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

[ZMan2k2]

Once more unto the breach

Haha, yup. More power, and hardware controls. Here we go again.

 

[bruce1967]

Haha, yup. More power, and hardware controls. Here we go again.

I miss the hardware controls on my (now sold) X3 too. I think I preferred the all button and no scroll wheel layout too...that would have been the perfect X3II. Same form factor & build minus the scroll wheel and add hardware bass & treble.

 

[NCSUZoSo]

The FiiO X3K is playing all of my DSD content perfectly except for Jazz at The Pawnshop DSD128
 
Any ideas why?

 

[Brooko]

Oh please no. EQ is much better for tweaking frequency response, and I'm finding the wheel pretty good for navigation

 

[bruce1967]

Oh please no. EQ is much better for tweaking frequency response, and I'm finding the wheel pretty good for navigation

I do like the X3II but I use the buttons more for navigation and I generally leave the EQ turned off. I like how it sounds better with EQ off then any other settings I've used so far.

 

[Brooko]

Yep it comes down to preference ultimately. If you want the tone controls back you could pair with an E17K. But you should experiment with EQ (just remember it drops volume though so compensate accordingly). Tone control might be easier - but EQ allows much better precision with changes.

 

[bruce1967]

Yep it comes down to preference ultimately. If you want the tone controls back you could pair with an E17K. But you should experiment with EQ (just remember it drops volume though so compensate accordingly). Tone control might be easier - but EQ allows much better precision with changes.

Yes I think experimenting with the EQ is something I'll try some more. I don't really want to strap an amp to it and make it a bulky set up. It's nice just to have the X3 and my IEMs. I think you said in your review the X3II that it doesn't require an amp so I don't want to go down that road right now...I've spent too much money in the last couple months

 

[ZMan2k2]

Yep it comes down to preference ultimately. If you want the tone controls back you could pair with an E17K. But you should experiment with EQ (just remember it drops volume though so compensate accordingly). Tone control might be easier - but EQ allows much better precision with changes.

I know I could get an E17K, but I'm trying to keep it as pocket friendly as possible. And, for a basshead like me, the hardware control was something difficult to give up. The EQ on the new one just can't compete. Ad's up, if anyone is interested in a lightly used X3ii.

 

[Brooko]

Totally agree Bruce. One of the best things about the X3ii is that for most consumer headphones/iems, you won't need an amp. It really is a great portable solution. One of the nice things with the EQ now is that every preset is editable. So once you get the hang of it, you can have different settings pre-dialled in for different earphones. Makes life really easy if you have 3-4 you rotate on a regular basis.

 

[bruce1967]

Totally agree Bruce. One of the best things about the X3ii is that for most consumer headphones/iems, you won't need an amp. It really is a great portable solution. One of the nice things with the EQ now is that every preset is editable. So once you get the hang of it, you can have different settings pre-dialled in for different earphones. Makes life really easy if you have 3-4 you rotate on a regular basis.

Really? I didn't realize that the presets were editable..that's interesting...lots of possibilities there. I do have three pairs of IEMs that I use most of the time..the others not so much. I'll start fiddling later on with that. thanks! 
 
I feel silly now...I thought the presets were what they are and couldn't be modified and only the custom ones could be. So much easier to tweak this way.

 

[dogmusic]

I know I could get an E17K, but I'm trying to keep it as pocket friendly as possible. And, for a basshead like me, the hardware control was something difficult to give up. The EQ on the new one just can't compete. Ad's up, if anyone is interested in a lightly used X3ii.

I am interested. Where do I find the ad?
 
EDIT: Oh, I found it and it looks like you've sold it.

 

[originalsnuffy]

The FiiO X3K is playing all of my DSD content perfectly except for Jazz at The Pawnshop DSD128

Any ideas why?

Can your unit play any other dsd 128 files? I know that is a feature of the x5 gen two but may not be a feature of the x3.

I only have a few dsd extractions and all are dsd 64

 

[weijunz]

How's this as compared to the X5? Planning to downgrade from my ZX2 because of my lack of funds.

 

[NCSUZoSo]

Can your unit play any other dsd 128 files? I know that is a feature of the x5 gen two but may not be a feature of the x3.

I only have a few dsd extractions and all are dsd 64

 
That is the only DSD128 that I own currently, but on FiiO's website it says the X3K plays DSD64 and DSD128.

 

[weijunz]

Does this support native DSD too? And can it run on balanced like the ZX2?