Besides all the great points that
@TheOneInYellow
said, if we're purely talking about sound quality IMO the Onkyo edges ahead of the Pioneer.
Based purely on listening to both with an Etymotic ER4S out of the SE jack for each, I liked the Onkyo better because not only did it seem to present a somewhat deeper and more "holographic" soundstage, I also liked its seemingly better separation and tonality. The Pioneer seemed a little lifeless and a bit sterile compared to the Onkyo, which to me strikes a better balance by being somewhat warmer (and more natural) but still portraying gobs of detail.
Thank you!
Oh man you've further reinforced the quality of the DP-X1, and that's just the SE side! Imagine the ER4S balanced!!!
The SQ you described about the DP-X1 is EXACTLY what I'm looking for!
Combine that with my KEF Audio M500 on-ear headphones and I'll be ECSTATIC! <3
One thing that I have been renowned for over on Twitter, FB, FB Messenger, in person, and in comments on articles, is my ability to absorb multiple sources of information regarding a topic and distill what I've learned into an overall opinion regarding said topic, even if I have never used, wrote, etc, that topic.
In taking in almost all information that I can gather about the Onkyo DP-X1 I understand that it has a colossal sound signature that is startling when the user in question looks at the DAP standalone.
i.e. it beggars belief, esp when (import) costs are factored in.
This doesn't mean I'm perfect, and it also means I have no experience, but my sheer tenacity of research allows me to paint a picture (as it were) regarding whatever it is I research.
In spite of my knowledge, without using either the Onkyo DP-X1 or its sister Pioneer XDP-100R, I would not know if the SE of each DAP would sound the same or not.
And yet at least three user's have mentioned that the DP-X1 is better in SE than the Pioneer XDP-100R.
Many other users have said (generally) that the DP-X1 is by far one of the best SE DAP's out there, with a fantastic Balanced output that rivals competitors.
Some have posted that while the DP-X1 in OTG to the Chord Mojo is an excellent synergistic pairing, more than a few users have said that the SQ of the DP-X1 is better than the more colourful Mojo. THAT is pretty impressive!
One thing is certain that if you output a balanced signal from the Onkyo DP-X1 into the balanced input of the ALO Continental Dual Mono DAC/amp you will gain a supreme balanced playback system (mentioned by at least two audiophiles/sources, one who posted this some pages back).
I have some friends in the audio industry (I hardly mention this as I really don't want brownie points), and one in particular is a good friend who I talk to on FB Messenger (where I actually live
).
He is famous on Head-Fi and in the audio community, as is his business.
Anyway, he received his DP-X1 today (envious), and he's using it in SE atm. His three big comments are in summary;
a) that the DP-X1 is very powerful and has serious authority for a standalone DAP,
b) that the DP-X1 has a more sophisticated implementation of its internal parts (this opinion was in direct comparison to the Mojo and in regards to SQ!), and
c) that the DAP on its own is better than most stacks he's used.
My friend has some of the best TOTL audio gear I know so some of his comments are a surprise, but in a good way ^^
As I will not state who that source is, you are free to make your own opinion, but what he said echoes many, many Head-Fi'ers on here.
The Onkyo DP-X1 is much better than expected.
So, with that in mind, whilst you can import it cheaply, the DP-X1 is worth the money even if all you'll use is SE gear.
I should add a caveat (or repeat it in a different way); it is easy to hype a product without ever hearing or using it, and cause either too high expectations, buyers remorse, or placebo opinions (as in you don't like the sound but because everyone else does you think you yourself are wrong).
As much as I and many people on here have near universally praised the SQ of the DP-X1, please bear in mind that a lot of users, myself included, have yet to use or hear it, and you yourself are the same (non-owners of DP-X1).
So, it is a risk to import a product that a select number of people have got, tested and posted their feedback, esp with no formal warranty (outside shipping costs to place of purchase) if importing, and you yourself never demoed.
A piece of audio advice is to always listen to a piece of gear before buying, but in our hobby that's not always so simple or easy.
What I will say is that I am confident in saying that the overall opinion thus far of the DP-X1 is that it is simply
AMAZING.
So if you're on the fence (such as yourself,
Antihippy) and have the funds, BUY IT!
Edit:
Cleared up the text above including grammar and weird autocorrect spelling mistakes.