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

[Brooko]

   
Brooko - I am still hopeful, because I am "fixing" 3 issues at once:
1. Upgrade from MP3 (high bit-rate, but still lossy...) to FLAC
2. iPhone 5 DAC to a better DAC (and better implementation)
3. Much better AMP (should make a difference even with easy to drive headphones, from what I can tell by reading A LOT reviews and online forums)

 
I like the quotes around "fixing".  I may not be helping, because I am an objective sort of subjectivist
 
1. Upgrade from MP3 (high bit-rate, but still lossy...) to FLAC - suggest you read this (it might enlighten you).  The software is free.  You can perform the tests in your own time.  FWIW, while archive in lossless (FLAC) and use the archive copies on my home digital rig, most of my DAPs are encoded in aac256.
 
2. iPhone 5 DAC to a better DAC (and better implementation) - no argument here.  I really like the sound of the X3 2nd gen.  But don't expect night and day differences with your iPhone5.  It sounds pretty good too.
 
3. Much better AMP (should make a difference even with easy to drive headphones, from what I can tell by reading A LOT reviews and online forums) - agree, the amp section is a lot better on the X3 gen2, much more available power.  But be careful when you read the reviews saying easy to drive headphones dramatically change with additional amping.  A lot of reviewers do not level match properly (if we hear something slightly louder, it sounds better to us). In my experience, extra amping helps if:
 - our headphones need more current, voltage or both
 - our headphones need lower impedance output from the source (the X5 gen 2 will be lower impedance than the iPhone5) - important sometimes with low impedance very sensitive headphones
 - we like the particular colouration of an amp (including hardware bass boost and other features)
 
Don't get me wrong, I'm just adding some perspective.  There is no harm having more power than you need available - it means that you're much more versatile with your headphone choices.  But don't go into audio purchases blinded by some of the reviews either.  The iPhones are measurably a good source, and if you have IEMs that don't need any of the features I described above, you're going to find (if you compare objectively) that there won't be a huge amount of difference.
 
Saying that though - I do most of my portable listening through one of my Fiio DAPs.  Why?  Because they sound great, drive anything I have without need for extra amps, and can carry my entire library with me on the go.

 

[bowei006]

  :O
All the other X3 owners better get their unboxing and impressions up stat.

Most don't make them 

 
Videos that is. And since a lot of people like to watch them. I pretty much just said screw it, let's make some vids. 

 

[nimnz]

Thanx for the prompt reply.....
Is there a chance that you doing full side by side comparison between the two.

 

[viperxp]

Not the most accurate at $200-$300, but well done and without some of the errors that some 'audiophile' units may have in harshness or overdone clarity. 

 
Could you please point me to some of the more accurate units in this 200$-300$ range?

 

[bowei006]

   
Could you please point me to some of the more accurate units in this 200$-300$ range?

Those would be pure amps or DACs.
 
In the desktop range, you can look at some of the 
 
Schiit big stacks
 
Headamp stacks
 
ALO stacks
 
 
Or for portables, you can take a look at the
 
Centrance
Leckerton
ALO
JDS
 
 
 
and many more. 

 

[Ultrainferno]

Or just get a DX90

 

[viperxp]

  Those would be pure amps or DACs.
 
In the desktop range, you can look at some of the 
 
Schiit big stacks
 
Headamp stacks
 
ALO stacks
 
 
Or for portables, you can take a look at the
 
Centrance
Leckerton
ALO
JDS
 
 
 
and many more. 

 

  Those would be pure amps or DACs.
 
In the desktop range, you can look at some of the 
 
Schiit big stacks
 
Headamp stacks
 
ALO stacks
 
 
Or for portables, you can take a look at the
 
Centrance
Leckerton
ALO
JDS
 
 
 
and many more. 

 
 

  Or just get a DX90

 
I will wait for the X3 II for now.
Separate DAC + DAP is not for me for several reasons, and that Ibasso is far from the 200$-300$ range.
So it seems that it will be another killer device from FiiO ...

 

[viperxp]

The box has some tech. specs of the new device, and the output power is 200 mW @ 32 ohm. The "old" has 270. Interesting how will they compare....

 

[bowei006]

  The box has some tech. specs of the new device, and the output power is 200 mW @ 32 ohm. The "old" has 270. Interesting how will they compare....

