[peter1480]

According to this...


This does not look like the DAP for me.

tbh though... this DAP looks like a small diagonal step from the X5iii rather than a jump forward. Like an X5iii Rev 2.

why do n't you get a balanced dac to go with your VE Zen 2.0 Balanced, Schiit for example and feed Fiio into that as a transport? The results are very good though I do n't know the VE Zen 2.0 Balanced (the specs look ok on Aliexpress).

 

[WayTooCrazy]

why do n't you get a balanced dac to go with your VE Zen 2.0 Balanced, Schiit for example and feed Fiio into that as a transport? The results are very good though I do n't know the VE Zen 2.0 Balanced (the specs look ok on Aliexpress).

The Zen 2.0 plays fine off of the X5iii. I wanted the X7ii to have Balanced Line-Out, so I can feed my VE RunAbout 2.0 Balanced Amp in full balanced mode without needed another item in-between (as a Balanced Portable DAC is not easy to come by).

 

[WayTooCrazy]

But it has the AMP modules and an ESS Pro chip, so it should be an upgrade from X7 if we consider the DAC configurations in FiiO DAPs so far (?)

The Balanced Headphone out is fine. I mean, a nicer one than what is on the X5iii is welcome. I was looking for a Balanced Line-Out. I'm not upset, it just means that I won't be upgrading from the X5iii to another Fiio DAP. The F9 though, that looks impressive. Now to find it's official thread.

 

[peter1480]

The Zen 2.0 plays fine off of the X5iii. I wanted the X7ii to have Balanced Line-Out, so I can feed my VE RunAbout 2.0 Balanced Amp in full balanced mode without needed another item in-between (as a Balanced Portable DAC is not easy to come by).

Yes, I 've been there.

 

[Dobrescu George]

If you are into streaming I'd steer clear of this until fiio proves they can improve streaming on their devices. Considering this will be running the same firmware as the X7 and X5ii I don't see that happening yet.

Not for me. Just sold my X5III and went back to using Mojo with phone as I just love the sound. After I've tried the Hugo 2 on the UK Tour I may even upgrade from the Mojo or even consider the Poly for use with Mojo. Not bothering with DAP's now.

Well, I am curious to hear X7 in person before making any statement, you never know what will impress you most.

The Balanced Headphone out is fine. I mean, a nicer one than what is on the X5iii is welcome. I was looking for a Balanced Line-Out. I'm not upset, it just means that I won't be upgrading from the X5iii to another Fiio DAP. The F9 though, that looks impressive. Now to find it's official thread.

Let's hope that something which will satisfy you will come your way and make you happy!

F9 surely seems interesting, can't wait to hear one and write about it. Since the FR was published, it looks like they are going for a warm and musical sound with a smooth top end, at least if judging from the FR.

 

[squyzz]

Hi, is it still mini usb (usb 2)?
Regards

 

[LCMusicLover]

Hi, is it still mini usb (usb 2)?
Regards

Appears to be same micro USB port:

https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/9973004.jpeg

Makes sense, since K5 gets output from DAP via USB.

https://massdrop-s3.imgix.net/produ.../MD-34945_20170202103817_2b00914fc3aec162.jpg

If they changed (say to USB-C), wouldn't be compatible with K5. Plus, since USB is part of amp, and the want v.1 amps to work with v.2, it wouldn't make sense to to change.

 

[Dobrescu George]

Appears to be same micro USB port:

https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/9973004.jpeg

Makes sense, since K5 gets output from DAP via USB.

https://massdrop-s3.imgix.net/produ.../MD-34945_20170202103817_2b00914fc3aec162.jpg

If they changed (say to USB-C), wouldn't be compatible with K5. Plus, since USB is part of amp, and the want v.1 amps to work with v.2, it wouldn't make sense to to change.

That might be good for long-term compatibility though, most of my devices have the same micro USB port, until the next generation gets far more popular, this one should satisfy our needs well.

 

[Zike]

It seems that the default AMP shipped with it is an AM3A.

Is there a spec comparison of the AM3A and the AM3 ?

 

[Brooko]

It seems that the default AMP shipped with it is an AM3A.

Is there a spec comparison of the AM3A and the AM3 ?

