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

[JaZZ]

  Oh nice, so you DO think it sounds noticably better tahn the X3 2nd Gen?  Just HOW MUCH better would you say it sounds?

 
It depends on your sonic preferences. To my ears they are on a similar level when the X3's frequency extremes are slightly increased (0.2 dB at 31 Hz, 0.6 dB at 16 kHz). Which doesn't mean they sound identical, though. The X5 II has better imaging, the X3 II is smoother.

 

[betula]

Solved, found, installed. No worries.

 

[interpolate]

Screw Windows 10.
 
Still using Windows 7 Professional and reluctantly Windows 8 on the laptop.

 

[goodyfresh]

   
It depends on your sonic preferences. To my ears they are on a similar level when the X3's frequency extremes are slightly increased (0.2 dB at 31 Hz, 0.6 dB at 16 kHz). Which doesn't mean they sound identical, though. The X5 II has better imaging, the X3 II is smoother.

What do you mean, in this context, by "smoother?"

 

[420204]

  Oh nice, so you DO think it sounds noticably better tahn the X3 2nd Gen?  Just HOW MUCH better would you say it sounds?  And yeah, I'm eager to see the X7, too.  Have they announced a release-daet for it yet?

yes, I think it sounds definitely better.

how much? I can't give you a number.

As far as I know, the launch will be around October in China and before Christmas for the rest of the world. But that's not confirmed yet.
It will be displayed in Hong Kong next week.

 

[JaZZ]

  What do you mean, in this context, by "smoother?"

 
More flowing, more liquid (instead of extra detailed or grainy).

 

[despuit]

  Well Solid State Drives uses specialised RAM which are mapped for combined speed access like banked memory configurations, so memory will be rated below microseconds. ASIO timings are different because roundtrip latency. I can't see a place for them with use in a portable hifi setup unless the interface is specifically geared towards being used outside.

That's pretty clever, and makes sense based on how they look. I've never had any need or desire to know why they were considerably faster then their HDD counterparts.  So right on. I would understand timing being different is completely different hardware, and based on the thread of discussion is mediated by the buffer size allocation. You confuse me though with the last bit, this was about the ASIO settings on a computer. Where does portability, or outside come into play?

 

[betula]

  Screw Windows 10.
 
Still using Windows 7 Professional and reluctantly Windows 8 on the laptop.

I used Win 7 Professional and I did not have any serious issues. Upgraded to Win 10 just from pure curiosity. I can downgrade back anytime.
Never tried Win 8 though, as I only heard bad things about it.
 I give win 10 a few weeks, and then decide if I keep it. Looks alright after a couple of hours.

 

[despuit]

 
I used Win 7 Professional and I did not have any serious issues. Upgraded to Win 10 just from pure curiosity. I can downgrade back anytime.
Never tried Win 8 though, as I only heard bad things about it.
 I give win 10 a few weeks, and then decide if I keep it. Looks alright after a couple of hours.

Never would, I like windows 7 is best os since xp and not ever changing until software becomes incompatible for my needs. I tried windows 8 once, was intriguing didn't mind it till I figure out how the apps worked. Then it became tedious to switch between interfaces, was just every where. And I doubt they changed how the directories are targeted in windows 10 as they don't care about PU, just the people who need to use office or facebook.

 

[x RELIC x]

Oh nice, so you DO think it sounds noticably better tahn the X3 2nd Gen?  Just HOW MUCH better would you say it sounds?  And yeah, I'm eager to see the X7, too.  Have they announced a release-daet for it yet?

From the X7 thread, release info near the bottom:

http://tieba.baidu.com/p/3925490142
Some information copy from Fiio Official Tieba in chinese, I translate to english


外观造型及结构接口：
三维尺寸： 128mm X 64mm X 16mm.
Size : 128mm X 64mm X 16mm.

显示屏： 4英寸IPS显示屏，分辨率800*480
Monitor: 4" IPS Panel Display, Resolution 800*480

机身材料： 全航空级铝镁合金，CNC一体化成型加工工艺。表面阳极拉丝/喷砂氧化处理。10 万级钻石切边工艺。
Chassic Material: Aircraft Level Aluminium Alloy, full CNC machining. Surface Anodized & brushed, Sandblasting processing. Diamond trimming processing.

重量： 不超过250克。
Weight: less than 250g.

