xDuoo Nano D3 Digital Audio Player Discussions | Drop

xDuoo Nano D3 Digital Audio Player

Showing 1 of 40 conversations about:

Jan 23, 2018

I received mine yesterday. My initial impressions were "what a piece of garbage" and I can't believe Massdrop is selling. I've trusted Massdrop before so I thought I'd get something reasonable - at least halfway reasonable for $75. Then again this my first entry into a dedicated lossless music player. At least I know still want such a device. I updated the firmware to 1.2 and got my FLAC, MP3, M4A. All worked. Did not retain track order in folders. So that really sucks!
EQ presets are terrible except for the Bass Boost one. Not amazing, but useable. Can't tweak EQ.
PROS: Small Cheap Sounds reasonable good. Then again that's probably the FLAC-ness :)
CONS Small - feel just a little to small UI SUCKS UI SLOW
Is it worth buying? No. Save up and try a different brand. I'm gonna save for a Fiio.

silverthornne

279

Jan 24, 2018

OakParkMusicGuyI'm pretty much in your same position. I'm actually looking at the Cayin N5ii; it's at around the same price range as the Fiio X5iii, but with better sound quality and has a USB-C port instead of Micro-USB. I know Fiio has that docking station with a Micro-USB port that they want to sell, but staying with Micro-USB instead of moving on to USB-C hurts Fiio in my eyes.

Jan 24, 2018

silverthornneYup. Thanks for the tip on the Cayin! I will check it out. Yeah this Xduoo is frustrating. It sounds good but the interface is so frustrating!

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shorkorde

127

Jan 25, 2018

OakParkMusicGuyJust going to quickly second @silverthornne regarding Cayin. As someone who likes the Xduoo D3 (for what it is) and also owns an X5iii I'm thinking you'd probably prefer the Cayin. Don't have one to compare sound quality, but I really like my Fiio. That said, UI and functionality could definitely use a bit of work that doesn't seem to be on its way.
Not really a fan of the D3's UI, but mine is relatively snappy (possibly your copy? reload firmware?). Responsiveness wise, it's about equal to my X5iii. So, if your D3 *is* as fast as mine and the UI speed is driving you nuts - The X5iii is absolutely off the table.
For the money, another DAP I've heard good things about is the Opus1. Just sound quality though - can't speak to UI. Might be worth a look. --- --- --- --- --- Edit: forgot to add that I had similar issue with track order in folders. Seems to be that the player occasionally freaks out over alpha-numeric or date created taking priority under Folders (you can fix this by numbering the tracks or modifying the created date/time, but yes; this is a pain). As long as ID3 tags are correct, it should be fine under the My Music section (though I realize it *should* just work this way under both navigational structures).

Jan 26, 2018

shorkordeThanks for the comment and information. I ending buying a Shanling M3s. So if anyone is interested in buying a discounted Nano, let me know!

Feb 26, 2018

OakParkMusicGuyIf it's still for sale by chance, I might be interested

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Feb 26, 2018

Thatguy85Thanks! It went really fast on eBay. Sorry!

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Feb 26, 2018

OakParkMusicGuyAh, oh well. Btw, do you know if it would work with a seperate dac? I use a meridian explorer 2 and was wondering if I used a usb to micro cable?

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Feb 26, 2018

Thatguy85Good question. Probably would but I can't give a definitive answer :(

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Feb 26, 2018

OakParkMusicGuyHmm, well, I'll look some more. Thank you

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Feb 26, 2018

Thatguy85Cool. Keep us posted!

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silverthornne

279

Feb 26, 2018

Thatguy85Well, I just tried with an SMSL IDEA and it didn't work. Of course, the IDEA doesn't have a battery; it uses the source device as its power source, so it may work with a DAC that has its own power. I did go through the D3's menu and it doesn't have any option to set it for an external DAC though. Running version 1.3 of the official firmware here.

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Feb 26, 2018

silverthornneThat would be cool if you could get that to work. However DAC support was not mentioned at all in the specs so I wouldn't hold my breath. For another 30-40 you can get the hidizis ap60 off aliexpress that supports external dac.

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Feb 26, 2018

silverthornneI've heard some people getting results with a usb splitter Cable to a power bank, but it's still might not work because it doesn't support external DACs. Thank you for looking tho, I appreciate it :)

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Feb 26, 2018

slugmanI might look into that, I've never heard of that product or brand. I've also heard some bad things about AliExpress, have you ordered from them before?

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Feb 26, 2018

Thatguy85Yea bro i've got a ton of stuff from there. Just make sure that whatever you buy has a "e-packet" shipping option. In my experience, they are the best way to ship stuff from China. They include a tracking number, and it only takes 12-20 days (usually 12). Yea bro Hidizis is legit. If you have the cash, the AP200 is where its at. Its an android dap that has built in wifi (so you can stream from your network or spotify or whatever). However you will spend at least 3 bills. The ap100 looks good too, it has coax / in & out.
DUDE nevermind--they have the ap60 gen1 at amazon for 89! No prime but that is the way to go! They also have the gen2 ap60 for 120, but if you are going to spend that much get the Caiyin N3 instead.

