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Lotoo PAW 5000 High Resolution Audio Player – Expert Review

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Lotoo PAW 5000 Review

Lotoo PAW 5000 - hifiheadphones

Earlier this year we were pleased to announce the new Lotoo PAW Gold player, but now there’s a smaller (and a much lower cost) model from Lotoo called the PAW 5000. At half the size, less than half of the weight and less than a quarter of the price of the PAW Gold model, can this upstart bring home the audio bacon?

Design and appearance

The button arrangement on the front is very similar to the earlier model, and the wheel on the 5000 model enables files, folders and options to be selected. The PAW Gold’s frontage was adorned by a little too much of the blingy stuff by all accounts, so the 5000 has been reined in with just a touch of gold on the power button. Very tasteful.

With handheld devices, the trend seems to be towards touchscreens now. This can give greater functionality and versatility, but buttons do offer a more instant tactile feedback. Also the advantages of a button-operated unit present themselves in winter where the PAW 5000 can be used with gloves on, or with gloves off and cold fingers!

Key Features

The PAW 5000 has more connectivity than the PAW Gold, with an optional SPDIF output for attaching to an exterior DAC. There’s a headphone socket of course, and a line-out socket for external amps. Another welcome option is the ability to work with bluetooth headphones via the bluetooth 4.0 standard so you can enjoy your music wirelessly without the possibility of snags.

Durability & build quality

The PAW 5000 is a lot lighter than the PAW Gold, but still feels solid. Buttons feel well made, and the wheel has a free-flowing quality about it while still feeling sturdy. Unlike the PAW Gold model however, a collision with a tiled floor may result in a dented player, rather than a cracked tile. Although the player has no flex or ‘give’ as it’s squeezed in the hand, a tap on the back cover does betray a slight hollowness.

Sound Quality

(Tested with an Audiofly AF180 IEM with EQ off on the player)

We’re used to using earphones such as the Audiofly AF180 with a Chord Hugo (with a Fiio X3 connected via coaxial) and so were expecting a bit of a drop in quality in terms of sound quality. It’s not that easy though.

With EQ disabled, sound is neutral with a nice depth and breadth – soundstage is as good as headphones will portray. The presentation does not have the precise, clinical edge which some high-end players (such as the AK240) have, but that’s no bad thing. Details are not lost; they are there, but just not pushed at the listener so much.

The Lotoo PAW 5000 is a good match for these earphones; the AF180 earphones cost only a little more (at £369.99) and are well served. The PAW 5000 helps to bring out the best in them, and should the listener wish to have a bit more (or less) edge to the sound, the EQ settings should have something to please. These are much the same as the PAW Gold player, featuring both permanent presets and user configurable presets too.

Pros

Digital output (SPDIF)
Balanced output (2.5mm)
Many EQ presets, also user configurable EQ
Bluetooth 4.0

Cons

No internal memory
Supplied SuperSpeed USB cable is quite short

Summary

The Lotoo PAW 5000 does not require deep pockets; in more ways than one. The sound quality and features found on this device rival much higher priced equivalents offered by other makers, and the diminutive size of the PAW 5000 makes it very convenient to keep as a constant companion for those quiet (or noisy!) moments.

Hidizs AP100 Review – A Sturdy Source Of Solid Sound!

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Verdict

The Hidizs AP100 is a great media player. I look forward to future firmware updates but in the meantime the UI is quite useable, and the unit gives a clean, uncluttered sound with a decent amount of power. This is an amazing first effort which begs the question; whatever next from Hidizs?

Pros

  • Built to last
  • Neat, useful carry case
  • Large clear display
  • Firmware can be updated
  • Sounds superb at this price point
  • Internal data/file storage

Cons

  • Button layout may need getting used to
  • Micro SD card could be easier to insert and remove

If you like your brand names to look like the first line of an optician’s eye chart, the Hidizs is certainly worth considering – the name might take some getting used to, but it’s plain to see that this player is getting some covetous glances! The Hidizs AP100 has some stiff competition in the low-cost DAP (Digital Audio Player) market, not least from FiiO’s ‘X’ range. The Hidizs AP100 appears to be a halfway house between the Fiio X3 and X5 in terms of size and cost.

