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

[Sonic Defender]

 
Get ZX2 if streaming is priority. You should not regret.

^ Yes, he/she could easily regret it. Higher price, old Android build. There appears to be very little evidence of any issues with streaming on the Onkyo so people should evaluate their DAP purchasing decision based on their desires and needs, not fear of an unproven issue. Now, there has been a suggestion that Sony allows third party apps to fully access their DAC architecture. I'm asking as I am unclear if this has been proven or simply theorized about?

 

[gearofwar]

  ^ Yes, he/she could easily regret it. Higher price, old Android build. There appears to be very little evidence of any issues with streaming on the Onkyo so people should evaluate their DAP purchasing decision based on their desires and needs, not fear of an unproven issue. Now, there has been a suggestion that Sony allows third party apps to fully access their DAC architecture. I'm asking as I am unclear if this has been proven or simply theorized about?

For someone who have owned ZX2 for 1 year. I can say that ZX2 is an ideal DAP for streaming, compatible with third-parties apps as well as better UI and MUCH better Battery life so anyone can use it with easy in Wifi while my Onkyo sucks so bad on battery even the lowest brightness with Wifi turned off. I can't imagine anyone would be using in balanced and wifi....

 

[Whitigir]

Ok AK style to 3.5 solid silver jacks ....all ready for DP-X1 and TH900

 

[TheOneInYellow]

For someone who have owned ZX2 for 1 year. I can say that ZX2 is an ideal DAP for streaming, compatible with third-parties apps as well as better UI and MUCH better Battery life so anyone can use it with easy in Wifi while my Onkyo sucks so bad on battery even the lowest brightness with Wifi turned off. I can't imagine anyone would be using in balanced and wifi....

I concur somewhat with battery life, but ever since I installed the brightness app Lux my battery life has lasted longer by approx.

This was based on
- Use at home without Lux app; charged DP-X1 100% in the morning at 8:30, died by 14:00 with one 1hr 30 min break... :/
- Use with Lux app whilst I commuted to work yesterday. Tethered my Onkyo DP-X1 to my Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus 4G+ mobile data for Tidal HiFi streaming with SE output (left home 8:30, travel time 1hr 30 mins). Stopped using whilst working. Stayed behind for report writing after work so used DP-X1 at 18:30 but not streaming with Stand Alone mode activated, then travel home back. Got home at 21:30, still had 23%!

I believe that there is a glitch with the brightness and that the Onkyo DP-X1 Music App, though does eat battery, combined with brightness becomes a nightmare.
This will require an app update and/or firmware update to increase efficiency of app and recalibrate brightness, unless you are ok to use superior third party brightness apps such as Lux.

Stand alone mode is key when not streaming!

I also carry many portable chargers (LinerFlux Lithiumcard Pro 3,000 mAh 3 Amp, and was tempted to use one yesterday but thought to finish my private test of battery life) and in my bag my giant Anker Astro Pro 2 20,000 mAh 2 amp charger!

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Ok AK style to 3.5 solid silver jacks ....all ready for DP-X1 and TH900

OMG I'M DROOLING THAT LOOKS HAWT... Audio porn = <3

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Woo hoo my new SanDisk Ultra 128 GB microSDXC UHS-I (UHS 2) cards plus with SD Adapter (approx 80 MB/s, Class 10 FFP) x2 is coming tomorrow!


Paid £39.99 for each (that's $57.02 US), for a total of £79.98 ($114.04)!
:eek:

I was going to buy the Lexar Professional 128GB 1000X MicroSDXC UHS-II (UHS 3) card but that's £90.05 ($128.39)!!! :blink:

Minus some on-board memory that I obviously can't use, that'll be about 250+ GB alone, far bigger than my iPod Classic 160GB!
Not exactly enough for all my music but great for all my high-resolution and vinyl rips! Can't wait for the 250GB, 256GB, and 512GB cards to be released sometime this year (and then drop in price very late this year!).

 

[Sonic Defender]

 
For someone who have owned ZX2 for 1 year. I can say that ZX2 is an ideal DAP for streaming, compatible with third-parties apps as well as better UI and MUCH better Battery life so anyone can use it with easy in Wifi while my Onkyo sucks so bad on battery even the lowest brightness with Wifi turned off. I can't imagine anyone would be using in balanced and wifi....

All valid points for sure. UI on the Onkyo isn't bad at all. Easy to use and very intuitive I think and I've recently had an A17 which as you know has that crazy good Sony UI (few if anybody does UI better). Battery life is an important consideration for some, but so is the rather anemic amplification found in the ZX2 which is why I haven't bought one despite really wanting to in the past. The Onkyo sounds fantastic and is extremely easy to use with a newer Android build which if you are going to bother having Android at all 5 I read is considered quite an upgrade over 4. I will try balanced and WiFi soon and let you know.
 
Yes if battery is that big a concern the ZX2 is the clear winner, but I doubt battery life is the deal breaker for everybody. Like anything, make your pros and cons list and see how it all shakes out.

 

[PrinceOfEgypt]

 Woo hoo my new SanDisk Ultra 128 GB microSDXC UHS-I (UHS 2) cards plus with SD Adapter (approx 80 MB/s, Class 10 FFP) x2 is coming tomorrow!

Paid £39.99 for each (that's $57.02 US), for a total of £79.98 ($114.04)!

I was going to buy the Lexar Professional 128GB 1000X MicroSDXC UHS-II (UHS 3) card but that's £90.05 ($128.39)!!! 

