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

[EinTheVariance]

  ok i thought can work for browsing the file
 
not used seeing 1abc.mp3
 
the bass does not feel punchy enough
 
care to share your equalizer?

Sorry, I rarely use EQ and when I do, I use the EQ on the E17K rather than the X3

 

[Spidworthy]

Anyone tried buying an X3 ii (or indeed any other FiiO device) successfully from eGlobal Central? Marginally cheaper than Amazon (at least where I live), and not too many negative reviews as far as I can discover.

 

[originalsnuffy]

See below

 

[originalsnuffy]

Are the Windows DAC drivers available to download without the executable?

I'm trying to get it running as a DAC on my work computer, but we are blocked from running exe's. I believe I could manually install a driver via device manager though.

Try opening the files with 7 zip

I have my doubts it will work but that may expose some needed drivers

 

[Lurk650]

  ok i thought can work for browsing the file
 
not used seeing 1abc.mp3
 
the bass does not feel punchy enough
 
care to share your equalizer?

Yeah that's one thing I noticed. Out of the HP out in HG the sound was very good, but once I connected my E12 from the LO the bass punch kicked in immensely. 

 

[EinTheVariance]

  Yeah that's one thing I noticed. Out of the HP out in HG the sound was very good, but once I connected my E12 from the LO the bass punch kicked in immensely. 

I believe reviews have stated the E12 to be somewhat warm sounding, and that's definitely going to be true if you have the bass boost on.  A DAP should output a natural/uncolored sound and leave the frequency boosting to the headphones or EQ, so in that department, I think the X3 2nd Gen did a fairly good job.  I don't think the X3's EQ is good enough for people who are into warmer/bassier sound though.

 

[BETEP 9]

Guys , here's the thing... Ive been listening to my x3 II for some time with my dt770 80ohm... And the thing is that i don't like the sound. To me it sounds very DRY and a bit harsh compared to my 2014 MBP... Even soundstage is worse then on my MBP.  I get ear fatigue from that kind of sound. I can't return it to the store, so im stuck with it. 
So the question is: does this happen due to built in amp or dac itself (the sound signature) ?  
I have a friend who is really good with electronics and micro soldering, so he is able to change some parts in it. Do you think it will work after i solder another dac in it ?

 

[arielp]

  Guys , here's the thing... Ive been listening to my x3 II for some time with my dt770 80ohm... And the thing is that i don't like the sound. To me it sounds very DRY and a bit harsh compared to my 2014 MBP... Even soundstage is worse then on my MBP.  I get ear fatigue from that kind of sound. I can't return it to the store, so im stuck with it. 
So the question is: does this happen due to built in amp or dac itself (the sound signature) ?  
I have a friend who is really good with electronics and micro soldering, so he is able to change some parts in it. Do you think it will work after i solder another dac in it ?

i doubt when you change the DAC, the X3 will still work as normal.
 
DAC in not like OPAMP.. (OPAMP is universal, while DAC is not, depend on the firmware.. )
 
X3 to me sound natural, same as the output as my HP probook, are you sure on your 2014MBP there is no sound enhancement software active?
 
test with another X3, to make sure your X3 not a lemon.

 

[Lurk650]

I believe reviews have stated the E12 to be somewhat warm sounding, and that's definitely going to be true if you have the bass boost on.  A DAP should output a natural/uncolored sound and leave the frequency boosting to the headphones or EQ, so in that department, I think the X3 2nd Gen did a fairly good job.  I don't think the X3's EQ is good enough for people who are into warmer/bassier sound though.

I never use the Bass Boost. Does too much for my tastes.

 

[BETEP 9]

@arielp  Hm,,, To me it sounds very artificial and dry with a bad imaging. Maybe its just not the right pair of cans for them... It sucks cause i cant try other unit. Unless some of you guys live in New York.

 

[Zojokkeli]

@arielp
 Hm,,, To me it sounds very artificial and dry with a bad imaging. Maybe its just not the right pair of cans for them... It sucks cause i cant try other unit. Unless some of you guys live in New York.

X3II probably doesn't have enough juice to drive them properly. I wouldn't recommend messing around with the device too much. You can try to sell it and buy a desktop DAC and amp that can drive big headphones to their full potential.

 

[inertianinja]

@arielp
 Hm,,, To me it sounds very artificial and dry with a bad imaging. Maybe its just not the right pair of cans for them... It sucks cause i cant try other unit. Unless some of you guys live in New York.

If you come to the Head-Fi meet this Saturday you can try my unit and the E12, and with a bunch of different headphones too.

 

[Skullbox]

I never use the Bass Boost. Does too much for my tastes.

It will be interesting & welcome in some future update, to get an Adjt. BassBoost. option! (Parametrable, user's programmable)

@ BETEP... Depend on type of iem/phones you use, changing type of tips/mold can change drasticaly the SS of phones. (Foam/silicone) E12/E12a/E17k help as well!

 

[arielp]

NEW ARIELP EDIT VERSION 4
based on FW2.0 FINAL X3II
 
Changelog:
V1
Here are the Changes compare to Factory Version
- Larger Font, with Normal Topbar Menu
- Better English Menu
- Better Now Playing Icon
- Better H/L Gain Icon on the topbar
- Theme 3 Change to Gold Icon with Black BG
- Better DAC Screen Background
 
V2
- Refine some Uppercase
- Remove the Wood Theme, Replaced with Old Theme 3 (silver on black)
 
V3
- Replace lame "See You" shutdown animation with Reversed Startup Animation
- Move back Theme3 back to Original Location, New Black-Gold Theme move to Theme6
- Changeback EQ:FLAT back to EQ:OFF, as possibly create confusion to some user
 
V4 FINAL (i think i'm done modifiying this X3II )
- Some english text edit in menu
- Now you can choose two version of my v4 edit, GOLD and WHITE version, this refer to theme6 modification..
- V4GOLD: Few cosmetic tune for Black&Gold theme6
- V4WHITE: NEW White theme6, hopefully can satisfy some user's need of bright theme
 
Download:
V4GOLD: https://db.tt/O2pBJAyQ
V4WHITE: https://db.tt/D3Pfj38w
(these versions only replaced theme6 for custom theme accordingly)
 
V4GOLDnWHITE: https://db.tt/O21QfuvD
(this version replace theme5 with BLACKnGOLD theme, and theme6 with WHITE theme.. basically the combination of above versions)
 
Enjoy

 

[JWolf]

I believe reviews have stated the E12 to be somewhat warm sounding, and that's definitely going to be true if you have the bass boost on.  A DAP should output a natural/uncolored sound and leave the frequency boosting to the headphones or EQ, so in that department, I think the X3 2nd Gen did a fairly good job.  I don't think the X3's EQ is good enough for people who are into warmer/bassier sound though.

If you like warmer/bassier sound, get headphones that sound that way and then you won't need EQ.