“As if you’re high or soars, don’t forget about their roots” — decided in xDuoo and decided to update the model, which has led to their current success. Simply put, they have released the successor to the X2, developing the same ideas on a “better” level, calling it Nano-D3.
A new player, as their name implies, built on RKNanoD Rockchip, codec chipset imparted the same LMH6643 designed to provide more power. Changes have been made to the design, there was a place for high-quality screen, but the firmware did not that step, the Intercontinental leap forward. The price, however, did not remain in place, against greatly cheapened X2 new “nanotechnology” successor with a price of 4900 roubles (at the time of writing) looks much more expensive, but, first, for all the good you have to pay, and secondly, it’s still one of the most affordable players on the market.
Specifications
- Chipset: RockChip RKNanoD
- OH: LMH6643
- Frequency range: 10 Hz – 100 kHz (±0,5 dB)
- Output power: 250 mW @ 32Ω
- Distortion: 0,005%
- The ratio signal/noise: 107 dB
- Recommended load impedance: 8Ω ~150Ω
- Screen: 2″ IPS, 240 × 320
- Built-in memory: 8 GB
- External memory: MicroSD up to 256 GB
- Battery: 900 mAh Li-Po
- Operating time with one charge: >20 h
- Charging time: <3 hours
- Support file formats: DSD (DSF and DFF) to DSD256, APE to 24 bit/96 kHz, FLAC up to 24 bit/192 kHz, WAV up to 24-bit/192 kHz, AAC, OGG, MP3, WMA
- Input: MicroUSB
- Output: 3.5 mm TRS nauchnikov, 3.5 mm TRS linear
- Dimensions: 83 mm × 45 mm × 10 mm
- Weight: 70 g
Packing and delivery
I don’t know if I have to discontinue this section? Although where am I going to write that developers do not have to invent anything new? In General, Nano-D3, as usual, Packed in two layers, a solid black cardboard inside, good printing on the outside. Compared to the first version (I think it’s safe to call it X2) positive changes begin here.
In the box, except the player can find a MicroUSB cable, spare protective sticker on the screen, a plug for not used the 3.5 mm port and different user-garantiyku. The case included no, by the way, I don’t even know, do something xDuoo for this player. The idea is to — have, but I haven’t checked.
Design and management
In xDuoo decided to keep what customers liked X2, so the successor to the as received aluminum black housing and comfortable enough mechanical buttons. The developers just learned how to do so they are not rattled with the slightest movement of the body of the player. In principle, in the appearance of D3 is observed, the principle of “poor, but clean” — any design frills here, but the build quality and fit is very good. The player, of course, was slightly larger than its predecessor, but I need somewhere to place a large screen and more capacious battery.
The controls here a lot, so some of them had to be placed along the edges of the gadget. On the right side is a button on/off switch and two volume buttons. Just below the reset hole of the player. The bottom face is reserved for outputs, naushnikov then added a line-out. On top put a socket MicroUSB and a slot for memory cards.
On the front panel, besides the screen are two buttons navigate menus and tracks, large button play/pause button (selects the menu) and a button back. In xDuoo finally, there were those who know the word “design” not from books, so the layout of controls is logical and convenient.
By the way, good words, and deserves the screen, apparently, the developers found a cache of parts hidden away by collectors phones of the late 2000s, and natyagali out high-quality displays. So, despite the cost, the player get a normal screen with good resolution, color reproduction and viewing angles. Of course, the color temperature is shifted in the wrong place, but there is a margin of brightness, and given the price of the gadget screen is justified 150%.
By the way, another area where the increase in housing benefit, is the battery. In my standard test to a claimed 20 hours I could not, but sure 17 hours of playing D3 showed that more than well. Full charge demanded is 3 hours and 10 minutes.
Firmware
It is unfortunate that here in the establishment of a xDuoo without the help of Hiby, if X20 “call a friend”, has brought wonderful results. D3 clearly shows that the software here “in-house”, the logic and control in many respects similar to X10. Although, again, compared to X2 is a huge step forward not only notice very suffering from vision problems, the user (and his neighbors will still regurgitate the news).
The main menu is divided into six tiles, each of which opens its own section. However, some functions are duplicated, and in part of podmenik can be accessed in different ways.
My Music — of course, contains a library and view by artist/genres, etc. There is also a favorites and the transition to the playback screen.
Playing — another way to get under the currently playing track. The screen itself is expected to play is simple: cover, track info, progress. If the album cover is very big, the player draws it slowly, not the fast processor makes itself felt.
Folder — browse tracks by folder, simple and without unnecessary frills.
Favorites — favorites (remember, I said that a menu is duplicated).
Music Settings — equalizer, play order, memorizing the position in the track and memorizing the volume. Equalizer, of course, it is better not to include.