Key Features

Inputs and outputs are well represented; both headphone and line-out sockets are present on the top and a separate 3.5mm coaxial in and coaxial out can be found at the base of the unit. Volume buttons are side by side on the front, and on the left side there are both the source/SRC and EQ buttons. Being capable of playback at up to 24bit/192KHz, the SRC button can select the bitrate the player works at. The EQ button scrolls through available presets, and the user can define their own preferred EQ settings.

The case is a really nice design; it is enough to protect the AP100 without bulking it out, and has an understated look much like the player itself. The case is made from a synthetic leather-like material which looks quite durable.

The battery lasts a good long while, and although no precise measurements were taken, there was a good amount of playing time between the ‘low battery’ warning and the player turning off – maybe an hour or two. My experience with the Fiio X3 gives little chance to enjoy music before the unit runs out of power – perhaps 20 minutes at most. Helpfully, the status of the battery is given as a percentage on the screen when charging the unit, so we can make an informed choice of whether to leave the unit charging or to take our chanced with what power is there.

First Impressions

The buttons on the Hidizs AP100 are lovely to press; there’s a great chunky feel to them and they are good solid buttons which will last. Someone said that they are reminiscent of Gameboy buttons – certainly the placement of the volume buttons on the AP100 give a flavour, but they are the kind of buttons that let you know they’ve been pressed – there’s no doubt involved as with touch screens and wheels. The only problem is that Hidizs saw fit to add separate buttons for ‘fast forward/rewind’ – usually the same buttons are used for track skip and forward/rewind, but not on the AP100. Also the ‘back’ button is on the right of the other navigation controls, which makes it feel like a forward/select button; this may lead to a few wrong turns for the uninitiated but it’s easy to get used to.

Sound Quality

Compared to the Fiio X3, the AP100 is a little more accurate and coolish but this is not to say that the AP100 is harsh. Listening to unyielding and brittle-sounding early 80s pop such as Duran Duran is fine on the AP100 but the X3 just gives it a bit more warmth and roundness to a presentation – the AP100 wins in terms of detail.

Compared to the Fiio X5, the sound is extremely similar; the X5 comes across as just a little smoother up top. Soundstage and imaging are similar, but with just a hint of edge to the sound on the AP100 which brings up harmonics a little more.

Added to that, the AP100 holds enough wherewithal to power some less than sprightly headphones such as the HifiMAN HE-400 very well, so the need for a separate amp is lessened.

Summary

An excellent player with a bulletproof design. Solid and reliable, the Hidizs AP100 gives a similarly solid sound and user experience. The sound quality and power gives amazing results, however less sensitive headphones may need a little help. The Beyerdynamic T1, at 600 ohms/102 dB gets up to a good level, but quieter recordings will be lacking in headroom. In our opinion, it bridges the gap between Fiio’s offerings and Astell and Kern’s AK100 but at a very favourable price.

Score 9.0

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Shure SRH1840 Review – Yes We Shure Can!

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Verdict

Totally immersive – don’t forget your life jacket and emergency flares for when you inevitably get lost in there. It’s unusual for a highly esteemed brand’s flagship headphone such as the Shure SRH1840 to be going for under £500 (particularly headphones as good as this), so take advantage of Shure’s generosity!

Pros

  • Sound Superb
  • Comfort
  • Spares included
  • Removable cable

Cons

  • Some may find headband underpadded

Despite the recent growth of the headphones market and the high standards attained by makers generally, it’s easy to recognise products Shure puts out; always nice to the touch as well as the ear, solidly built and sounding great. So with heavy hearts we find another predictably fantastic pair of headphones for review!

Key Features

Shure has seen fit to include some spare earpads and a spare cable with this model, as it has with the SRH1540. Spending this kind of money on headphones probably gets people searching for extra value and they won’t be disappointed here. Also a storage case is included.

