Some more specs:
Dimension: 128 * 16.5 * 64 mm
Screen: 3.97 inch 800*480 full touch IPS
Battery: 3500mAh.
Input/Output interface: Micro SD slot X 1
Build in Memory: 32 GB .
Wifi/Bluetooth: 802.11g/b/n, Not APT-X.
DAC chip: ESS9018 X 1, ESS9018 includes 8 channels DAC so it doesn’t need 2 DAC chips. L/R both are quad DAC
Output power : 100mW/32 ohms, 200mW/16 ohms ( Stock IEM module ).
Soc: RK3188
RAM: 1GB
Weight: 220g ( With IEM module )
S/N: 117dB
THD+N: 0.002%
Output impedance: < 1 ohms
Crosstalk: > 72dB ( PO ), > 110dB ( LO )
Output level: 1.5V ( LO )
Design
In the looks department I can safely say that the Fiio X7, design wise, is the first Fiio DAP I actually like. Saying I “like it” actually isn’t doing it justice, the Fiio X7 is simply gorgeous. I have to admit it isn’t the smallest size and weight wise (128 * 16.5 * 64 mm for 220g) but the X7 looks sexy, slick and classy all at the same time. Looks are a personal thing though but to me the X7 can easily be put next to AK, L&P, Cayin (not the N6) and iBasso units. I’ve in fact had several colleagues asking me if it was my new phone and where they could get one.
The X7’s build quality is very good and right up there with the best. As a matter of fact it takes Fiio quite a while to make just one unit: 160 minutes to cut out of the aluminum block (CNC machining), 80 minutes for color anodizing, 100 minutes for buttons machining and 50 minutes for the amplifier module machining. Phew! First thing you notice when holding the X7 are the soft edges, the symmetric button layout and the slightly lifted 3.97 inch full touch TFT screen (480 x 800). The lifted screen makes the X7 look special but I wouldn’t recommend dropping it (screen first). In fact I always use Fiio’s proprietary leather case when on the go.
On the left side of the player you’ll find the volume buttons and the lock screen switch while the buttons on the right side of the player have to be used to skip tracks and play/pause. On the left side you’ll also find the microSD slot. The Coax Out is on top as the Headphone Out, like in most DAPs nowadays, is on the bottom. The advantage of the symmetric buttons is the ease of use but then again it isn’t always as easy to differentiate left from right in the dark or when the player is in your pocket. In one of the next firmware it actually should be possible to reprogram the button settings (like the L&P L5pro partially offers). I also have to mention the buttons are light to the touch and I have had many involuntary track switches happen to me with the X7 in my back pocket.
On the front, right under the screen, you’ll find Fiio’s pulsating blue light which shows you the player is “active”. When using the leather case however, this light unfortunately can’t be seen. The only “design thing” I don’t like is the fact that the amplifier modules don’t have the same color. AM1’s color is identical to the X7’s but AM2’s grey is very different from the original. Luckily it isn’t visible when using the superb leather case. The case, made by Fiio itself, is quite nice and it fits the player perfectly. I’d say it’s about the same quality as the AK cases but the L&P case, to me, still is the best. Overall, I’m very happy with the design choices Fiio made.
On Head-Fi there are rumors already a new version of the X7 with more internal storage and some updated internals. No idea if those rumors hold any truth but Fiio, with the “SG” versions of the X3 and X5, has proven before they like releasing new versions. Personally I think it’s rather unlikely this will happen anytime soon (besides maybe a version with more internal memory) as not even all the X7’s amp modules have been released.
Firmware/ User Interface
Fiio’s new X7 runs on … Android. Yay! It actually comes with 2 specific modes: Pure Music in which only the basic/core DAP functions are available & the Android mode where a whole lot more apps are available for download such as Spotify, Tidal and so many more. Because the X7 runs on Android it is highly configurable and going over all the possible features is as good as impossible. This review focuses on the normal usability/features of the X7 when using Fiio’s Pure Music mode, using Fiio’s proprietary music app on FW 1.8. I personally find the Pure Mode to sound a little better than the Android mode but that is extremely hard to prove.