Settings — system settings. The interface language (Russian present), timer off and sleep, what buttons should work when you lock the screen, the operating time of the backlight, upgrading firmware and system information.
As you can see, the firmware is simple, frills like replay gain or to browse folders there, there is light braking, not always read the accent characters. But overall, quite decent for this price category it is quite good. The player lacks distinct problems and illogic, and picky to formats understand even DSD, though this utility can be compared only with the installation of the turbo in “Zaporozhets”.
Sound
To listen to the device used the following headphones: iBasso IT03, 99 Meze Classics, Audio Zenith PMx2, Noble Kaiser Encore, Campfire Audio Andromeda, 64 Audio U12, HUM Pristine and others.
Overview of audio part of this player can be done in two ways. If you take into account the price and rate of progress compared to the X2, D3 Nano sounds very good. It is powerful (not the stated 250 milliwatts, but still the power is enough for many), it is very smooth (which pleases after what X2 did with HF), he is deprived of any distinct problems or noticeable color. In terms of “unproblematic” I would even put it higher X3, with his style very free to contact with CQ.
But if you look at a player without regard to price category, there is clearly visible to all the problems of the codec. I would describe the sound from the point of view of “absolute”, without making constant references like “for this segment” or “in its category”.
Low-frequency normal resolution, SuperSpeed would be a clear overkill, but in the drone they are not slipping (much for this you can thank the lack of “traditional” emphasis on medbase). There is even more or less successful attempts to play the drums, but the bass depth is often lacking, this part of the range is simplified and relegated to the background, but perhaps it’s better than if they would have covered the other frequencies.
Midrange is also not superdetailing, but in General, their resolution is normal. The player is not trying to emphasize emotion, though what is, quite plays. In General, Nano D3 devoid of any striking accents in his serve, making it, on the one hand, quite honest, with the other — sometimes it makes you sound simple-minded. The imaginary stage is very flat, as is usually the case, the codec is not the best way to cope with the separation plans in depth, width is also slightly less than average, but the tools at least not fall down in a heap.
VCH is simplified, the attack and decay sharper than it should be, the separation is almost absent, but the resolution is more or less decent. However, developers xDuoo is worth praise, if only for the fact that RF D3 has made a significant step forward in naturalness compared to X2.
Comparison I this time, perhaps, will not paint, not so many players in this price category visited in my reviews. Speaking roughly — xDuoo X2 is much worse, xDuoo X3 — about parity in the principle “of two evils choose the lesser”, other players like FiiO X1-II and Hidizs ‘ AP60-II is better, especially on sensitive headphones.
Compatibility
As I wrote above, the player is powerful enough, therefore, despite the small size, it is able to drive headphones even tight, although the sense in this, perhaps, not much. Nano D3 still, the device is portable, and the most tight of the headphones are clearly not designed to be worn on the street, and the source they need or notebook. On the other hand, the margin of power, as they say, “the pocket does not pull” and someday may be useful. With sensitive IEM the player a bit noisy, but for these cases, mankind has invented adapters-attenuator. However, the player is in any case not particularly logical to use with the top megatrypanum valves, it is best suited a good dynamic model of the upper-middle segment (Yes, suggests a voice from the back of the Desk — Ostry KC09).
Stylistically player, probably can be considered universal. He’s not perfect, but it is equally not ideal with tracks of all genres. The quality of the recording it is quite tolerant (about 5 of 10), as long as the engineers have tried how to convey emotions.
According to tradition, some tracks for example
Osborn, Roy — Pretty Woman. It’s funny how the live version of this track is different from the refinement of the cinematic version, which we all know. In this case, the energy of a live performance outweighs everything, and even on the Nano D3 track sounds impressive and stylish.
Dusty Springfield — Son of a Preacher Man. Clean midrange, a normal control NCH — what else is needed in order to play the song? Nothing, so that here D3 shows himself a diligent source, allowing you to enjoy all the nuances of vocal and orchestral arrangements.
Basia — Cruising for Bruising. A bit of nostalgic pop track from Barbara Trzetrzelewska (do with me what you want, but I will not undertake to transcribe her name) in the performance of the D3 sounds quite authentic: a light rhythm section, lyrical vocals, background keyboards all over the place.
Insights
In General, the target audience for D3 emerges quite clearly. The player turned out quite interesting, its main advantages is a good power and long working time. So it will be the perfect device for anyone who likes to listen to music on the go — without trying to micronance and listening to the smallest detail. Because of their feeding, it is the perfect pair for taste and high-dynamic IEM “ear”, experiencing now a second wave of popularity.
To buy xDuoo Nano-D3
An overview of the player xDuoo Nano-D3 — for next summer
Pavel Dmitriev