First Impressions

Having not long put down the SRH1540, it was surprising how light the SRH1840 still felt. These headphones are almost not even there, particularly when worn. Some would prefer more padding on the headband, but the negligible weight is borne mostly by the earpads.

Sound Quality

Warm without being bassy, crisp without being strident – Shure has really done a good job here. Things can get a little harsh with a raft of flutes playing, but that’s the nature of the sound which the SRH1840 brings out faithfully. Also an amp will be an advantage – the impedance and sensitivity of the SRH1840 is not suited to being used straight out of a portable player or phone. My Fiio X3 can power them but seem as if it is straining a bit. An E12 gave a more relaxed presentation, and the bass boost was not lost on the SRH1840, giving some added weight to proceedings. There may be a bit of a bump on the SRH1840 at the top and bottom ends of the range, but midrange is still fully represented.

Summary

Close to perfect. For those who want just a little more detail without spilling over into strident territory the Shure SRH1840 is certainly worth considering. Together with the modest price and incredible comfort, the SRH1840 is a flagship model indeed!

Score 9.5/10

Audeze LCD-XC Review – Take a Shine to Closed Backs!

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Verdict

The Audeze LCD-XC is definitely one of the top-tier headphones available now, and is a worthy stablemate to the similarly closed-back but smoother Fostex TH900.

Pros

  • Exceptionally comfortable
  • Sumptuous build quality
  • Amazing detail
  • Well balanced
  • Separation and imaging fully immersive
  • Sturdy travel case

Cons

  • May be too heavy for some

In the world of headphones we get the odd celebrity now and again; the flagships sail in and are esteemed due to their value if nothing else. But as with everything, a high price needn’t necessarily equate with a good product. Is this particualr celebrity just famous for being famous, or do they actually have some talent?

Key Features

Those shiny wooden earcups are a treat for the eyes, and the build quality is exceptional. Solid is definitely the word, but this may count against the Audeze LCD-XC as some necks may suffer under the 650g/1.4lb weight; those with the fortitude to ‘press a head’ should be well rewarded though. The tough carry case protects them in transit, and the supplied ribbon-type cable is ‘tangle free’. Also in the case is a little bottle of wax for keeping the shine on the earcups.

First Impressions

Having tried Audeze’s offerings before, my appetite was suitably whetted and it was not disappointed. By now the obvious build quality and good looks are meeting with blasé reactions – we all know what to expect from Audeze! The weight issue was in my mind, but since I’ve been enjoying the HifiMAN HE-400 for some time now with no issues I was not worried, and indeed the LDC-XC’s weight did not bother me.

Sound Quality

I first tried the Audeze LCD-XC with a Chord Hugo; both to feed as good a signal in as possible, and to try the Hugo’s resolution with the LCD-XC. The presentation was very accurate and crisp; I found it just a little too far into bright territory for my tastes. Then I tried the LCD-XC with my humble Fiio X3; the X3’s output is a little warmer than that of the Chord Hugo, and this was reflected within the sound of the headphones. Where before it was a little cold and uncompromising with the K120, it came to life and into colour for me with the X3. The LCD-XC is like a mirror for the amp; it brings out the best traits of the available equipment.

The closed-back nature of this model is possibly a down side, if only because so many great headphones in this price range are open and so have an advantage in terms of soundstage. As we all know however, isolation is often necessary if we aren’t to be distracted (and don’t want to disturb others), and the LCD-XC does not sound like a closed headphone. The soundstage is appreciably wider than the physical limits of the headphones, and the closed nature of them does not remain so obvious when in use.

Summary

With the asking price in mind, it’s no surprise to learn that this is an exceptionally competent headphone which can hold its own among some cutting-edge competition. If you are considering a highend closed-back model and you find the Fostex TH900 a little smooth, the Audeze LCD-XC may be just for you.

