[gerelmx1986]

  Anyone compared the A15/17 to the Fiio X3 first gen?
Are they similar or is Sony downgrade?
Is it easy to search for artist using the arrow keys?

I
 
IMO a sony downgrade, the soundstage is smaller and is warmer and less detailed, has some weird psotioning quircks,like violins, flutes and female voices sounding as they were floating above me.
 
The UI is a nightmare, let alone the button placement
 
stick with sony DAP as you can but yeah fiio has more power than the sony

 

[castleofargh]

 

 
I don't get what you're trying to say in your first line.
second, I have that measured somewhere but I can't find it(my computer is a mess). but I seem to remember that I had about +9db for +3 setting on the walkman.

You mean +9 DB for three notches? 
What I mean is, why 2.5 and 6.3 KHz and not 4 KHz? Who decides the frequency range and based on what? (Are these standard values for a 5 band EQ?) 
Sorry, what I really meant was, it would be a good idea to be able to boast 4 KHz about 4 - 5 db in my case for example. 

oh well, they're not particularly better or worse than round number. 2.5khz is well place for any mid change, but 3khz would have worked too.  6.3... I would think better to have a little before or a little after, but they must have a reason.  to me, as a massive EQ user, 5 bands can be enough only when I can set the values and Q for each band. cowon and anything with rockbox were always nice for that as a dumbDAP(non android stuff)). how they're implemented in most players, they're close to useless to me, sometimes the numbers on the sony happen to work out, sometime they dont, people always found sony's EQ to be good, I never had that opinion, only the bass boost is well done as a general purpose setting. I hate android on a DAP, but simply to get a good parametric EQ, I often wonder if I should go for it.
 

 

 

 
I don't get what you're trying to say in your first line.
second, I have that measured somewhere but I can't find it(my computer is a mess). but I seem to remember that I had about +9db for +3 setting on the walkman.

You mean +9 DB for three notches? 
What I mean is, why 2.5 and 6.3 KHz and not 4 KHz? Who decides the frequency range and based on what? (Are these standard values for a 5 band EQ?) 
Sorry, what I really meant was, it would be a good idea to be able to boast 4 KHz about 4 - 5 db in my case for example. 

I think the new EQ will be available in the zx100 will have more values, i think i saw notches from -10 or -15 to +10 or +15, dont remember the bands

android walkmans and I imagine smartphones, already have a better than 3 steps EQ. the ZX100 really seems to try and create bridge between both kinds of DAPs.

 

[nekromantik]

 
I
 
IMO a sony downgrade, the soundstage is smaller and is warmer and less detailed, has some weird psotioning quircks,like violins, flutes and female voices sounding as they were floating above me.
 
The UI is a nightmare, let alone the button placement
 
stick with sony DAP as you can but yeah fiio has more power than the sony

Thanks
Only thing I can find better for under 600 is X5.

 

[gerelmx1986]

Thanks
Only thing I can find better for under 600 is X5.

don't know how good the newer fiios sound compared to the older ones new ones are x3II and X5II and the x1

 

[The Walrus]

  oh well, they're not particularly better or worse than round number. 2.5khz is well place for any mid change, but 3khz would have worked too.  6.3... I would think better to have a little before or a little after, but they must have a reason.  to me, as a massive EQ user, 5 bands can be enough only when I can set the values and Q for each band. cowon and anything with rockbox were always nice for that as a dumbDAP(non android stuff)). how they're implemented in most players, they're close to useless to me, sometimes the numbers on the sony happen to work out, sometime they dont, people always found sony's EQ to be good, I never had that opinion, only the bass boost is well done as a general purpose setting. I hate android on a DAP, but simply to get a good parametric EQ, I often wonder if I should go for it.
 
android walkmans and I imagine smartphones, already have a better than 3 steps EQ. the ZX100 really seems to try and create bridge between both kinds of DAPs.

Hmm, thanks. Let me try my Z1070 which is android based to see if the EQ is better. 

