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KSWDDS
20
Apr 25, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
Quick impressions:
Well boxed and packed.
Sound seems to be an improvement over my old setup, which was PC USB into a Dragonfly version 1 to Audioengine 5 powered speakers and a separate subwoofer. I got the DAC-X6 to get into my headphones, but I mainly listen to the speakers on my desk. I also upgraded the RCA cables to some Kimber cable PBJs that I had lying around. I think some of the improvement can be attributed to those cables as well as the DAC-X6. Bass is cleaner, but otherwise, I just noticed more available volume if I wanted it.
Seems to be a great value for now. I have ordered a Aune X1 DAC/Amp from Massdrop and I hope to compare the two at some point.
(Edited)
KSWDDS
20
Jan 8, 2020
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gluonI have since upgraded to the THX 789, which seems to be the best of the bunch. The X1S was very good, but nothing touches the THX.
I am using it with the SMSL SU-8 version 2 DAC, which has balanced outputs as well as SE outputs. Balanced into the THX, output to a balanced HD6XX Sennheiser headphones is my new reference setup. SE output from the SMSL goes to a pair of Audioengine 5+ powered speakers. Makes for a nice desktop system!
Honestly, once you get into this stuff, it's a rabbit hole....
The DAC-X6 was a basic, fairly decent sounding DAC/amp, but it was outclassed by both the X1S and definitely by the THX.
Hope this helps.
gluon
67
Jan 8, 2020
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KSWDDSGood, then I got the X1s, thinking to get the X7s to complement it and just ordered this dac-x6 for another setup or to sell it if it's bellow the fiio e10k, which i'm using for that. I'm not ready yet for the THX 789, at $400, though it looks delicious so, I understand why you fell victim :) .. i fight it for now !
My setup currently is X1s + akg 712 pro / Massdrop 4xx / meze 99 noir and a pair of makie mr 5 mk 3, 5'' powered speakers.
We are like junkies, guilty and unstoppable :)
Is a big difference between x1s and THX 789. What's improved ? If can be described.
gluon
67
Mar 10, 2020
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dolkborIt finally arrived now and testing them both, ..well all 3. The FX-Audio X6, Fiio E10K and Aune X1s.
To answer your question, I would say the E10k, as a pure dac, is better than the X6. E10k has better transitions and less bass, while X6 may have slightly better separation. The X1s beats them both in everything, so from the pure DAC point of view, is like this first place X1s, second E10k, third X6.
From a static headphone amp/dac point of view, E10k and X6 are about equal to a point and again X1s beats them both. I can say, X6 here probably beats the E10k, as it can put more power into your headphones and the AKG 712pro sounds better with it than with the E10k, clearly. So, for a desktop headphone amp/dac I would say X1 is still the better, followed by X6 and the E10k, last.
From portability, here the E10k is clearly the better choice as it's smaller, followed by X6 and the last is X1s which is heavier but sounds the best.
For versatility, probably the X6 is a good choice, as it has optical as well as coaxial and usb, left right output for monitors and headphone amp with a nice design overall, followed by X1s and E10k that needs a spliter to feed monitors, but a good quality one will do a good job so is not such a huge minus really.
Now, for "enjoyability" of listening let's say, which probably matters most for us. The most musical is X1s, followed by E10k and X6, for powered monitors and light headphones. For bigger headphones, the X6s and E10k switch places and order is like this, X1s still better, X6 second place and E10k third. As a desktop budget headphone amp X6 makes sense if you plan do power more demanding headphones that are especially warm in signature, as those go better with the X6.
So, overall again between X6 and E10k. If you need a pure DAC, then E10k sound sbetter, but as a headphone dac/amp for desktop, X6 may be a better choice. The amp in X6 is better than the amp in E10k and the DAC in E10K sounds better than that of the X6. To clear the mambo jambo, if you're a noob who listens on desktop with many headphones then get the X6 and if you're one that feeds bigger amps from a portable/or whatever DAC, then get the E10k. Simple, isn't it :) And to make the soup even sourer, probably if you take the DAC from E10k and feed the amp of X6 with it, you'll end up closer to something like the X1s. Just don't get discouraged, each are good and way better than whatever your sound cards do, this is a comparison above all that and I try to explain some differences/possibilities with too much words already.
Have fun !
P.S. : After testing it a bit more, all the above stays valid. But X6 sounds better on optical than on USB, so much so that it's a slightly better choice than the E10k, overall, for a desktop. The sound is more spacious on optical. I haven't expected that.
(Edited)
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