ONKYO DP-X1 | Dual Sabre Dacs | Balanced | Sabre BTL Amp | MQA | DSD 256 | Android 5 |

[TheOneInYellow]

Looks like it
Now fingers crossed that delivery goes well... 


Mine stuck at customs 10mn away from here... frustrating but all good things come to those who wait although the longer it takes the more inclined I am to think it's going to cost...

You know what's weird, my delivery tracking app AfterShip just told me that my package is 'out for delivery', but on the original Japanese tracking number...
Weird...

Yes, tomorrow seems to be the day woot!

Got a single DSD album lined up, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', along with lots of 24 bit material (at either 44.1, 48, 96, 192 kHz) ^^
But I'll only play select cuts after listening to two other albums first (below):

Very first piece of music I'll play is David Bowie's' The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' 24 bit/96 kHz vinyl rip (Collector's Clear Edition 1972/1990, Ryko 0134-2).
Straight after, 'Blackstar' in 24 bit/96 kHz.
(Also got 'The Next Day' 24 bit/96 kHz but will play that another time).

After that, whatever I fancy: Disclosure's 'Carcal', Daft Punk’s 'Random Access Memories' (24 bit/88.2 kHz), Adele's 'Skyfall' track (24 bit/96 kHz), Burial (various albums; henceforth va), Deftones' 'Koi No Yokan' (24 bit/96 kHz), Muse (va), Nine Inch Nails (va), Massive Attack (va), Christian Löffler's 'A Forest', Trentemøller (undecided which album), Flying Lotus 'You're Dead', etc.

Can't wait!

 

[Replicant666]

You know what's weird, my delivery tracking app AfterShip just told me that my package is 'out for delivery', but on the original Japanese tracking number...
Weird...

Yes, tomorrow seems to be the day woot!

Got a single DSD album lined up, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', along with lots of 24 bit material (at either 44.1, 48, 96, 192 kHz) ^^
But I'll only play select cuts after listening to two other albums first (below):

Very first piece of music I'll play is David Bowie's' The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' 24 bit/96 kHz vinyl rip (Collector's Clear Edition 1972/1990, Ryko 0134-2).
Straight after, 'Blackstar' in 24 bit/96 kHz.
(Also got 'The Next Day' 24 bit/96 kHz but will play that another time).

After that, whatever I fancy: Disclosure's 'Carcal', Daft Punk’s 'Random Access Memories' (24 bit/88.2 kHz), Adele's 'Skyfall' track (24 bit/96 kHz), Burial (various albums; henceforth va), Deftones' 'Koi No Yokan' (24 bit/96 kHz), Muse (va), Nine Inch Nails (va), Massive Attack (va), Christian Löffler's 'A Forest', Trentemøller (undecided which album), Flying Lotus 'You're Dead', etc.

Can't wait!

Enjoy, first album I have lined up is Station to Station, when the original Sony Walkman came out it was the first album I played on one. I couldn't believe how cool it was to walk down the street immersed in my own personal soundtrack. It was the news on Monday that made me think sod it I'm buying the Onkyo, life's too short to compromise....credit card allowing!

 

[h8dk97]

Hi there,
 
I should receive my dp-x1 in a couple of days according to fedex tracking info and was curious to find out what over-ear headphones others are using with onkyo. I'm considering Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Gen but not sure if onkyo will be able to drive these to get the best out of them.
 
Any opinions?
 
Thanks.

 

[Whitigir]

Hi there,

I should receive my dp-x1 in a couple of days according to fedex tracking info and was curious to find out what over-ear headphones others are using with onkyo. I'm considering Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Gen but not sure if onkyo will be able to drive these to get the best out of them.

Any opinions?

Thanks.

Buy fostex th-900 or Sony z7

 

[gearofwar]

  Hi there,
 
I should receive my dp-x1 in a couple of days according to fedex tracking info and was curious to find out what over-ear headphones others are using with onkyo. I'm considering Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Gen but not sure if onkyo will be able to drive these to get the best out of them.
 
Any opinions?
 
Thanks.

