After having some troubles with quick battery drainage I went through the whole settings of the device. Step-by-step. There are a couple of "push" settings included which reduce battery time... seems to be a better now.
However I just received the DP-X1A from Amazon Japan today. Been switching microSDXC cards from the X1 to the X1A comparing the soundstage, the clearity - the feeling it gives me.
To sum it up:
Whatever Onkyo did to the hardware - I like it
1. The X1A form Japan is louder.
Not just a little bit - it gives it a whole new bang and gets way more out of the headphones I'm using (Beyerdynamic DT990 Edition 250 ohms, Beyerdynamic T90 250 ohm, Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi 10 Customfit). This could be due to the stupid EU regulation to max the volume so that people don't get hearing damages (Thank you EU, I can decide on my own how loud I prefer my music).
I will most likely make a short trip to Heilbronn (Germany) to Beyerdynamic and try out the T1.2 (600 ohms) with the balanced 2.5 mm cable that will be provided by Beyer most likely in April.
2. Even though the X1 as well as the X1A have the same battery (1.630 mAh) the X1A will last a couple of hours longer.
This could also be due to a faulty X1 as I've been complaining about battery life from the day I got it,
...BUT: I checked carefully to have exact the same settings, the same apps installed, the same music, the same headphones - it is draining slower - even when downloading TIDAL for offline listening.
3. Not sound-related: CHEAPER!
The X1 currently costs EUR 770 at Amazon.de
The X1A cost me EUR 420 incl. shipping and handling at Amazon.jp.co
That is EUR 350!!! (US $372!!!)
Well, the X1A is a keeper. Will return the X1 to Amazon.de as I'm still in the return period.
Sorry, or the long post - but I just head to write that down to lose the smile in my face...
Haha!
-Dennis