[ramkvp]

For anyone who might be interested in getting the X3,
 
Found this offer on Adorama recently.
 
http://www.adorama.com/ATHM70XM.html?emailprice=t&mode=fed&utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=cj_3705318&cvosrc=affiliate.cj.3705318

 

[KC33]

I paired my X3ll with the E12A and it sounds fantastic. Quite an improvement over the A3/E11k due to the darker floor and crisper sound. I notice it the most on the snare drum, it's so much more lifelike.
 
One question, am I bypassing the DAC when using this configuration?  

 

[oldmate]

  I paired my X3ll with the E12A and it sounds fantastic. Quite an improvement over the A3/E11k due to the darker floor and crisper sound. I notice it the most on the snare drum, it's so much more lifelike.
 
One question, am I bypassing the DAC when using this configuration?  

No.

 

[KC33]

X3ii strapped to my E12A, if you see anything, I could improve upon please let me know. It does sound wonderful.
 

 

 

 

[EagleWings]

  For anyone who might be interested in getting the X3,
 
Found this offer on Adorama recently.
 
http://www.adorama.com/ATHM70XM.html?emailprice=t&mode=fed&utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=cj_3705318&cvosrc=affiliate.cj.3705318

 
Too bad it was bundled with a ATH-M70X

. Not many potential M70X buyers out there. Would have bought it in a heartbeat had it been bundled with the M50X or the MSR7. 

 

[goodyfresh]

  X3ii strapped to my E12A, if you see anything, I could improve upon please let me know. It does sound wonderful.
 

 

 

Nice!  So exactly which cable are you using to connect the line-out into the E12A?  And how much less portable would you say having it in this configuration makes the player as a whole?
 
 

   
Too bad it was bundled with a ATH-M70X

. Not many potential M70X buyers out there. Would have bought it in a heartbeat had it been bundled with the M50X or the MSR7. 

Yeah seriously, nobody wants the M70x, lol.  They should have paired it with the ones you mentioned, a Sony MDR-1A, something by Beyer or Sennheiser, or even something by V-Moda would have been better.

 

[KC33]

@goodyfresh, the cable is the Fiio L-16, which I bought on Amazon. As far as portability it's heavier by close to 300 grams and the amp itself is about an inch taller and that's not counting the volume control. It still fits in my pocket but the heft is certainly noticeable. The good thing is the volume control is easier to access compared to the E11k but the E11K was much more portable. I wouldn't have replaced the E11k if my earphones weren't so sensitive. That being said, the E12a is the superior amp, as it should be, for $100 more.

 

 

 

[EagleWings]

 
Yeah seriously, nobody wants the M70x, lol.  They should have paired it with the ones you mentioned, a Sony MDR-1A, something by Beyer or Sennheiser, or even something by V-Moda would have been better.

 
Did you just read my mind? That deal would have been sweet. Too bad we have to live in reality..

 

[goodyfresh]

  @goodyfresh, the cable is the Fiio L-16, which I bought on Amazon. As far as portability it's heavier by close to 300 grams and the amp itself is about an inch taller and that's not counting the volume control. It still fits in my pocket but the heft is certainly noticeable. The good thing is the volume control is easier to access compared to the E11k but the E11K was much more portable. I wouldn't have replaced the E11k if my earphones weren't so sensitive. That being said, the E12a is the superior amp, as it should be, for $100 more.

 

 

So just how much, and what nature, of a sound-improvement do you get using the E12a over the E11k, and using the E11k over the onboard amp in the X3ii?

 

[KC33]

Well, the amp is more powerful so the attack is stronger which in turn gives it a more organic sound. As I said in a previous post the resonance from say a snare drum is much more life like and everything is just a tad crisper. The other thing is there's no background noise which is why I bought it in the first place.

 

[goodyfresh]

  Well, the amp is more powerful so the attack is stronger which in turn gives it a more organic sound. As I said in a previous post the resonance from say a snare drum is much more life like and everything is just a tad crisper. The other thing is there's no background noise which is why I bought it in the first place.

Oooooh, nice.  I think I'm gonna have to get the E12a at some point, if it's able to improve that much on the sound of the X3ii   So you're using with Dunu DN-1000 IEM's, I see?  Good to know that even with something very easy to drive like those, the amp can still significantly improve the sound from the X3ii!

 

[KC33]

@goodyfresh, actually those are the 2000J, I do have the DN1000 as well, which I use for classic rock. With the DN1K, which are 10 ohm, I was able to use the E11k, which is $100.00 less, with very good results. The hiss was too prevalent for the D2Kj so I went with the E12A. Point being that if your driving less sensitive IEMs that the E11k, now the A3, is a bargain at 60 bucks and more compact to stack.

 

[goodyfresh]

  @goodyfresh, actually those are the 2000J, I do have the DN1000 as well, which I use for classic rock. With the DN1K, which are 10 ohm, I was able to use the E11k, which is $100.00 less, with very good results. The hiss was too prevalent for the D2Kj so I went with the E12A. Point being that if your driving less sensitive IEMs that the E11k, now the A3, is a bargain at 60 bucks and more compact to stack.

Thanks for the tips!  I'll probably just save up for the E12a, so that regardless of what IEM's or portable cans I get in the future, I'll get the best portable performance that I can.

 

[Headphone4Life]

I know the X3II is set to have a flat frequency curve but does anyone else think the mids can sound a bit distant at times?

I've come to the realization that some of my hp's don't work as well with the X3II as others. My HD600 sounds great with them but my Sony Z7 has mids that sound to far back imo. On my Hifiman HM-601LE the Z7 sound amazing with the mids coming through much more and to me they sound very balanced. I know hp's sound different with different sources but I can't remember it being as drastic as it is with the X3II and HM-601LE when it comes to my Z7. I still like the X3II, its become the player I use my HD600 with.

 

[EagleWings]

Thanks for the tips!  I'll probably just save up for the E12a, so that regardless of what IEM's or portable cans I get in the future, I'll get the best portable performance that I can.

Check this out. Seems like a good deal if you can find someone to but the M50x:
http://slickdeals.net/f/8063192-audio-technica-m50x-headphones-fiio-e12-green-199-white-185-free-shipping

Edit: Sorry, thats not the E12A its the E12