I don't think they will ever release the old pre-beta version of the X3 II for demo/test so...I guess we can but only guess 

 

[viperxp]

  I don't think they will ever release the old pre-beta version of the X3 II for demo/test so...I guess we can but only guess 

Actually by "old" I meant the current X3

 

[twister6]

   
The reviews are supposed to be out in March. This is just an unboxing 

 
Did I miss the internal memo?

 With the last half a dozen of FiiO products I received for review, I don't recall any schedule constraints.  Not that I have any time now, still digging out from under a pile of headphone reviews, but I always thought any first impression, or unboxing, or a full review is beneficial to start a buzz ahead of the official release?

 

[Zachik]

   
I like the quotes around "fixing".  I may not be helping, because I am an objective sort of subjectivist
 
1. Upgrade from MP3 (high bit-rate, but still lossy...) to FLAC - suggest you read this (it might enlighten you).  The software is free.  You can perform the tests in your own time.  FWIW, while archive in lossless (FLAC) and use the archive copies on my home digital rig, most of my DAPs are encoded in aac256.
 
2. iPhone 5 DAC to a better DAC (and better implementation) - no argument here.  I really like the sound of the X3 2nd gen.  But don't expect night and day differences with your iPhone5.  It sounds pretty good too.
 
3. Much better AMP (should make a difference even with easy to drive headphones, from what I can tell by reading A LOT reviews and online forums) - agree, the amp section is a lot better on the X3 gen2, much more available power.  But be careful when you read the reviews saying easy to drive headphones dramatically change with additional amping.  A lot of reviewers do not level match properly (if we hear something slightly louder, it sounds better to us). In my experience, extra amping helps if:
 - our headphones need more current, voltage or both
 - our headphones need lower impedance output from the source (the X5 gen 2 will be lower impedance than the iPhone5) - important sometimes with low impedance very sensitive headphones
 - we like the particular colouration of an amp (including hardware bass boost and other features)
 
Don't get me wrong, I'm just adding some perspective.  There is no harm having more power than you need available - it means that you're much more versatile with your headphone choices.  But don't go into audio purchases blinded by some of the reviews either.  The iPhones are measurably a good source, and if you have IEMs that don't need any of the features I described above, you're going to find (if you compare objectively) that there won't be a huge amount of difference.
 
Saying that though - I do most of my portable listening through one of my Fiio DAPs.  Why?  Because they sound great, drive anything I have without need for extra amps, and can carry my entire library with me on the go.

 
Brooko - thanks for the VERY informative post (and fascinating link to ripping - will definitely use that for future CD ripping).
I agree it is hard to separate the hype from the facts, and audio is very subjective.
As for the last point (AMP) - I am going to use Sennheiser HD 598 (do not like IEMs), and considering the HiFiMan new 400i headphones... So I do believe AMP would be beneficial for me.
 
Again, thanks for your insights and perspective. I am a newcomer to the better audio world, and still in learning mode (despite my relative "old age" for a newcomer 

).

 

[bowei006]

   
Did I miss the internal memo?

 With the last half a dozen of FiiO products I received for review, I don't recall any schedule constraints.  Not that I have any time now, still digging out from under a pile of headphone reviews, but I always thought any first impression, or unboxing, or a full review is beneficial to start a buzz ahead of the official release?

I think they just want the official ones out by March 

 
I reread my emails and it wasn't a forced deadline of any sort but rather a 'we wish for' kinda thing 

 

[twister6]

  I think they just want the official ones out by March 

 
I reread my emails and it wasn't a forced deadline of any sort but rather a 'we wish for' kinda thing 

 
I see

 
 
Btw, very good first impression, absolutely agree with everything.  Interestingly, I was running a quick comparison of X3 2nd gen to Hidizs AP100 which uses the same CS4398.  In terms of a sound, both have a very similar character, though AP100 has a more powerful amp and wider/airy soundstage.  But even with some edge in sound quality, I hardly use AP100 because of its archaic interface and typical click-button navigation.  With X3 2nd gen, the feel of a solid build, the weight, the quality of the material, the updated wheel, all adds up to a more rewarding experience.
 
It sounds almost crazy, but at the current moment I enjoying X3 a little more than X5   And probably would recommend X3 over X1 if you are looking for a portable DAP on the go.  I like how FiiO takes the best from all their previous releases to use in their new product (hardware and firmware wise).  Scary to even think how great X7 going to be!!!

 

[Ultrainferno]

I received a personalized letter from Fiio explicitely requesting to hold the review till mid march