Score: 9.5/10

FiiO E18 Kunlun Portable Smartphone Amp/DAC Review

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Verdict

We are impressed with the sound quality and power which the Fiio E18 provides; together with the mobile DAC functinality and everything else, nothing gives better value for money. However, it would have been much better (and safer) to have that gain switch recessed, or indeed buried into the side of the unit, rather like the E12. There’s no way we would chance using the E18 with an IEM whilst out and about. Either that prominent gain button should be ripped off or the switch covered up with tape, to save our ears from a possible bashing. Similar with the track/play/pause controls on the side of the unit – these can be swithed and operated all too easily.

Pros

  • Great Value
  • Oodles of power
  • Extra functionality with smartphones

Cons

  • Gain switch and track select buttons too prominent

The Swiss have enjoyed enormous success with their pocket knives, they are handy and can do a variety of jobs. However if wishing to hack your way through the jungle, a 3-inch blade is going to keep you busy.

Up until recently, portable headphone amps appear to have been aimed at providing a good level of power, or a lot of features. The Fiio E18 changes this, as it can accept a digital signal from a multitude of handsets as well as PC, and amplify enough to power any less-sensitive headphones up to 600 Ohms! Please check the E18 Kunlun page on Fiio’s site (http://www.fiio.cn) for exact details on compatibility.

Key Features

The E18 is a no-nonsense design like the E12, but with a few more tricks up its sleeve. DAC functionality combined with track select controls make this a versatile and useful addition to any portable set-up. Gain and bass boost controls will help get your preferred sound from a vast array of headphone models.

First Impressions

The track skip/back buttons on the side along with play and pause are handy, but it would have been preferable to have seen these recessed – unrequested track skips are an annoyance. Bass boost and gain switches are placed near the volume pot on the top end, and there’s little to prevent accidental operation of the gain switch. Accidental operation of the gain switch could potentially be quite damaging if wearing sensitive IEMs.

There’s a switch on the opposite end to select the source for the DAC (PC or phone) and also there’s the option of using the E18 as a power source itself; this was tried with Fiio X3 and smartphone – they both started accepting a charge, although this smartphone is not compatible with the DAC.

The outward design is not dissimilar to that of the E12 which is an amplifier only. It has been mentioned that the E12 is a little better in terms of amplifier quality, as well as more powerful. But the question everyone wants to know the answer to is ‘will it power my headphones?’ and the answer is very likely to be yes.

The E18 was tried with the AKG K240 DF (600 ohms, 88dB sensitivity) and the dial wasn’t turned all the way up – it was ear splittingly loud with room to spare! The E18 should be able to drive anything the modern world has to offer, within reason. The manuafacturer states an impedance range of 16 – 150 ohms, but there’s nothing like trying these things. So long as your recording is done well (and not extremely quiet), the E18 is enough to really blast it out.

Sound quality

The Fiio E18 was run from a PC to test DAC functionality and quality. It was up against an X3 and E12 together, which seemed like a fair match. A 600 ohm Sennhieser HD540 was used.

The E18 appeared to give better resolution; sounds were relatively flat and dull on the X3/E12 combination. I decoupled the X3/E12 rig and plugged into the X3 alone; predictably, things improved in terms of details due to fewer connections in the chain, but the relative lack of power took some of the wind out of my X3’s sails. Bass and hats were pushed back a little.

Summary

With the wants and needs of the average portable audio fan growing all the time (in part helped along by just this sort of product!) the Fiio E18 tries to tick as many boxes and cover as may bases as it can, and it does a great job of all of them.

Score: 8/10

Best Headphones for Portable Players

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Listening on the go is becoming more and more popular – especially that now you can store your whole library of lossless audio on to a compact player like the FiiO X3, FiiO X5 or even the Astell&Kern AK120.

With the potential to have the highest quality audio in your pocket you will want to complement that with the headphones you use. This article will cover how to choose a portable headphone and suggest some of our favourites.

When buying headphones or in ear earphones for a portable player there are 3 main qualities you will be looking for:

Compact

As you will be more than likely using the headphones while travelling you will want them to be small enough to fit into a bag or even fold up for easy storage. You will also want them to be a size that won’t get in the way whilst moving from busy train to busy train.

