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Author Topic: Are Fiio x3 players any good?  (Read 10033 times)

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Offline jbell

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #15 on: November 24, 2014, 01:05:55 PM »
I just jumped in the pool and bought an x3 because of the digital out, which the x1 lacked. Now I don't have to convert down to my sansa clip and can go to a dac when visiting friends.

I also went with the x3 for this reason.  I've been real happy with it.
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Offline raymonda

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #16 on: November 28, 2014, 07:51:07 PM »
I just received my x3 today and loaded a few files on it ang giving it a listen. Sacha Perry, from a 2008 project I did with him sounds very good. I'm using my hot rodded fan music hpamp and it seems to interfacing well. I have tons of gain and the thinksound ms01 are singing pleasantly.  Maybe a touch dry but I'll give it time before drawing conclusions.

My unit came sans the digital interface cable but a quick call to parts express resolved that issue. They'll be sending me out one and it should be here by Wednesday of next week.

The kick and bass are punching along on this recording.....this is a step up from my sansa clip. I also order 2 64 gig cards from B&H. They were on sale for $25.00. This should be a good start on mobile high rez.

I have a portable usb driven dac that I'll compare with the x3.  Maybe I can push the sound even higher. I'll report back next week.
 

Offline kindms

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #17 on: November 29, 2014, 08:25:23 AM »
I just received my x3 today and loaded a few files on it ang giving it a listen. Sacha Perry, from a 2008 project I did with him sounds very good. I'm using my hot rodded fan music hpamp and it seems to interfacing well. I have tons of gain and the thinksound ms01 are singing pleasantly.  Maybe a touch dry but I'll give it time before drawing conclusions.

My unit came sans the digital interface cable but a quick call to parts express resolved that issue. They'll be sending me out one and it should be here by Wednesday of next week.

The kick and bass are punching along on this recording.....this is a step up from my sansa clip. I also order 2 64 gig cards from B&H. They were on sale for $25.00. This should be a good start on mobile high rez.

I have a portable usb driven dac that I'll compare with the x3.  Maybe I can push the sound even higher. I'll report back next week.


amazon had the x3 for 129.99 yesterday. currently back up to 169.99 but just a heads up for folks thinking about it. I should have pulled the trigger. Sandisk is also onsale at amazon.
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Offline raymonda

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #18 on: November 30, 2014, 11:42:06 PM »
I've loaded up some shows and projects and have been listening for the past 2 days. It sounds decent enough....not jaw dropping but good. The head phone out is.decent and the line out is good. I'll get a better handle as time goes by. One thing of note is that it is sensitive to electromagnetic interference, e.g. my battery operated headphone amp and ell phone. I can't stack units. You can not have your cell within 6 inches with out interference occurring.  Oh well.

Offline raymonda

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #19 on: December 01, 2014, 11:56:03 PM »
The unit only seems sensitive to cell phones and not my headphone amp. Good news because the headphone out on the x3 is just ok.....missing some umf and is much better from the line out to my modded fanmusic, battery amp.

I got the two 64 gig micros in the mail and will be loading it up. I also set up a system for my car so I can plug it in and use it as a storage/playback device. I'm still trying to get a handle on its sound.

Offline raymonda

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #20 on: December 02, 2014, 01:26:06 AM »
Btw.....with firmware v3.2 the x3 will also playback DSD files. Wow!

Offline jbell

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Offline raymonda

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #22 on: December 05, 2014, 12:26:20 AM »
Well, I I have familiarized my self to the x3 enough to give a fairly accurate overall account of its performance. I have down loaded the newest firmware 3.22, which added a 5 band eq, something that you don't really need if you have accurate headphone and a well mastered source but, apparently, many were clamoring for.

People have reported that various firmware updates have impact the sound of the unit. I can't tell whether it has or not but, at least, it hasn't negatively altered it. What I can say is that regular firmware upgrades has improved upon an already good design. That being said, the build is solid, interface is simple and user friendly and features are adequate.  The sound through the headphone jack is, as I have said before, good enough. It won't wow you but it is a nice compact design with just headphones. Now adding a headphone amp and going out of the line out is a different story. This affords you the opportunity to maximize the benefits of what the unit can do. And, for that I am extremely satisfied.

Right now I'm listening to jerry garcia from the Capitol theater 03-01-80 and it is rendering it accurately. This is by far the best jgb  live recording available, with a rich and extended sound and this unit keeps those qualities intact.

So for personal listening at the gym, in bed, shopping, or on a hike I can't think of money better spent. It won't break the bank and will put a smile on your face. It takes me back over 30 years when I bought a d6 for recording concerts and would also use it as a walkman, playing back all my just recorded masters. Times are good for music lovers.

Anyway here is what I've been using with the x3: modded fanmusic with upgraded op amp and thinksound ms01 headphones. Owning a system like this would certainly spoil the younger kids because it would cost a lot of green to match this sound with an open air stereo.