Just get it from their website - http://www.fiio.net/en/products/71/comparisons

Partial Performance Parameters for Headphone Output (The X7MKII in comparison is using AM3A as example)
3.5mm headphone output

Measurement	X7ii + AM3A	X7 + AM3	X5iii
Output Power 1	≥200 mW（16Ω / THD+N＜1%)	＞250mW (16Ω / THD+N＜1%)	≥480 mW (16Ω / THD+N＜1%)
Output Power 2	≥150 mW（32Ω /THD+N＜1%)	＞190mW (32Ω / THD+N＜1%)	≥250 mW (32Ω /THD+N＜1%)
Output Power 3	≥17 mW（300Ω / THD+N＜1%)	＞25mW (300Ω / THD+N＜1%)	≥28 mW (300Ω / THD+N＜1%)
Frequency Response	6 Hz~60 kHz (-3dB)	5Hz~83kHz (-3dB)	5 Hz~55 kHz (-3dB)
SNR	≥116 dB (A-weighted)	≥115dB (A-weighted)	≥115 dB (A-weighted)
Output Impedance	＜1.2 Ω (32Ω loaded)	＜0.3Ω (32Ω loaded)	＜1Ω (32Ω loaded)
Crosstalk	≥73 dB (1 kHz)	72dB (32Ω/1kHz)	＞73 dB (32KΩ/1 kHz)
THD+N	＜0.003% (1 kHz)	＜0.001% (32Ω/1kHz)	＜0.003% (32 KΩ/1 kHz)
MAX Output Voltage	＞6 Vp-p	＞7Vp-p	＞8 Vp-p
MAX Output Current	＞150 mA (For reference)	＞80mA (for reference)	>250mA (for reference)
Drive Ability	16~150 Ω	16~300 Ω	16~150 Ω

2.5mm TRRS Balanced Output

Measurement	X7ii + AM3A	X7 + AM3	X5iii
Output Power 1	≥380 mW（16Ω / THD+N＜1%)	＞420mW (16Ω / THD+N＜1%)	≥400 mW (16Ω / THD+N＜1%)
Output Power 2	≥400 mW（32Ω /THD+N＜1%)	＞540mW (32Ω / THD+N＜1%)	≥240 mW (32Ω /THD+N＜1%)
Output Power 3	≥63 mW（300Ω / THD+N＜1%)	＞70mW (300Ω / THD+N＜1%)	≥26 mW (300Ω / THD+N＜1%)
Frequency Response	6 Hz~60 kHz (-3dB)	5Hz~83kHz (-3dB)	5 Hz~55 kHz (-3dB)
SNR	≥119 dB (A-weighted)	≥115dB (A-weighted)	≥111 dB (A-weighted)
Output Impedance	＜1.7 Ω (32Ω loaded)	＜0.3Ω (32Ω loaded)	＜3Ω (32Ω loaded)
Crosstalk	≥97 dB (1 kHz)	100dB (32Ω/1kHz)	＞98 dB (32KΩ/1 kHz)
THD+N	＜0.003% (1 kHz)	＜0.0008% (32Ω/1kHz)	＜0.003% (32 KΩ/1 kHz)
MAX Output Voltage	＞10 Vp-p	＞11Vp-p	＞7.5 Vp-p
MAX Output Current	＞150 mA (For reference)	＞160mA (for reference)	>250mA (for reference)
Drive Ability	16~300 Ω	16~150 Ω	16~150 Ω

 

[Brooko]

Couple of interesting things - to me anyway - is the output impedance of the AM3A, and also the lower recommended "driveability" spec for the X7 + AM3 original (which I assume is a typo as the AM3 is actually more powerful).

FiiO - are the original X7 amp modules interchangeable with the new X7ii?

 

[x RELIC x]

FiiO - are the original X7 amp modules interchangeable with the new X7ii?

Yes they are Paul, at least that's what I gather from this post when they say compatible with all amp modules:

https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/f...band-wifi-opt-out.854353/page-2#post-13601072

And specifically this:

 

[Brooko]

Thanks Craig

 

[Whitigir]

I still adore the USB 2.0 as you don't need another chipset in the chain to take a toll on the sound quality. USB C IDchip! It is extremely valuable in smartphones for it practicality, but not for music

 

[x RELIC x]

It's interesting that they show a Field Programable Gate Array chip for the S/PDiF output in the block diagram. I wonder if this is due to limitations they've found with the X5III's S/PDiF output.