Closed Back / Sound Isolating

As these headphones will probably be used in public, you won’t want the sound of your guilty pleasures spilling out to the rest of the train carriage – nor will you want to hear the loud music being played by the youths at the back of the bus. Closed back or sound isolating headphones are perfect for this, as they reduce the amount of sound leaking and help block out external noise.

Easily Driven

The majority of portable players such as iPod, iPhone, Samsung, Sony etc. can give great sound quality but they don’t have the most powerful headphone amps on them – when this is the case you want a headphone that is easy to drive so you can get a good volume out of them without maxing out your player.

In ear headphones

The ultimate portable solution are in ear isolating earphones as they tick all the above qualities – here are a selection that I would recommend:

SoundMagic E10 (£34.99)

The go to in-ear for under £60.

Final Audio Heaven II (£89), IV (£199) and VI (£599)

Refined sound with great bass and sharp detail.

Shure SE112 (£46), SE215 (£96) and SE315 (£159)

Well balanced sound with superb midrange. Great isolation and secure over the ear fit.

On the ear

SoundMAGIC P30 (£69)

Best budget portable headphone.

Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear (£169.96) and Full Size (£259.99)

Warm, smooth sound and superb build quality.

KEF M500 (£249)

Clear detail with tight bass and crisp mids. Folds up for easy storage.

Full size over the ear

GermanMAESTRO GMP 8.35 D (£160)

Practically indestructible and one of the best for isolation. Great punchy sound.

Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro (£169.96)

Adjustable bass ports for customizable sound. Another great one for isolation.

Beyerdynamic T70p (£438.95)

Neutral sound with crystal clear detail.

Beyerdynamic T5p (£880)

Studio quality sound on the go.

Ultrasone Edition 8 (£1099)

Audiophile quality sound with superb isolation.

Open back

Now if you don’t need complete sound isolation and would prefer an open backed headphone then there a some very good ones to choose from:

Koss Porta Pro (£29.95)

The classic portable headphone.

Grado SR80i (£99.95)

These are very hard to beat for under £100. HiFi quality sound on the go.

SoundMAGIC HP200 (£229)

Smooth and fun sounding with great detail. Very comfortable and good isolation for an open back.

Headphone amplifier

And finally… If you have got your heart set on a headphone that is more difficult to drive then do not fear! Adding a portable headphone amplifier into the chain will solve this issue.

FiiO E12 (£109.99)

Lots of power, bass boost, sturdy build quality and detailed sound.

So hopefully this article has helped you decide on your new headphone – but if you have any questions then do feel free to get in touch and we will be happy to help!

FiiO X5 Lossless Portable Digital Audio Player & DAC Review

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FiiO X5 Lossless Portable Digital Audio Player & DAC

Summary

The FiiO X5 is the new contribution from this great brand; the company which is making a huge name for itself by bringing high quality budget-priced items to the market. Almost a year ago we were all taken aback by the arrival of the X3 which has certainly shaken up the digital audio player (DAP) market, but now FiiO has X-ceeded itself with the X5.

After coming to know the FiiO X3‘s sound quality, it was a little difficult to imagine how it could be bettered; both in terms of sound quality and power. The X5 creates a certain expectation as it’s larger. It is still pocket-sized, but it certainly makes for a pocket which is full.

Unlike the X3, the X5 has no internal storage so a micro SD card is required to get started. However it has 2 slots for these cards, so there’s a potential 128Gb storage capacity with current firmware/size limits.

