The FiiO X3 2nd gen (ex X3K, X3II) Thread : 192K/24B, CS4398,Native DSD, USB DAC with LO and inline remote

[migasson]

I'm getting out of headphone listening - So my Fiio X3ii is going to be put up for sale - Australia only - PM me

 

[Koolpep]

   
Nope - in my experience .......
 
Once you reach a certain current/voltage combo that will fully drive the headphone's load (ie fully meet it's power requirements), and that power delivery is clean enough to be beyond audible distortion limits, and doesn't clip - then providing more power does nothing.  At that point you're limited by the headphone.
 
Depending on the amp though (and also the DAC in combo), you'll get different flavours.  My NFB-12 is a touch on the warm side.  The iDSD is leaner and brighter.
 
The reason many buy better specs in amps is so that you can drive a variety of loads, and for the features the amps may provide.
 
There seems to be a common fallacy - especially amongst newer members - that further amplifying (when it's not needed) will increase "sound-stage", "dynamics", and all manner of often bandied about terms.  If a given load is being satisfied for current and voltage, within inaudible distortion limits, and driven without clipping - amping further adds volume, or the particular flavouring of the amp.
 
It is very easy to check yourself.  Get an SPL meter.  Get a headphone that is easily driven by the X3ii.  Volume match.  Compare - and get someone to do the switching for you. It is an eye-opener.

 
Indeed to the part in bold. And also to the blind testing - it's an eye opener. 
 
Cheers,
K

 

[coletrain104]

   
Nope - in my experience .......
 
Once you reach a certain current/voltage combo that will fully drive the headphone's load (ie fully meet it's power requirements), and that power delivery is clean enough to be beyond audible distortion limits, and doesn't clip - then providing more power does nothing.  At that point you're limited by the headphone.
 
Depending on the amp though (and also the DAC in combo), you'll get different flavours.  My NFB-12 is a touch on the warm side.  The iDSD is leaner and brighter.
 
The reason many buy better specs in amps is so that you can drive a variety of loads, and for the features the amps may provide.
 
There seems to be a common fallacy - especially amongst newer members - that further amplifying (when it's not needed) will increase "sound-stage", "dynamics", and all manner of often bandied about terms.  If a given load is being satisfied for current and voltage, within inaudible distortion limits, and driven without clipping - amping further adds volume, or the particular flavouring of the amp.
 
It is very easy to check yourself.  Get an SPL meter.  Get a headphone that is easily driven by the X3ii.  Volume match.  Compare - and get someone to do the switching for you. It is an eye-opener.

Good thoughts, I'm generally in agreement. I feel people always say "bigger soundstage" if it is more expensive, and tell everyone they aren't experiencing the real deal without a high dollar desktop amp, even for sensitive headphones. I feel like this gets perpetuated by expectation bias and the fact that newbies tend to buy an amp and DAC at the same time and can't distinguish where the differences are coming from. I also love that I can read your posts and know I'm not the only one here who doesn't blast the living hell out of my eardrums

 

[Prognathous]

Is there a way to see the encoding bitrate of a song? I assume not, but want to make sure...

 

[bruce1967]

  Is there a way to see the encoding bitrate of a song? I assume not, but want to make sure...

Pressing holding the upper left button in now playing mode brings up album, track and bitrate information.

 

[ngs428]

Is there a way to see the encoding bitrate of a song? I assume not, but want to make sure...

Bit Rate no, bit depth yes. As Bruce stated pressing and holding the upper left button while on the now playing screen will bring up bit depth (16, 24, etc), sample rate (44.1, 96, 192, etc). Bit rate is not displayed.

If you use lyric files like I do you cant long press that button to view the info. It is shown before the lyrics and can't be displayed after.

I requested to have FiiO add the info option to the menu seen when pressing the top right button. Similar to the 1st gen X3.

 

[bruce1967]

Bit Rate no, bit depth yes. As Bruce stated pressing and holding the upper left button while on the now playing screen will bring up bit depth (16, 24, etc), sample rate (44.1, 96, 192, etc). Bit rate is not displayed.

If you use lyric files like I do you cant long press that button to view the info. It is shown before the lyrics and can't be displayed after.

I requested to have FiiO add the info option to the menu seen when pressing the top right button. Similar to the 1st gen X3.

You're right, it does only display bit depth. I could have sworn it displayed the bitrate too. Maybe Fiio will add this in the future.

 

[ngs428]

You're right, it does only display bit depth. I could have sworn it displayed the bitrate too. Maybe Fiio will add this in the future.

