 Swed noted that the X3 utilizes that same digital-to-analog converter that is found in much more expensive players, such as Astell & Kern models that are being sold for $699 and $1,299.In his opinion the FiiO X3 may not have A&K’s sweet and open sound, but it could be purchased for around $200 as of April, 2013.Steve Guttenberg of CNET compared the FiiO X5 to the Apple iPod Classic and the not-yet-released PonoPlayer.