Even my Mojo couldn't drive HD800 to its max potential, don't expect current DAPs to drive full size hp, should look for something very efficient like Fostex

 

[Whitigir]

Onkyo has released their own hp line right ? I think it is 30 ohms and 100 db/mw which is very sensitive already

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Enjoy, first album I have lined up is Station to Station, when the original Sony Walkman came out it was the first album I played on one. I couldn't believe how cool it was to walk down the street immersed in my own personal soundtrack. It was the news on Monday that made me think sod it I'm buying the Onkyo, life's too short to compromise....credit card allowing!

You know, I wish I knew what was the very first album I played on my portable CD player. Cry cry. (Last one I got was the supreme Sony D-NE900, but that broke over 10 years ago).
However, I do remember that my first cassette tapes were Michael Jackson: History (three tapes!) and, don't laugh (LAUGH A LOT) Thomas the Tank Engine. Not joking ha ha!

My very first CD's were Jamiroquai 'Travelling Without Moving', Daft Punk 'Discovery' (quite possibly the most important album of my life), Moby 'Play' (I think. Hey, can't remember everything...).

As I've said to others, keep us up to date on your new purchase!

Hi there,

I should receive my dp-x1 in a couple of days according to fedex tracking info and was curious to find out what over-ear headphones others are using with onkyo. I'm considering Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Gen but not sure if onkyo will be able to drive these to get the best out of them.

Any opinions?

Thanks.

Well my friend from the audio industry (that's right, Peter/scootermafiafrom Double Helix Cables!) played the HiFiman HE1000 in SE, balanced and AGC balanced, and loved it!
However he remarked that playing Audeze LCD-4 in SE, balanced and AGC balanced was not as great; the DP-X1 isn't able to supply lots of juice, but the music was good, just not loud enough.
Use that as a reference if you like.

I'll be using SE AKG K 712 for all my first listening sessions tomorrow, and sometimes use my SubPac S2.
If I leave home, then I'll use SE KEF Audio M500 on-ear headphones.

Can't use my Audeze EL8 closed back till I send them off for repair (will talk again to Audeze tomorrow), and get my soon to be re-terminated Elite Molecule cable with Zync connectors into Eidolic 2.5 mm TRRS balanced, with a 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm TRS Ultrashort adapter.


Edit:
For yourself, go for Oppo PM2, Audeze LCD-2/3/X/XC, HiFiman HE560, Fostex TH600 or TH900 (Massdrop exclusive version, which sits between the two models mentioned, THX00, is very rare), Grado GS1000e/PS1000e, Beyerdynamic T1 Mk 2, Sennheiser HD800s, AKG K 812, Mr Speakers Ether/Ether C, etc.
Not sure which would be efficient but if for home use you could use Onkyo DP-X1 as either an OTG into a home DAC, or as a frontend DAC and send a line out from 2.5 mm TRRS output into a balanced amp of your choice.

If I had the cash, I'd go for Oppo PM1 or 2, Fostex TH900, either Mr Speakers Ether C or Audeze LCD-XC.

If I wanted a great headphone for travelling and at home in balanced (with an adapter for SE), the Oppo PM3 would be my ultimate pick (with DHC cables, though you may have your own favourite aftermarket cable maker).

 

[TheOneInYellow]

UPDATE:
My parcel is at a local Post Office, and I've been charged.
Oh well, never mind.

I'll pick it up in about 8 hours or so from now (01:23 GMT atm).

 

[Whitigir]

Let me know what you think about it

 

[shuto77]

I'm very interested in this device. I have an Oppo HA-2 strapped to a Galaxy S4. I'm very curious to see if this DAP sounds better than the Oppo, and enjoys all the benefits of Android. 
 
I want to subscribe, but this is probably had for my wallet.

 

[Orky261]

I actually have tried this with Hifiman Edition X on SE. It sounds very good as if it doesn't lack anything because of not enough power, loud enough at 140, at 160 it would be too loud for my ears.I wish there was a balanced MMCX available to test the 2.5mm TRRS.

