[danmlr]

Interesting. Thanks for the recommendation.  I read some reviews of the cayin on amazon and at least one reviewer claims the cayin and Fiio E12 are equivalent in performance. Difference being, the cayin is $330 and the fiio 12 is $100. 
 
I've also read a few posts here that the X5/E12 and Senn 600's all work well together. 

 

[PinkyPowers]

Interesting. Thanks for the recommendation.  I read some reviews of the cayin on amazon and at least one reviewer claims the cayin and Fiio E12 are equivalent in performance. Difference being, the cayin is $330 and the fiio 12 is $100. 

I've also read a few posts here that the X5/E12 and Senn 600's all work well together. 

There are two versions of the Cayin C5, one that is both DAC & Amp, and one that is only Amp. You should be looking at the Amp only, since the X5 has a very capable DAC already.

On Head-Fi, the C5 and E12 are considered very close in performance by most members. But the C5 tends to get a slightly more favorable review. Either choice is fine.

 

[PinkyPowers]

I just looked on Amazon, and it seems the Cayin C5 Amp-only is not in stock at Amazon warehouses, and can only be found via 3rd party sellers who are charging excessive fees.

You can find it for around $150-160 at a few other sites, but it looks like this product is living its last days. What a shame.

I would check the Head-fi Classifieds. You might find a good deal there.

 

[danmlr]

There are two versions of the Cayin C5, one that is both DAC & Amp, and one that is only Amp. You should be looking at the Amp only, since the X5 has a very capable DAC already.

On Head-Fi, the C5 and E12 are considered very close in performance by most members. But the C5 tends to get a slightly more favorable review. Either choice is fine.

Oh ok thanks. It doesn't seem like much of a choice if the cayin isn't available for sale then. 

 

[niron]

Has Fiio just announced a new firmware update?
 
This image was taken from the 2016 Autumn Launch Event
 

 

[Brooko]

Unless that is for the original X3 and X5 - then no, the X3ii and X5ii have had this for a while now.

 

[niron]

  Unless that is for the original X3 and X5 - then no, the X3ii and X5ii have had this for a while now.

 
Yes, for the original X3 and X5 players.
 
They've also launched some other cool stuff like the Fiio i1 which is a lightning to 3.5mm cable adapter for the new iPhone lineup and some amps & bluetooth adapters, but this is off topic. 

 

[russell finch]

So we finally get replay gain for the x5, but this is presumably going to be part of firmware which leaves OTG disabled. Think I'm going to have a little cry.

 

[FiiO]

  Has Fiio just announced a new firmware update?
 
This image was taken from the 2016 Autumn Launch Event
 

Hi, niron
 
The page you posted is a review for X3II/X5II. The newest firmware of X3II/X5II has included those features and improvements. If there are no big bugs with the newest firmware, it will be the final firmware for X3II/X5II. Sorry for bringing mistake.

 

[niron]

  Hi, niron
 
The page you posted is a review for X3II/X5II. The newest firmware of X3II/X5II has included those features and improvements. If there are no big bugs with the newest firmware, it will be the final firmware for X3II/X5II. Sorry for bringing mistake.

 
Thanks for clarifying. Also, looking forward for your new products. 

 

[shuto77]

Hi, niron

The page you posted is a review for X3II/X5II. The newest firmware of X3II/X5II has included those features and improvements. If there are no big bugs with the newest firmware, it will be the final firmware for X3II/X5II. Sorry for bringing mistake.

Can the X3ii or X5ii be used as stand-alone DACs for a desktop headphone amplifier with RCA inputs?

 

[PinkyPowers]

Can the X3ii or X5ii be used as stand-alone DACs for a desktop headphone amplifier with RCA inputs?

Yes. They both support Line-Out functionality from the headphone port, which sort of bypasses the amp stage and outputs pure signal meant to be taken in by a secondary amp.

You will need a 3.5mm(male)-to-RCALeft/Right(male) adapter.

Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-3-5mm-Male-2-Male-Adapter/dp/B004YDUZ22/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1473818371&sr=8-4&keywords=adapter+3.5mm+to+rca

Or if you already have cables, and just need an adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/Plated-Stereo-Splitter-Adapter-Converter/dp/B01BK0PVXY/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1473818371&sr=8-16&keywords=adapter+3.5mm+to+rca

 

[shuto77]

Yes. They both support Line-Out functionality from the headphone port, which sort of bypasses the amp stage and outputs pure signal meant to be taken in by a secondary amp.

You will need a 3.5mm(male)-to-RCALeft/Right(male) adapter.

Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-3-5mm-Male-2-Male-Adapter/dp/B004YDUZ22/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1473818371&sr=8-4&keywords=adapter+3.5mm+to+rca

Thanks so much!

It looks like the X5 and the X5ii share the same DAC, and the X3ii uses a different one.

Which is considered the best sounding as a DAC?

Thanks again!

 

[Audioheadrha]

Here is demonstration of the very first beta (still evolving) UI of X5:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/661411/fiio-x5-thread-info-updated-on-dec-16th-2013-and-feature-poll-added-for-future-successor/2430#post_10081706

Here is X5's preview world tour, whose application ends on Dec 26th 2013:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/696004/fiio-x5-preview-world-tour-application-20-26-december-2013

Latest news from Fiio:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/661411/fiio-x5-thread-info-updated-on-dec-20th-2013/2835#post_10115555

Some Headfi impression / photos:

First impressions by reihead:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/696004/fiio-x5-preview-world-tour-first-arrivals-on-page-19-first-impressions-rolling-in/285#post_10175646
http://www.head-fi.org/t/696004/fiio-x5-preview-world-tour-first-arrivals-on-page-19-first-impressions-rolling-in/300#post_10176870

First impressions by Brooko:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/696004/fiio-x5-preview-world-tour-first-arrivals-on-page-19-first-impressions-rolling-in/420#post_10191470

http://www.head-fi.org/t/696004/fiio-x5-preview-world-tour-first-arrivals-on-page-19-first-impressions-rolling-in

http://www.head-fi.org/products/fiio-x5-high-res-portable-music-player

 

[danmlr]

Thanks so much!

It looks like the X5 and the X5ii share the same DAC, and the X3ii uses a different one.

Which is considered the best sounding as a DAC?

Thanks again!

The X5 is better than the X3ii, period.