[1TrickPony]

A diminished soundstage compared to what? The original X5? To my ears the opposite was true. If you need a comparison between the two, let me know and I'll borrow the III from my friend and A/B with my first gen. But my impressions from a relatively short listen was more detail across the range, wider soundstage (not HUGELY wider, but wider) and just a general nice step up from the X5.

My first gen is working fine and I'm not rolling in money - but if it breaks, or if I had more money, I would not hesitate to get the X5 III. Great upgrade.

PinkyPowers review -- in comparison to the current new outings. Just looking at options on my end.another headfi member did say it was wider than the dx90. That is a plus. Every now and then some of us will ask the source of their lz-A4 just as a reference. When you're considering a $250+, it's nice to ask around.

Edit: I also pair mine with a Shanling m3, which came after X5 gen1. Based on some reviews, I have an idea where it stands re: presentation. Just looking for a good pairing. I also have an Alo Rx just in case -- IEM BFF!!!

 

[Brooko]

@PinkyPowers review. Just looking at options on my end.another headfi member did say it was wider than the dx90. That is a plus. Every now and then some of us will ask the source of their lz-A4 just as a reference. When you're considering a $250+, it's nice to ask around.

 
Its one opinion - but let me ask you a question .....
 
For DAPS

1. Given that we know the impression of soundstage is mainly affected by frequency (mid-range bump gives perception of closer, mid-range recession gives impression of farther), or cross talk, or DSP
2. Given that the X5iii measures pretty much flat from 10Hz - 20 kHz (very slight roll both ends - but similar most mainstream daps)
3. Given that the X5iii has very low cross talk
4. Given that the X5ii actually includes options for DSP through Viper (and one of these is the use of spacialisation) 

 
Do you really think that the X5iii is going to be that bad compared to most other DAPs?
 
The reality is that the impression of soundstage, unless DSP or cross-talk is a factor, will generally be attributes of the transducers, or the recording itself.  It always amazes me that reviewers put so much emphasis on bass/treble/mid-range/soundstage etc when talking about DAPs - when most of them measure flat, and staging doesn't come into the equation.  I have no problem with talking about tonality (there can be slight differences).
 
How many people (I wonder) do their comparisons completely volume matched, with the same track, fast switching, and blind if it is possible? 
 
For me - the X5iii is brilliant because it has a smooth easy to listen to tonality, which does not appear harsh, but isn't overly warm either. It has reasonable output power, great storage, and some very cool features. I think Pinky scoffed at the idea that someone could regard it as end-game.  Yet I do.  if you want an expansive experience, X5iii Pure Music, and the right Viper settings, and it can be a speaker like experience.  The best part is that it is only $400.

 

[1TrickPony]

Its one opinion - but let me ask you a question .....

For DAPS

• Given that we know the impression of soundstage is mainly affected by frequency (mid-range bump gives perception of closer, mid-range recession gives impression of farther), or cross talk, or DSP
• Given that the X5iii measures pretty much flat from 10Hz - 20 kHz (very slight roll both ends - but similar most mainstream daps)
• Given that the X5iii has very low cross talk
• Given that the X5ii actually includes options for DSP through Viper (and one of these is the use of spacialisation) 

Do you really think that the X5iii is going to be that bad compared to most other DAPs?

The reality is that the impression of soundstage, unless DSP or cross-talk is a factor, will generally be attributes of the transducers, or the recording itself.  It always amazes me that reviewers put so much emphasis on bass/treble/mid-range/soundstage etc when talking about DAPs - when most of them measure flat, and staging doesn't come into the equation.  I have no problem with talking about tonality (there can be slight differences).

How many people (I wonder) do their comparisons completely volume matched, with the same track, fast switching, and blind if it is possible? 

For me - the X5iii is brilliant because it has a smooth easy to listen to tonality, which does not appear harsh, but isn't overly warm either. It has reasonable output power, great storage, and some very cool features. I think Pinky scoffed at the idea that someone could regard it as end-game.  Yet I do.  if you want an expansive experience, X5iii Pure Music, and the right Viper settings, and it can be a speaker like experience.  The best part is that it is only $400.

Yeah, to be frank, before I ended up I head fi, I was amazed as to what a good DSP can do. Another example would be the Noozy player android App. I was perfectly satisfied not having a dap at that point. The DSP programming off of that player left tremendous optimizations. It was my go to up until my phone was "forced" to update fw which screwed up the app.

So best to ask around before regretting anything. I might go with X5III or with a Shanling M5, unless someone convince me otherwise.

 

[Nezzad1]

So I am using exynoss s7 edge as a source ( Cirrus Logic CS47L91 chip ) and since I LOVE LZ A4's, I'd like to invest in something that will make a decent difference in sound. Since I'm a noob at this field, could someone please explain me how it works, I've heard that V20 would make them sound better, but how much better is it? How expensive would a DAP that can noticably beat V20 be? Difference in sound between S7's chip and some high end DAP with these? I read from a lot of you that they scale pretty well.

