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

[BartSimpson1976]

Tough call. Thinking of getting a new DAP am on the edge between the QP1R and the DP-X1. Absolutely love the Questyle QP1R sound signature. However, functionality is kind of disaster although latest firmware has addressed several issues including the scroll-wheel issues.

Where does the sound compare of the DP-X1? Not speaking of better or worse as that is very subjective depending on personal taste.
I did not yet have the chance to audition the Onkyo yet.

The QP1R delivers jaw-dropping details and punch. Love the clarity. Perfect match with my preferences. Can the Onkyo deliver in these departments?

Also functionality of the Onkyo is a big plus. As dedicated podcast subscriber to install podkicker on my DAP would be a great thing rather then to handle podcasts seperately on my phone.

 

[shadow04]

The reviewer got many first hand Pre-production fiio products therefore he is closely related to fiio in some way. His way of insulting another successful product make our owners angry.

I am not sure posting his link will cause another big mess for fiio's PR. Let me re-think of this matter.

You are right, we shouldn't go off topic in this thread any further, maybe you can send me the link via private message? I will just read it in private at my own leisure.

 

[addyg]

You are right, we shouldn't go off topic in this thread any further, maybe you can send me the link via private message? I will just read it in private at my own leisure.

No problem, link sent.

 

[Sonic Defender]

Let's get back to Onkyo DP-x1

. Anyone think that the international version will be slightly different ? 300$ is a lot of money

I think that $300 point harmonizes the cost of importing and marketing for dealers in the various international marketplaces. While dealers are perhaps restricted in the advertised price they charge, they are allowed to sell for whatever price they decide to sell for privately so buyers can e-mail/phone a seller and ask for a better price. The reasons for this is to avoid price-fixing as it goes against the principle of a market free of price collusion.
 
A company can refuse to sell you the line if they want, hence why resellers tow the MSRP line, but ultimately if you are an authorized reseller in say Canada and you buy the product, it is yours and you can discount it if you want. Picture what would happen if a reseller bought a large inventory of product, it wasn't selling well but the manufacturer wouldn't allow them to move their inventory by reducing the price, which they paid for and own outright. This is my understanding after having some experiences as a reseller of other electronics.

 

[WardKaraoke]

  And people are going to take this post seriously why? LowFi? I don't think many people will agree with you there my friend. You may prefer other DAPs, no worries, but the Onkyo isn't LowFi in the slightest.

Gimmi one reason to own this dap if you a long for HighFi.If the price i've paid come up with 80% of its price of its sound quality,it's okay to say that it's worth owning.If the utility of DP-X1(apart from the balance output)can be fulflilled by my Android-based phone,i may try DX100 or other DAPs that are not so "smart" since these smart features are not so important.

 

[Whitigir]

Dude, you can stick to your ancient UI and be happy with it under a rock. I love Android players, and iOS , I wish IPod was more than what they are now....was so excited to see iPod line come back, but....what a failure

Since you categorize DP-x1 as a Low-Fi, I will just take it that you are trolling, and move on

 

[Sonic Defender]

 
Gimmi one reason to own this dap if you a long for HighFi.If the price i've paid come up with 80% of its price of its sound quality,it's okay to say that it's worth owning.If the utility of DP-X1(apart from the balance output)can be fulflilled by my Android-based phone,i may try DX100 or other DAPs that are not so "smart" since these smart features are not so important.

Fair enough if that is your personal view, but that isn't what you said, you called the Onkyo LowFi, which is obviously completely incorrect beyond a subjective opinion, which you are allowed to have. Had you said I don't see the value in expensive DAPs as I get great sound quality from my smartphone anyway, well that is different and nobody could fault you over that statement. Plus, have you heard the Onkyo yourself?

 

[Sonic Defender]

   
THX for your concerning,i'll just keep  Hugo as my only portable device at this moment and keep categorize not just DP-x1 but The Entire Onkyo as a Low-Fi.

Well, I still don't see how you can consider the Onkyo as sounding LowFi, It certainly isn't, but as I said you are entitled to your opinion.

 

[WardKaraoke]

  Well, I still don't see how you can consider the Onkyo as sounding LowFi, It certainly isn't, but as I said you are entitled to your opinion.

Please forgive me because some acoustic terminology may not be so accurate-translated from chinese to english.
From my opinion,its sound is far from characteristic.The lack of the density of sound is its fatal weakness.
Also it's not so dynamic when playing Symphonies such as Mahler's Symphony 5,the sound tends to be plane.
The only pro i found is that the background of its sound is quite clean,cleaner than its rivals at the same price.

 

[Sonic Defender]

  Please forgive me because some acoustic terminology may not be so accurate-translated from chinese to english.
From my opinion,its sound is far from characteristic.The lack of the density of sound is its fatal weakness.
Also it's not so dynamic when playing Symphonies such as Mahler's Symphony 5,the sound tends to be plane.
The only pro i found is that the background of its sound is quite clean,cleaner than its rivals at the same price.

Lack of density to some may be an advantage, density as a sound signature is a slippery slope and it can become thick far too easily which will obscure detail in some cases. As for classical, that is a tough genre and I'm not sure if tuning a DAP to that genre makes any sense. Ideally a DAP will play well across many different musical styles, but realistically there are always compromises to be made. The vast majority of DAP users, yes I am making an assumption saying vast, but I don't think it is a big stretch, will not be using a DAP for classical very much. As well, the mastering quality with classical is such a hit and miss thing. I have a decent home system and I find what classical I have on hand (my wife plays the violin so we have a fair amount of classical and choral music around) varies widely in quality.
 
