FiiO X3

I'm not sure about the X3 really. I've read all kinds of things such as the screen not being properly sealed so that dust gets under the screen (like cheap phones). My old Blackberry did that. Then with Frans and his usual bluntness about it makes me a bit unsure of it.

I dropped my Touch last week and the screen shattered!!

I know that the Ipods get big criticisms from hi fi guys, but I have to say, that I have never had a problem with the Ipods themselves - All of the Nanos, Classics and the Touch until I broke it. Sound is reasonable from the dock into an amp as well. I think many don't like the idea of a big company so they are kind of prejudiced. I use mine every day.

The Classic has behaved impeccably. I have two of them at 160 Gigs each so plenty of room for high resolution stuff as well.

The one thing I HATE about Ipods is the damned software - Itunes. It's really quite nasty in that it takes over too much and is actually quite slow.

The X3 tempted me but the criticisms I've read kind of make me cautious about it. (Although there are few people I actually trust to write balanced reviews) I do trust Frans though since he is so damned honest!!!

I'm waiting to see whether they update the software and whether I see longer term reviews mentioning the screen not being properly sealed.

Presumably just a download and drag and drop onto the x3 Frans. That 'issue' you've mentioned might well be fixed now.

now: proc/asound/card*/pcm*p/sub0/hw_params only says:
closed

but as I use an external USB card (at this moment) that does only 48kHz/96kHz natively (it can't even do 44/88 but do not use my PC for my listening pleasure)
proc/asound/HD/pcm0c/sub0/hw_params

card: 1
device: 0
subdevice: 0
stream: CAPTURE
id: USB Audio
name: USB Audio
subname: subdevice #0
class: 0
subclass: 0
subdevices_count: 1
subdevices_avail: 1



proc/asound/HD/pcm0p/sub0/hw_params :

access: MMAP_INTERLEAVED
format: S16_LE
subformat: STD
channels: 2
rate: 48000 (48000/1) <----- see
period_size: 48000
buffer_size: 96000

the rest is 'closed'

a before and after firmware update is not possible as before the FW update USB on the X3 only works as a drive.
After the FW update a DAC functionality is added.
Disadvantage may be that after the update I have to set the USB to 'drive' if I want to put songs on it as it defaults to being DAC when connected to USB.

I haven't installed it yet, only downloaded it (2.1)

Ubuntu just runs 'standard'.
On ubuntu I use VLC or Totem or Rhythmbox but as said just for a brief listen.
the PC isn't used for serious listening in my case.

Playback:
Status: Running
Interface = 1
Altset = 1
URBs = 3 [ 8 8 8 ]
Packet Size = 196
Momentary freq = 48000 Hz (0x30.0000)
Interface 1
Altset 1
Format: S16_LE
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 1 OUT (ASYNC)
Rates: 48000
Interface 1
Altset 2
Format: S24_3LE
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 1 OUT (ASYNC)
Rates: 48000
Interface 1
Altset 3
Format: S16_LE
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 1 OUT (ASYNC)
Rates: 96000
Interface 1
Altset 4
Format: S24_3LE
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 1 OUT (ASYNC)
Rates: 96000

Capture:
Status: Stop
Interface 4
Altset 1
Format: S16_LE
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 5 IN (ASYNC)
Rates: 44100
Interface 4
Altset 2
Format: S24_3LE
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 5 IN (ASYNC)
Rates: 44100
Interface 4
Altset 3
Format: S16_LE
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 5 IN (ASYNC)
Rates: 48000
Interface 4
Altset 4
Format: S24_3LE
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 5 IN (ASYNC)
Rates: 48000
Interface 4
Altset 5
Format: S16_LE
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 5 IN (ASYNC)
Rates: 96000
Interface 4
Altset 6
Format: S24_3LE
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 5 IN (ASYNC)
Rates: 96000

With the DAC I always use...

The X3 plays as a DAC in windows but Ubuntu doesn't recognise it.
Will have to find out why.

Looks like it might be $500 ~£300?: www.head-fi.org/products/fiio-x5-high-res-portable-music-player/reviews/10383

It is double the price of the X3 (X3 = E 200,- X5 = E 400.-) but still a lot cheaper than A&K and HiFiman products.

X5 has a multiband equalizer and better user interface.

Just like the X3 (with new firmware) it can also double as a capable USB DAC.