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TommyCha
7
Feb 28, 2017
Same chip as in fiio x5 3rd gen DAP, same price too. worth it?
Vekit
64
Feb 28, 2017
TommyChaIt depends, It totally worth it if you aren't gonna upgrade, But If you plan to upgrade to high-impedance or power-hungry headphone, JDS the element Or Schiit Jotunheim are much much better option.
JTrubs
195
Mar 2, 2017
TommyChaKind of an apples to oranges comparison (portable DAP vs. desktop DAC/amp) and, as Vekit noted, depends on how you're going to use it. Other than some basic specs, I don't know much about the X5 III but will presume that it has some of the features of the X5 II (which I own) like a line-out and the ability to use it as a DAC. In addition to the DAP features, I'd think you could use the X5 III as a solid external DAC with your computer/sound system. In that sense, the X5 III has a bit more flexibility than the JDS Element, Grace m9xx, or Schiit Jotunheim.
As to the fact that both devices use the same AK4490 DAC chip, just because they have that in common doesn't mean they will sound exactly the same. Different implementation and amplifier stages are sure to give them at least slightly different flavors; not one being "better" than another, just different.
Also as Vekit noted, you're limited by the amount of power the X5 III has (260mW @ 32 Ohms, I believe) and what headphones it will properly drive. You shouldn't have a problem with low/mid-impedance cans but high-impedance is out of the realm for the X5 III. As a future option, and instead of either the JDS or Grace, you could get a dedicated, higher-wattage headphone amp (like a Schiit Asgard 2, etc) and put it in front of the X5 III which you would use as your DAC. You could drive nearly any headphones made with a setup like that. As an aside, while the JDS does have better power specs than the Grace, it's still not quite enough to drive high-impedance/low-efficiency headphones like the HiFiMAN HE-6 and others of that ilk.
I guess I'm saying that there are always lots of options. Cheers!
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