Anyway, you might like the ZX2 as it has great warm tonality I'm told, not sure about the dynamics mind you.

 

[WardKaraoke]

  Lack of density to some may be an advantage, density as a sound signature is a slippery slope and it can become thick far too easily which will obscure detail in some cases. As for classical, that is a tough genre and I'm not sure if tuning a DAP to that genre makes any sense. Ideally a DAP will play well across many different musical styles, but realistically there are always compromises to be made. The vast majority of DAP users, yes I am making an assumption saying vast, but I don't think it is a big stretch, will not be using a DAP for classical very much. As well, the mastering quality with classical is such a hit and miss thing. I have a decent home system and I find what classical I have on hand (my wife plays the violin so we have a fair amount of classical and choral music around) varies widely in quality.
 
Anyway, you might like the ZX2 as it has great warm tonality I'm told, not sure about the dynamics mind you.

Lacking density and being smooth is a different idea.The playback can be both informative and smooth ,as you said, a-slippery-slope-smooth.Personally,or as a common sense, the more closer to a reference sound the more neutral it should be,which means there's no tendency to any genre.For example,in the field of  portable Hifi, JH's jh24 is slightly more informative and far more charateristic than ve6 but one can never enjoy for long with the former.The lack of density is one of the pivotal standard differing a Hifi playback device from other smartphones or something,that's why i called it a Lowfi because both its layout of electronic component and sound quality (again,apart from its balance output) is of no difference from a so-called "Hifi" smartphone.Sony,hmm,which has the same problem these years,maybe i need to own a PCM-D1 or DAT of the old time

 

[Sonic Defender]

 
Lacking density and being smooth is a different idea.The playback can be both informative and smooth ,as you said, a-slippery-slope-smooth.Personally,or as a common sense, the more closer to a reference sound the more neutral it should be,which means there's no tendency to any genre.For example,in the field of  portable Hifi, JH's jh24 is slightly more informative and far more charateristic than ve6 but one can never enjoy for long with the former.The lack of density is one of the pivotal standard differing a Hifi playback device from other smartphones or something,that's why i called it a Lowfi because both its layout of electronic component and sound quality (again,apart from its balance output) is of no difference from a so-called "Hifi" smartphone.Sony,hmm,which has the same problem these years,maybe i need to own a PCM-D1 or DAT of the old time

Well, I respect your viewpoint, and you are explaining what you mean now, but I still think the sound quality is quite good, but yes, it is not tuned neutral. Based on what I read neutral tuning is more typical with the high-end Astell & kern DAPs. Again generalizing here somewhat, people seem to like a little tonal character in their DAPs and truly neutral gear often gets panned as a little boring. I know there are great and valid technical reasons to pursue neutrality in devices, but in this class of audio device I think companies like Onkyo are rightly going for mass appeal and that means deviating from neutrality is likely s good move as long as it isn't overly coloured. The relative balance of the signature is good and solid and for most genres I think the DP-X1 is quite safe and rather enjoyable.

 

[addyg]

To put a stop to this.

I will post the link here.

I hope that Fiio's PR do learn a lesson from this.

If someone wants a photo prove of this reviewer working closely with their pre-production products. I will gladly to share.

 

[WardKaraoke]

  Well, I respect your viewpoint, and you are explaining what you mean now, but I still think the sound quality is quite good, but yes, it is not tuned neutral. Based on what I read neutral tuning is more typical with the high-end Astell & kern DAPs. Again generalizing here somewhat, people seem to like a little tonal character in their DAPs and truly neutral gear often gets panned as a little boring. I know there are great and valid technical reasons to pursue neutrality in devices, but in this class of audio device I think companies like Onkyo are rightly going for mass appeal and that means deviating from neutrality is likely s good move as long as it isn't overly coloured. The relative balance of the signature is good and solid and for most genres I think the DP-X1 is quite safe and rather enjoyable.

Being so "highend" in price,the Ak240 can be a success only if it's tuned neutral and smoothly informative ,which is corrected in the later AK380(still having a fake Line-Out).But A&K's products are sold at least 4-5 times more expensive than they should be;still there're load of Chinese to pay the bill ,who have more punicular ability and less IQ , some of which even are not enthusiast.
Well , I respect your view too. I may apologize for my word if it  offends some of you . Have a nice day!

 

[davidmolliere]

  Again generalizing here somewhat, people seem to like a little tonal character in their DAPs and truly neutral gear often gets panned as a little boring. I know there are great and valid technical reasons to pursue neutrality in devices, but in this class of audio device I think companies like Onkyo are rightly going for mass appeal and that means deviating from neutrality is likely s good move as long as it isn't overly coloured. The relative balance of the signature is good and solid and for most genres I think the DP-X1 is quite safe and rather enjoyable.

Well said
 
I think one thing to consider is the usage. DAPs are often used on the go, and even if you're a fan of neutral sig, how often do you do critical listening on the go? If anything, I like my DAC colored as in a noisy environment it actually helps to have some aspects of the sound boosted.