The Gen XY Lifestyle

A Tale Of Two DAPs

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Digital Audio Players are garnering popularity as cheap and expensive players alike flood the marketplace. How would a cheap one fare versus a pricier one?

High resolution audio will soon be the norm. Quality music sources are more readily available, and the number of Digital Audio Players (DAPs) available is simply mind-boggling. The two players here make an apt demonstration of the difference in price points. Obviously, this not a head-to-head showdown as it’s a no contest here as to which is the better player: ultimately you get what you pay for. But we’ll answer the burning question of which one to pick up if you intend to get a DAP.

Fiio makes keenly-priced digital audio players that punch above their weight. The Fiio X3 Second Generation (henceforth referred to as X3) offers an unprecedented number of features for a pittance, and is the benchmark for reasonably priced DAPs. While Sony’s high-end NWZ-ZX2 player isn’t near the pinnacle of portable high-end audio – that crown belongs to the S$4,999 Astell & Kern AK380 – it has enough tricks to carve a niche of its own, and is still representative of a typical high-end DAP.

Fiio X3 Overview

The pocket-sized X3 (S$299) is a cheap-and-cheerful DAP that can do everything reasonably well without punching a hole in your wallet (and it’s smaller than your wallet too). It represents great value in terms of components and unprecedented features, such as dual crystal oscillators and native DSD playback.

X3ii

For a relatively low-priced item you’d be surprised by the quality of the finish and the materials used. While there’s no way you’ll mistake this for a big ticket item, the aluminum shell is rigid and inspires confidence; buttons feel crisp and responsive and the click wheel is smooth, making it easy to cycle through menus. However I’m not sure if the wheel will stand up to long-term use. The display is purely functional, which means the colours aren’t rich. Although nothing beats a touch screen, the controls are good enough; it’s not perfect but you won’t be overly frustrated. You can instinctively navigate your way around, although it must be said that going back to the ‘now playing’ screen while scrolling through song lists can be tedious.

The X3 has a USB 2.0 port as well as a line-out jack in addition to the standard headphone jack. The line-out is especially useful should you connect it to an amplifier, while the USB port lets you easily transfer songs and use the X3 as a Digital-to-Analog Convertor (DAC) for your computer.

It’s amazing that the X3 can play native DSD format files as well as have two oscillators to better decode 16-bit and 24-bit source files. Native DSD playback works best in DAC mode as it isn’t very practical for portable use, no thanks to the rather large size of DSD files – the X3 only has one microSD slot. However this flexibility of use is what makes the X3 a winner and shields it from some reproach. If you love to tinker, there’s plenty here for you to look forward to.

Sony NWZ-ZX2 Overview

Sony’s NWZ-ZX2 (S$1,599) is essentially a supercharged version of their NWZ-ZX1 (S$899). It costs nearly twice as much, but the digital guts of the device are essentially the same. The extra cost is attributed to the milled chassis and premium interior parts like connectors, capacitors, power supply, etc. The Zx2 represents the extreme measures that Sony has gone to push the capabilities of its existing platform.

The ZX2 is impeccably made and the build can’t be faulted in any way. The proprietary data cable may well be a potential inconvenience (not readily replaceable) in the future, but as of now the benefits of a more secure physical connection over a standard micro USB is quite obvious. The leatherette back provides tack and the player feels comfortable and secure in the hand. Perhaps the only downside is that the screen isn’t in HD. Personal bias here, but if you’re pulling out all the stops in the luxury department, then the screen should look impeccable too. To be fair it looks good enough; but seems slightly inadequate in the company of impeccable components.

ZX2 side

While the processor isn’t top of the line, it’s more than sufficient, although navigating through menus isn’t instantaneous. Unlike some high-end players that use software based on Android, the ZX2 functions almost exactly like an Android phone, right down to access to the Google Play store. In other words you can run apps as you would on an Android phone, sans cellular connectivity.

However, you can tell the ZX2 is slightly sluggish especially when you put it next to a high-end smartphone. But of course, I’m being a little nit-picky here; it’s a reasonable compromise for longer battery life, which the ZX2 does very well. The fact that it can double up as an entertainment device with the capability to play games and videos complete with Bluetooth support makes it unique in the high-end DAP world.

Comparison

The X3 is what they call a ‘warm-sounding’ DAP. The mid-range is rich, and it’s a signature that’s easy on the ear. It works for many musical styles, especially pop and rock. The onboard amplifier is quite impressive and can drive most headphones and in-ear headphones that you would care to bring out. Although you can use power-hungry headphones like an AKG K701, it’s pushing the limit and doesn’t sound impressive; not that it designed to be used this way. It’s more powerful than the ZX2, but in fairness the ZX2 was never designed to be an ‘all things to all men’ solution.

The ZX2 eschews raw power for a really clean sound. It’s significantly more detailed compared to the X3, and with the right headphones, it boasts a clean, detailed sound with just a little bit of punchiness and slight bass emphasis thrown into the mix. It’s clinical, and yet lively. Live and orchestral music shine here thanks to the gorgeous presentation. Listening to it, you may not understand why it costs as much as it does knowing it is essentially a ZX1 that has been heavily modified, but you’ll understand that the semantics don’t matter as it sounds amazing.

As you can already tell, the Fiio was designed to appeal to the audiophile who can spot a bargain, while the Sony was designed for the audiophile who appreciates both quality sound and creature comforts. There’s no question here that the ZX2 is clearly the better player here, offering a better audio and usability experience; the Android interface really does make navigation significantly easier. However, getting the most out of the ZX2 requires you to pair it with the right headphones.

So is there a point in buying cheap DAPs like the X3? Yes. The X3 costs five times less and you already get most of the perks except for that refined sound quality. The truth is, if you never listen to them side by side – and this is true for many other players – you won’t know what you’re missing. Its versatility for the price is also hard to beat. If close enough is good enough for you, then the Fiio X3 and its ilk are perfect.

But if money is no object and if you have heard what the ZX2 can do at it’s best, then it’s hard to think of a reason to settle for less, and you’d understand why people are willing to pay for expensive DAPs. Amongst the behemoths of that world, Sony’s ZX2 is unique in offering a likeable, pristine sound that’s coupled with modern comforts. I’d buy one in a heartbeat if I could afford to, but in the end, the X3 is more than capable of putting a smile on my face. But please, don’t let me near the ZX2 ever again.

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