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The Q3 is equipped with the latest generation of XMOS USB signal receiver chip and high-performance AKM DAC chip, the AK4462. It is capable of decoding PCM up to 32-Bit/768kHz, and DSD up to DSD512 natively. The output with Q3 connected to a normal smartphone or PC is buttery smooth, has powerful bass, crisp detailing, and lush vocals suiting different genres of music very well. The charge on/off switch is a nice option for those who’d prefer to shunt the USB power from their computer. I didn’t hear a difference between the two modes, but that may be a real game-changer for some listeners. Honestly, I don’t really see the point and will always prefer to use the Q3 as a whole, but it’s nice to have an alternative choice. My smartphone is equipped with a Hi-Fi DAC according to its
It acts also as the on/off switch and it is combined with ADC curve reconstruction to help improve with low volume channel imbalance. As I’ve told you previously in my Kennerton Wodan review, those are so easy to drive by planar-mafia standards that Q3 was more than enough to drive them to ear-deafening levels even on its regular 3.5mm output. Q3 went with me in a long trip, somewhere at higher altitude surrounded by lots of snow and mulled wine, where Q3 was used daily from 9 P.M. to around midnight for several days in a row. Even without any kind of burn-in, I didn’t observe much of a change, it sounded pretty much the same out of the box as it did seven days later.I never thought I would write these words for a THX-AAA based DAC and headphone amp combo, but for the first time I’ve felt warmth coming out of such a device, it definitely felt smoother sounding compared to THX equipped SMSL SH-9, SP200, Drop THX-789 and to Benchmark HPA4, you name it. Of course, its internal amplifier section is absolutely colorless and straight as a line, but that velvety sounding AKM chipset started to blossom showing its true character. As a whole, Q3 is slightly on the warmer side, with a great rendition of the midrange that helped tremendously with V-shaped IEMs. Later after I’ve returned home, I discovered that is does some great things with Hifiman headphones, it paired really well with Arya and I am pretty sure it does the same with their HE400i or Sundara. I can listen to such a soothing and relaxing performance all day long and in all fairness, Q3 is not really about sharp defined leading-edges or about fast and snappy dynamics but more about the simplest things like listening to music and not caring about the technical aspects. There isn’t even a smallest hint of brightness or dryness, I find its midrange performance juicy and meaty sounding, it draws a lot of attention into this region and not a whole lot on its highest registers which I found good, but not great. I this regarding, I strongly believe their wireless BTR5 is better as it has a cleaner and more extended treble, but it is also sharper compared to Q3. It is really my first time experiencing a warmer presentation from a THX module equipment DAC and headphone amp combo and I really encourage other manufacturers trying different combinations and sound signatures. It is really boring when all THX units are sounding pretty much the same. The FiiO Q3 is the new member of the Q Series Portable DAC & Amplifiers, which offers some very interesting specs like a THX AAA28 Amplifier Module, AK4462 DAC Chip, XMOS208 Chip, 3.5mm Single Ended / 2.5mm + 4.4mm Balanced outputs and Native DSD support up to DSD512. As far as portable DACs go, FiiO's Q3 is one of the better ones I've tried. Especially at this price range, this thing is a serious contender. The way it simply yet elegantly enhances the sound was a great surprise for me. If you're looking for Hifi listening on the go without destroying your bank account, then the FiiO Q3 is definitely for you. I'm very excited about how FiiO will improve in the future. The FiiO Q3 whether placed between iPAD, iPhone, or Mac performed brilliantly and easily with a number of IEMs / headphones—FiiO FH5, iBasso IT00, VISION EARS EVE2020, Meze 99 Classics. For the review the FiiO Q3 was paired, primarily, with the FiiO FH5 and the Meze 99 Classics.
Minimal bias current and highly efficient power management to optimize and extend device battery life The Q3 is full bodied reaching low enough with good impact and layering while offering adequate levels of resolution and detail without compromising a lot. Campfire Audio, Chord Electronics, Dan Clark Audio (formerly MrSpeakers), EAR Micro, Eleven XIAudio, Enleum, FiiO, FIR Audio, Focal, Focusrite, Fostex, Grado, HarmonicDyne, HeadAmp, Hifiman, JBL, Kefine, Kiwi Ears, Klipsch, LETSHUOER, Mark Levinson,The Q3 has a deep pretty deep lower midrange presentation that is neither far recessed nor too much highlighted. Male vocals do sound very clean, have good depth, and do sound quite vivid and clear. Female vocals on the other hand are reproduced in a quite transparent, airy and detailed manner, with good level of extension and control. Those who listen to female vocals a lot will find what they are looking for in Q3. It has more options for balanced output, having a 2.2mm and a 4.4mm pentacom connectors, in addition to the 3.5mm unbalanced one The various DAC/Amps were partnered to a MacBook Pro, or an iPAD, or a Samsung S10, all were ROON enabled, with the Meze 99 Classics, the FiiO FH5, and the VISION EARS EVE2020 as selected headphones / IEMs. Shoutout to Sunny Wong from FiiO for sending me the Q3 to test and review. While I always appreciate the chance to test and review products sent in from manufacturers, it never affects my review. FiiO went with a brand-new midrange DAC chip from Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM): the AK4462 that superseded the AK4452 that FiiO used in their K3 and in the Q1 MKII. Both chipsets are having dual-channels meaning that its internal DAC section is not fully balanced – for that a quad channel chipset will be needed or two pieces of AK4462 silicon.
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