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

[Androbot v4]

Hi,
 
I installed the new DAC drivers v3.34 on Windows 10 and also latest firmware v1.6 in my Fiio X3ii and everything is working perfectly but in foobar previously I used to  play through output as "ASIO: Foo_dsd_asio" and it was working, but after this update it just doesn't play the music ..it says "Unrecoverable playback error: The process receiving or sending data has terminated".
 
Anyone else having this issue? any workaround to play dsd files?
 
Thanks!

 

[originalsnuffy]

You might try WASAPI instead. 
 
I can't give you firsthand experience because, at least for now, I am boycotting the firmware updates due to the removal of OTG support.
 
I know I will eventually cave but I am more than a little upset with FIIO at the moment.

 

[Androbot v4]

Thanks I could try that ...the strange thing is that ...under v1.6 firmware change log they have written ..."New: Asio dsd mode supported ..tested on foobar" and ironically it used to work previously and now it stopped. Not sure if m doing something wrong...

 

[javre76]

With regard to usb I presume you are a windows person. The Mac support is not an issue

For the pc there are two options that definitely work. For firmware 1.4 get the 1.61 windows driver which has been around for a while. In Windows ten you will need to disable driver signing and there are faqs on that. Voila you are good to go.

With later firmware you can install the signed dac. Easy Peasy

So it seems to me on that issue the solution is straightforward

With regard to otg. The situation is bad. Just plain bad. Right now I am staying with 1.4. A few pages back a great mod was posted based on 1.4 that makes the x3 much easier to read in sunlight. Brilliant stuff and I may just stay with that

Headphone pairing. Can not help with that

 
Sorry, what is that MOD?

 

[Androbot v4]

Thanks I could try that ...the strange thing is that ...under v1.6 firmware change log they have written ..."New: Asio dsd mode supported ..tested on foobar" and ironically it used to work previously and now it stopped. Not sure if m doing something wrong...

Aahh .. turns out I was missing something.. since this is a new driver installed under windows sound setting I didn't select "24 bit,192000 Hz" and then I had to add custom mapping for "foo_dsd_asio" and now it's working like a charm 

 

[Brooko]

In my position, I enjoyed the X1 more than the X3II !

It's all about the usage, I feel that the X1 is just unbeatable for its price tag, I was mainly using flac files of up to 24/192 and it provided so much satisfaction to my ears. I wanted a very good player with native DSD playback, some options were and are still available in the sub $500 range. I bought the DX80, enjoyed it for some times (now it's sitting in my drawer), then wanted something more conventional "ipod like" with good DSD support , so I grabbed the X3II knowing that the size and look are similar to my X1.

I spent one month with this little beast and I don't really feel that my investment was worthy, why?

a. No USB DAC out of the box : I struggled for some days in this thread, until Joe comments about compatibility issues with current stable fw 1.4
b. No more OTG when updated to the betas and got confirmation that this feature will no more be part of the X3II : even if I don't often use it, it's always helpful in some way
c. Very bad pairing with my current headphones : my Xiaomi Mi Headphones never sounded so bad on a dap, the Pro 80 sounds just ok not like with the X1, the EX1000 recovers all the sibilances that I thought were disappeared since long, the SE846 doesn't seems to shine neither. Furthermore, even with the Fiio EX1 things are not wonderful.

Final words, I'm ok with the price I paid for this dap but not quite happy with the cons mentioned above. The pairing issues are my main concern as the X3II seems to be very picky

 
I know everyone has the right to voice their opinions / preferences.  In this case though, I think we should temper it with a little perspective.
 

• X3ii has never had USB DAC out of the box (I assume your are talking Windows - as Linux and Mac should recognise it automatically).  But neither does any other high res player.  The Windows stacks automatic generic drivers (that I've seen anyway) are pretty much limited to a 96 sample rate.  In order to provide DSD and high res support - you must load a secondary driver.  This is the same for all high res DAPs which can be used as DACs.  Nothing new here - so why should this be a disappointment - it is the norm.
   
• OTG - if you don't really use it - why is it helpful in some way?  I can understand why others miss it - but I don't use it, and it has zero influence for me.  Your reason was confusing.  You either use it or your don't.
   
• I found your pairing one interesting.  I also have the X1 and X3ii.  They both measure flat.  Because there are no peaks - sibilance can't be accentuated by the DAP.  And so that you know - sibilance is in the recording.  An earphone - depending on it's frequency response will either accentuate, portay normally, or mask the recordings pre-existing sibilance. The DAP (as long as it is presenting linearly) will have no influence whatsoever.
  
  Further - both X1 and X3ii have very low output impedance, so it own't be damping related. are you using the exact same recordings, with no EQ, and exactly volume matched when you compare both DAPs? Have you compared blind (had someone else do the switching).  I'd suggest you try it sometime (exactly same files/tracks, completely volume matched).  The results may surprise you.

 
I can only relate my own experiences - but the X3ii to me is anything but picky.  It plays well with everything.
 
