Help, Fiio X3 Mark III (as a DAC) vs Hidizs S9 Pro

[phelsuma]

Hi everyone,
Excuse my English, I am writing to you from Spain.

I'm going to introduce myself to the world of DACS and Headphones.
I don't consider myself an audiophile, but I try to be, I enjoy music, I've always had good audio equipment (Polk Audio SDA SRS among others...) but recently I've been introduced to the world of headphones.
I have started with a Fidelio X2HDR.
I am using them with an old Fiio X3 Mark III as a DAC on a Macbook with surprising results for me.
The fact is that the size of the Fiio bothers me, as well as depending on the battery for its use.
I have been researching small Dacs Dongle for days, to be able to carry in the laptop sleeve.
The Dragonfly Red was my pick until I saw Amir's review of the Hidizs S9 Pro and he convinced me, I have looked more at this new DAC and it looks spectacular at a very good price.

Let's get down to business
The Hidizs S9 Pro has the ESS9038Q2M chip and my old Fiio X3 MIII has a dual PCM 5242 chip (I don't know if Dual is a substantial advantage).

As for power, I shouldn't have a problem moving the Fidelio (100 dB / mW 30 Ohm)

If I bought the Hidizs, will I get a substantial upgrade? Or will I go back and sound worse?

I will appreciate all your comments, as well as recommendations.

All the best!

 

[twsecrest]

I would expect the ESS9038Q2M to be better then dual 5242.....not sure if it would be a real world noticeable improvement.
But if your looking for something smaller, then get the Hidizs S9 Pro.

 

[phelsuma]

I would expect the ESS9038Q2M to be better then dual 5242.....not sure if it would be a real world noticeable improvement.
But if your looking for something smaller, then get the Hidizs S9 Pro.

many thanks! In the end I bought the Hidizs S9 Pro, I read all the opinions on the forum and they convinced me. So I have the headphones in the box ready to be released when the dongle arrives.