To close I should say that although I am impressed with what is offered it does lean a bit to the dry side. But that should be put into context with its cost.
« Last Edit: December 05, 2014, 12:28:54 AM by raymonda »

Offline kindms

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #23 on: December 05, 2014, 05:03:07 PM »
Well, I I have familiarized my self to the x3 enough to give a fairly accurate overall account of its performance. I have down loaded the newest firmware 3.22, which added a 5 band eq, something that you don't really need if you have accurate headphone and a well mastered source but, apparently, many were clamoring for.

People have reported that various firmware updates have impact the sound of the unit. I can't tell whether it has or not but, at least, it hasn't negatively altered it. What I can say is that regular firmware upgrades has improved upon an already good design. That being said, the build is solid, interface is simple and user friendly and features are adequate.  The sound through the headphone jack is, as I have said before, good enough. It won't wow you but it is a nice compact design with just headphones. Now adding a headphone amp and going out of the line out is a different story. This affords you the opportunity to maximize the benefits of what the unit can do. And, for that I am extremely satisfied.

Right now I'm listening to jerry garcia from the Capitol theater 03-01-80 and it is rendering it accurately. This is by far the best jgb  live recording available, with a rich and extended sound and this unit keeps those qualities intact.

So for personal listening at the gym, in bed, shopping, or on a hike I can't think of money better spent. It won't break the bank and will put a smile on your face. It takes me back over 30 years when I bought a d6 for recording concerts and would also use it as a walkman, playing back all my just recorded masters. Times are good for music lovers.

Anyway here is what I've been using with the x3: modded fanmusic with upgraded op amp and thinksound ms01 headphones. Owning a system like this would certainly spoil the younger kids because it would cost a lot of green to match this sound with an open air stereo.

To close I should say that although I am impressed with what is offered it does lean a bit to the dry side. But that should be put into context with its cost.


had any time with it going to COAX > DAC ??
AKG c426, AKG414 XLS/ST, AKG ck61, ck22, >nBob colettes >PFA > V3, SD MixPre >  TCM-Mod Tascam HDP2, Sony M10
Little Bear tube Pre >Outlaw Audio 2200 Monoblocks > VR-2's

Offline raymonda

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #24 on: December 05, 2014, 08:40:22 PM »
At this time only 1 file an excellent multi track project of Afaje Van Summeren I did back in 2006. it is a vocal jazz group that I often use as a reference. I briefly compared it to my  reference dedicated computer based system and it did not sound too different, if much at all. I will need further listening to draw any more conclusions. I also want to listen to the line out on my open system, too. Maybe over the next week.

Btw, I found a purpose for the 5 band eq. I use a cassette adapter in my car which is really colored. I've come up with a custom setting and it goes a long way towards fixing the balance. Well, enough until I get a new car with a aux in.
« Last Edit: December 05, 2014, 09:24:52 PM by raymonda »

Offline jbell

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #25 on: December 06, 2014, 04:57:13 PM »
In firmware 3.24 the tags on flacs stay displayed on the screen.  With earlier firmware the tag would only flash on the screen for 5 seconds at the beginning of the song. 
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Offline raymonda

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #26 on: December 06, 2014, 07:25:59 PM »
I've been listening to it as a bit bucket and it sounds honest to the source. It might be a great source for at home playback used in conjunction with an outboard DAC. Some might argue that because it uses SPDIF it is inherently better than USB, including asynchronous. Whatever the case it is impressive what an affordable piece of hardware can do. It is truly a great time to be a music lover. I think we are entering a new golden age for playback equipment,  _here even most estate money can get great sound.

Offline raymonda

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #27 on: December 07, 2014, 01:19:31 PM »
Listening to it through the line out and without comparison it sounds surprisingly fine. Nothing stood out as terribly wrong.  Comparing it to the digital out or my computer playback revealed that it lacked some detail, depth and body in the mids and low end. However, again, this is a remarkable accomplishment for what it is. It most likely sounds better than most of my cd players from years past. Well, not the Meridian 502.20, I think that was the model. But certainly my Rega planet which was way too clouded......not to mention all those that came before it. I haven't compared it to the Denon 2910 that I use as a transport but I think that unit sounds thin and lifeless, through its analog outs anyway.

Using it as a straight player through my second system is a kick. Fiio x3 - Matrix M Stage - Golden Tube Se 40 (sonic raft plus mod) - Heresy (lots of mods)
Throw a sub in and you've got a system on the cheap that is affordable and fun. Couple this with something you can use for personal listening or in the car and the bottom line is that the future looks bright for hi fi.

Offline raymonda

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #28 on: December 08, 2014, 10:35:32 PM »
I plugged in my portable dac to compare it with the x3's internal dac. Well it didn't take long to discern the difference and to easily give the nod to the x3. Which is a good thing because the last thing I need to do is carry another box around, which I would probably do if the external dac sounded better.
« Last Edit: December 10, 2014, 01:39:22 PM by raymonda »

Offline kubacheck

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Re: Are Fiio x3 players any good?
« Reply #29 on: December 09, 2014, 06:34:38 PM »
I have an X1 and X3.  Like them a lot.  The interface on the ipod is still better, but I just load shows and full albums on these players, so they work just fine.

that's what I use my X1 for..... it's working out just fine, but one thing I've found is that with live shows, they better be tagged or else they just get dumped into a collective "unknown artists" folder....


 

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