按键： 全功能硬件按键，包括电源，播放暂停，前进/后退，音量加减。
Physical Button: Full function buttons include: Power , Play/Pasue , Forward/Back , Volume

接口： 3.5mm耳机接口，3.5mm线路输出 (LO)接口，3.5mm同轴数字输出接口，平衡输
出接口（可选），11PIN Micro USB接口 （带底座扩展功能）
Connector: 3.5mm phoneout, 3.5mm lineout (LO), 3.5mm spdif coaxial out, Balanced output (Optional), 11pin MicroUSB (inclube Docking extend function)

系统与软件功能：
System & Software function:

基于安卓4.4系统。
OS base on android 4.4

独立的HiFi引擎技术，完全不受安卓系统底层对音频格式的限制。
Dedicated HiFi engine technology, Playback music file format will not limit by Android System Framework limition

独立的音乐播放APP。
Dedicated Music audio player APP

支持第三方音乐播放APP，如网易云音乐等，以实现歌曲在线下载，歌词/封面自动匹配等高级功能；
Support third-party audio player APP, User can using third-party app to listen music online streaming and other music playback function

支持经过验证和许可的第三方安卓APP的安装和下载；
Support certificate verified third-party android app install and download
支持DLNA播放，支持NAS播放；
Support DLNA playback, Support NAS Streaming playback
支持第三方的桌面/壁纸美化APP；
Support third-party UI / Background Image App (don’t sure this meaning launcher)

支持手机遥控；
Support remote by MobilePhone

支持自动OTA推送系统升级；
Support System update by OTA mode

音乐播放能力：
Audio player function:

内置的音乐播放APP支持
Default audio player APP support function:

DSD/DXD/DTS/PCM/WAV/WMA/APE/FLAC/ALAC/AAC/OGG/MP2/MP3等格式。
DSD/DXD/DTS/PCM/WAV/WMA/APE/FLAC/ALAC/AAC/OGG/MP2/MP3 Music format

采样率/位深硬件原生支持到384kHz/32Bit. 软件支持到384kHz/64Bit.
Hardware Native support up to 32Bit / 384kHz playback, software decode support up to 64Bit / 384kHz playback

DSD支持到DSD128硬解，支持ISO直接播放.
DSD playback support up to DSD by Hardware Native, support DSD iso file playback.

对任何不支持的音乐格式或者采样率，均可通过安装第三方APP来解决。
User can install third-party audio player APP to playback all non-support music format or non-support sample rate file by Default audio player

由于基于安卓的开发平台，RK3188的强大运算能力，以及DAC对383kHz/32Bit的硬件支持能力，理论上没有X7不支持的音乐格式了。
Due to android software framework, RK3188 cpu powerful processing power and DAC chip 32Bit / 384kHz native convert function, X7 non-support audio file format is very rare.

系统存储信息:
内置32G 高速FLASH内存；
Onboard 32Gb Flash Memory.

内置512M高速程序运行RAM；
Onboard 512MB RAM (Confirmed upgrade to 1GB RAM)

外置TF卡槽，支持最高128G。理论上支持未来的256G/512G TF卡；
External Memory MicroSD slot support, support up to 128Gb MicroSD card. Feature support 256Gb/512Gb MicroSD card

支持云存储；( 需要等后续通过固件升级支持）
Support Cloud Storage (This Function support in future update firmware)
支持DLNA网络播放；( 需要等后续通过固件升级支持）

Support DLNA audio playback (This Function support in future update firmware)
支持NAS网络播放；( 需要等后续通过固件升级支持）
Support NAS streaming audio playback (This Function support in future update firmware)

有线/无线连接：
Network / Wireless network support:

支持2.4G WiFi；
Support 2.4G Wifi

支持蓝牙音频播放；
Support bluetooth device playback

支持USB 2.0数据连接；
Support Data transfer by USB 2.0

支持USB 2.0 USB解码，支持192K/24B 异步USB解码；
Support USB 2.0 USB DAC for PC, support up to 24Bits/192kHz async USB DAC function.

支持底座扩展；
Support External Docking.

基本硬件配置：
Based Hardware specification:

主控： 瑞星微RK3188. 采用28纳米半导体先进制程工艺；4核1.8G处理器。
CPU: Rockchip RK3188, 4 Core 1.8ghz processor

RAM: 512M (Confirmed upgrade to 1GB RAM)

内置存储： 32G
ROM: 32G

外部扩展： 128G TF卡。
External Storage Extend: 128G MicroSD

DAC芯片： ESS9018 8通道 384K/32B DSD硬解芯片。全球目前性能最高，价格最贵的DAC
芯片；备注：非手机厂家所用的ESS9018K2M解码芯片；
DAC Chip: ESS9018

I/V转换： 待定
I/V : TBD


低通滤波： 待定
LPF: TBD

电压放大： 取决于不同的配置；
Gain AMP: Depend on different module

电流放大： 取决于不同的配置；
Current AMP: Depend on different module

内部电池： 3700mAh不可更换电池；
Internal Battery: 3700mAh, NOT replaceable.

