[Insatiable One]

   
X1 will use WM8740 , which used in some very expensive DAP includes AK100/AK120/HiFiMan HM802, also SONY PHA-1

Why did the DAC change? On the website it now says PCM5142. Isn't the WM8740 a much better DAC? What caused this change?

 

[Retrias]

you are forgetting that this player have an amp section , which is analog , thats is the section that is allegedly burning in

 

[Shawn71]

Why did the DAC change? Isn't the WM8740 a much better DAC? What caused this change?

yes 8740 a better dac (was), and also to some home bred usb dac amps...if theres newer versions of X1 to include 8740, my further wait is worth....

 

[bobby12]

I think that a purely digital system, like this player, can't show any kind of phenomenon one might call "burn-in".  It's either voodoo, the user trying to justificate their purchase, or them getting used to the sound of the player. I hope for our sake that it's mostly the latter.


Have you heard of CPUs or GPUs getting better with time? They might get worse, and - outside of the physical destruction of circuits - that's because of an analog component showing signs of aging: the cooling system. They most certainly won't improve. It's the same with DAPs, outside the fact that most of them lack even the stray analog component a GPU or CPU has.


This is my understanding, but I'm open to be proven wrong.

That's a very narrow view. People used to say the same thing about speakers and headphones, but now they just look stupid with manufactures recommending it and measurements posted. Anyway, I don't think we're aloud to argue here. http://www.head-fi.org/f/133/sound-science have fun

 

[Sputtid]

  you are forgetting that this player have an amp section , which is analog , thats is the section that is allegedly burning in

Less like forgotten, more like getting the wording wrong. What I meant is that this player is electronic, in contrast with speakers, which have mechanic parts. You wouldn't believe, but I actually know the definition of analog, and digital, and yet I still used them wrong. Shame on me.
With that said, there is an electronic component which needs burn-in; a tube amplifier, but as far as I know Fiio didn't include one of those in the x1.

I've seen hundreds of articles disproving burn-in of electronic musical equipment. Could any of you show me a blind test, or a measurement which proved the existence of such a thing?

 

That's a very narrow view. People used to say the same thing about speakers and headphones, but now they just look stupid with manufactures recommending it and measurements posted. Anyway, I don't think we're aloud to argue here. http://www.head-fi.org/f/133/sound-science have fun

It's not a narrow view, it's the right one, until proper evidence is shown disproving it. The burden of proof is always on those who propose an idea. And don't get me started on companies encouraging burn-in. A good chunk of them would tell a consumer anything as long as it makes them happy.

Though you do have two things right: First, speakers CAN have a burn-in time, because they have fundamentally different components(see above). And second, this isn't the right place to discuss this, and I'll refrain from further hindering the discussion. Sorry for the off.

On topic:
I can't wait to put my hands on this baby, I hope it will be a worthy successor of my umpteenth Clip+ with a headphone jack failure.
Though I'm afraid of the amp producing hiss with my quite low impedance Sennheiser Momentums.

 

[Retrias]

iirc amps also includes caps , that is also a part that alot actually says need burn in.

 

[x RELIC x]

I think that a purely digital system, like this player, can't show any kind of phenomenon one might call "burn-in".  It's either voodoo, the user trying to justificate their purchase, or them getting used to the sound of the player. I hope for our sake that it's mostly the latter.


Have you heard of CPUs or GPUs getting better with time? They might get worse, and - outside of the physical destruction of circuits - that's because of an analog component showing signs of aging: the cooling system. They most certainly won't improve. It's the same with DAPs, outside the fact that most of them lack even the stray analog component a GPU or CPU has.


This is my understanding, but I'm open to be proven wrong.

Although I'm by no means an expert in the electrical engineering field I believe that any burn in that happens is in components like capacitors in the audio path that do in fact change (settle in) after a period of time. This has also been stated by James @ FiiO to be true with the their previous DAPs.

Personally I would say that 95% burn in is the brain adjusting to a new reference point and 5% physical change from such analogue components.

 

[Sputtid]

 

 

Although I'm by no means an expert in the electrical engineering field I believe that any burn in that happens is in components like capacitors in the audio path that do in fact change (settle in) after a period of time. This has also been stated by James @ FiiO to be true with the their previous DAPs.

Personally I would say that 95% burn in is the brain adjusting to a new reference point and 5% physical change from such analogue components.

I'm no expert either, but as far as I know, capacitors settle in during the timespan of seconds.

 

[bobby12]

This is the fiio x1 thread and if you want to discuss science then take it elsewhere. No need for the negative attitude.
Just warning you or you'll get banned like I did

 

[iancraig10]

I've been listening most of the day now. I'm finding that the sound seems to focus quite well at lower volumes than I usually listen at. Especially coming from the Ember. The dynamic range seems large as well.

I've been using the K612 and it sounds really quite 'fruity'.

This is definitely giving me thoughts about the x5 now. This one really is a very good buy and performs quite a bit better than I thought it would at this price level and it also sounds more robust than an IPod Classic.

64Gb card is full and the player reads it in just under two minutes. Compared to the Fuze, that is really fast!!

It drives the dt250 quite loud at volume setting 50 - 60 out of 100. The Roland at around 35 - 40 for similar perceived volume. So it has plenty of power available. Actually, the volume is digital and nicely stepped. There's 100 steps altogether, so there's good control for the more sensitive iem type earphones.

 

[Sputtid]

How would you compare it to the Fuze SQ-wise?

 

[jenia1]

  Pre-ordered it on Amazon.de for 89€ without shipping costs .
 
I will receive it on Thursday. Hopefully a bit earlier though.

 
Nice! and even Prime >D which means 1-2 days shipping haha. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting for the champagne color..... any1 knows when will it come out?

 

[MrKommander]

Are the skin that it comes with textured and does it cover the front as well? Thanks!

Sorry to answer your question so late bit i had to work ^~^
Bit ehen you lok closer to my picture of the X1 with the Accessoires it shows definitely the sticker are for back and frontside (although you can see just the carbon sticker right ^^)
Hope i could help

 

[MrKommander]

Why did the DAC change? On the website it now says PCM5142. Isn't the WM8740 a much better DAC? What caused this change?

Well if you look at the first page it says PCM5142 and that was definitely announced and havent changed some time. I think thez changed somewhere half way of the X1 developement although i don't remember what the reason was ^^' maybe James still know :3
Anyway it was shurely just accidentally wrote wrong....
its still a nice part of craftmanship

 

[BillsonChang007]

Sorry to answer your question so late bit i had to work ^~^
Bit ehen you lok closer to my picture of the X1 with the Accessoires it shows definitely the sticker are for back and frontside (although you can see just the carbon sticker right ^^)
Hope i could help

No problem sir! Many thanks

Well if you look at the first page it says PCM5142 and that was definitely announced and havent changed some time. I think thez changed somewhere half way of the X1 developement although i don't remember what the reason was ^^' maybe James still know :3
Anyway it was shurely just accidentally wrote wrong....
its still a nice part of craftmanship

It is because WM8740 is too mainstream. Everyone is using it and can be found anywhere. Doesn't hurt trying different DAC. [thats what I recall]