In Android mode, as explained, you can install other apps either via Fiio’s own app approved store or by transferring APK files directly on the X7. Some of these apps are: ES FileExplorer, Onkyo HF player, Joox, Poweramp, Rockbox, Tidal, Spotify, Neutron and Swiftkey. I’m sure many more will follow over the next months.
Sound and more after the CLICK
Headfonia_L.
Fiio just released new drivers for Windows:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qqz14rnt6at8q1o/FiiO%20USB%20DAC%20Driver%20v3.34.0.zip?dl=0
Brooko
Fantastic review Lieven. Covered everything, and agree that The X7 pushes the envelope in that it lives comfortably with the kilobuck DAPs.
Headfonia_L.
Thank you Paul. It really is a nice DAP 🙂
Xactoc
Long yet great review! One question: how does X7 sound better than Mojo?
Headfonia_L.
Thanks. It has better layering, depth and timbre. I’n not a big fan of the rather boring sounding Mojo
lowbies
Hai Lieven, have you tried Hifiman 901S?
Can you compare it with Fiio X7, they shared the same DAC chip (ES9018) but the 901S use 2 chips and X7 only 1 chip.
Thank you
Headfonia_L.
I’m sorry but the 901S never came to us. Hifiman doesn’t seem to seek reviews of it
Athos
Great review and wonderful DAP.
On the first page you said the battery is 3500mAh, and then 3700mAh on the specs. Which one is correct?
Headfonia_L.
Thanks. It’s 3500
Jann
Hi.
Thank you for the review!
I have an AUDIO VALVE RKV mark II amplifier (tube) + Fiio X7 + K5.
I wonder will I get a really good sound quality if I will buy a pair of Sennheiser HD 800? Can my Fiio X7 + K5 replace a good quality (for HD800) desktop DAC or I have to buy one?
Thanks for reply.
Headfonia_L.
Why not X7 + Audio Valve? You don’t have to buy an external dac but there sure are better dacs then the X7. Depends on what you want and what your budget is
theswordofdoom
“With a Violectric V281/V850 setup and the K5 in your living room, you tend to use that instead of the X7.”
Dude, when are we going to see the V850 review? I took your recommendation on the V281 and am absolutely loving it. Concero HD is my current DAC, and I’m not saying there is anything wrong with it, but I am assuming the V850 would be a pretty awesome upgrade for me? If you can give me an idea I would probably pull the trigger on a V850. Thanks dude!
Headfonia_L.
Next week or the week after at the latest!
Juan Luis Quiroz Guevara
Considering the price of X7 + AM2 and X5SG + Cloud Nine , which combination provides the best value for money ?
Headfonia_L.
X5SG+CN
Alex Ignatiev
Hi! Could You help me a little? Going to change my sony nwz-a15 for something better(around 1000$). At the same time I have VorzAMP Pure II +. Thinking of L&P L5Pro( but someone said VorzAMP Pure II +doesn’t imrove L&P L5Pro much) So maybe I should take Fiio X7 or something else to my VorzAMP Pure II +? Thanks in advance.(also going to buy DUNU DN-2000J )
Headfonia_L.
I can’t fully agree, a Duet or vorzuge will definitely improve the L5Pro when using it with full sized cans. the X7 + Vorzuge will also be very good!
Matthew Thomas
Which of the three DAPs would you recommend with Shure SE425 and Chord Mojo?
-Questyle QP1R
-L&P L5Pro
-Fiio X7 with AM2
Aaron
Hi Lieven, do you think it it would be a big difference between Fiio X7 Dac and Similiar priced desktop Dac? Can you compare X7 and e10K dacs? Thanks.
Headfonia_L.
Yes of course there’s a difference.
X7 vs E10K is like Porsche against Daewoo
Aaron
Do you talk about dac performance between them? I dont really care about either amp. Do you know any similiar sounding stand alone dac as Fiio X7? Whoud it be a good purchase if i whould use it mostly as dac?
Headfonia_L.