 
Im getting x2 200Gb sandisk cards...I think that should be enough storage for now

 

[davidmolliere]

  Battery life is an important consideration for some, but so is the rather anemic amplification found in the ZX2 which is why I haven't bought one despite really wanting to in the past. The Onkyo sounds fantastic and is extremely easy to use with a newer Android build which if you are going to bother having Android at all 5 I read is considered quite an upgrade over 4. I will try balanced and WiFi soon and let you know. Yes if battery is that big a concern the ZX2 is the clear winner, but I doubt battery life is the deal breaker for everybody. Like anything, make your pros and cons list and see how it all shakes out.

 
That about sums up with I am switching over from ZX2 to DP-X1, I'll miss the battery life but there are always two sides to that coin indeed.
 
I know how to optimize an android devices from years using an android phone, some apps like DU Battery Saver can really help gain 20+ %
This being said, Not sure why Onkyo decided to go for a 1600mA battery for this DAP, I wouldn't have minded some extra bulk to get more battery life. They didn't need to go 3500mA like the X7 (granted ESS9018 is not optimized for mobile use contrary to ESS9018K2M, still...) but something in between would have been nice.
 
Let's give them a break, it's their first DAP there is margin for improvement

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Im getting x2 200Gb sandisk cards...I think that should be enough storage for now

I was seriously going to get a single 200GB SanDisk MicroSDXC at £106.63 ($152.02), but the 128GB dropped down massively so two of those was better than one 200GB!

And that should be more than enough...I hope...ish...wait...oh no...I'm an audiophile...ah **** who am I kidding I need more memory...

I'll wait for price drops or deals on Amazon as a Prime customer

 

[TheOneInYellow]

That about sums up with I am switching over from ZX2 to DP-X1, I'll miss the battery life but there are always two sides to that coin indeed.

I know how to optimize an android devices from years using an android phone, some apps like DU Battery Saver can really help gain 20+ %
This being said, Not sure why Onkyo decided to go for a 1600mA battery for this DAP, I wouldn't have minded some extra bulk to get more battery life. They didn't need to go 3500mA like the X7 (granted ESS9018 is not optimized for mobile use contrary to ESS9018K2M, still...) but something in between would have been nice.

Let's give them a break, it's their first DAP there is margin for improvement

I agree to the above and I too am a hardcore Android user and use (not many but select) app optimisation stuff.

Thing is, Samsung finally pulled off TouchWiz right this time since the S6 series (includes Note 5) with massively reduced bloatware, super fast UI, and in-house working app optimisation services!
I actually hoped some would be available to any phone (Samsung Smart Manager) but alas no...

 

[TheOneInYellow]

BALLS BALLS BALLS!

I'm enjoying the Heir Audio 4.Ai IEM's SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much using the small tips (no giggidy):







But I can feel a tinge of pain in my ear canals...

WHYYYYYYY SO UNFAIR AWWWWWW.......

 

[Whitigir]

Man...working on the 2.5mm TRRS is a nightmare....and that was straight plug...imagine L-angled plug....no wonder why some 3rd party would not make it lol....why...why 2.5mm?

 

[masterpfa]

I installed a cool brightness app called Lux, and that not only fixed the brightness bar (via Lux app) but allows me to go BELOW the minimum brightness level! Hell yes!
Two versions of the app exist: free Lux Lite, and to buy Lux Auto Brightness.

Yay me!

Great find (yet again) will try these on my OnePlus One
 

I cannot disclose nor clarify how I got the album, but I certainly did pay for it direct to Acoustic Sounds.

There are just things I cannot post here. Sorry.

I get ya, I was asking if there was a UK source before I started jumping through hoops as I have been considering (All legal by the way!)
 

Preface:
Although two of a handful of users have advised issues with their players, there are many others who have no

Conclusion:
Other than annoyed that I'm writing on here when I could be going through ALL MY MUSIC with my Heir Audio 4.Ai + Onkyo DP-X1 in pure bliss (jk jk ^^), I have concluded that on my DP-X1 I do not hear any distortion between Tidal and OMA at Low Gain.

My thoughts are this:

1. Unless you can publish what IEM you are using with links and specs @Zenifyx, I cannot completely comment fairly on your setup and use, or advise any recommendations,
2. That my Onkyo DP-X1 seems to be working correctly sonically when used appropriately with correct settings for specific headphones or monitors,
3. There may be an actual fault with your unit, but I cannot conclusively say that, just an observation,
4. Listening to IEM's that are not designed for High Gain use can cause real issues with hearing and/or damage to the IEM's itself,
5. Onkyo DP-X1 is magical with IEM's.

I genuinely hope this helps.

Great in depth testing. 
 

   
Im getting x2 200Gb sandisk cards...I think that should be enough storage for now

The price of the 200Gb cards meant I will make do for the immediate future with 128Gb cards. Currently £106 for 200Gb and £36.69 for 128
2.8 x the price for 1.5 x the capacity
 

I was seriously going to get a single 200GB SanDisk MicroSDXC at £106.63 ($152.02), but the 128GB dropped down massively so two of those was better than one 200GB!

And that should be more than enough...I hope...ish...wait...oh no...I'm an audiophile...ah **** who am I kidding I need more memory...

I'll wait for price drops or deals on Amazon as a Prime customer

What I said above 
oops
 

BALLS BALLS BALLS!

I'm enjoying the Heir Audio 4.Ai IEM's SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much using the small tips 

But I can feel a tinge of pain in my ear canals...

WHYYYYYYY SO UNFAIR AWWWWWW.......

I would have thought the break you have had would have helped.

 

[davidmolliere]

Man...working on the 2.5mm TRRS is a nightmare....and that was straight plug...imagine L-angled plug....no wonder why some 3rd party would not make it lol....why...why 2.5mm?

 
Yep Whiplash told me 2.5 TRRS was a no go right angled, don't match their quality criterias, I don't like the straight angled plug on the go... fragile...