Price – £289.95

FiiO X5 Lossless Portable Digital Audio Player & DAC

Pros

  • Fantastic Sound
  • Two Micro SD slots
  • DAC capability
  • Powerful amplification

Cons

  • Wobbly wheel
  • Auto hold – no manual hold button
  • No internal memory
  • Relatively bulky

 Key Features

  • Supports High-Definition192kHz/24bit audio
  • Lossless Playback for DSD/APE/ FLAC/ALAC/WMA/WAV
  • High-Quality DAC Functionality
  • Headphone Out, Line-Out and Coaxial Digital Output
  • Dual Card Slots with 1024GB Memory Capacity (with future firmware updates)

First Impressions

Appearance takes priority over usability for perhaps the first 30 minutes of use; the buttons are not marked and the user can feel a little helpless initially. This soon passes, but the wheel remains a point of contention; its build does not appear to sit well with the rest of the device. It’s very light and wobbly, with a rubber touch wheel to select options or tracks on the screen. Notches or slight clicks are encountered as the wheel goes round, but these tend not to be linked so much with what is happening on the screen. A ‘two click’ turn of the wheel may not necessarily move you along by two options so watch the screen. It can be frustrating if the required option is just one ‘click’ away; it seems that a gentle turn of the wheel can turn into a few gentle turns, as the selected option doesn’t change, or changes too far. Fortunately the lower two buttons on the front of the X5 can be used to scroll through these items, so it’s not something we’re stuck with using.

Sticking with the wheel, the centre acts as a ‘select’ button for the X5; however it is machined and is uncomfortable to touch with the thick skin on my thumb. It’s worth it though. Also I was a little concerned that there appears not to be a space where I can throw a band over and have it strapped to my FiiO E12 – the X5 is full of buttons, screen and wheel, but I have found that a band can be placed over the wheel area and operation is not affected. Maybe the addition of an E12 is overkill however; having tried the X5 now, my demanding 600 Ohm AKG K240 DF headphones sound fantastic straight out of the headphone socket.

There is no ‘hold’ button on the X5, there is a simple timer function (from 30s to 120s, or off) which renders the screen blank and most of the buttons inoperable, until the power button is pressed. I noticed that the volume buttons turn into ‘track skip’ buttons in this state.

The screen shows a little more of the track titles than the X3 when browsing, for example I am able to read the full title of Duran Duran’s ‘Is There Something I Should Know’ but no band name is present in the filename. Compilations may still require guesswork as to the track title, or you might want to encode your files with the ‘Track Artist’ after the ‘Track Title’ so song names can be read with no problem. Also the screen is less square than that of the X3; it’s wider, but only the top half of any cover art is visible when tracks are playing as it gets stretched to fit across the screen. Not a real issue, but Sweet’s ‘Desolation Boulevard’ cover isn’t the same!

Sound Quality

I tried the X5 against the X3 with the HiFiMAN HE-400; despite their 35 ohm impedance, these are thirsty headphones and can really take some power to get them up to their full potential. The X5 felt a little more relaxed, more analoguish, more controlled. It appeared to go a little louder as well, although the two models are evenly matched. Both the X3 and X5 powered the HE-400 adequately, although a little more headroom (on both players) might be nice with quieter tracks.

Next, a high quality dynamic headphone was tried – the Beyerdynamic T1. With this headphone the differences were harder to spot between the two Fiio players but the X5 appeared to give a slightly wider and more spacious presentation; the X3 had a little more bass impact or ‘slam’ to it.

FiiO has beefed up the bass/treble setting of the X3 with a full equaliser in the X5 model; there are now 10 bands between 31Hz and 16kHz, the frequency bands roughly double in breadth as they move up through the frequency spectrum; ie. 31Hz, 62Hz, 125Hz, etc. The steps in terms of EQ volume are very fine indeed, so this is a useful tool to anyone wanting fuller control.

Verdict

In all, the X5 is a winner if you have headphones which can reveal its audio quality. If you plan to stick with sub-£100 headphones or only have portable uses, you may as well save your money and get the X3. If you’re confident that your equipment can get the best out of the X5, then that is what I recommend – it is a clear improvement over the X3 and the extra money spent will not be in vain.

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FiiO X3 Lossless Portable DAP & DAC – Announcement

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The HifiHeadphones team is pleased to announce the new Digital Audio Player & DAC from FiiO, the X3 is now available to be purchased on our website.