续航时间： 取决于不同的输出功率配置/接口。最长12小时，最短5小时；
Battery Life: Depend on output module/interface. Max. 12hrs, Min. 5hrs

充电电流： 大于500mA, 推荐2.0A电流以获得最快的充电速度。
Recharge: More than 500mA, Suggest using 2.0A to recharge

标准配件：
1，数据线；
2，清水套；
3，屏幕保护膜；

原厂独立配件：
1，各种配套平衡耳机线；
2，各种耳放模块；
3，充电底座耳放；
4，定制的高端耳塞；

发布计划：
Released Plan:

8月7号香港音响展做静态展示。
August 7 : Dummy display on HongKong Audiophile show.

9月13号广州耳机展有新品发布会；
September 13 : Product Released meeting on Guangzhou Headphone Show

9月18号北京音响展有产品展示；
September 13 : Product Tryouts on Beijing Audiophile Show

预计9月底针对VIP用户和老客户优惠发售；
Estimate In late September, Discount Promotion for VIP user and post-customer

计划10月全国上市。12月圣诞节前全球发售。
Estimate October, Release in China,
Estimate December before Xmas , Release in world

 

[despuit]

Networking capabilities, the thing sounds like a beast. 512GB SD, 32 bit now we're talking. Best Christmas ever? Do we know a potential price yet?

Update: the design looks good, I really dislike how they raise the sides with the slanted ends is annoying. I have that on my amp and bands  slide right off it.

 

[interpolate]

ASIO drivers are sound drivers therefore not needed outside the realms of a PC system. It probably benefits recording more than playback and the lower the buffer, the quicker it works. In the sense of the Thyscon driver utility it will only benefit a system configuration where the DAC is being used as a processor for something like DSD playback. As things stand, it is only being used to create an output path. I think the driver lacks something though, it makes music sound a bit too digital for my liking, I mainly use it as a replacement for terrible laptop sound.

 

[x RELIC x]

Networking capabilities, the thing sounds like a beast. 512GB SD, 32 bit now we're talking. Best Christmas ever? Do we know a potential price yet?

$699 U.S. The 512gb is listed for FUTURE MICRO SD CARDS, not full size SD.

I suggest going over to the X7 thread and reading the first post for some info. Careful, the thread is a gong show.

 

[goodyfresh]

Daaaaang, the X7 sounds like it's giong to be an absolute BEAST!

 

[despuit]

  ASIO drivers are sound drivers therefore not needed outside the realms of a PC system. It probably benefits recording more than playback and the lower the buffer, the quicker it works. In the sense of the Thyscon driver utility it will only benefit a system configuration where the DAC is being used as a processor for something like DSD playback. As things stand, it is only being used to create an output path. I think the driver lacks something though, it makes music sound a bit too digital for my liking, I mainly use it as a replacement for terrible laptop sound.

lol I understand that.... and all right I understand now am being an idiot. As soon you brought up recording, I'm becoming too focused on the buffer over latency with regards to the hardware. Overall recording sees more benefit from a higher buffer as it is in ratio with the sample rate, for 192 you need at least 512, then I am guessing 384/32 bit would need 1024 minimum for low latency.  So again since the DAP can't supply a playback higher then 192, it is only then beneficial for recordings sake in said instance as applications like Audacity could utilise the additional buffer. So you really have to test the individual devices latency and configure that first, set the buffer based off that and have ASIOBridge hooked up for a smoother bit perfect transport. Seems to be best possible configuration I know of, and again you can use fidelizer to optimise the individual playback module (application).  
 
For the actual Thyscon driver utility, I would agree DSD playback would be only significant gain. But do you know what latency settings approximate to in ms for minimum latency? Which is over 256 buffer.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Resource Links 
http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml - Test Latency
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2eqthpf3qt3187c/X3%202nd%20gen%20USB%20DAC%20Driver%28compatible%20with%20X3%26X5%29v1.61.zip?dl=0 - FiioX3 II Driver
http://vb-audio.pagesperso-orange.fr/Cable/index.htm - ASIOBridge
http://www.fidelizer-audio.com/ - Application optimiser for audio playback