FiiO X7 | DXD | DSD | 384K/64B | ESS9018+ Android | WiFi | Bluetooth | 4 AMP modules | Balanced Out |

[Brooko]

It's pretty simple really .....
 
If you have balanced headphones, you get the balanced module.  If they are single ended, get the single ended module.  If you want to use single ended headphones with the balanced module - you'd need an adaptor.
 
EDIT : Without getting into a debate on it though, the benefits of balanced (especially in a portable device) are questionable. So my suggestion is to forget balanced and just go with standard SE.

 

[Dobrescu George]

  It's pretty simple really .....
 
If you have balanced headphones, you get the balanced module.  If they are single ended, get the single ended module.  If you want to use single ended headphones with the balanced module - you'd need an adaptor.
 
EDIT : Without getting into a debate on it though, the benefits of balanced (especially in a portable device) are questionable. So my suggestion is to forget balanced and just go with standard SE.

an interesting thing of misunderstanding... from how i read it in english, fiio seemed to say something like 
 
the player if going to have something like cards that you can change yourself, plug or something for amps, and you buy the player with more than one...
 
then i asked if i would be able to enjoy the full potential of all amp cards...
 
sorry if i seem offensive at times

 
i am not debateing how much of a difference it makes, i never heared a balanced output, i just wanted to make sure that i will be able to use the normal output at the best, in the case which we would be able to buy one player with more than one amp module... then again, if the DAC will be great, i could just use e12 for amp, to save x7's batterry as much as possible...

 

[Jim Vulcan]

I would like to weigh in on a couple issues here...

To me?  SQ is the most important factor...and size be damned!!!  I'm sure Fiio is aware of what size is too big, etc.

And....I go to the gym, work out hard, while most are texting or doing whatever they do without working out.  High volume and sound quality are PARAMOUNT to me.  It gets me in the mood...makes me want to work out more.  Someone here had mentioned not wanting to bring an X5 to the gym...too big!!  Come on!!!

You know what I use??  An old Sony WMD6C...the Pro Walkman that uses cassettes!!!  That thing is a beast!!!  But it does sound good.  Problem is when it breaks, they aren't making parts for it anymore.

Problem I find on threads like this is that some are really making big deals over nothing (at least to me).  I have never heard a Hifiman 901, but am aware it is considered one of the best sounding units out there.  Something that sounds that good...with a metal case....and a bit smaller with good UI and way less bugs would be perfect!!  Also with capability to make simple playlists and a good EQ.  But, different strokes for different folks....

 

[headwhacker]

  I would like to weigh in on a couple issues here...

To me?  SQ is the most important factor...and size be damned!!!  I'm sure Fiio is aware of what size is too big, etc.

And....I go to the gym, work out hard, while most are texting or doing whatever they do without working out.  High volume and sound quality are PARAMOUNT to me.  It gets me in the mood...makes me want to work out more.  Someone here had mentioned not wanting to bring an X5 to the gym...too big!!  Come on!!!

You know what I use??  An old Sony WMD6C...the Pro Walkman that uses cassettes!!!  That thing is a beast!!!  But it does sound good.  Problem is when it breaks, they aren't making parts for it anymore.

Problem I find on threads like this is that some are really making big deals over nothing (at least to me).  I have never heard a Hifiman 901, but am aware it is considered one of the best sounding units out there.  Something that sounds that good...with a metal case....and a bit smaller with good UI and way less bugs would be perfect!!  Also with capability to make simple playlists and a good EQ.  But, different strokes for different folks....

 
+1, X5 size is already perfect. I don't have very big hands but I don't like fiddling with small gadgets. Using an arm band is not a problem with the size and weight of the X5. 
 
The SQ bit will always be personal preference. X7 will sound different but does not necessarily be better or worse. I'm pretty sure there will be as many people liking it as those who will not. Best bet is X7 offers features worth adding in a DAP in it's price range and be considered high value for money.
 
What I'm looking for is the ability to drive very sensitive iems all the way to power hungry cans without resorting to a stack. I think the modular amp section will make this possible (DX90 and X5 already has powerful amps but still fall short on some power hungry cans especially high impedance cans). I hate to be stuck sitting on my desk at home just to enjoy very good music.
 
Another thing that is important is software. As much as possible I don't want to go through all the pain of a buggy software and wait months to get iterations of small improvements and still plenty of features missing.
 
I use Rockbox on DX90. I set it to a point  where I don't have to fiddle with the UI anymore. It plays music as soon as I turn it on. Only need to press the volume buttons to adjust the loudness and the power button to shut it off. The playlist is robust and it can play albums and randomly select another album to play once done with the previous album. Gapless playback does not seem too hard to implement and yet a lot of DAPs fail miserably.

 

[Jim Vulcan]

I almost pulled the trigger on DX90...still got it in my sights.  But, I'd like to see what Fiio does with this X7 first.  One or the other, I think....

Headwhacker?  Thanks for the comments....

 

[headwhacker]

  I almost pulled the trigger on DX90...still got it in my sights.  But, I'd like to see what Fiio does with this X7 first.  One or the other, I think....

Headwhacker?  Thanks for the comments....

