Hello everyone,
I've been browsing Head-Fi for quite a few months now, reading up on the B3, various other IEMs, DAPs and DACs. So about a month ago I purchased the B3 and I've been enjoying it straight out of my phone more than my previous IEM, the fischer consonance pro. The irony is I paid more for the fischer.
So what made me finally register and say thank you to you all for posting your varied opinions and comparisons that helped me come to this decision. I've been reading on the various synergies with the various DAPs, AMPs and DACs and have auditioned the fiio X3, X5(my fav so far), E10k, DX50, Ifi Nano Ican and some others I can't remember. In my pursuit, I finally pulled the trigger on a second hand DACport just today and I'm now enjoying every bit of it. Granted it isn't exactly portable (I do intend to try it with UAPP and USB otg cables), I can say I can finally understand why a good source really brings out the quality of the B3, so thank you once again for setting me on a path to find a suitable source that synergies well with it.
So to end off with my 2 cents, the B3 synergizes well with the X5 and E10k. The dark background of the X5 really brings out the clarity and how the b3 responds with it by bringing out lots of soul and body, it sounds simply euphoric on certain tracks like Adele's someone like you and John Legend's All of me. However, the slightly narrow soundstage of the X5 does make some tracks like coldplay's songs (lots of instruments) sound congested.
The DACport comes in nicely to mitigate what I find a small weakness of the X5, it has a slightly wider soundstage and hence helps to enhance the B3's natural width, it is warm enough as well to complement the B3 too. I do miss some parts of the X5's presentation but I'm still happy (just don't tempt me with an irresistible offer of a X5 lol). I also read that B6 is in the works, Please let me enjoy my b3 for a while more and rest my wallet.before Havi comes out with it, I'm interested to see how can Havi improve on the B3, maybe four drivers? LOL
Cheers