You can do that, but like I mention in my reviews, I wouldn’t buy a DAP as DAC
Aaron
Maybe you can tell me which dac whould be best for as much as fiio x7 cost? I am looking to improve CLARITY, because now my A20 + Fiio e10k is really lacking in that department… My guess dac is holding A20 back…
Headfonia_L.
http://www.violectric.de/produktdetails/DAC_V800.html
Discounted!
Aaron
Thanks L.
sulbh
How does it compare to ibasso dx90?
Headfonia_L.
Wider, deeper, more details and better layering. I always loved the dx90 but it is a bit “old” by now
Kiki Galuh
i’m looking for more slim look dap for sport user..can u recommen something?
lately i saw more bulky outlook and a little a bit look heavy.
thx..
Headfonia_L.
Terra player 😀
Ant
I’m excited to see how this compares to the L&P L3
Ant
Hey, how does the x7 pair with the harmony 8 pro? I’ve been ising the dx90 with the alo rx iem amp. I’m thinking about moving to the x7.
Headfonia_L.
I haven’t used that combo. You would need the AM2 module for sure. The RX is a great amp, if you change it would be to get a better DAC and more modern DAP
Ant
Thanks for the help man. So the AM1 doesn’t have enough power for the Harmony 8 pro?
Headfonia_L.
Power it has, the sound of AM2 just is better for iems
Dreamriser Kit
Hello Lieven, may I ask you to compare AM2 to Cypherlabs Picollo? I already have Picollo and wonder if I need AM2. My headphones are ATH-M50X and Fidelio X2. Thank you.
Headfonia_L.
If you have the picollo I wouldn’t bother getting the AM2, unless you don’t want to stack up. AM2 is lighter, less body in bass and mids but is maybe more layered
Dreamriser Kit
Thank you sir!
Darren How
I have an E17K Portable Amp, will it be able to stack with the already available amp paired in the X7?
Headfonia_L.
only if you use the line out of the of the X7. I don’t think you can bypass the X7 DAC by USB, probably not
Mark Gagas
Hey guys. I just ordered the X7 with the AM5 amplifier. Using it to
drive some Klipsch in ear buds which I know won’t be an issue. I also
have the Sennheiser HD800 which is what I got the AM5 for. Overkill or
good to go? On a side note a have the Audioengine D1 for my desktop. Any
use for running these together or could I run the X7 as the DAC
instead? Thanks for you input. Can’t wait to try this thing after all
I’ve read!
Headfonia_L.
I haven’t even unpacked the AM5, sorry. I found the HD800 to sound OK with AM1 so AM5 must surely be better.
If the D1 has a line in you can use the LO from the X7 and use that DAC
Yaroslav
Hi, I’m considering getting X7 or ak100 II to use with Westone UM Pro 50. Can you please recommend which of them will be a better fit for these IEMs or maybe there’s any other DAP I need to check? Thanks.
Etienne
Hey guys,
I’m contacting you to have some advice. I was using an old ipod touch + a JDS Labs C5D Amplifier + a Philips Fidelio X2. I just wanted to upgrade my player and get rid on the way of the iThings and especially Itunes that I hate.
So basically I bought a Fiio X7 !
My question is now more about the Amp. The JDS Labs C5D is really doing a great job and I really like the way it sounds. The only problem with it is the battery autonomy and the fact that you cannot charge it while listening music. Anyway, the question is which Fiio additional Amp should I pick to have the same kind of sound.
I’m not a specialist so my question is maybe a bit stupid. I’m mainly listening to blues, rock and metal, I don’t know if the kind of music could influence the Amp choice.
By the way, I used to have the bass boost switched on on the C5D.
I guess the best would be to try both but they are not cheap.
Thanks a lot for your help
Lieven
Excangig your C5D with a Fiio amp sounds more like downgrading to me. THE E12(A) is a nice amp but I wouldn’t get rid of my C5D for that. The portable amps I most of the time recommend are the Duet, Vorzuge, Picillo but they’re not cheap.
Bruce White
Would love to know what you think of the Fiio X7(AM3) now, especially if it only sold for $300.