One thing you might like to try as an alternate - is looking at the E17K.  It has a very neutral amp section, gives you tone controls and other features, helps extend the battery life, and (IMO anyway) pairs very nicely with the X3ii.  It's DAC is driverless - so that'll solve your problem with your Win machine (using it standalone with the Win machine).  If you think sibilance is highlighted (I can't see how it could be - but this would solve it anyway), just dial the treble down -2.

 

[thepooh]

I know everyone has the right to voice their opinions / preferences.  In this case though, I think we should temper it with a little perspective.

1. X3ii has never had USB DAC out of the box (I assume your are talking Windows - as Linux and Mac should recognise it automatically).  But neither does any other high res player.  The Windows stacks automatic generic drivers (that I've seen anyway) are pretty much limited to a 96 sample rate.  In order to provide DSD and high res support - you must load a secondary driver.  This is the same for all high res DAPs which can be used as DACs.  Nothing new here - so why should this be a disappointment - it is the norm.
   
    
2. OTG - if you don't really use it - why is it helpful in some way?  I can understand why others miss it - but I don't use it, and it has zero influence for me.  Your reason was confusing.  You either use it or your don't.
   
    
3. I found your pairing one interesting.  I also have the X1 and X3ii.  They both measure flat.  Because there are no peaks - sibilance can't be accentuated by the DAP.  And so that you know - sibilance is in the recording.  An earphone - depending on it's frequency response will either accentuate, portay normally, or mask the recordings pre-existing sibilance. The DAP (as long as it is presenting linearly) will have no influence whatsoever.
   
   
   Further - both X1 and X3ii have very low output impedance, so it own't be damping related. are you using the exact same recordings, with no EQ, and exactly volume matched when you compare both DAPs? Have you compared blind (had someone else do the switching).  I'd suggest you try it sometime (exactly same files/tracks, completely volume matched).  The results may surprise you.

I can only relate my own experiences - but the X3ii to me is anything but picky.  It plays well with everything.

One thing you might like to try as an alternate - is looking at the E17K.  It has a very neutral amp section, gives you tone controls and other features, helps extend the battery life, and (IMO anyway) pairs very nicely with the X3ii.  It's DAC is driverless - so that'll solve your problem with your Win machine (using it standalone with the Win machine).  If you think sibilance is highlighted (I can't see how it could be - but this would solve it anyway), just dial the treble down -2.

Thank you Brooko, I think that my previous comment needs some clarification :

1. When I mean out of the box : I meant installing the driver, changing some settings and voila ! But, it didn't worked with the driver and Joe did mentioned a compatibility issue, this is why he provided the link to upgrade on the fw1.4beta first then install the latest driver. My problem was solved but needed a little patience of some days Please note that I also own a Mac and it works flawlessly since day 1, but as I use my Windows 10 machine everyday at the office, this issue really bothered me.

2. OTG is not important for me, but always helpful to have it when needed. I consider this feature as a big plus.

3. I won't argue with you on the sound differences between X1 and X3II, but my ears found the X1 to be a lot more warmer and offers better compatibility with my headphones. I'm not joking on the fact that my favorite on ear headphones (Xiaomi Mi Headphones) sounds very very bad on the X3II. If you don't know these headphones, just get into the dedicated thread, it's one of the best in the sub $100 range and pairs perfectly with every smartphone and idevices

4. Without an amp, the X3II can be very sibilant with some headphones, maybe my unit is faulty? That would explain a lot of things !

 

[Brooko]

4. Without an amp, the X3II can be very sibilant with some headphones, maybe my unit is faulty? That would explain a lot of things !

 
That's not the X3ii.  It's the music, and the headphones you are listening to.  Unless by design the DAP is coloured (and the X3ii isn't), it's impossible for a DAP to be "sibilant".

 

[thepooh]

That's not the X3ii.  It's the music, and the headphones you are listening to.  Unless by design the DAP is coloured (and the X3ii isn't), it's impossible for a DAP to be "sibilant".

I rarely rip CDs, I mostly buy from HD Tracks and Qobuz, so I assume that most albums I own have been perfectly remastered. I'm mostly into jazz, metal, chillout, neo metal, vocals and psychedelic rock

I've mistaken again saying that the dap is sibilant, english is not my native language (I'm french) so I can mix up words in a wrong way, but for sure it makes bright headphones sibilant.

Paired with the E11k there will be no more sibilances and everything is much more enjoyable, I don't know if it's just something to do with impedance matching or gain settings, but this artefact happens when unamped.

Maybe a burn in cable is needed and 100hrs can get it fixed, or any other solution ? I'm very open to try up things and invest when needed

 

[x RELIC x]

I rarely rip CDs, I mostly buy from HD Tracks and Qobuz, so I assume that most albums I own have been perfectly remastered.

I've mistaken again saying that the dap is sibilant, english is not my native language (I'm french) so I can mix up words in a wrong way, but for sure it makes bright headphones sibilant.

Paired with the E11k there will be no more sibilances and everything is much more enjoyable, I don't know if it just something to do with impedance matching of gain settings, but this artefact happens when unamped.

