 

[Persco]

 

  Dont take me wrong, but if its 1 person's opinion out of the blue and is really odd in comparison lets leave it and get back to topic. 
   
  Help each other find best pairing, best sound, best EQ settings, best cases, best places to find music, best suggestions so that fiio improves the OS. 
   
   
  If someone compares a Sports car to Animal pulled card, i dont see merit in explaining anything. 

 


Yes, that's exactly why I did not argue with him when he sounded so sure that X5 3 is way inferior. I kind of got pissed off.

You won't find night and day difference between the sound quality of flagship mobiles like LG V20, S7 or S8 or iPhone 7 and very good DAPs like X5 when it comes to details. But, it's not just about the details though, it's about how those details are presented and pronounced. And how natural they sound.

Now back to X5 3 and my HD650s, I am really looking for an AMP that can properly drive them.

Can anyone suggest an reasonable AMP to use with X5 3?

 
Another option is the iBasso PB3. I've ordered one, given the specs and the feedback on the quality of the balanced output. No idea if it will make a huge difference. I'm driving Campfire Jupiters and Lyra II's. But I am curious enough to find out.

 

[dsrk]

I'd highly recommend the FiiO A5. The paring is delightful.

 


Thanks, how good is A5 when compared to Schiit Magni 2 Uber and iDSD BL in terms of driving power?

 

[denony]

   
I got a PM last week from Fiio asking me to test OTA firmware update speed on next release which they hinted could have been end of this week but not be updated since. Must be any day now.

Same for me. But in the PM they wrote "early this week"