The Fiio X3 Thread.

[HWTest]

Also it is not recommended to let windows "scan and fix" drives on the X3 ...

I would be very interested why?

 

[diaBoliQu3]

Those who own X3, is X3 can be use as a PC DAC? And how is the performance of X3 DAC compared to other DAC out there? Perhaps with UD110 or any other DAC to compare with?

 

[rawrster]

Yes the X3 can be used as a dac/amp. As far as performance it's ok considering the price and that it was originally intended to be just a dap. I use it only as a dap so I'm sure others here can tell you about it's performance better. 

 

[ClieOS]

  Those who own X3, is X3 can be use as a PC DAC? And how is the performance of X3 DAC compared to other DAC out there? Perhaps with UD110 or any other DAC to compare with?

 
1st Q: Yes, it can.
 
2nd Q: The overall performance of X3 as a DAC is comparable to any WM8740 based DAC. Purely as DAC feeding to another amp, I'll say UD110 is a little ahead, mainly because UD110 has better layering and soundstage. But remember, UD110 doesn't have an amp section, so you need to get a decent amp to get the best out of it. X3 on the other hand already has a good amp section.

 

[imackler]

 
ClieOS,
 
Do you have a favorite portable amp pairing with the X3? Anything you found to have particularly good synergy? I'd like something more portable than the O2...
 
Thanks!

 

[ClieOS]

   
ClieOS,
 
Do you have a favorite portable amp pairing with the X3? Anything you found to have particularly good synergy? I'd like something more portable than the O2...
 
Thanks!

 
I tend to use X3 as it is. But when I do use an amp with it, it usually is the Tube Amp TA-1. Can't say it is that smaller than the O2 though, but the combo is very enjoyable.

 

[imackler]

   
I tend to use X3 as it is. But when I do use an amp with it, it usually is the Tube Amp TA-1. Can't say it is that smaller than the O2 though, but the combo is very enjoyable.

Thanks! 

 

[diaBoliQu3]

   
1st Q: Yes, it can.
 
2nd Q: The overall performance of X3 as a DAC is comparable to any WM8740 based DAC. Purely as DAC feeding to another amp, I'll say UD110 is a little ahead, mainly because UD110 has better layering and soundstage. But remember, UD110 doesn't have an amp section, so you need to get a decent amp to get the best out of it. X3 on the other hand already has a good amp section.

How a bout SQ comparison? Well, I have UD100 and I don't think it will be only tad behind UD110. Based on what you're saying is:

-X3 will be better than UD110 alone (unamped)?
-UD110 better than X3 depending on the amp paired.
 
According to chcyong, UD110 support up to 470 ohm while X3 up to 300 ohm. Just wondering if UD110 alone is better than X3 or these are just data on a paper. Well, I don't even know max output for UD100.

 

[diaBoliQu3]

   
I tend to use X3 as it is. But when I do use an amp with it, it usually is the Tube Amp TA-1. Can't say it is that smaller than the O2 though, but the combo is very enjoyable.

Hi sir, I wondering if TA-1 compared with Shonyun 306A, which one is better and why? I didn't read any comparison in your review website for these two, or maybe I missed it.

 

[ClieOS]

 
How a bout SQ comparison? Well, I have UD100 and I don't think it will be only tad behind UD110. Based on what you're saying is:

-X3 will be better than UD110 alone (unamped)?
-UD110 better than X3 depending on the amp paired.
 
According to chcyong, UD110 support up to 470 ohm while X3 up to 300 ohm. Just wondering if UD110 alone is better than X3 or these are just data on a paper. Well, I don't even know max output for UD100.

 
You are reading the spec in a wrong way. While you can plug in a headphone straight into UD110, it will make for a poor source because it doesn't have good current output or a low enough output impedance. Making sound and making good sound are two different things. It will have loose control at best and coloration at worst. The more demanding your headphone is, the worst the performance it will be.
 