 

[h8dk97]

Thanks All for your comments. My main usage for dp-x1 will be on a train and in the office, so closed back design is a must. I'm planning auditioning some headphones once I get my hands on onkyo but due to time constraints it will be difficult. I've chosen beyerdynamics purely based on reviews and what I've read about them in forums, if not T1 than maybe T 5 p second gen, it looks promising with low impedance and detachable cables.

 

[Cagin]

First day impressions:​

 
Material

1. Feels sturdy, same league as ZX2. ZX2 bit tankier.
2. Has a nice weight to it, while still being lighter than the ZX2. 
3. It's thinner than the ZX2, 2mm smaller but quite larger. But I can still operate it OK with my big palms/short fingered right hand. The volume dial is easily reachable thanks to the curved back.
4. The DP-X1 is very angular, the corners are very pointy. And because it's a stiff material, I could even consider using it as a kubotan lol. I wouldn't mind chamfered edges.
5. All in all the ZX2 gives a more reassuring feeling when held in 1 hand. A leather or silicone case will provide the grip to remedy this.
6. Power button is recessed, I like that. The Play/Pause and skip track buttons however aren't and they're kinda jagged, too much grip on the fingers. Might wear off fabric in pockets, not sure.

 
Pro Tip: if you install the DPA-GL033 screen protector , use like a tiny suction cup to help centering when applying it on the screen, it's a tight fit.
 
 
 
UI
 

1. Coming from the Sony ZX-2 as my daily dap, the Onkyo is very easy to navigate.
2. It's even faster to access Brightness, and other settings.
3. I wonder if there's maybe too many bands on the FR spectrum visual, it causes a minor lag, like on the track clock lol. Looks like a 80-100 bands. 40 should be enough for a dap.
4. The EQ seems easy to use. Managed to put up to 18 variables on the curve.
5. Scrolling up and down the library is a breeze. No lag, very fast display refresh rate while scrolling fast makes it super easy to find my stuff. The only downer is that the hovering A-Z letter is on the right side instead of the middle, so you might be unable to see the letters under your thumb x-D  [a dummy mistake]
6. Sadly no play by browsed file as of yet. I solely used this method with the ZX2. I'm glad the Onkyo is super fast in regards to scrolling to counter this lack.
7. Volume dial's lag depends on the amount of steps changed/speed. A finger swipe of 4 steps is like 0.5s delay. A non issue for me.

 
Sound

1. Only have SE cables. Waiting on my balanced Norne Therium cable ordered around Black Friday.
2. The DP-X1 has a  commendable low noise floor. I'm overjoyed to say that the DP-X1 + my super sensitive Empire Zeus ciems result in a very quiet hiss. This is what I was hoping for all along!
3. I copied all the music I had on my 128gb card in the ZX2 over to a new 200gb for the DP-X1. Loaded Take Five track (flac) from Dave Brubeck Quartet on both players, for a subjective side by side comparison. I just tried to volume match by ear so beware. Both players sound great and I honestly doubt I'd be able to tell which is which in a double blind test. I mean I would instantly know because of the hissy Sony and the quiet Onkyo but not on the track's SQ itself. When I compared short sections I thought the Onkyo gave more naturally pleasing gentle cymbal strokes on the left side during the middle part. The alto saxo also seemed to envelop more the space around. I felt like the snare and kick drum solo part was more fun on the ZX2. But again, to me, it was too similarly great. 
4. The UI automatically detects unbalanced output, but it still allowed me to force choose ACG but it didn't do anything to the sound. I know it's a TRRS feature but I was just curious ^^.

 

[Whitigir]

Sound quality on par of zx2 ? Yeah, about that noise...I guess everything is noticable more silent coming from my experiences of V10 and then Mojo....so here I come lol.

 

[Dopaminer]

Thanks All for your comments. My main usage for dp-x1 will be on a train and in the office, so closed back design is a must. I'm planning auditioning some headphones once I get my hands on onkyo but due to time constraints it will be difficult. I've chosen beyerdynamics purely based on reviews and what I've read about them in forums, if not T1 than maybe T 5 p second gen, it looks promising with low impedance and detachable cables.

T5p is a fantastic isolating headphone. Also check the 1770 - it cant run balanced but its sound and isolation is also good. The T1 is an open design.