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Heefty
1387
Nov 9, 2016
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There's almost always a FiiO option in all of the polls for items that they have an option in.
Massdrop hasn't done a FiiO drop for quite a while though.
I personally have a couple problems with FiiO. 1, they are stuck on 96/24 on all of their DAC units. I don't think they make one that handles higher sample rates. 2, the amps I have experience with cut off the bass below 30Hz or so.
Nov 9, 2016
CrashNBurn
62
Nov 9, 2016
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HeeftyInteresting (re:FiiO in the polls), I haven't gotten to the polls yet.
So which FiiO Amp|DAC's do you have experience with?
/ With my Android phone I need to: / 1: Nerf the loudness of 16ohm IEMs. / 2: Have better volume control, beyond a phone's "10" digital volume steps.
I ordered the XDuoo XQ-10 , almost a month ago now... it was so long that I forgot , and started researching DAC's again. Although I'm thinking the XQ-10 may not be acceptable. I was reconsidering FiiO's E17K, as I haven't seen anything particularly disparaging about most of their products, but I am much more familiar with their more recent DAP's than their DAC's and Amps. cf. https://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E17K-ALPEN-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00RPD7KP8 Overall I've been quite pleased with the quality|price|performance of the FiiO x1 - even astounded by the 100 discernible volume steps - not even our old solid-state stereo equipment gave you that much control over volume with an analog knob.
Nov 9, 2016
Heefty
1387
Nov 9, 2016
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HeeftyI'm more familiar with their lower end amps (e11k, e10, and the like) so maybe the higher end units have better frequency response.
For the money though I picked up the CEntrance DACport Slim here on Massdrop and it is miles better than anything they offer at any price point. Just missing the battery of the E17K so you'll have to come up with a work-around for that. I use a Y cable for split power supply and plug it into my wall charger so I don't kill my battery.
I'm debating on grabbing the new X1 though. It seems like a solid DAP.
Nov 9, 2016
CrashNBurn
62
Nov 10, 2016
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HeeftyBe aware, FiiO releases firmware updates fairly regularly. I've updated my FiiO x1 3+ times. Although it still has one annoyance that I never had with any Sandisk devices: No positional-state - meaning when you go "back" from a current song|list, you can't go forward (to return) - you have to basically go back to the main menu and step through all the filters you want to apply again (e.g. Artist|Folder|Album|etc).
Personally, I think I'd take the savings on the original X1 @ 79.99, and just update the firmware...
Nov 10, 2016
Heefty
1387
Nov 10, 2016
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HeeftyDoesn't the new x1 work with the K5 whereas the older one doesn't though? That's the main reason I'd want one.
Nov 10, 2016
CrashNBurn
62
Nov 16, 2016
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HeeftyAye, but it would seem the original X1 is compatible with the K5 -- see here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/fiio-k5-desktop-headphone-amplifier/reviews/15203 Where the K5 is tested with the X1,X3ii,X5ii and X7. Note: 1) The hifi review is from Feb.2016 2) The X1 2nd gen appears to of been ~Apr.2016 3) The review doesn't refer to the X1 as being a 2nd gen model.
For me I think, (since the most recent research), the sweet spot with the FiiO DAP/DAC line is the X3 2nd generation @ 169.99 (Amazon) vs the X1 @ 99.99. Also of note, the X3,X5,X3ii,X5ii can be used as a DAC (menu-option) all have a settings menu-option for dedicated DAC mode.
See here: http://headphone.guru/fiio-x3-second-generation-review/ ["] The FiiO X3 II packs some serious punch in the technical specs. It has an Ingenic JZ4760B XBurst 600MHz CPU at the core of its operations. This low-power CPU has advanced audio output options and HD video abilities. FiiO obviously does not use all of its capabilities but the better responsiveness in the unit can be ascertained to be from this CPU and also firmware optimization. In terms of audio chips, it utilizes the highly regarded Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC with Texas Instruments OPA1642/LMH6643 chips. The combination is certainly impressive for a $199 audio player; the CS4398 DAC is used in units up to the thousands of dollars. Indeed, while this is brilliant from a tech perspective, implementation really is the end game and will determine if it sounds good. ["] That review compares the X3-ii to FiiO's E12 & E18 DAC's.
At this point, I think I may just skip the E17K DAC, and get a X3ii, which will net me a decent MP3 player, and a portable DAC with a usable interface and a 100pt volume control.

I'm also interested in testing the HeadPhone out from my phone, using an aux-to-usb https://www.amazon.com/Yuauy-3-5mm-Audio-Female-Converter/dp/B017OXN77S/ref=pd_day0_23_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=R6X8YWMX3ZN069P27QVD and run the X3's cable into the microUSB to see how that sounds (if at all!) compared to USB OTG. Or maybe a bluetooth receiver for X3's microUSB. If neither of those work, that limits the X3 to USB OTG only, which would prevent both devices from charging during use.
It's really too bad there is no line-in on any of FiiO's DAP's... suppose that might muddy the waters too much between DAP and DAC.
EDIT: It seems like I may have talked myself out of getting an X3 as it would be too inconvenient as a DAC.
Nov 16, 2016
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