 
I am most likely settled on DX90. If the X7's modular amp proves to be what I'm looking for to further simplify my setup then I will replace my DX90. 
 
There are new DAPs coming out almost everyday. Crazy, but they all seem like rehash of what already exists. There seems to be a trend of adding features which does little or add anything to a better experience in enjoying music. One thing I don't get is why the push for larger screen? Which in turn make the DAP bulky and sacrifice physical buttons (or some resort to fiddly harware controls). and drain more battery power unnecessarily. 
 
From the early render, I think X7 is well designed. The size, the hardware controls and the features are well thought of. I believe Fiio (and iBasso as well) have already mastered the hardware design of a DAP. I just hope it does not disappoint on the software side of things. 

 

[Jim Vulcan]

   
I am most likely settled on DX90. If the X7's modular amp proves to be what I'm looking for to further simplify my setup then I will replace my DX90. 
 
There are new DAPs coming out almost everyday. Crazy, but they all seem like rehash of what already exists. There seems to be a trend of adding features which does little or add anything to a better experience in enjoying music. One thing I don't get is why the push for larger screen? Which in turn make the DAP bulky and sacrifice physical buttons (or some resort to fiddly harware controls). and drain more battery power unnecessarily. 
 
From the early render, I think X7 is well designed. The size, the hardware controls and the features are well thought of. I believe Fiio (and iBasso as well) have already mastered the hardware design of a DAP. I just hope it does not disappoint on the software side of things. 

I am curious to see what kind of reviews the X7 gets....especially against DX90 or DX100...perhaps HM901.  Reading of so many others, I am left with too many have buggy software, etc.  Am hoping this one is super stable and meets all basic requirements...especially the SQ

 

[Mython]

   
One thing I don't get is why the push for larger screen? Which in turn make the DAP bulky and sacrifice physical buttons (or some resort to fiddly harware controls). and drain more battery power unnecessarily.

 
 
One major reason is that the cellphone industry is driving the small LCD/OLED/AMOLED screen market, and thus, through economies of scale, and simple manufacturing focus, circa 4" touchscreens are often the most viable option for non-cellphone device makers seeking a relatively small screen for their device, whether it be a DAP or something else.  If you go back through the early days of the X5 thread, you'll find James did discuss this issue. In the end, I think I recall that a surplus of Blackberry screens was made available on the open market, and James snapped some up for making the X5.
 
4" cellphone touchscreens also neatly comply with the requirements of Android, and because Android is a widespread platform, development can (sometimes) be a more viable way to get a working firmware to market, rather than commissioning, or developing-in-house, a bespoke firmware.
 
 
.

 

[JamesFiiO]

   
 
awesome progress. Are you planning on keep the app store active in the final build.

 
not, cause we don't want to people install any app from google play. the X7 should only supports some special Apps, it means you may not play game in X7!

 

[Mython]

Found James' post:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/661411/fiio-x5-thread-info-updated-on-jan-17th-2014/3750#post_10209322

 

[Mython]

   
not, cause we don't want to people install any app from google play. the X7 should only supports some special Apps, it means you may not play game in X7!

 
What about apps like Neutron or Poweramp?

 

[shakur1996]

   
not, cause we don't want to people install any app from google play. the X7 should only supports some special Apps, it means you may not play game in X7!

That's good news. I was scared that you will produce something like smartphone, packed with all unncessary crap. This is a DAP and it should only play music.
 
Any news on ETA. Is it still contemplated for summer 2015?

 

[JamesFiiO]

   
 
One major reason is that the cellphone industry is driving the small LCD/OLED/AMOLED screen market, and thus, through economies of scale, and simple manufacturing focus, circa 4" touchscreens are often the most viable option for non-cellphone device makers seeking a relatively small screen for their device, whether it be a DAP or something else.  If you go back through the early days of the X5 thread, you'll find James did discuss this issue. In the end, I think I recall that a surplus of Blackberry screens was made available on the open market, and James snapped some up for making the X5.
 
4" cellphone touchscreens also neatly comply with the requirements of Android, and because Android is a widespread platform, development can (sometimes) be a more viable way to get a working firmware to market, rather than commissioning, or developing-in-house, a bespoke firmware.
 
 
.

 
can't agree more. the 4.3/5.0 is too big for an Android phone. at the same time , it is very difficult to find a smaller screen such as 3.3 or 3.5 or 3.7 . and as I known , Astell&Kern has very good relationship with Samsung and that is why they can custom a special Amoled from Samsung.

 

[JamesFiiO]

   
What about apps like Neutron or Poweramp?

 
sure, music apps will be always welcome. and now I have not time to study some streaming media like Pandora and Spotify but they should be OK in X7

 

[Mython]

   
can't agree more. the 4.3/5.0 is too big for an Android phone. at the same time , it is very difficult to find a smaller screen such as 3.3 or 3.5 or 3.7 . and as I known , Astell&Kern has very good relationship with Samsung and that is why they can custom a special Amoled from Samsung.

 
 
I didn't realise A&K screens were bespoke - I had assumed they were just buying old stock direct from Samsung, simply because they have a close relationship in the same country (it wouldn't surprise me if some of A&K engineers are ex-Samsung employees, since many of the skills would be directly transferable for DAP development).