FiiO X3 Portable Digital Audio Player with Lossless Music File Playback and DAC Functionality. One device for all your lossless music, the FiiO X3 plays the five main types of lossless music including APE, FLAC, ALAC, WMA and WAV up to 192kHz/24bit. With incorporated professional DAC chip, inbuilt headphone amplifier, hardware based bass and treble adjustments and 10 hours playback time in a light-weight portable form factor, the X3 is the most versatile high-definition portable music player available.

Different from other consumer music players and smart phones, the X3 does not use the DAC function of its main controller chip; instead, for the best sound effect, it adopts the professional WOLFSON DAC chip WM8740. Instead of using software to achieve bass and treble adjustment, the FiiO X3 uses an adjustable hardware circuit, resulting in more natural sound without influencing other frequencies.

The FiiO X3 is well furnished with multiple output ports which include headphone, lineout and coaxial digital output. Moreover, it also can be regarded as a digital turntable and invites more powerful DAC implementation to improve the sound experience by connecting to audio decode through its coaxial digital output.

  • Most versatile high-definition portable music player available
  • Lossless playback for APE/FLAC/ALAC/WMA/WAV music formats
  • Supports digital master copy source at 192kHz/24bit
  • Employs high-performance WOLFSON DAC chip
  • Can be used as standalone digital-to-analogue converter
  • Main controller amplifier chip achieves A-Class amplification
  • Adjustable hardware based bass and treble adjustments
  • Master control committed exclusively to music
  • 8GB internal memory capacity with 64GB memory upgrade capability
  • Outputs include headphone out, line-out and coaxial digital out
  • 10 hours playback time with standard USB smart charging

To purchase the unit, please visit our website:

Buy FiiO X3 Lossless Portable Digital Audio Player & DAC

FiiO X3 Digital Audio Player – Mini Review

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I was excited about trying the  FiiO X3 Digital Audio Player, as the high quality portable music player has become very popular, and until now the other contenders have been quite pricey – I was not disappointed! Out of the box you get a USB cable, coaxial phono to mini jack adapter, a couple of screen protectors and a neat silicone protective cover. The player comes with 8GB internal storage and you can increase that with an extra 64GB micro SD card – that would give you 72GB of storage!!

The player itself is lightweight and very easy to use, the buttons are well placed on the front and the menu is easy to navigate. The X3 has a coaxial output and a line out – this allows you to use an external amplifier. Another great feature of the X3 is that with the new patch, available to download from the FiiO site, you can use the X3 as a stand alone USB DAC for your computer. The X3 can support the main music formats –  APE, FLAC, ALAC, WMA, WAV – this includes the Apples lossless codec; so all of you Apple users out there will be able to use your existing library of music. It’s hard to believe that you get all of this for only £159… And we haven’t even got to the sound quality yet!

I decided to test the X3 with the Earsonics SM64 and the HifiMAN HE-400 as they are both hard to drive and I wanted to see just what the player could do, turns out it’s a little beast! With the player set to high gain it drove both the SM64 and HE-400 effortlessly – the volume was just over 50% and it was more than enough. The sound quality you get is clear and crisp, separation is superb and combined with the powerful amp there is no distortion – not surprising as the X3 uses the same Wolfson DAC as the Astell & Kern AK100 which is currently priced at over 3 ½ times the price of the X3! When listening to albums the X3 has the option of gapless payback which can be turned on in the ‘Player Settings’ menu – you will need to select the album through the ‘Category’ menu to achieve this.

It was very easy to set the X3 up as a USB DAC with my PC. Once I followed the online instructions to update the players firmware the next step was to install the driver onto my PC; this was also easy as FiiO supply straight forward instructions to do this. The main screen on the X3 changes once it is plugged into the PC and you have a simple control panel where you can adjust the volume, bass, treble, gain settings and balance.

To sum up, I honestly can’t find any reason not to buy the X3 if you are in the market for a high quality player – at this price it is even worth buying purely as a USB DAC.