Maybe a burn in cable is needed and 100hrs can get it fixed, or any other solution ? I'm very open to try up things and invest when needed

Regarding the assumption that the tunes are perfectly re-mastered.... They aren't. I recently purchased Eva Cassidy's Nightbird album and there is a lot of clipping and distortion in the album. It's rated dynamic range is very low and sibilance is there in many tracks as well. HDTRACKS is far from infallible. They just sell music the studio provides and it's not always perfect. Far from it.

 

[Brooko]

I rarely rip CDs, I mostly buy from HD Tracks and Qobuz, so I assume that most albums I own have been perfectly remastered. I'm mostly into jazz, metal, chillout, neo metal, vocals and psychedelic rock

I've mistaken again saying that the dap is sibilant, english is not my native language (I'm french) so I can mix up words in a wrong way, but for sure it makes bright headphones sibilant.

Paired with the E11k there will be no more sibilances and everything is much more enjoyable, I don't know if it's just something to do with impedance matching or gain settings, but this artefact happens when unamped.

Maybe a burn in cable is needed and 100hrs can get it fixed, or any other solution ? I'm very open to try up things and invest when needed

 
As Relic said, its a big assumption to make regarding the mastering - one I rarely find true anyway.
 
And again - a DAP cannot make bright phones sibilant - not one that has a flat frequency response (and the X3ii has a flat response).  I won't go into burn in either - but its definitely (again) not going to cause sibilance.  It also won't be impedance ( the X3ii has <0.2 ohm), and gain won't matter - all that does is raise or lower the absolute volume (as well as the noise floor).
 
You seem to have set in your mind that the X3ii is causing the sibilance.  It isn't.  And the only way I could convince you is to conduct a blind test - where you don't know what is being switched. But none of that actually matters.  If you're convinced the X3ii is the culprit - my advice would be to sell it and get something you're happier with.  After all - you are the only one whose opinion actually matters when it comes to your own gear.
 
I would however be cautious about some of the claims made regarding the sibilance. Despite what you may think - unless you have an EQ operating to raise the freq response in the 5-9kHz area, then it won't be the X3ii causing the issues you have (unless of course it is actually faulty).
 
Note  - I'm not trying to put you down or anything - just explaining how what you think you're experiencing can't be the fault of the X3ii. 

 

[JWolf]

3. I won't argue with you on the sound differences between X1 and X3II, but my ears found the X1 to be a lot more warmer and offers better compatibility with my headphones. I'm not joking on the fact that my favorite on ear headphones (Xiaomi Mi Headphones) sounds very very bad on the X3II. If you don't know these headphones, just get into the dedicated thread, it's one of the best in the sub $100 range and pairs perfectly with every smartphone and idevices

 
It sounds like your headphones are not all that wonderful because they don't sound good with a neutral source. Time to buy headphones that work with a neutral source and not one that's colored.

 

[thepooh]

   
It sounds like your headphones are not all that wonderful because they don't sound good with a neutral source. Time to buy headphones that work with a neutral source and not one that's colored.

This is where sound can be subjective ! 

   
As Relic said, its a big assumption to make regarding the mastering - one I rarely find true anyway.
 
And again - a DAP cannot make bright phones sibilant - not one that has a flat frequency response (and the X3ii has a flat response).  I won't go into burn in either - but its definitely (again) not going to cause sibilance.  It also won't be impedance ( the X3ii has <0.2 ohm), and gain won't matter - all that does is raise or lower the absolute volume (as well as the noise floor).
 
You seem to have set in your mind that the X3ii is causing the sibilance.  It isn't.  And the only way I could convince you is to conduct a blind test - where you don't know what is being switched. But none of that actually matters.  If you're convinced the X3ii is the culprit - my advice would be to sell it and get something you're happier with.  After all - you are the only one whose opinion actually matters when it comes to your own gear.
 
I would however be cautious about some of the claims made regarding the sibilance. Despite what you may think - unless you have an EQ operating to raise the freq response in the 5-9kHz area, then it won't be the X3ii causing the issues you have (unless of course it is actually faulty).
 
Note  - I'm not trying to put you down or anything - just explaining how what you think you're experiencing can't be the fault of the X3ii. 

I think you are right Brooko, the X3II might not be my cup of tea, just like the DX80 (I shall avoid Cirrus Dacs). I need something warmer and slightly colored, which is somewhat hard to find in the sub $500, I was very happy with the RWAK100 and still have regrets when I sold it to purchase the HM802/Minibox combo. I'm travelling to Hong Kong in June, I shall find something that I really like.

 

[Brooko]

Wish I knew of something that would be more to your liking.  There is the LP5 Gold (you'd love that) but it is $1300, and probably more suited to full sized headphones.  If I think of anything, I'll drop you a PM 

 

[thepooh]

  Wish I knew of something that would be more to your liking.  There is the LP5 Gold (you'd love that) but it is $1300, and probably more suited to full sized headphones.  If I think of anything, I'll drop you a PM 

Thank you mate 

 
If it's worth every cent of the $1300, why not !
 
My initial budget is $500 but can invest more if it's really worthy, I'll have the chance to audition it on my trip to Asia,