I liked the X3 gen 1 track info screen, much more detailed. We don't have that yet on the gen 2.

 

[bruce1967]

I liked the X3 gen 1 track info screen, much more detailed. We don't have that yet on the gen 2.

That's right, the original X3 did have that. I used to have the old X3. They must have implemented that in one the last firmwares. It would be nice to have that on the X3ii as well as getting rid of the 5800 track limit although I don't and will never have that many tracks but it seems important to alot of people. I actually browse mostly by folder.

 

[betula]

  That's right, the original X3 did have that. I used to have the old X3. They must have implemented that in one the last firmwares. It would be nice to have that on the X3ii as well as getting rid of the 5800 track limit although I don't and will never have that many tracks but it seems important to alot of people. I actually browse mostly by folder.

I never understood why people need more than 5800 tracks on a portable device...
You can not love 5800 tracks at the same time...
Around 3000 was always enough for me... And as I use mainly Flac, it fills my 64GB card. Never felt I need more tracks than 3000 on my X3ii.
Every 2-3 weeks I delete some albums I do not need, and replace them with sg else.
 And I do not even feel I should get a 128GB card... I just do not see the point.
90% I listen to music in 'all shuffle' mode. 10% I choose specific album. But in shuffle mode it takes a lot of time to get through 3000 tracks.
And I rather keep 3000 tracks that I like pretty much than have 6-8000 and press the 'next' button continuously...
 

 

[mosshorn]

So despite being on the tour for the X5ii, I just pulled the trigger on the X3ii. 
 
Why? I've read too many similarities between the two models to justify the cost. My UERMs will be happy either way, and I enjoy the smaller footprint.
 
Also it's $150 cheaper than the X5ii and $300 cheaper than the AK Jr. Can't beat that! I got a Dignis case for it as well, they should be in on Friday.

 

[betula]

  So despite being on the tour for the X5ii, I just pulled the trigger on the X3ii. 
 
Why? I've read too many similarities between the two models to justify the cost. My UERMs will be happy either way, and I enjoy the smaller footprint.
 
Also it's $150 cheaper than the X5ii and $300 cheaper than the AK Jr. Can't beat that! I got a Dignis case for it as well, they should be in on Friday.

I do not think you will regret it.
In my opinion X3ii is the best value for money DAP/DAC on the market right now.
The only real advantage of X5ii is the 2 micro SD card slots and more power for 'hungry' headphones. (Just a slightly better sound than X3ii.)

Spend those saved dollars for other enjoyment.

 

[bruce1967]

  I never understood why people need more than 5800 tracks on a portable device...
You can not love 5800 tracks at the same time...
Around 3000 was always enough for me... And as I use mainly Flac, it fills my 64GB card. Never felt I need more tracks than 3000 on my X3ii.
Every 2-3 weeks I delete some albums I do not need, and replace them with sg else.
 And I do not even feel I should get a 128GB card... I just do not see the point.
90% I listen to music in 'all shuffle' mode. 10% I choose specific album. But in shuffle mode it takes a lot of time to get through 3000 tracks.
And I rather keep 3000 tracks that I like pretty much than have 6-8000 and press the 'next' button continuously...
 

Yes, 5800 tracks would add up to alot of albums. I wold never have the time to listen to that much music. Like you, I think around 3000 tracks is enough. I listen to alot of flac but I still have some aac files on mine but I don't need a 128gb card either..it's just too much. I feel that with..I think I actually have 3075 or so tracks it's all the music I can handle That's also why I'm not interested in streaming music..I don't need that much music.

 

[hakushondaimao]

  So despite being on the tour for the X5ii, I just pulled the trigger on the X3ii. 
 
Why? I've read too many similarities between the two models to justify the cost. My UERMs will be happy either way, and I enjoy the smaller footprint.
 
Also it's $150 cheaper than the X5ii and $300 cheaper than the AK Jr. Can't beat that! I got a Dignis case for it as well, they should be in on Friday.

 
Good call on the Dignis...

 

[bruce1967]

  So despite being on the tour for the X5ii, I just pulled the trigger on the X3ii. 
 
Why? I've read too many similarities between the two models to justify the cost. My UERMs will be happy either way, and I enjoy the smaller footprint.
 
Also it's $150 cheaper than the X5ii and $300 cheaper than the AK Jr. Can't beat that! I got a Dignis case for it as well, they should be in on Friday.

I'd be interested in hearing what you have to say the differences are sound wise when you get your X3. I was looking at the X5ii and it looks nice but it's more than I need. I ordered a Dignis case too..it looks very nice!