[AmberOzL]

There are great inputs, thank you for all the information, especially AnakChan and Currawong.
 
Also special thanks to Anak for keeping the thread nice and clean. We get more positive and informative thread.
 
What I read so far is very tempting; excellent build quality, nice UI, fast working software, sound signature close to HM901 and it is not very far away from top dogs. Well for around 400 bucks, can you get any better? Don't forget that the device is also USB DAC/AMP too.

 

[rawrster]

Well this dap should have the same storage amount as the ZX1 as the largest cards right now are 64gb so a total of 128gb for both players. Of course if you are one that carries different cards with you that's different. 

 

[AmberOzL]

  Well this dap should have the same storage amount as the ZX1 as the largest cards right now are 64gb so a total of 128gb for both players. Of course if you are one that carries different cards with you that's different. 

There is also possibility to use external hard drives through USB OTG. Also, new coming 128 gb µ sd cards might be working too.

 

[dc-k]

  Well this dap should have the same storage amount as the ZX1 as the largest cards right now are 64gb so a total of 128gb for both players. Of course if you are one that carries different cards with you that's different. 

I do carry different cards with me, hi res files can take a lot of space...

 

[Mimouille]

Something else that should be considered is memory access time. The AK120 was quite slow when full up. I cannot imagine how it will be with 120g micro SD. The X5 might be faster though. However the ZX1 is much faster than any non apple DAP I had.

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

  I do carry different cards with me, hi res files can take a lot of space...

I carry five micro sd cards and 2 sd cards with me in a little box... so being able to use sd card is a big deal for me. the downside of sd card is that the dap would usually have a slower start up time...

 

[dc-k]

 
I carry five micro sd cards and 2 sd cards with me in a little box... so being able to use sd card is a big deal for me. the downside of sd card is that the dap would usually have a slower start up time...

Unless it had at least 500 gig I wouldn't consider without an SD slot. full size is better (cost and capacity) but micro are fine

 

[Levanter]

  I had a go of the X5 today at the e-earphone show in Tokyo with my FitEar Parterres. 
 
My impressions:
 

1. The build quality is EXCELLENT.
2. The buttons need labels. While it is possible to get used to knowing what they do, it means every time you pass the device to someone to listen with they wont have a clue how to operate it and you have to explain it to them.
3. The UI is fast. 
4. Dual micro-SD cards is very handy.
5. I'm not sure why, but the unit I had locked up trying to play a song and was very sluggish until it was restarted.
6. The scroll wheel only works to adjust volume after one of the side volume buttons is pressed.
7. It recognised my microSD card and its contents pretty fast. I'm not sure about playlists though yet.
8. The sound quality is good. Not AK120 good, but possibly not too far off. I didn't A/B them as I don't have one and everyone I did know who had one sold theirs or wasn't at the show, but I felt it was slightly less clear than I was used to with the iRiver devices.
9. I didn't test or look at any other functionality in the unit. 

 

 
Thanks for the brief impression! How does it compare to AK100 which is near it's price range?

 

[howdy]

Some people have noted that the DX50 is on par with the AK100( some even said the AK120), so would the X5 be step up or down from the DX50?

 

[Mython]

.... Well for around 400 bucks, can you get any better? Don't forget that the device is also USB DAC/AMP too.

 
+1
 
 
"You pays yer money & you takes yer pick..!"

 

[Stuff Jones]

How does it compare SQ wise with the X3? I think a lot of us X3 owners are watching anxiously wondering if the SQ jump is going to be worth the money.

 

[Mython]

  How does it compare SQ wise with the X3? I think a lot of us X3 owners are watching anxiously wondering if the SQ jump is going to be worth the money.

 
Well, it's already been noted that the X5 has no apparent roll-off in the treble, so that would, perhaps, be at least one differentiating factor:
 

   
 The X5 does excel in imaging.
 
I'm gonna admit I didn't seem to hear anything out of the ordinary for the low and high end which kinda implies that it's quite full sounding - no roll offs anywhere that was glaring.

 

[jj69]

Well, it's already been noted that the X5 has no apparent roll-off in the treble, so that would, perhaps, be at least one differentiating factor:

What about the X3's mid-bass bump? Does the X5 share that or not?

 

[Mython]

What about the X3's mid-bass bump? Does the X5 share that or not?

 
I have not heard the X5, but James (Fiio) has stated that the X5 is conceived as a 'neutral'-sounding DAP, so hopefully there won't be any overt humps or roll-offs anywhere in the frequency response...hopefully!

 

[jamato8]

Is the battery a user replaceable one?