2.14b was epic. Have used it till 3.34b release. But the sound was much improved with 3.34b. It's still not as clean as the standalone DAC, but I feel they're almost there and then we will see against X3 II without hardware EQ.
Well if you mean the dac used in the Fiio X 3, I always find it sound better the with the headphones out.
It is even a big problem for me, LOL. I really have good gear, a lesser room. Wth Mark Levinson amp (335), B&W 800 D, I never was THAT happy with my gear. I had Accuphase DSP 67, never liked it, too soft. The Oppo 93, too closed also, nothing seem to work, mostly too soft, I told this here before.
But my little netbook and the X 3, I can't figure it out....... I just love it! Some say the X3 is colored, so it should sound dull on the Mark Levinson. Nope. It is just sounding live.
It is maybe a bit "thick", but then live electrified music, also sounds that way. Voices could be just a bit clearer, but then they still sound realistic. The bass guitar, is very present, when often heard in the mix. About the mix, it seems like I am hearing what the producer intended. Some sounds I could not figure out where they came from are very distinct now. And what save it from being dull is it is so transparent at the same time.
Maybe something wrong with my ears, but I seem to hear and feel the joy of playing their instruments. When a guitar is important, you hear that the best, isolated from the rest. I bought a little M 2 Tech USB dac. I can understand some people preferring this one, I really do. It is clear, clean, and can sound more impressive on jazz, and maybe classical music (I hardly play that, but cannot judge that). But it is NOT as soulful, I never have the impression assisting at the recording, or hearing live music, too clinical. After a while I want my X 3 back.
There is no "bump" in the bass at all, it goes deep when the recording allows it, and be "flat", when the dynamics are lower. I have recordings where, I would add bass even, but when it is not there, it just not push it. When I play the High resolution of Leonard's Cohen "Particular Problems", well it is so powerful, the presence, weight is like a live experience. (the normal resolution is fine, but the HD files are more realistic)
Now what is my problem? I have either find a dac, that sounds exactly the same, same DAC chip (but no guaranty it sounds the same way)? The customcute seemed to come close, but is not available any more. If I use my X 3 for travelling, it gets lost, or broke, then I am going to be in trouble. I not know how the new X 3 sounds as Player, or Dac, but it is a different chip.
So all I can do I guess is buy that one, have maybe a player, I like less to travel with, but keep the sound I love, when I am home. Best is to find a small exactly same sounding dac, but I guess it is "Mission Impossible", just too happy with the X3 as a Dac. Not meaning, I not see its limitations, it just makes me enjoy my music more.
And yeah, for the best on the headphones, which version should I use?
