Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 2, 2015 11:12:10 GMT
I'm slowly coming round to an x5 I think. There's also an x7 on the way with Internet connection, I think.
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Jan 2, 2015 18:09:25 GMT
just bid on an x3. if i dont get it , i may just go for a new x1 instead.
advancedmp3 are quoting the x3 as "discontinued". i wonder if a replacement is imminent?
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 2, 2015 18:47:46 GMT
The x7 is on its way and there is also the x5. The x7 is supposed to have wifi connection available, I think.
The X1 is a superb buy at £80 or so tbh. I do wonder whether the x3 is worth going for for the price and perhaps the x5 would be a better jump.
I'm currently playing some 24 192 FLAC files and honestly, they are spot on. The X1 puts out a line out so going into an amp is a doddle and a good file is unbelievable. I would really consider the x1.
The downers -
I'd say that the scroll wheel is a bit clumsy. It's a physical wheel but I've had no trouble with it. The interface isn't yer classic interface. It's old fashioned I guess, but does the job. They don't allow you to make playlists. You have to make a separate folder and make them in advance if you want random files. That doesn't bother me tbh; I tend to play albums more than anything.
For the price it is superb sounding. Better than the Ipods and easier to load up cards than use that poxy Itunes. I've sold all of my Ipods now.
Following my experiences with the x1, I'm seriously thinking about an x5 now. I've been absolutely delighted by the sound of the x1. I think the x3 doubles as a dac as well? Frans knows.
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Jan 2, 2015 19:09:30 GMT
i understand the x7 is due in june.
i am sure there will be more x5's available 2nd hand then.
if i find i am using the x3 enough and want to upgrade, then its an option!
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 2, 2015 22:48:12 GMT
I don't see signs of the X3 not being a current model any more but most suppliers seem out of stock.
Perhaps these suppliers will be restocked... dunno.
Still happy with mine.
Both X3 and X5 can be used as (fairly good) USB DAC's.
The X3 accepts 124/92 but appears to resample to 96/24.
The X5 has a 10 band equalizer...
I have donwloaded the 3.30 Firmware (with the 5 band EQ) and will test that next week or so.
They say they also improved the random generator which was really needed IMO.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 3, 2015 7:35:32 GMT
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Jan 3, 2015 13:51:18 GMT
still winning the one on fleabay, fingers crossed. :-)
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 24, 2015 11:29:41 GMT
I am lucky enough to have an X3 on the way. I'll compare witah X1. Not sure if I'll be able to keep it. Maybe. Not sure if it's a new one or a review one. I have to admit, I use the X1 more and more. It's a very nice device so if this has more power and even better sound, I'll be a happy bunny. (Or rabbit) I no longer use Ipods and don't miss them in the slightest because of the X1. It sounds better and moving files is way easier. I can't tell CD from hi res. I have enough trouble with 320kbs MP3 but I know that the hi res stuff I've managed to find is stunning in the way it's been remixed, I just don't like the cavalier prices for them. It'll be a bit of fun to hear the X3 in any case.  |
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 24, 2015 12:06:58 GMT
I recommend to install the latest firmware on these.
You even get an incredibly difficult to operate equalizer in that firmware (I have it 'off' always)
What I like about the X3 is the fact that it has a separate socket for line-out and HP out and has double the output voltage + a DAC chip that is said to 'sound better' (FWIW) + it works as a capable and good sounding USB DAC as well.
Does need drivers for Windows though.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 24, 2015 12:25:28 GMT
Oh ok ... I'd better look for drivers for an x3 then. Windows doesn't see it as a disc drive automatically then? X1 was seen by xp right away as an external drive.
I'd better have a look for them.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 24, 2015 17:11:33 GMT
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 24, 2015 17:20:54 GMT
Thanks Frans.
I presume that I can load 3.3 on without having to go through the lot in chronological order?
Oh.... I see that the driver is to enable DAC, not load music. There was me presuming the computer wouldn't see it as a drive unless I downloaded a driver!!
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Jan 24, 2015 19:34:58 GMT
I am lucky enough to have an X3 on the way. I'll compare witah X1. Not sure if I'll be able to keep it. Maybe. Not sure if it's a new one or a review one. I have to admit, I use the X1 more and more. It's a very nice device so if this has more power and even better sound, I'll be a happy bunny. (Or rabbit) I no longer use Ipods and don't miss them in the slightest because of the X1. It sounds better and moving files is way easier. I can't tell CD from hi res. I have enough trouble with 320kbs MP3 but I know that the hi res stuff I've managed to find is stunning in the way it's been remixed, I just don't like the cavalier prices for them. It'll be a bit of fun to hear the X3 in any case. looking forward to your comments! |
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 24, 2015 19:55:59 GMT
So am I!!!
I think the X3 might be replaced by another version with a scroll wheel sometime soon.
I'm not sure it's a good thing though. The wheel on the X1 is a physical wheel not like the Ipod wheel which works electrically and feels comparatively crude. I know some people have been saying theirs isn't smooth.
The layout of the X3 does look a little strange though, but no doubt, you just get used to it.
I really like the X1 a lot though and wonder whether for the price difference, whether the sound is a great deal better. It retails I think, £60 or £70 more than the X1 so you are also paying for the DAC use I guess.
It's rather nice to think it might be capable of driving an hd650 without an amp!! (Up to a point I would think) seeing that I'm currently using a K551, that'll be a doddle.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 24, 2015 20:04:49 GMT
Thanks Frans. I presume that I can load 3.3 on without having to go through the lot in chronological order? Oh.... I see that the driver is to enable DAC, not load music. There was me presuming the computer wouldn't see it as a drive unless I downloaded a driver!! Putting on the firmware is quite easy. 1: charge the X3 so the battery is full (green charging LED on instead of red LED) 2: In the meantime... download the X3 FW 3.3 RAR file from FiiO 3: take an uSD card and format it FAT32 OR put it in the FiiO and let the X3 format the card. 4: Unrar the FiiO firmware. For this you can use Winrar or 7-ZIP (which is freeware) 5: Copy the .fw file to the uSD card (not the whole folder, ONLY the .fw file. 6: When the X3 is fully charged unplug it from the charger / PC. 7: switch the X3 OFF. 8: Insert the uSD card 9: Press and hold the power-button (bottom right of the 6 front buttons) and menu-button (top left of the 6 front buttons) till the player comes on and shows the update progress indicator. 10: do NOTHING else with it, press no buttons and wait till it reports it was succesfully updated. 11: switch it off 12: Remove the uSD card, remove the files from the uSD card and put your music on the card... Insert the card and enjoy The driver software is for your PC. You need to install these drivers ONLY when you want to use the DAC function of the X3, otherwise don't bother. The X3 is recognised also without the driver and the internal and uSD card can be reached. When you want to use the X3 as a DAC you will have to tell the X3 in a menu ON the X3 what to do when it is connected to a PC. It can be in DAC mode, drive mode (so it acts as an external HD), or power mode so it charges only when connected. |
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