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

[JaZZ]

It's by design.

FiiO players reduce the volume by 6db to allow for headroom when increasing the EQ sliders to max. This avoids clipping by the headphone amp when using the EQ, unlike some devices such as certain apple products. You want this feature. Just compensate by turning up the volume by 10-12 steps.

Alternatively you can use the cutting method of EQ by raising all the sliders to the top (which sounds the same as EQ off) and reducing the frequencies you want to hear less.

 
I wouldn't do and recommend this. It's true, all sliders on top sound virtually the same as in neutral position, since the 10 frequency bands of the octave equalizer have a bandwidth of roughly 1 octave. But I wouldn't rely on that – I'm sure there will be some deviations from a straight line with corresponding phase nonlinearities. This may sound like an academic objection, but what does this solution actually serve for? There's no reason to do that. If anything, it may be beneficial to only decrease frequency bands to avoid the introduction of resonances at the center frequencies. But in many cases it isn't really practical, and the benefit is questionable.
 

  Fantastic. Thank you, didn't know of this. I'll try the cutting method since it works exactly for my needs.

 
Intuitively a lowering of volume by the EQ function may be perceived as a disadvantage, but it is not. If you compensate the volume accordingly, you're exactly at the same point – there's nothing lost, the digital data are fully preserved.

 

[yoyorast10]

If your powered speakers don't have a 3.5mm stereo jack input then yes, a 3.5mm to RCA cable will be fine.

? The FiiO players don't output music through USB ? Is that what you mean?

 
Thanks, your posts are really helpful. Now, for my final dilemma.. switching between headphones and speakers. What's the best way of doing this? Is there an easier way than having to switch the RCA cable and headphone cable up all the time?

 

[x RELIC x]

I wouldn't do and recommend this. It's true, all sliders on top sound virtually the same as in neutral position, since the 10 frequency bands of the octave equalizer have a bandwidth of roughly 1 octave. But I wouldn't rely on that – I'm sure there will be some deviations from a straight line with corresponding phase nonlinearities. This may sound like an academic objection, but what does this solution actually serve for? There's no reason to do that. If anything, it may be beneficial to only decrease frequency bands to avoid the introduction of resonances at the center frequencies. But in many cases it isn't really practical, and the benefit is questionable.

.....................

Purely academic IMO. Wasn't it measured at length in the X5 thread to show a very good linearity when all sliders were raised to the max (can't remember exactly). Whatever, I don't want to get dragged in to a debate about it. To these ears it sounds the same (if not close enough).

I simply just offered another alternative to adjusting the volume, which was my first suggestion. :wink_face:

Edit: The advantage is simply not having to really adjust the volume when switching on/off the EQ. Some users prefer this.

 

[x RELIC x]

Thanks, your posts are really helpful. Now, for my final dilemma.. switching between headphones and speakers. What's the best way of doing this? Is there an easier way than having to switch the RCA cable and headphone cable up all the time?

Nope, no internal software switching between headphone out and line out as its hardware based. Just plug in to the line out jack when you want to use the speakers. Keep in mind that the headphone output is disabled when the line out jack is occupied.

 

[JaZZ]

Purely academic IMO. Wasn't it measured at length in the X5 thread to show a very good linearity when all sliders were raised to the max (can't remember exactly). Whatever, I don't want to get dragged in to a debate about it. To these ears it sounds the same (if not close enough).

I simply just offered another alternative to adjusting the volume, which was my first suggestion.

 
Well, yes, but then again, putting all sliders to the top means a greater effort than adjusting the volume once.

And then there's the nagging uncertainty if it really is free of adverse effects. I doubt it. It actually wasn't measured at length, moreover in a rather rudimentary, not overly trustworthy way, let alone with ultimate precision. And BTW, it means higher current consumption (higher processor activity).

So what is it that speaks for it?

 

[x RELIC x]

Well, yes, but then again, putting all sliders to the top means a greater effort than adjusting the volume once. And then there's the nagging uncertainty if it really is free of adverse effects. I doubt it. It actually wasn't measured at length, moreover in a rather rudimentary, not overly trustworthy way, let alone with ultimate precision. And BTW, it means higher current consumption (higher processor activity). So what is it that speaks for it?

Wait, the output is lowered by -6db then compensated for by +6db and it still uses more current? And increasing the volume by +6db (roughly 10-12 units) doesn't balance out current consumption? Damn, I don't want to get dragged in to this. Look, if any adverse effects would nag anyone then sure, adjust the volume with EQ adjusted around the center +-0db baseline.