Sorry for this many questions, It's just that I'm so happy with these that the idea of making them sound even better just can't leave my head.

 

[1TrickPony]

So I am using exynoss s7 edge as a source ( Cirrus Logic CS47L91 chip ) and since I LOVE LZ A4's, I'd like to invest in something that will make a decent difference in sound. Since I'm a noob at this field, could someone please explain me how it works, I've heard that V20 would make them sound better, but how much better is it? How expensive would a DAP that can noticably beat V20 be? Difference in sound between S7's chip and some high end DAP with these? I read from a lot of you that they scale pretty well.

Sorry for this many questions, It's just that I'm so happy with these that the idea of making them sound even better just can't leave my head.

 I believe @SeeSax owns the V20 (might be wrong), he might fill you in. You can maybe look into the Mojo to add to your phone as an external dac/amp. I personally enjoy the different tonalities/signatures offered by many daps at different price tags. Just wondering too how much of a change it will bring. Oh curiosity kills the wallet haha.

 

[SeeSax]

 I believe @SeeSax
 owns the V20 (might be wrong), he might fill you in. You can maybe look into the Mojo to add to your phone as an external dac/amp. I personally enjoy the different tonalities/signatures offered by many daps at different price tags. Just wondering too how much of a change it will bring. Oh curiosity kills the wallet haha.

I do own it. Honestly the S7 produces a pretty clean signal, the amp is just lacking. You could add a Dragonfly Red to the S7 and get a nice boost in power for the A4. V20 will provide a sound quality upgrade, but differences will be somewhat minor. I love the V20 but prefer the S7 as a phone.

Only DAP I've had is Pioneer XDP-100r and it's great. Only $300 right now and runs Android.

-Collin-

 

[Nezzad1]

I do own it. Honestly the S7 produces a pretty clean signal, the amp is just lacking. You could add a Dragonfly Red to the S7 and get a nice boost in power for the A4. V20 will provide a sound quality upgrade, but differences will be somewhat minor. I love the V20 but prefer the S7 as a phone.

Only DAP I've had is Pioneer XDP-100r and it's great. Only $300 right now and runs Android.

-Collin-

Thanks, didn't know the difference would be so minor. So... v20 vs XDP-100r?

 

[Indigo Bob]

I do own it. Honestly the S7 produces a pretty clean signal, the amp is just lacking. You could add a Dragonfly Red to the S7 and get a nice boost in power for the A4. V20 will provide a sound quality upgrade, but differences will be somewhat minor. I love the V20 but prefer the S7 as a phone.

Only DAP I've had is Pioneer XDP-100r and it's great. Only $300 right now and runs Android.

-Collin-

I can't believe that DAP is only 300$.  That's a steal.  It was a pleasure to listen to.   I liked the X5iii a lot, but the Pioneer stood out above it for me when I tested them out.  I got to listen to it with the A4, and the pioneer had some lovely life to it it always offered.  I don't know exactly how your tube amp works, but if that could color the sound of the Pioneer, that would be something else. 

 

[Frederick Wang]

  Something strange happened to the cable of my A4. The part beneath the right driver become very very stiff, almost have a plastic stick kind of feeling, the length of that abnormality is about 10 cm. The rest of the cable is ok.
 
Does this happened to anyone else? 

Lao Zhong (LZ) was kind enough to send me a replacement cable. Great service! 

 

[nealh]

Lao Zhong (LZ) was kind enough to send me a replacement cable. Great service! 

That's awesome to hear that he is providing excellent customer support on top of a wonderful product

 

[thugangel123]

My cable busted as well. How does one go contacting lz? Should I just contact penon?

 

[bavinck]

Yeah, to be frank, before I ended up I head fi, I was amazed as to what a good DSP can do. Another example would be the Noozy player android App. I was perfectly satisfied not having a dap at that point. The DSP programming off of that player left tremendous optimizations. It was my go to up until my phone was "forced" to update fw which screwed up the app.

So best to ask around before regretting anything. I might go with X5III or with a Shanling M5, unless someone convince me otherwise.

Check out the bit opus #1. No streaming or WiFi, but sq is awesome.

 

[1TrickPony]

Check out the bit opus #1. No streaming or WiFi, but sq is awesome.

thanks. I could go without the bells and whistles.

 

[Lurk650]

Yes the Opus#1 is a fantastic device that pairs well with the A4, also has the option for balanced output

 

[bavinck]

thanks. I could go without the bells and whistles.

I have had a couple daps now that can stream, it never works very well so I am going back to basic daps.