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- Sep 24, 2012
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Me too. YGPM!
Well, personally, I'm not looking for a high-powered amp, so as long as it outputs a very high quality 1 Vrms output, I'm okay with it. I think it's great that the X5 can power what it can, but so few people actually take around full-sized cans and listen to them on the go. Head-fiers might need something to power a rig portably at a meet, but that's about it. For the majority of the population, a 3.3V swing offers plenty of power for IEMs and portable cans, given that the amplifier can deliver the current, which I think it probably can. Perhaps that's the myth that people like to perpetuate, but I don't necessarily believe that a portable DAP needs to be "high-power" for it to be respected amongst audiophiles. The AK100 didn't have that problem. The iPod doesn't have that problem.
Again, who knows what's gonna happen --- I'm not demanding that FiiO put in the ES9601. If FiiO can put in an amp stage that can swing 9V and still give me 12-16 hours of battery life under regular use, then more power to them, but I'd rather preserve battery life and small size, rather than go for power at the sacrifice of battery life and/or size. The other thing is, I think the X5 and X7 can be "co-flagships". People who want the ease of use of a touchscreen can go for the X7, and people who want output power can go for the X5. The main thing is that I don't want the X7 to end up the size of a DX100, or even 2/3 the size. It should be 1/2 the thickness, or less, honestly. Also, it could be possible that they can put two different outputs into the X7, one for power saving (and greater SNR for IEMs, etc.), and one for big output. That way, users can choose and decide whether they need all that power at their fingertips or no
I'm interested as well, living in The Netherlands.
Me too. Also living in Belgium, also ordered on HDPHNS.com. Was about to pull the trigger on 64gb card, thinking 128 would be to expensive here (which it is). But for that amazon.com price, it's a done deal.
I still think if you want a decent portable dap, the X7 will have to have the frills cut down else it will be a thick heavy brick which is a complete turn off except if you intend to keep it on your desk. Provide a great well implemented amp/dac and I don't mind seeing no LO, I could even let go coax out, USB dac is good enough for me cause I don't see myself hooking the player to a nearby sound system any time soon.
X3 sounds better than AK100 (this DAP has no power) at 1/3 of the price and X5 sounds better than AK120 at 1/4 of the price. (actually, I cannot remember how much these cost, just rough estimate). Therefore, I hope X7 will have those AK240 features. Of course I understand that form factor, design and UI are the things that sell big money. My bottom line is that I will not purchase a DAP without LO and digital out.Everyone has different priorities, it is good to have choices.
You are right that most people probably won't need a lot of voltage gain. But it depends very much on who those people is. I doubt ESS has audiophile in mind when they design the amp chip, but that doesn't mean audiophiles won't have a good use of it, if it is proven to be capable. True being told, the only benefit of using 3.3V is because that's the minimum voltage for Li-ion battery (as most cut off around 3.3V), so it is more out of convenience rather than performance oriented. It is definitely going to be good enough for your general DAP, but is it good enough for an audiophile DAP? I mean, if I am going to pay for a DAP because it is advertised as an audiophile DAP, I would at least expect some above-the-average performance.
I disagree with the remark on AK100 - quite possibly the worst control and tightness of any audiophile DAP I have ever heard for the asking price (and compared poorly even with DAP 3/4~1/2 its price, if not less). I would think (some) iPod offer better power than AK100, with a very noticeable margin. Audiophile don't give enough credit for iPod, at least for what it is IMO.
Also, it is not just full can that is in concern. Look around of how many people have TOTL universal IEM and custom these day, and many of them are not easy to drive to fullness. Getting a good voltage rail has more to do with just a bigger voltage swing, it affects other areas of performance as well, transient, current output, etc. I do hope the new amp chip can shine, but I won't put too much stock into it just yet, consider that it is unlikely we will truly benefit from the kind of DNR / THD in an actual DAP.
Not sure if you've read through the press release....
Good battery life.
Good UI.
Drives headphones well.
Pick 2 when buying a DAP.