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

[420204]

  GREAT NEWS! @Brooko @felixgrill !!!
 
so it turns out after a LOT of googling, that this issue is similar to the first-gen X3 on linux. here's what i did (i dont remember the order):
 
*i stuck a mechanical pencil in the reset button, then i factory resetted the DAP through options, turned off the idle off and sleep options on the DAP, and set usb mode to DAC (all done while unplugged from the computer)
*shut down the computer
*plugged in DAP
*turned on computer (everything booted fine no problem, could get passed login screen and everything
*went under pulseaudio sound settings and all my devices were listed
*went into deadbeef and enabled alsa passthrough w/ no resampling "direct hardware FiiO X3 no conversions"
*hit play
*??????
*profit!
 
it should work for you @felixgrill. i wish i didnt have to deal with this crap, but in the end it did work. i hope this helps any other linux users that run into issues. ITS DOABLE!

thanks for the tip! very glad to hear it works for you.
I think I somehow broke something with pulse. Will do a clean install later today and try again. For now, I kicked out pulseaudio and use alsa instead, that works just fine. but need to find a way to get cantata/mpd back for DSD support.
can you send me the link of the page you found with this information?

If I'd be any near you I'd invite you for a beer mate. guess you're not from Austria...
 

 

[JohnMarch]

This may be of interest for those who have bought the X3 2nd Gen and are not sure what DSD is all about.
 
I'm a member of sa-cd.net and when I visited the forum earlier I noticed a topic that involved a discussion about the differences between two native DSD formats: DSD64 and DSD256. What had taken place as an experiment were recordings made using two different makes of recorders, each capable of handling one of the two formats mentioned. The music recorded was the Scherzo (I think) from Felix Mendelssohn's 'Midsummer Night Dream' Incidental Music, played by the Budapest Festival Orchestra conducted by its founder and Musical Director Ivan Fischer. These are now available as free file downloads by clicking on the link below.
 
In addition to these two files, the native DSD256 format has also been converted to DSD128 - a format that is capable of being handled by the X3 2nd Gen - and also down to DSD64
 
It should therefore be possible to compare the two DSD64 offerings and to compare both those against the DSD128 resolution. Of less interest is another file that corrects a very small level difference that occurred, if memory serves me correctly, between the two DSD64 files.
 
I have yet to download the files myself so I am unable to offer any comments at the moment.
 
https://justlisten.nativedsd.com/albums/mendelssohn-session

 

[Tuneslover]

Although there's a lot to not like about the iPod, I must say the iTunes/iPod integration is pretty damn good.  The iPod seamlessly organizes all my music.
 
The X3ii is my first ever DAP and frankly I'm quite surprised that there isn't a much easier way to organize my music on it.  I can't believe the amount of thread talk that there is on this subject (of which I have absolutely no clue of understanding).  Just goes to show that FiiO seriously needs to make this a priority with a firmware update or whatever in order to make this a much easier interface for us layman who just want hassle-free enjoyment from this terrific sounding device.

 

[H20Fidelity]

  Hmm H2, I liken that Head-Fi spirit thing to something akin to Peer Pressure:-0 LOL As Wokei always says we are a band of enablers

 Unfortunately I do have the new X3K but the only Senn's I have on hand right now are PX100ii's, PX200's and MOE's

 
 

Why the wait then? Just cave now...

 
Oh you guys! Placing peer pressure on me!
 
 

 

[420204]

@xsk3l3t0rx is deadbeef also using mpd?
if so: did you enable DSD playback? (simple configuration of the mpd.conf file in /etc)

 

[Wokei]

Run H20 Run



Oh you guys! Placing peer pressure on me!

 

[x RELIC x]

Although there's a lot to not like about the iPod, I must say the iTunes/iPod integration is pretty damn good.  The iPod seamlessly organizes all my music.

The X3ii is my first ever DAP and frankly I'm quite surprised that there isn't a much easier way to organize my music on it.  I can't believe the amount of thread talk that there is on this subject (of which I have absolutely no clue of understanding).  Just goes to show that FiiO seriously needs to make this a priority with a firmware update or whatever in order to make this a much easier interface for us layman who just want hassle-free enjoyment from this terrific sounding device.

FiiO isn't much different from most other DAP makers on the market. Just copy and paste or drag and drop the songs you want from iTunes to the appropriate folder on the card. None of these DAP makers can compete with iTunes.

 

[viperxp]

  @JamesFiiO
Can we have an option(in a future FW) to turn off charging when the x3ii is being used as a usb DAC? I use mine as one when I'm in the office and I'm worried I might ruin my battery sooner than later. Thanks.