For those that are lazy and want a preset for a particular headphone then the cutting method may serve them just fine if their ears are happy with the result. I'm quite pleased with the EQ implementation FiiO uses (as I know you are as well) so I doubt there are any ill effects by maxing the sliders. My ears tell me it's fine but I'll admit I haven't studied the result looking for any negative outcome.

For the M-100 I have the mids and treble maxed from 1 kHz to 16 kHz and from 500 Hz to 32 Hz I have a gentle negative slope ending at -+0db at 60 Hz to reduce the ridiculous bass. Does that mean I've raised the mids and treble or reduced the bass? When I engage this preset I don't need to adjust the volume - handy. Either way I'm happy with how it balances the headphone from being bass heavy to more balanced.

Edit: I don't reduce bass by 12db, only 6db. Edited for clarity.

 

[JaZZ]

Wait, the output is lowered by -6db then compensated for by +6db and it still uses more current? And increasing the volume by +6db (roughly 10-12 units) doesn't balance out current consumption? Damn, I don't want to get dragged in to this. Look, if any adverse effects would nag anyone then sure, adjust the volume with EQ adjusted around the center +-0db baseline.

For those that are lazy and want a preset for a particular headphone then the cutting method may serve them just fine if their ears are happy with the result. I'm quite pleased with the EQ implementation FiiO uses (as I know you are as well) so I doubt there are any ill effects by maxing the sliders. My ears tell me it's fine but I'll admit I haven't studied the result looking for any negative outcome.

For the M-100 I have the mids and treble maxed from 1 kHz to 16 kHz and from 500 Hz to 32 Hz I have a gentle negative slope ending at -6db at 60 Hz to reduce the ridiculous bass. Does that mean I've raised the mids and treble or reduced the bass? When I engage this preset I don't need to adjust the volume - handy. Either way I'm happy with how it balances the headphone from being bass heavy to more balanced.

 
You got it wrong. The equalizer forces the processor to work harder. (Admittedly that's a rather academic objection.)

 

[x RELIC x]

You got it wrong. The equalizer forces the processor to work harder. (Admittedly that's a rather academic objection.)

Yes, I'm aware it's a software implementation. :wink_face:

 

[interpolate]

I use a stereo phono to RCA connector. Get a decent quality lead and you should be good.

 

[bruce1967]

 
I know.  Haven't tried it though.

I can use it both ways...you will get used to the scroll wheel eventually..it's not really that bad but I can see how it would seem awkward after being used to an ipod.

 

[interpolate]

I don't like the equaliser either. It's very difficult to determine when it is on focus and what frequency it is adjusting. Awkward however that's my only grumble with it.

 

[akshaysehgal12]

hey headfiers, i recently bought fiio x3 2nd gen and fiio E12 connected via L16, i am lil confused where shall i plug the amp. in headphone out or line out? vie headphone out it seems like stage improves alot and vocals move far, instruments gain more potential and stage. whereas with line out vocals are attacking where instruments gain and spaced nicely. i need some technical reasoning behind this. i read its double amping via headphone out. is it bad? i am doing A/B comparison as of now using ATH M50X and ATH CKX9is.

 

[yoyorast10]

Directsound or WASAPI, is there a big difference between them?

 

[indieke]

 Directsound or WASAPI, is there a big difference between them?

 
Never use "directsound"!
 
With that your sound goes thru Windows mixing, which alters the sound. With WASAPI, or Avio, it is Jriver, who sends your sound to the Dac of the Fiio, without any altering.

 

[indieke]

I not think I am going to keep this player. It has a lot of going for it.  But although some could say it is  better then the first generation, it also has his downsides.
 
One is that it does not sound like the first generation, and sound more like the competition. It is faster, maybe less colour, but also less musical to MY TASTE AND EARS.
 
I try to do a review soon, but even a  lot of warm, lush recordings sound great. Like the last high resolution Leonord Cohen studio album, Bozz Scags  jazz album, Patricia Barber. But a lot of Rock sound just less "live", bit thin.  I personally find the upper midds, just a bit too present. The "white album" of the beatles"obla di" sounds so thin and Paul McCartney's voice sound missing warmth. Note,  every gear has to be paired well, and maybe, my very neutral sounding Audio Technicas, just not fit. On cheap Sony cans from my son, it is not so explecit. But Robert Palmer's Clues, really sound agressive, when on the first generation, it sounded more analog.  When the recordings match, yes then it sounds tremendous, but it is more picky.
 
Now the real problems. It doesn't want to update the "media libary". It start and then it freezes and the player crashes (last firmware). I loved to use my first generation as a dac. It is so musical and transparent.  But I really did not manage to use the firmware for both players together. Even if I install the firmware in two different folders it will always delete the other driver.