[howdy]

well it will be at a great price and should be notably better than the X3.

 

[bruce1967]

  well it will be at a great price and should be notably better than the X3.

I'd be happy if it offered the same sound as the X3 but with a better UI and a better, more solid build. All aluminum with no flex and a scroll wheel like the X1 and X5. Plus a dedicated line out like the X3. An X3 with the build of an X1 but in black is what I'd like. Better battery life too. For about $200!

 

[nino9]

From FiiO FB page, see the top center DAP:

 

[RedTwilight]

From FiiO FB page, see the top center DAP:

Yea!!! Really digging the gunmetal colour.

 

[Replicant187]

looks thicker than X1 or is it my eyes playing tricks on me?

 

[x RELIC x]

From FiiO FB page, see the top center DAP:

Looking good

 

[159650]

I considered getting the X3 for a while now. I finally decided to go for the Xuelin 770 based on the comparison made by people who have tried both. Anyway, why did Fiio decide to go with the CS4398? Isn't the CS4398 a lower chip than the WM8740? Someone mentioned that the CS4398 is also used in the AK 100ii. I googled and found out that the iPod touch Gen 2 and 3 used the same chip. Makes it harder to tell whether the CS4398 is a good chip or not. I do get that the CS chip consumes less power but performance wise, seems like a downgrade?

 

[xuan87]

Height and width, it seems to be the same size as the X1, but noticeably thicker. The additional thickness might be due to a bigger battery and additional magic that we don't know about that. Very promising!

 

[Koolpep]

TI PCM5102AQuote:

  I considered getting the X3 for a while now. I finally decided to go for the Xuelin 770 based on the comparison made by people who have tried both. Anyway, why did Fiio decide to go with the CS4398? Isn't the CS4398 a lower chip than the WM8740? Someone mentioned that the CS4398 is also used in the AK 100ii. I googled and found out that the iPod touch Gen 2 and 3 used the same chip. Makes it harder to tell whether the CS4398 is a good chip or not. I do get that the CS chip consumes less power but performance wise, seems like a downgrade?

Isn't it funny that these chips are both really really OLD? If memory serves me right they are both used inn products since 2008 - so in electronic terms, grandpa's...
 
So my question is: Are they that good that there is just nothing much to improve? I want to believe that. 
 
What are the best DAC chips currently?
 
WM8740
CS4398
ESS9018
TI PCM5102A (added during edit)
 
Can someone pitch in?
 
I mean we seem to be rotating in the high end players between these and their variants for quite some time...and from my experience it's the implementation that matters most. I mean the 8740 is in so many things I used. From the Fiio E7 which is a $60 DAC/Amp to the AK100 Mk2 which is a $700 DAP - it seems the price for the DAC chip are really not making any difference....
 
Who can help with some insider or just more substantial knowledge about these chips?
 
Cheers,
K

 

[xuan87]

Did a quick google search. Apparently the CS4398 was launched in March 2006 and till today, remains as Cirrus Logic's flagship DAC!

 

[x RELIC x]

Did a quick google search. Apparently the CS4398 was launched in March 2006 and till today, remains as Cirrus Logic's flagship DAC!

I've never really liked Cirrus Logic chips sound signature and was genuinely surprised when AK used them in their line. However, a lot of the DAC chip quality comes from how it is implemented and how easy or difficult it is to get what the designer wants out of it, or how talented the designer is.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I considered getting the X3 for a while now. I finally decided to go for the Xuelin 770 based on the comparison made by people who have tried both. Anyway, why did Fiio decide to go with the CS4398? Isn't the CS4398 a lower chip than the WM8740? Someone mentioned that the CS4398 is also used in the AK 100ii. I googled and found out that the iPod touch Gen 2 and 3 used the same chip. Makes it harder to tell whether the CS4398 is a good chip or not. I do get that the CS chip consumes less power but performance wise, seems like a downgrade?

 
I guess the CS4398 has been improved/modified lately
Also it might be Cirrus logic is offering really good terms (low price) for the CS4398, trying to win market share.

 

[159650]

Well whatever the reason, the only CS devices I have ever heard have been iPods in the past and iPad I own now. I knew nothing about DAC chips when I bought the iPod Classic 6th gen or the iPod Nano 6th all with the CS chips and I hated them all. I now have the Video with the WM8758 and the Fiio E17 with the WM8740. And while I consider the iPod to be a bit above average, the E17 is quite nice. Certainly not as nice as my DX90. But nice.
Bottom line. Just not sure about this new X3K.

 

[JamesFiiO]

OK, there are not X3K but X3 II, and the X3 II will comes with a CS4398 and native DSD support. with also the same UI and form as X1, but a little thicker. 

 

[x RELIC x]

OK, there are not X3K but X3 II, and the X3 II will comes with a CS4398 and native DSD support. with also the same UI and form as X1, but a little thicker. 

James, do you have a list of specs for the new X3? Output power, battery life, digital out, etc.