The Fiio X5 Thread

[Dobrescu George]

   
I'm very sure that the X5 would output those 40 and 30 kHz tones. I don't know of any DAC which would filter high-res sampling rates strictly at 20 kHz. Note: the X5 is 192 kHz compatible, so it will reproduce at least up to 40 kHz, more likely 60 kHz or higher at this rate.
 
I would beg to differ, but i do not have how to proove that it is true. X5 could be able to pull it off, but no headphones and IEMs would be
 
 
You seem to mix this up with 44.1 kHz recordings where the ADC has to be fed with low-pass filtered signals to prevent aliasing. Maybe a thing of the past, as I guess nowadays most recordings are done with higher sampling rates, even those meant to be published on a CD. Not sure if e.g. a 88.2 kHz recording has to get low-pass filtered before ADC, but if so, it will be at 44 kHz or so, not 20 kHz.
 
This is kind of interesting, and true. Recordings are done with a high sampling rate, but i do not think that ultrasonics are kept. Not necessarly because it is impossible to keep them, but thinking from a company's point of view, it is not usefull. Consider that applying DSPs and mastering would be much harder, and would affect ultrasonics a LOT in un-desired ways, because the master cannot hear how these processes affects the sound.
 
How do you know that? It absolutely doesn't look like this, and the comment clearly speaks against it. It would be an enormously high noise floor if it were one, and since it's a PCM, not a DSD recording, it's simply impossible. These are true overtones from instruments, as the comment indicates.
 
Okay, i judge that it is noise, because i am used to reading a lot of spectrum images, i used to master back in the day, and to my eye, all that noise has not enough definition, it is too continous, but it is discutable.

Sorry, if i am keeping my opinion, but it is because i do know that harmonics and sub harmonics are not kept in the computer, but produced in the air, theoretically,
 
and if headphones and iems do not produce ultrasonics we should not have to worry about them either, maybe i got a bad understanding of the problem.
 
 
 

I agree, it's time to move on past this debate.

okay, we will. 

It improves gas milage.

maybe because the driver drives at an more equal speed, because he listens to great music on x5!
 
 
 

  Chris / Jazz / George - here's the rub.  I suggested some pages ago that putting this type of discussion (EQ / harmonics / etc) on the X5 thread  - while related - fills the thread with a topic I'd suggest most of us aren't interested in.  it would be better served in it's own sub-thread.  You guys can all subscribe, and discuss to your heart's content.
 
Chris - I don't personally want to block anyone - especially not you guys, as I follow a lot of your other posts (in other threads) and find them very informative.  However this current line of discussion gives me zero interest. Worse, I have to wade through it all so that I don't miss out on anything that is truly on topic (directly X5 related).
 
Honestly - over the last few days I've even thought about unsubbing from this thread just because I'm getting sick of this discussion.  And at this point - whilst you could say that it is X5 related - in reality it really isn't directly.
 
I agree with nmatheis and bavinck.  Please start your own thread.

yes, i totally get it, will do this , or not continue this here. even though it was also concernig x5, because... how fiio implements interpolation and if implements low pass filters and such, might be important, i think that i get you, and it would be best for us to move the discussion in another part of head-fi.

  I see the problem, and I won't post about this subject anymore in this thread. A new thread for those interested would be a good idea. I don't know if I will start one, though, as most of what I wanted to express has been expressed. Moreover the experiment to confirm my theory is unnecessary, since the only thing needed for prove is the critical signal shape, which is just a matter of producing it.
 
Getting sick about a serious audio discussion, admittedly off topic, is a hard word, and I feel a little demotivated, because I'm really enagaged and interested in this subject, it's not about fighting. But I will leave the playing field to more on.topic posts.

okay, if you start a thread, please send me the link to it, i do not search daily for threads, as i only watch usually the equipment i am interested in buying!
 
Let's hope that we discover how the thing really works, it is not important who is right, but what the truth is afterall!

 

[Chris J]

Redacted...
This current topic would relate to any DAP.

That's actually a very reasonable, logical reason for discontinuing the discussion of this topic in the X5 thread.

If anyone wants to carry this on somewheres else, PM me.

 

[AudioBear]

[new topic in last paragraph, please read to the end]
 
I have no problem taking the ultrasonic discussion somewhere else since I can read it there just as easily and anybody who wants to follow can pick it up there.  There's subjective fine line as to when a discussion is no longer relevant to the topic of a thread.  This one was getting fairly generic to audio playback.  When regular readers and contributors object and suggest to cool it, it's time to move on.  If anyone starts a new thread please let us know.
 
Congrats to all of you for doing this in a civil manner as that doesn't always happen on the forums.  Maybe X5 users are just cool people.  At least we didn't mention the three letters that are forbidden to be mentioned.
 
One parting shot.  Just for the fun of it I went over to FiiO.net to see what I could learn about the tentatively now closed topic.  I thought it might be instructive to see how they spec their kit.  As it happens they give figures mostly from 20Hz-20KHz, occasionally up to 30KHz.  This is interesting because so many manufacturers spec all the way out to 100KHz and beyond.  There could be several reasons for this: 1) their test gear doesn't go much beyond 20KHz, 2) their products perform poorly above 20-30KHz, 3) they know we can't hear above 20-30KHz,  and 4) they believe IM distortion specs will reflect any modulation by ultrasonics.  I suppose there could be others.
 
