The Fiio X3 Thread.

[Smugsie]

  Which output should I use to combine the x3 with an external amp like the e12? the line out or the headphone jack? which has best sound quality?
 
I ask because the gain of the line out is too high (for my low impedance cans), which forces me to use the e12 at low volume. Unfortunately, the e12 is terrible at low volume (all the gain goes in the left channel). Using the headphone jack as line out would allow me to reduce the gain on the x3 (via the volume control) before sending the signal to the e12. But then I would end up double amping the signal....
 
Any thoughts? 
 
Other option: selling the E12 and bying the JDS LABS C5, which offers fantastic channel balance at low volume, in addition to being smaller than the E12. But, right now, I would rather keep the E12, if I can find a solution to my problem.

I apologize for the delay in my response, but I was running A/B tests with the FiiO X3 and E12.

The E12 indeed has a channel issue with lower volumes.
The FiiO X3's headphone out is a tiny bit worse than the line out. For one, the treble and higher mids attack less, making acoustic guitars sound a tad muddier (Rodrigo y Gabriela). Of course, I had to really switch back and forth to notice between the difference of the two ports.
 
Fortunately for you, the Line Out of any DAC will help out your E12. The E12 I would actually consider quite power hungry, and the Line Out of the X3 does deliver really loud volumes to just plug them in with headphones. The loud output of the X3 actually balanced out my E12 inbalance issue at low volumes.

Unfortunately for me, my E12 has a permanent imbalance issue. However it could just be me, but I feel uncomfortable using the E12 anymore.
 

Sorry If you think I'm oc when it comes to soundstage.

but do you think it is better for me to buy the JDS Labs ODAC to use it as a DAC if my concern is the soundstage?

Don't stress yourself too much about soundstage

Again I apologize if my replies are slow, but I'm doing the research for you. I don't mind at all because I love browsing the forums and sharing what I learned, and the HD 558's are a headphone I've always wanted to add to my collection because it's quite affordable.
The HD 558's what I've learned are fairly easy to drive. I think you've already tried unamped vs amped, if there wasn't much difference inbetween, it's a likely chance there's no need to get an amp for the 558's alone.

Although when I listened to the 558's at futureshop, they were quite a musical headphone and the soundstage was quite layered to my surprise. I don't know what they were running off, but I highly doubt futureshop would have a tube amplifier or something.

If you want larger soundstage, might want to invest in other headphones (unfortunately some of them need to be amped).

THAT'S NOT THE POINT THOUGH, SAVE YOUR MONEY! If you're unsatisfied, do the research and find out what you want next

 

[stephanemtl]

"The loud output of the X3 actually balanced out my E12 inbalance issue at low volumes."

I don't understand. The louder the output on the x3 the lower must be the volume on the E12. So how can a louder output resolve the E12's channel imbalance at low volume? In my view, the louder the output on the source, the more problematic the channel imbalance at low volume on the amp.

 

[Smugsie]

"The loud output of the X3 actually balanced out my E12 inbalance issue at low volumes."

I don't understand. The louder the output on the x3 the lower must be the volume on the E12. So how can a louder output resolve the E12's channel imbalance at low volume? In my view, the louder the output on the source, the more problematic the channel imbalance at low volume on the amp.

I`m as confused as you to be honest, sort of. Although here`s my issue with the E12.

If the source is at lower volume, the E12 will need to be louder as well to balance out the channels, thus why I leave the E12 on the higher gain all the time. The X3 pushes the E12 fairly hard, balancing out the E12's headphone channels.

That's my understanding really, I wish I knew more of the science behind it.

 

[Gabriel12]

Don't stress yourself too much about soundstage

Cant promise you that. Lol. but can you suggest an amp that I can use with my device? My budget is 200$.
Btw, I really appreciate your effort and enthusiasm in sharing what you have learned to us. Keep it up.

 

[Smugsie]

Cant promise you that. Lol. but can you suggest an amp that I can use with my device? My budget is 200$.

Btw, I really appreciate your effort and enthusiasm in sharing what you have learned to us. Keep it up.

Anytime, I bet anyone around here is willing to share, I just have too much time on my hands ;D

Make some more posts here and get a dac/amp used on headfi, my Q701's and ODAC/O2 were used and got both of them in good condition and half price.

I use the JDS Labs O2/ODAC that are a bit bright and may compliment your HD 558's.
There's also the Schiit Modi/Magni that look a helluva lot nicer and cheaper.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/642401/comparison-and-review-magni-modi-vs-o2-odac

If you don't plan on getting more headphones, not worth getting an amplifier

 

[nmatheis]

Cant promise you that. Lol. but can you suggest an amp that I can use with my device? My budget is 200$.
Btw, I really appreciate your effort and enthusiasm in sharing what you have learned to us. Keep it up.

A bit higher than that, but I really like my E12 DIY

 

[Mr Trev]

A bit higher than that, but I really like my E12 DIY

So is the DIY version worth the extra cash over the standard e12? Kinda thinking bout grabbing one while they're still available. Not that I need mo power, but it could be nice to have some different sound sigs to play with when I get bored (plus it's still cheaper than a x5)

 

[nmatheis]

So is the DIY version worth the extra cash over the standard e12? Kinda thinking bout grabbing one while they're still available. Not that I need mo power, but it could be nice to have some different sound sigs to play with when I get bored (plus it's still cheaper than a x5)

It's a nice amp. I like rolling opamps and have purchased some extras. I even filed the inside of the case to accept DIP8 opamps without stressing the board. You do miss out on the regular E12's bass boost and cross feed features, though. For me, those aren't essential, so I definitely prefer the E12 DIY and use it at work with my HE-400. I change opamps every week or two to mix things up

 

[Gabriel12]

Can I use a 1.8 adaptor to charge the x3?

 

[reiserFS]

My initial question remains: which output is best to use with an external amp, line out or headphone jack?

Is there anything wrong with using the headphone jack? Would double amping affecting sq?

You probably want to use the line out to avoid double amping. By the way, has anyone tried the E12/X3 combo?

 

[TrollDragon]

By the way, has anyone tried the E12/X3 combo?

All of us who have the X3/E12 combo have, works great for my DT880 bass boost and crossfeed sometimes. I didn't like the E12 with the GMP 8.300 D's though, it is straight out of the X3 for them.

 

[lsamod]

I love my Q701 with X3/E12 combo.

 

[lsamod]

Cant promise you that. Lol. but can you suggest an amp that I can use with my device? My budget is 200$.

Btw, I really appreciate your effort and enthusiasm in sharing what you have learned to us. Keep it up.

You can try  PA2V2 headphone amp.You will love it. Just read about it. I'm also having E12's channel imbalance thing, it's not a problemfor me with Q701.just use it in low gain when u need low power.

 

[nmatheis]

You probably want to use the line out to avoid double amping. By the way, has anyone tried the E12/X3 combo?

As mentioned above a couple times, I use the E12 DIY with my X3 almost every day with my HE-400 and enjoy it immensely. I also own a v1 E12 (lower frequency bass boost ) but don't use it so often now that I've got the E12 DIY.

 

[Mmet]

I will get an amp too ....but I think I will get the C5 ...but I don't know if it would be an upgrade&increase the sound stage or it will just alter the sound signature