jello
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Post by jello on Feb 14, 2017 11:40:14 GMT
Looks interesting. Not sure about elsewhere but UK / US release appears to be around the end of the month. Let's just hope it's as good as it's spec. Think the 2nd gen X5 was a bit of a mess (may have been improved w/ f/w updates?). Fiio X5 3rd gen
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Feb 14, 2017 18:21:19 GMT
The mkI sounds great and I use it all of the time. The idea of having wifi is a nice touch and I see that it's become Android based now.
Fiio have started to produce the flat fronts though which I have to admit, I don't really like. They are very plasticky and shiny and so are fingerprint magnets. They did this on the new x1, which in spite of its problems actually sounds ok. It's a bit warmer than the others t it has the same flat front.
Funnily enough, I also prefer the mkI X3 front because it has physical buttons. The mkII introduced the wheel idea which funnily enough has gone from the X5 now it seems!!
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Feb 17, 2017 17:46:11 GMT
nice but not cheap. would certainly be easier to read than my x1 original. there must be an awful lot of competition at this price point?
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Feb 17, 2017 18:37:52 GMT
I think there is a current market for players that play as hi res as possible, even though most files that people buy are probably not hi res!! I really do like the X5 V1 a lot but not sure I'd go much higher with these players. I get just as much enjoyment from the X1, both versions!! They're so cheap and considering the quality that you get from them, they are actually great value. I'm not so sure about spending such large amounts since what you hear in most cases isn't that far removed from the lower priced ones really.
The wifi would be nice (for me) and bluetooth is always a welcome addition but soundwise, I do wonder just how much better it sounds compared to my X5 V1.
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jello
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Post by jello on Feb 18, 2017 12:41:06 GMT
I actually think this is relatively cheap for what it offers but can see where you are both coming from.
I suppose the obvious comparison for you chaps is other non-Android DAPs and from that perspective the X5 does looks rather expensive and competing in quite a busy marketplace. Whereas as a streaming service / Android user then I'd be more inclined to compare it with mobile phones offering decent audio quality or other Android DAPs (many of which use a very restricted / locked down version of Android). Then it looks rather competitively priced for the spec.
Surprisingly if you look at the market for Android DAPS the X5 III actually has very little competition at £400 or less. The only other player I can think of is the recently reduced Pioneer XDP-100R which is now £399.99.
In terms of build and materials the Pioneer looks like a premium bit of kit but I wasn't impressed with it at all. Felt a bit poorly conceived with too many compromises / quirks for my liking. To me the Fiio looks a more attractive proposition particularly when it can be bought for around £350 (AMP3 w/ 10% discount code) with possibly another £25 in cashback via TopCashBack. Still not cheap mind.
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jello
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Post by jello on Feb 18, 2017 13:03:41 GMT
Another vid with some good impressions (NB. not suitable for work!!).
I like that this guy has bought his own unit rather than being handed one by Fiio, even if he does labour the point a bit. Would much rather hear impressions from someone like him than a cherry picked 'reviewer' or tour member who has been singled out and made to feel 'special'. Hard to be impartial when your ego is being massaged etc. Human nature.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Feb 18, 2017 14:18:43 GMT
It does look very nice, Mark. I have trouble holding myself back and have to convince myself not to get one!! The Bluetooth and wifi are really attractive to me, let alone the sound.
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jello
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Post by jello on Feb 18, 2017 16:01:43 GMT
It does.
If I can get my finger out and list the HE-560 on ebay I might take a punt on one myself. Curious to see how much of an improvement the balanced out offers and I'll have the Master by then hopefully (decided to keep the pre-order).
Although Sine has just texted me to say that she had a 'disagreement' with the gate whilst driving into her Mum & Dad's driveway so might have an unexpected bill on the horizon. Just waiting on her sending me some pics of the damage (hopefully scrapes rather than dents)....
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Feb 18, 2017 16:06:00 GMT
Oh blimey. Helena got backed into a few months back and the bill for that was £1300!! Luckily, the guys insurance paid up but he was only third party, so his car has had it. He backed out in a car park and didn't look. Blamed Helena and drove off.
Then we got video camera footage so he had to pay.
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jello
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Post by jello on Feb 18, 2017 16:18:44 GMT
Just as well you had that footage!
We had someone drive into the back of our old car when we were sitting in a queue on the motorway. The damage wasn't too bad but it ended up for about a week in the body shop. It's amazing how long a car can be off the road with something so minor but I suppose they need to match paint and build up layers etc. By the time you factor in hires cars etc. costs can quickly mount up. Fortunately it was all done on the other driver's insurance.
Sine hit the gate in the dark last night (they're in the countryside so not much light) and thought it was a lot worse at the time. But looking at it today her assessment is that it's not as bad as she thought but still not great. But she's been a bit sheepish so not sure what to expect!!
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Apr 7, 2017 20:08:23 GMT
interested in one of these for use in the car to replace my ipod touch. does anyone know if the x5 charges from usb as my touch used to? or do ineed to buy a car charger for it
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 7, 2017 20:53:02 GMT
Yeah, it comes with a usb cable that can be used to both charge the X5 III or transfer data to / from it. Has quite a high capacity battery so charging will likely take a good few hours via USB I'd imagine and probably battery % won't go up much if you charge whilst using it. It does also supports fast charging using an appropriate mains charger (not supplied) which I believe will fully charge it from drained in approx. 1.5hrs. If buying check out the place I linked to because with one of their 10% discount codes they are a fair bit cheaper than anyone else. Also if you go via one of the cashback sites, e.g. Topcashback or Quidco, and you'll also get a further few quid in cashback a few months down the line (likely between 4-8% depending on what the current rate is). PM me if you haven't used one of those sites before and I can explain a bit more but basically its free money (or Amazon vouchers) just for using one of their referral links Edit: they appear to have stopped the 10% discount code being used on the X5 III. Pity as they were allowing it until very recently.
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jello
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Post by jello on Apr 7, 2017 21:15:46 GMT
Don't know if your car's bluetooth has APTX support but if it does it's worth considering going wirless. I've really been impressed with the audio quality APTX provides with my BT headphones and the reliability of the connection. Would struggle to tell it wasn't wired tbh. Personally if APTX is an option I'd likely buy a cheap mobile phone w/ APTX support (e.g. a recent-ish Moto E), stick in a high capacity Micro SD card, load up some good tunes and not look back
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Apr 7, 2017 21:46:39 GMT
thinking may have to give the poxy ipod one more chance as funds are tight. if i can find a retailer that offers interest free credit, then im good to go
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Apr 16, 2017 18:07:24 GMT
had a result. did not realise my company phone(android) had a micro sd slot. works just as good as the ipod used to in the car. now thats saved me a few quid. ;-)
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