On another topic, frequent mention in this thread has just about convinced me to spring for a E12A-IEM special edition.  I think I have more to gain from that than worrying about ultrasonics given my 12KHz hearing roll-off.  Honestly I don't miss much with these hyper-critical older ears and all the fans of the Mount Blanc have me almost convinced it's worth it to get one.  Not to flog an old discussion but tell me once more why I would be better off with this FiiO amp than a Cayin C5 for my 1964Ears A12s.  What's your opinion?  I get the feeling it's toss-up between two good units but my preference has always been for FiiO products.

 

[Chris J]

[new topic in last paragraph, please read to the end]

I have no problem taking the ultrasonic discussion somewhere else since I can read it there just as easily and anybody who wants to follow can pick it up there.  There's subjective fine line as to when a discussion is no longer relevant to the topic of a thread.  This one was getting fairly generic to audio playback.  When regular readers and contributors object and suggest to cool it, it's time to move on.  If anyone starts a new thread please let us know.

Congrats to all of you for doing this in a civil manner as that doesn't always happen on the forums.  Maybe X5 users are just cool people.  At least we didn't mention the three letters that are forbidden to be mentioned.

One parting shot.  Just for the fun of it I went over to FiiO.net to see what I could learn about the tentatively now closed topic.  I thought it might be instructive to see how they spec their kit.  As it happens they give figures mostly from 20Hz-20KHz, occasionally up to 30KHz.  This is interesting because so many manufacturers spec all the way out to 100KHz and beyond.  There could be several reasons for this: 1) their test gear doesn't go much beyond 20KHz, 2) their products perform poorly above 20-30KHz, 3) they know we can't hear above 20-30KHz,  and 4) they believe IM distortion specs will reflect any modulation by ultrasonics.  I suppose there could be others.

On another topic, frequent mention in this thread has just about convinced me to spring for a E12A-IEM special edition.  I think I have more to gain from that than worrying about ultrasonics given my 12KHz hearing roll-off.  Honestly I don't miss much with these hyper-critical older ears and all the fans of the Mount Blanc have me almost convinced it's worth it to get one.  Not to flog an old discussion but tell me once more why I would be better off with this FiiO amp than a Cayin C5 for my 1964Ears A12s.  What's your opinion?  I get the feeling it's toss-up between two good units but my preference has always been for FiiO products.

I'm not too comfortable with you discussing the E12 in the X5 thread.









:wink_face:

 

[AudioBear]

Lol.  Good one.  Is there a special thread for X5 pairings?

 

[Chris J]

Lol.  Good one.  Is there a special thread for X5 pairings?

No.
You can only talk about one component at a time!

Of course, I am kidding.
I do think this is the the correct thread to talk about pairing the X5 with this amp or that headphone, etc.
Yes, even IEMs and X5s....

I'm kinda partial to pairing up the X5 and Senn PX-100 ii myself.

 

[AndrewH13]

No.
You can only talk about one component at a time!

Of course, I am kidding.

Went to Cambridge UK Head-fi meet today, armed with X5 and tried as many new Headphones, amps and DACs as time would allow.

Not good for my wallet, but my Fiio currently sounding amazing as I type this. 15% show discount helped, its now paired with the Hugo. Didn't think portable audio could sound this good. Playing through £100 Musical Fidelity headphones at moment and even they sound great.

 

[AudioBear]

Are you allowed to talk about Hugo in a Fiio X5 thread?
 
Congrats on the purchase. I wish I could justify Hugo.  Enjoy!

 

[AndrewH13]

Are you allowed to talk about Hugo in a Fiio X5 thread?

Congrats on the purchase. I wish I could justify Hugo.  Enjoy!

Thanks, hearing the pair together was an eye-opener. I never dreamed of buying it, maybe a Fiio or Cayin amp to drive harder cans in the future. I also had hankerings to hear other DAPs, Cayin etc, but this has confirmed my love for X5. No need for any further DAP. Absolutely fantastic synergy between X5/Hu/ie800.

 

[AudioBear]

You need to change you equipment list and add Hugo.
 
I'm sort of slow sometimes.  Explain.  You are using Hugo as the DAC or the AMP in this pair.  I'm thinking Hugo has gotta be the DAC but I don't often think of the X5 as an amp probably because it's so good at everything (if that makes any sense).

 

[AndrewH13]

You need to change you equipment list and add Hugo.

I'm sort of slow sometimes.  Explain.  You are using Hugo as the DAC or the AMP in this pair.  I'm thinking Hugo has gotta be the DAC but I don't often think of the X5 as an amp probably because it's so good at everything (if that makes any sense).

Only had it home four hours, that's why list not updated till I get on PC!

Its DAC and AMP, using X5s coax output. I always thought X5 sounded great, still do, was sceptical how much it could be improved in a portable setup. Dangerous hearing it, its got to be paid for!! I also listened to iPhone in same setup as Hugo doing most of the work and might sound similar? Nope, source, X5 still plays a major part.

 

[kino lau]

This afternoon I paired my X5 with a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The options just keep growing and growing...

 

[Chris J]

This afternoon I paired my X5 with a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The options just keep growing and growing...

hmmm......I may try pairing my X5 with my 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe!

Or I may pair it up with a fine aged cheddar and a hearty red ale!

 

[kino lau]

hmmm......I may try pairing my X5 with my 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe!

Or I may pair it up with a fine aged cheddar and a hearty red ale!

The OEM stereo in my Freestyle had an AUX input option but it wasn't utilized. So I spent $55 on the adapter to let me connect to the LO of the X5. Once the 3.5mm female flush mount jack finally shows up in the mail, everything is going to be beautiful. The interface isn't as slick as with an iPod, but then an iPod wouldn't sound as good as my X5. It's a fair enough trade.

 

[nmatheis]

Um, I prefer my X3 paired with some atmospheric black metal sung by a European model :wink_face:: LINK