Az Geek Talk

Spent an hour in Verizon waiting, so I could return the phone. Got charged a $35 restock fee, but somehow got $23 back due to tax deference between RI/MA.

FYI: If anyone orders a phone from Google, do it through Project Fi instead. Comes from the same place, but Google seems to put priority on the orders if they think you're going to use their cell service.

 

Any of you fellas into HiRes audio and DAPs?

 

Never really got into it. I had a HiRes audio player a long time ago but there was a very limited amount of HiRes music.

 

I'm starting to get into it. I picked up a FiiO X1 Mk2 and have been really impressed by the sound quality, even with 320kbps 44.1khz mp3 files. I liked it so much in fact that I just bought a Pioneer XDP-100KR Android based player. The biggest differences are obviously the DACs and the amplifier section compared to your average smart phone. I'll have to post up some pictures when it arrives. For a tech junkie that loves music, like I do, this is about as good as it gets.

 

Those FiiO's are really nice. I was just looking at the X5, wow. http://www.fiio.net/en/products/65


I think I use headphones about 4-6 times a year so I can't justify one. I still want one just because!

 

It was actually down to the X5 and the Pioneer and the Pioneer is 100 bucks cheaper on Amazon right now and gets great reviews and better feedback on the UI portion (which is pretty important) so I went with that. They're both similarly equipped, so it was down to price and minor operational differences. Plus, Pioneer makes excellent DJ equipment so they have an edge in sound quality specs I suspect.

 

I use a FiiO E18 DAC/AMP on my laptop and I plug it into my Pixel when I'm at home. Sounds great and has more than enough power to run my headphones or IEMs

 

I'm pretty particular with the setttings/features on the phone. Coming from Android 4.4.2 to 7.1.2, it's interesting to see what features have been added and removed. I have the phone unlocked and rooted

I do have some apps that are time consuming to setup, like Zooper, Start?!, 3C Toolbox, and now Automate (sort of like Tasker). Looks like Xposed may not happen for Nougat or future releases, so I'll miss that for customization. Though Android has some features built in now that I used to use Xposed for.

 

This thing is a gorgeous hunk of metal and glass!

 

I should break out the Sony Mini Disc Player that I still have

 

Aside from the limit of 5 albums per disc, I absolutely loved my Minidisc player. That was a well built piece of equipment. Sony can build a player. Mine was all metal and ran for like 15 hours on one AA battery. Impressive for the time.

 

What type of battery life are you getting out of this device?

 

If you guys want no bullshit reviews on headphones, DACs, AMPs and non car audio stuff. Zreviews on YouTube is solid.

 

Started out at 100 on Sunday, listened to 3.5 hours of music, updated all of the 15 apps that needed updating in the Google play store, downloaded some music, and was still around 63% so just listening to music, I would say that a solid 10-12 uninterrupted hours of playback would be possible without issue. They quote 16 on MP3 tracks and 10 on HiRes audio.

This isn't a device I would go jogging or do physical activities with anyways, too heavy. This is a solid chunk of metal and glass. This is for someone who wants to bleed out of their ears in private without disturbing anyone else and it does that perfectly.

I give it a solid 8-9 overall and that is a solid score because i'm not often impressed by devices like this.

 

Perfect. I have a friend who got a new job and has been flying to London ever 2 weeks. He's getting sick and tired of crappy ear buds/audio for his long flights. Figured he might like one of these since he's stuck on a plane for hours and hours on in.

 

Pair this with a couple of 128GB cards and a nice pair of AKG or AudioTechnica NC headphones and that will be a pleasure cruise. Nice thing about overseas flight is they usually have USB charging so battery life won't be a grave concern. The sound quality is excellent and the Sabre Op Amp can drive up to 300ohm headphones. (Although I would stay under 150ohms to really enjoy the power. Most of the studio style monitors and IEMs are between 16-50 ohms and this will drive those like a beast. I can't normally listen over 100 for more than a few minutes and the top of the scale is 160.

 

I still have one in the box. Got it for free when I worked at Future shop as a contest giveaway. Lol

 

That is sweet!

 

Pretty good shape for 18 years old