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Feb 26, 2018

slugmanYo that's dope! Can you send a link?

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Thatguy85https://www.amazon.com/Hidizs-AP60-Bluetooth-Lossless-Portable/dp/B01M01I4UU

Feb 26, 2018

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blazer39

Feb 28, 2018

Thatguy85i don't recommend ap60 1st gen, i just read negative things about them( unless they fixed with firmware upgrade) you would better of with the second gen( ap60 mkii)

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Feb 28, 2018

blazer39damn good looking out. I guess that explains the $40 price difference. Still it looks very nice. Although if i'm going to drop that cash I'll probably spend an extra 20 to get the Caiyin N3.

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blazer39

Mar 1, 2018

slugmanread somewhere that cayin n3 sound might be more colored than natural, but lots of great reviews as well..heck it seems cayin n3 sounds exactly like cayin i5 and as good as fiio x5iii :) hidizs ap60 mkii sounds like hidzs ap200( 300$ android DAP). although cayin n3 seems to be best guaranteed choice..i think you will be fine with either..personally i prefer ap60 mkii smaller compact design and buttons.

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Mar 1, 2018

blazer39i would still probably go with the n3. Both have AK dacs which is a good thing in my book (i'm dying to try out an AK dac). Its too bad it doesn't have a balanced 2.5 output, i feel for the money I should be getting a balaced output for when I upgrade my cables.
Still not sure if I can drop 150 right now. I'm honestly thinking of going with the Xuelin IHiFI780 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/XUELIN-IHIFI780-8G-MP3-Player-Built-in-Speaker-Mini-LCD-Screen-Portable-Music-Player-WM8740-DAC/32801141539.html). I've read good things about Xuelins other daps on headfi. This thing is only 70 bucks, and it has a Wolfson WM8740 DAC. It looks like it has a solid amp stage too. The reviews look good on penon audio too, and it also lists the amp specs https://penonaudio.com/xuelin-ihifi780.html .

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Mar 1, 2018

slugmandamn nevermind on amazon the ap60 gen II is 130, but they have a 30 off coupon!

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Mar 1, 2018

slugmani went w/ the xuelin i780. Although it doesn't have bluetooth aptx and a pretty screen, but it does have a better amp section and that wolfson dac (plus I think the brushed metal looks sick). Im going to save up for a decent dap when i have the moneys (hidizis ap200 is what i'm looking at, or shangling m3s).

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steven.0324

Mar 16, 2018

slugmanFirst, the DAC chip of D3 is Integrated chip, RKNANOD from ROCKCHIP, not AK DAC.
Second, if you like balanced 2.5 output, there are many options, like X10, X20 and Fiio x3 mark III, etc

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emember556

Mar 16, 2018

OakParkMusicGuyHas your opinion changed any ? I'm debating whether to spring for another machine, but I'm locked into buying this thing. With respect to EQ presets, is that where you can simulate being inside a cathedral or sewer? I always found those settings useless. Or does it tinker with the highs and lows for various music styles - pop, rock, etc. ? Usually useless. I've always liked to design my own presets.

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Mar 16, 2018

emember556Actually I sold it right away and got a Shanling M3s. I've been very happy with the Shanling. If I had more money I probably would got a Cayiin, Pioneer, Onkyo, or android based player. But the Shanling has been serving me really well. The only thing I don't like about the Shanling is the EQ presets seem to add compression. But with no eq it sounds great.

Mar 16, 2018

steven.0324Good point Steve. Also I didn't mean to imply the Nano has an AK DAC (and good looking out, I knew it was an integraded in house DAC, didn't know the model name RKNANOD). I was reffering to the Cayin N3 & the AP60II (not the AP60II pro which has a ess dac/amp integrated).
I ended up getting the Xuelin IHIFI-780 and I really like it. Sure it doesn't have bluetooth or a graphical screen, but the sound is great. Also I wasn't concerned that I can't use it as a dac (if I want to use a dac I'll use my NX4DSD). I'm happy for the money I spent, which is for a great sounding portable DAP w/ integrated memory. My biggest complaint is the Firmware can use some improvements, but its still an enjoyable experience, especially w/ my IT01's.

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Mar 16, 2018

OakParkMusicGuythe M3s looks sick. No Android but I'm honestly debating whether I even need that anymore. It would be nice but that m3s has Dual AK Dacs, Dual crystal oscillators, and a 4way amp circuit... that should sound clean!

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Mar 16, 2018

slugmanYeah it's a nice player! I'm really happy with it - especially in that price range.

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