Fiio X3 2nd-Generation Player

This is the sequel to the X3, Fiio’s wildly popular first foray into the world of digital audio players. The compact, all-metal chassis will look familiar, but the second-generation X3 improves upon its predecessor in just about every other department, from ergonomics to navigation to sound. Equipped with an all-new chipset built around the Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC, it supports native DSD64 and DSD128 playback, as well as lossless audio formats up to 192 kHz/24 bit. Dual crystal oscillators ensure precise, uncolored sound with extremely low jitter. Also notable is the large mechanical scroll wheel, which replaces the original X3’s diagonal buttons and should make iPod users feel right at home.

The X3 second-generation player is fun and easy to use—and Fiio built it so you can keep the music going all day long. New power-management features include a hibernation mode and a power button flush with the chassis to avoid accidental activation. The result? More than 11 hours of playback time between charges. The microSD slot supports 128GB cards (that’s about 3,200 lossless songs), and the six user-interface themes—from carbon fiber to wood grain—allow you to make your X3 your own. In addition to working as a standalone player, this device can serve as a DAC/amp when connected to a computer. It’s no wonder one Head-Fi reviewer calls it “a truly portable, high-quality DAP” that’s “hard to beat in the $200 price range.”