To make it short and sweet - if you are going to feed the DAC into an amp, UD110 is the better choice. But if you are going to drive the headphone directly, X3 makes better sense.
 

 
Hi sir, I wondering if TA-1 compared with Shonyun 306A, which one is better and why? I didn't read any comparison in your review website for these two, or maybe I missed it.

 
I don't have them at the same time. The 306A is a loan unit and it has been returned after the review, thus I didn't compare it to TA-1 since it arrives at a later time. If my memory serves me right - 306A is the cleaner, more analytical sounding of the two, but the gain is too high to make it suitable for sensitive headphone / IEM. TA-1 also has fairly high gain, but the volume pot is more usable. Personally, I also find TA-1 much more euphonic on the presentation. While it might not be as technical as others, it is definitely much more enjoyable.

 

[Jerryberry]

Hi anyone know if i can use two headphones (daisychain) for the x3 at the same time using the headphone out and either the line out or coaxial out? n if so how it would effect its performance . Similarly like how the E07k has two optical out ?

 

[lostinthesauce]

  Hi anyone know if i can use two headphones (daisychain) for the x3 at the same time ? n if so how it would effect its performance . Can i use the coaxial output or the line out as well ? Similarly like how the E07k has two optical out ?

I can't answer how using a Y splitter will affect the performance, but I've used the line out to the E07K and ran two headphones off of that and one off the X3 all at the same time...

 

[Jerryberry]

I can't answer how using a Y splitter will affect the performance, but I've used the line out to the E07K and ran two headphones off of that and one off the X3 all at the same time...

I meant can I also attach another headphone to the coaxial or line out in addition to the headphone out ? And play it to two headphones at the same time ?

 

[Marlene]

I meant can I also attach another headphone to the coaxial or line out in addition to the headphone out ? And play it to two headphones at the same time ?

 
The coaxial out is a digital output. How do you expect something to come out if you connect your headphone to it? 
 
You´d need an adapter that turns the headphone output into two outputs. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-PureAV-Speaker-Headphone-Splitter/dp/B0001VWHT0/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1386026795&sr=8-22&keywords=headphone+splitter
 
or this: http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Cable-AICYP-iSplitter-Y-Adapter/dp/B00008ZLHG/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1386026777&sr=8-14&keywords=headphone+splitter
 
or this: http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Speaker-and-Headphone-Splitter/dp/B00009WQSR/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1386026777&sr=8-4&keywords=headphone+splitter

 

[diaBoliQu3]

   
You are reading the spec in a wrong way. While you can plug in a headphone straight into UD110, it will make for a poor source because it doesn't have good current output or a low enough output impedance. Making sound and making good sound are two different things. It will have loose control at best and coloration at worst. The more demanding your headphone is, the worst the performance it will be.
 
To make it short and sweet - if you are going to feed the DAC into an amp, UD110 is the better choice. But if you are going to drive the headphone directly, X3 makes better sense.
 
 
I don't have them at the same time. The 306A is a loan unit and it has been returned after the review, thus I didn't compare it to TA-1 since it arrives at a later time. If my memory serves me right - 306A is the cleaner, more analytical sounding of the two, but the gain is too high to make it suitable for sensitive headphone / IEM. TA-1 also has fairly high gain, but the volume pot is more usable. Personally, I also find TA-1 much more euphonic on the presentation. While it might not be as technical as others, it is definitely much more enjoyable.

Hi sir, thank you. Okay, making sound and making good sound make that clear for me. Thinking of getting DAC amp or portable amp only (for my UD100) powering my Amperior and HD600. I know portable amp will not show HD600 maximum performance but I really need portable for my laptop if I'm working outside my workplace and while staying in the hotel or inn. But for sure, Amperior goes with me as a portable companion.
 
Seems like I'm gonna get X3 since I can use as DAP to power up Amperior, unless some one can convince me to get a portable amp. Interested with Shonyun, TA-1, and JDS Labs C5 but they are more RM 500 and somehow some lowyat forumer offer me his X3 for RM 400.
 
Thanks sir.