I would also like to have such an option, not for the battery life sake, but to lessen the electric interference that can be brought by the USB.
You don't have to worry about battery life, as Li-Ion batteries should not be harmed by leaving them in charger.
You can check me and find a lot of interesting information here ( battery univercity).

 

[x RELIC x]

I would also like to have such an option, not for the battery life sake, but to lessen the electric interference that can be brought by the USB.
You don't have to worry about battery life, as Li-Ion batteries should not be harmed by leaving them in charger.
You can check me and find a lot of interesting information here ( battery univercity).

Did you read the article you linked? They say that keeping lithium batteries at full voltage (4.2V) all the time (constantly plugged in) significantly reduces the lifespan of the battery. While charging to only 4.1V yields almost twice the overall lifespan of the battery compared to a full charge. Constantly keeping lithium batteries at full charge is like constantly revving the engine of your car to red line while in park. It's very stressful and will shorten the life significantly. Speaking from direct experience here, I would suggest NOT leaving the battery plugged in all the time.


From the linked article:

"Besides selecting the best-suited voltage thresholds for a given application, Li-ion should not remain at the high-voltage ceiling of 4.20V/cell for an extended time. When fully charged, remove the battery and allow to voltage to revert to a more natural level like relaxing after exercise. Although a properly functioning Li-ion charger will terminate charge when the battery is full, some chargers apply a topping charge if the battery terminal voltage drops to a given level. Read more about Charging Lithium-ion."

And this:

"To get a better understanding of what causes irreversible capacity loss in Li-ion batteries, several research laboratories* are performing forensic tests. Scientists dissected failed batteries to find suspected problem areas on the electrodes. Examining an unrolled 1.5-meter-long strip (5 feet) of metal tape coated with oxide reveals that the finely structured nanomaterials have coarsened. Further studies revealed that the lithium ions responsible to shuttle electric charge between the electrodes had diminished on the cathode and had permanently settled on the anode. This results in the cathode having a lower lithium concentration than a new cell, a phenomenon that is irreversible. Knowing the reason for such capacity loss might enable battery manufacturers to prolong battery life in the future."

Edit: While the above is true the saving grace is that USB charging from a computer outputs very low amps so it shouldn't be too detrimental to use as a DAC all day. Just don't leave it plugged in 24/7 is my only caution as it actually does hurt lithium batteries. They aren't indestructible.

 

[henryjing]

I haven't compared the LO between x3k and x5, but as for the PO, x5 has better clarity, much bigger stage. X3k is warmer and the vocal is closer to your ear. I made this conclusion with same IEM and under same song. I referred to westone w4r. Still, x3k is not bad at all considering it's portable size. I think both of them is necessary to be owned.

 

[Bu11dog]

Got my X3 2nd Gen today!  From getting the discount price and shipped from Singapore to Japan, it only took a little more than one week.  Way to go Fiio! 
 
So far very impressed by how it drives my HD600 with high gain very nicely, smooth and warm.  The DSD playback feature also works very well.  Very happy with this well built and portable player.
 

 

 

[Richsvt]

I haven't compared the LO between x3k and x5, but as for the PO, x5 has better clarity, much bigger stage. X3k is warmer and the vocal is closer to your ear. I made this conclusion with same IEM and under same song. I referred to westone w4r. Still, x3k is not bad at all considering it's portable size. I think both of them is necessary to be owned.

Really digging the Pico Power, How's it sound linked to it? I have one waiting for a pair-up, although I purchased the X3ii for use as a stand-alone player.

 

[henryjing]

 
Really digging the Pico Power, How's it sound linked to it? I have one waiting for a pair-up, although I purchased the X3ii for use as a stand-alone player.

The size fits well if you put them together. The LO of x3ii is much better than its PO, its DAC chip is usually used on a $500 player.

 

[xsk3l3t0rx]

  Although there's a lot to not like about the iPod, I must say the iTunes/iPod integration is pretty damn good.  The iPod seamlessly organizes all my music.
 
The X3ii is my first ever DAP and frankly I'm quite surprised that there isn't a much easier way to organize my music on it.  I can't believe the amount of thread talk that there is on this subject (of which I have absolutely no clue of understanding).  Just goes to show that FiiO seriously needs to make this a priority with a firmware update or whatever in order to make this a much easier interface for us layman who just want hassle-free enjoyment from this terrific sounding device.

i agree wholeheartedly @Tuneslover ! i've been very vocal on this subject since i've received mine last week. at this point in technology, the UI of the X3II is borderline unacceptable. i expect much better usability from a 200$ media player considering it only has one real function PLAY MUSIC! the DAC feature is just icing on the cake as far as im concerned

 

[imackler]

I'm using the X3 Classic now and haven't upgraded yet. But that being said, after years of having an ipod classic, I find that it is so much easier to organize via a folder system. But I almost listen exclusively to whole albums.