 

[Berkovajazz]

I concur. As for me, Sony is downgrade only in output power and durability. X3 is made like a tank, and has much more power. If you will using Sony with easy driven IEMs, it will be better. A10 has more black background = better instrumental separation, same level of details, but generally much more exciting and musical sound. Also it has much better bass. 
X3 will drive much more phones, that is why generally will be a feeling that he sounds better. Details are not so beautiful like Sony produces. 
If you are planning to use player with easy to drive IEMs - Sony. Headphones and hungry IEMs - Fiio. 
Fiio is not bad at all. 
 

 

[nekromantik]

  I concur. As for me, Sony is downgrade only in output power and durability. X3 is made like a tank, and has much more power. If you will using Sony with easy driven IEMs, it will be better. A10 has more black background = better instrumental separation, same level of details, but generally much more exciting and musical sound. Also it has much better bass. 
X3 will drive much more phones, that is why generally will be a feeling that he sounds better. Details are not so beautiful like Sony produces. 
If you are planning to use player with easy to drive IEMs - Sony. Headphones and hungry IEMs - Fiio. 
Fiio is not bad at all. 
 

I already got the X3 first gen,
It is very good but navigating to artists with a lot of tracks takes too long.
Plus the battery life is quite bad. 
I only use IEMs.
Currently using Fidue A73.

 

[gerelmx1986]

I concur. As for me, Sony is downgrade only in output power and durability. X3 is made like a tank, and has much more power. If you will using Sony with easy driven IEMs, it will be better. A10 has more black background = better instrumental separation, same level of details, but generally much more exciting and musical sound. Also it has much better bass. 
X3 will drive much more phones, that is why generally will be a feeling that he sounds better. Details are not so beautiful like Sony produces. 
If you are planning to use player with easy to drive IEMs - Sony. Headphones and hungry IEMs - Fiio. 
Fiio is not bad at all. 
 

For Classical music i do prefer the sony, inmense details as you say, big soundstage too and gets rid of at least me or dont know if some other fiio x3I noted "floating instruments"

 

[gerelmx1986]

I am selling my fiio x3 at 150 USD, free shipping

 

[Mmet]

i have both fiio x3 and walkman A-15 (HK version) ... i mainly use SE535 ... walkman is better .. wider sound stage  and more neutral and better bass impact and accuracy after about 200 hours of usage ! ... i only keeping my x3 for its line out capability to see how does it perform with my future quality amp ( powerful line out and the added battery life to the x3 when using an external amp is a plus already )

 

[nekromantik]

  i have both fiio x3 and walkman A-15 (HK version) ... i mainly use SE535 ... walkman is better .. wider sound stage  and more neutral and better bass impact and accuracy after about 200 hours of usage ! ... i only keeping my x3 for its line out capability to see how does it perform with my future quality amp ( powerful line out and the added battery life to the x3 when using an external amp is a plus already )

 
So you get more battery on the X3 if you use a external DAC?

 

[gerelmx1986]

 

  i have both fiio x3 and walkman A-15 (HK version) ... i mainly use SE535 ... walkman is better .. wider sound stage  and more neutral and better bass impact and accuracy after about 200 hours of usage ! ... i only keeping my x3 for its line out capability to see how does it perform with my future quality amp ( powerful line out and the added battery life to the x3 when using an external amp is a plus already )

 
So you get more battery on the X3 if you use a external DAC?

yes using line-out i get arrounf 20h

 

[nekromantik]

 
yes using line-out i get arrounf 20h

Good to know.
Maybe I should get a DAC instead, Warm signiture one for around $100.

 

[gerelmx1986]

 

 
yes using line-out i get arrounf 20h

Good to know.
Maybe I should get a DAC instead, Warm signiture one for around $100.

you have a fiio x3 or not? i am selling mine, with free ship, i don't used it long, just occassionally after getting the sony DAP

 

[nekromantik]

 
you have a fiio x3 or not? i am selling mine, with free ship, i don't used it long, just occassionally after getting the sony DAP

Already got one.