If you read the last few pages it is mentioned that rockbox will decrease the pitch error to %0.006 which I think won't be an issue anymore. In the very beginning Clip had that pitch error too and solved with the firmware.
I have also the AP100 and think EQ is the worst I've ever seen on a DAP so I turn it off. If your budget allows AP100 is better sounding device than X3 but the difference is not so big.
Was that what rockbox fixed for the clip tho, as in the clips pitch error could be fixed somewhat by rockboxing (ie software based issue). I was under the impression that even with rockbox installed it wouldn't assist in this way like it did with the clip, the pitch errors are different in nature. Would be superb if it did tho!
That is really interesting to hear you say you don't like the EQ on the AP100. I'm a bit of a DSP freak, to say I abused Cowon DSPs is putting it mildly, I enjoyed them very much, but to me the Cowon EQs/Jet Effects/BBE's sound very artificial if not fun and engaging tho, the AP100 on the other hand sounds very 'hi-fi' based, that is accurate and not 'fake' (a bit like adjusting a treble or bass knob on a hifi).
This could be due to the fact that the AP100's EQ is hardware based and not software per se?
What I have learned with my AP100 is that it actually contains a vast degree in changing the sound signature. First of all, having the EQ off sounds quite different to being On, even if u set everything to Flat. I had to tweak the EQ to get a sound signature that sounded more like how it sounds in the Off position, that was a starting point for me so that I could move forward with presets such as enhanced bass and less bass etc, toning down the treble etc.
But using that in conjunction with the various SRC modes adds another step of increased customisation, which imo changes the soundstage the most, increased separation etc. There is a multitude of fine tuning that exists, that I believe is not obvious from the get go. And then there are some that claim to hear no difference when using SRC mode (16bit 44.1>24bit 192), to my ears each level of adjustment is glaringly obvious, so it puzzles me to hear users report that. Perhaps file type, firmware level and even AP100 unit adjusts the outcome, could not all AP100's be made equal?
So I guess where we differ is that yer comparing the AP100 off mode to the X3, which I would imagine is not that different, but then to me it's a bit like comparing a Cowon with a Sansa clip, of course yer not going to use that Cowon without tinkering with DSPs... so therefore it's kinda null comparison.
What I find I manage to obtain with my AP100 is a sound signature that sounds similar to being in Off mode, but then I can (at the push of a single button) toggle to a similar sound again but this time with more bass, and then then same again but this time with less bass, and also a slight variance on treble where needed. This I find is really helpful when Shuffling All and needing to either give that song a little more bass emphasis, leave as is or less. To have 8 custom EQ slots is great.
Thanks for the suggestion , now a have a new player to take under consideration, how does it compare to the FiiO X5?
I will be a killer if it bests the SQ of the FiiO x5 at that price.
I believe a few have said AP100 trumps the X3 and X5, I have not heard the Fiio's myself however so can't comment.
More details, wider soundstage, better imaging, but all on the cost of slow songs if 44.1khz is what your library consists of. I too hate the pitch thing, its noticeable. I have a plan of getting a X5ii from FiiO as X3ii wont be a good upgrade. Due to this issue, the resale on Xduoo is going to be nothing. I have seen Xduoo getting sold for almost 60 bucks in German classified website last month.
