[Stratos24]

The Sennheiser HD540 reference cans works very well with the X5.  At 600 ohms impedance I adjust the Play Settings>Gain to Hi and raise the volume to around 80-100.  The sonic result is sublime.  I've replaced three sets of ear pads on my HD540's over the years and upgraded the chord but these full-sized headphones are one of the best audio gear investments I ever made.  I bought the display model (because they were sold out) for $250 back in 1985.  $250 was quite a bit back then and I remember having some reservations about buying the display model but these wonderful cans keep going and going. . . 

 

[THOHFO]

Thanks.  Just want to have some flexibility (such as using X5 as a transport only, higher output etc), also would like to have balanced output.  Any recommendation?

 

[Dobrescu George]

  Thanks.  Just want to have some flexibility (such as using X5 as a transport only, higher output etc), also would like to have balanced output.  Any recommendation?

the best one would be hugo chord... but it costs 2500$ or so..
if you have the money, you could go for it..

 

[uzi2]

  Thanks.  Just want to have some flexibility (such as using X5 as a transport only, higher output etc), also would like to have balanced output.  Any recommendation?

 
 

  the best one would be hugo chord... but it costs 2500$ or so..
if you have the money, you could go for it..

The Hugo works well with the X5 via coax. It does not have balanced inputs, but there is no balanced output from the X5.
I'm not sure that adding a DAC/Amp provides flexibility - The X5 on it's own is the most flexible, providing HO,LO and Digital out.
For balanced output, I think you need to be looking to A&K or maybe the upcoming X7.

 

[THOHFO]

Thanks.  I think I should give up the idea for using an external DAC amp with X5

 

[olddude]

This will do everything you want- 
 
http://www.amazon.com/Astell-Kern-AK240-Mastering-Quality/dp/B00IFEC88U
 
and you can spend another $800 or so to upgrade it using 
 
http://redwineaudio.com/mods/rwak240
 
I think it might even do the dishes and walk your dog, but don't quote me.

 

[uzi2]

  Thanks.  I think I should give up the idea for using an external DAC amp with X5

You also mentioned "higher output" as one of the reasons for exploring thois route. I f you have hard to drive headphones, then maybe it is just an amp you are looking for rather than a DAC/Amp. Something like the FiiO E12 would be a good starting point. Connected to the LO of the X5 this combination will happily drive most headphones.

 

[Koolpep]

  This will do everything you want- 
 
http://www.amazon.com/Astell-Kern-AK240-Mastering-Quality/dp/B00IFEC88U
 
and you can spend another $800 or so to upgrade it using 
 
http://redwineaudio.com/mods/rwak240
 
I think it might even do the dishes and walk your dog, but don't quote me.

 
 
Or you buy a used AK100 (the Mk1 can be had quite cheap) and make it a Centrance Gloveaudio A1: http://centrance.com/products/gloveaudio-a1/
 
From the reviews it's quite something.

 

[Allucid]

 
This will do everything you want- 





Or you buy a used AK100 (the Mk1 can be had quite cheap) and make it a Centrance Gloveaudio A1: [url=http://centrance.com/products/gloveaudio-a1/]http://centrance.com/products/gloveaudio-a1/

From the reviews it's quite something.

I've had a few listens with the glove audio. It's really good.

 

[subguy812]

  This will do everything you want- 
 
http://www.amazon.com/Astell-Kern-AK240-Mastering-Quality/dp/B00IFEC88U
 
and you can spend another $800 or so to upgrade it using 
 
http://redwineaudio.com/mods/rwak240
 
I think it might even do the dishes and walk your dog, but don't quote me.

Uh huh....here here. I think I will stick with my lowly and humble X5.

 

[olddude]

Probably a good idea.  And it's probably not ALL that humble.  Just not grossly overpriced for what you get.  You can spend $2300 (!) on a DAP and then you can make it even "better" by upgrading it $800 more!  Is that $3100 really that much "better" than your "lowly" X5?  It will do more stuff, but does it sound 9X better?  
 
(Not that I'd mind one as a gift.  Hint hint.  

  ) 

 

[uzi2]

  Probably a good idea.  And it's probably not ALL that humble.  Just not grossly overpriced for what you get.  You can spend $2300 (!) on a DAP and then you can make it even "better" by upgrading it $800 more!  Is that $3100 really that much "better" than your "lowly" X5?  It will do more stuff, but does it sound 9X better?  
 
(Not that I'd mind one as a gift.  Hint hint.  

  ) 

You missed this great value edition - make that 8000USD

 

[subguy812]

  Probably a good idea.  And it's probably not ALL that humble.  Just not grossly overpriced for what you get.  You can spend $2300 (!) on a DAP and then you can make it even "better" by upgrading it $800 more!  Is that $3100 really that much "better" than your "lowly" X5?  It will do more stuff, but does it sound 9X better?  
 
(Not that I'd mind one as a gift.  Hint hint.  

  ) 

I was clearly being tongue in cheek...I am really happy with my X5 and equally as happy with my X3 when I owned it. Sound quality is there that is why I bought it in the first place.

 

[olddude]

 
You missed this great value edition - make that 8000USD

The blue is ni.... No!  Must not want!!!!

 

[spatzi]

Has there been a firmware fix yet for the OTG (usb stick) always going back to root menu once you turn off the player? Getting real tired of scrolling through all the menus again in order to get back to the song I was playing.

This scroll wheel is laughable. Why did they even bother including it when it's not even accurate?