XDuoo X3 DSD 24Bit / 192KHz CS4398 Chip Lossless Music Player

[dharmasteve]

The Xduoo X3 does not particularly need amping to me, it sounds great just using the Headphone Out. But the line out is really good. My Fiio e11 Kilimanjaro version 1, does tighten and slightly improve the sound. Although the X3 has really good slam and impact (the Fiio X1 and X3 2nd gen are quite thin in comparison), the E11 is a super little guy and definitely adds more clarity. I have recently acquired a DAP which holds up well against the X3....the Onn X5. Big surprise.

 

[leobigfield]

  The Xduoo X3 does not particularly need amping to me, it sounds great just using the Headphone Out. But the line out is really good. My Fiio e11 Kilimanjaro version 1, does tighten and slightly improve the sound. Although the X3 has really good slam and impact (the Fiio X1 and X3 2nd gen are quite thin in comparison), the E11 is a super little guy and definitely adds more clarity. I have recently acquired a DAP which holds up well against the X3....the Onn X5. Big surprise.

 
Totally agreed! That's how i feel about the Q1!

 

[jithu215]

I brought a fiio ex1(titan1) and looking for a budget dap for pairing ex1. My choices are fiio x1,x3,x5 and xduoo x3(ibasso,hidzis not available in india).I like sparkling highs(reason why I sold my im70 and brought ex1).which of these dap will be more suitable for ex1. Also planning to buy msr7 in future.my current dap is cowon c2.guys help me.

 

[seanwee]

I brought a fiio ex1(titan1) and looking for a budget dap for pairing ex1. My choices are fiio x1,x3,x5 and xduoo x3(ibasso,hidzis not available in india).I like sparkling highs(reason why I sold my im70 and brought ex1).which of these dap will be more suitable for ex1. Also planning to buy msr7 in future.my current dap is cowon c2.guys help me.

FiiO x5 for sure

 

[jithu215]

thanks for the reply.do you have both ex1 and fiio x5?

 

[dharmasteve]

I brought a fiio ex1(titan1) and looking for a budget dap for pairing ex1. My choices are fiio x1,x3,x5 and xduoo x3(ibasso,hidzis not available in india).I like sparkling highs(reason why I sold my im70 and brought ex1).which of these dap will be more suitable for ex1. Also planning to buy msr7 in future.my current dap is cowon c2.guys help me.

I have the Xduoo X3 and the Fiio X1 and Fiio X3 2nd gen. If you like treble and very detailed highs, both of the Fiios are better. If you like bass, midrange and impact the Xduoo is way better. The Xduoo is richer and more interesting to me, but detail in the highs are not it's greatest strength. IMHO.

 

[leobigfield]

  Yes, I agree amping would 'change' the sound. Better is subjective! I liked the sound with my E12, but I lost some faster bass(which is weird). Vocals became 'forward' instruments got some body. Treble didnt impove, as the roll off is set out from the DAC I guess. To say thats the sound I like, but my friend who was around, liked the less forward vocal signature of the stock. At the end of the day. But, is it worth it? Well, I felt: The player is already small, and has enough power, for my low impedance headphones. Also, I can't keep the setup in my pocket and walk around with the amp. I think the best solution for a new buyer is to find the best headphones or earphones which compliments the stock amp, not carrying a brick around. Also due to the odd dimensions, any fiio amp wont fit perfectly with this. It might stay in place due to the bands, but looks weird! Also the player is just around 100 bucks. E12 is 150. For a cheapo good sounding player, I feel even a 50 bucks amp is an overkill! Just my two cents!

 
I see your point. But to me was not overkill because i already had the amp before buying the X3 so i just thought "why not?" and really liked the results and the sinergy. And to my listening needs, there is no problem with stacking it. So i just wanted to know the others results, did'nt want to imply that it was a must or necessary. that's why the "YMMV" 

 

[seanwee]

thanks for the reply.do you have both ex1 and fiio x5?

On the contrary , I have NEITHER 

.

 

[jithu215]

I have the Xduoo X3 and the Fiio X1 and Fiio X3 2nd gen. If you like treble and very detailed highs, both of the Fiios are better. If you like bass, midrange and impact the Xduoo is way better. The Xduoo is richer and more interesting to me, but detail in the highs are not it's greatest strength. IMHO.

I frget to mention soundstage.I am a soundstage guy(reason to choose ex1).xduoo x3 is a little expensive here(150dollars) compared to x3ii(200) and x5 1st gen(200-250 dollars used)

 

[jithu215]

On the contrary , I have NEITHER  .

I want to make sure that my next dap is good for my taste.I already lost some money buying a vivo x5pro(akm ak4375 chip) hifi phone.i think hifi function is only working with stock iem(stock iem sound very good but warm sounding).I am not getting hifi quality from my ex1. But definitely better than pairing with c2. Stock earphones may be superior than ex1,dont know. Anyway thanks for the reply

 

[Aradea]

If you really like sparkling highs more than you love soundstage, then the xduoo X3 is not for you. Like the guys have said, highs are not the X3's specialty

 

[seanwee]

If you really like sparkling highs more than you love soundstage, then the xduoo X3 is not for you. Like the guys have said, highs are not the X3's specialty

However if you like soundstage more than sparkling highs the xduoo x3 are for you.
 
The choice is yours .

 

[seanwee]

FiiO X5 is the most neutral and has the best highs IMO

 

[seanwee]

  On the contrary , I have NEITHER 

.

 

I want to make sure that my next dap is good for my taste.I already lost some money buying a vivo x5pro(akm ak4375 chip) hifi phone.i think hifi function is only working with stock iem(stock iem sound very good but warm sounding).I am not getting hifi quality from my ex1. But definitely better than pairing with c2. Stock earphones may be superior than ex1,dont know. Anyway thanks for the reply

I dont OWN them but i have TRIED all of them except for the xduoo x3.

 

[dharmasteve]

I frget to mention soundstage.I am a soundstage guy(reason to choose ex1).xduoo x3 is a little expensive here(150dollars) compared to x3ii(200) and x5 1st gen(200-250 dollars used)

Soundstage wise it's difficult, because I find headphones have a major bearing on soundstage. A few months ago I bought the Musical Fidelity M200's. Very uncomfortable but amazing sounstage. I don't think the Xduoo X3 has the best soundstage, but I'm listing to Raghu Dixit right now and there is enough width and depth to be noticeably enjoyable. But the Fiio X3 2nd gen is better because the highs give it more width. But I am enjoying the Xduoo right now and it sounds brilliant and the positioning of instruments is good. If you want a very three dimensional soundstage think about the Xuelin ihifi 770C it's exceptional.