Review: Fiio A5 – The New E12 aka My Fav Fiio Amp

Disclaimer: Fiio sent us the Fiio A5 portable amplifier free of charge in exchange for an honest review.The unit doesn’t need to be returned to China, Fiio is also is a site advertiser.

 

Fiio

The Chines Fiio no longer needs an introduction. The brand’s popularity has only increased over the last years and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon. Simply put: Fiio makes high resolution audio available for everyone. For me Fiio lately has been focusing on two main “things”: Updating their huge existing product-line (at a (too) fast pace) and bringing new High Res audio players to the market. With the DAPs, Fiio – with the X7 – also started selling more expensive gear then we were used to from Fiio but the X7, and now the X5iii, simply are top quality DAPs.

The Fiio unit that impressed me most over the last few years is the Fiio E10(K)/Olympus and it still is one of the units I love using at home and at the office for casual listening. While Fiio certainly developed other great units, I’m still waiting for something new and exciting like the E10K, a unit that shook up the business. I hope to see such a creation soon as I feel it lately has been getting rather predictive. I always liked the sound of the E12A amplifier so my hopes for an improved version are high.

A5 Amplifier

The new Fiio A5 portable amplifier is available in a titanium and black color. The A5 also holds the official golden Hi-Res Audio label. Some A5s seem to come with the famous logo stickers, though I couldn’t find any in my box. It’s not that important to me though. The A5 is the newest unit of the E12 amplifier series but the look and feel still mostly is the same.

The A5 continues to use the E12A’s highly effective MUSES02 + LME49600 OPAMP combo. According to Fiio, all major components utilize high-precision metal film resistors in order to keep improved channel balance and lower noise floor. A +/- symmetrical supplied power allows for the elimination of coupling capacitors, reduces distortion and increases dynamic range. The Output power is up to 800mW (at 32Ω), along with high/low gain switch, which makes the A5 capable of driving most of the headphones and earbuds in the market.

With the Fiio A5 you’re supposed to get longer battery life backed by smart rapid charging. The battery inside the A5 is an 880mAh 3S (three cells in series) battery. The A5 can automatically adjust the amount of current to the battery when charging by detecting your particular charging equipment. With a 5V/2A charger, the A5’s battery can be fully topped up in 2.5h only.  With normal use, the A5 should last you for a lengthy 13 hours. Charging the unit while using it is perfectly fine btw, and you won’t hear any weird noises because of it.

The price of the A5 is set at $129,99USD and the amplifier is available on Amazon.com or your local dealer. The multiple page Head-Fi thread can be found here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/819831/the-fiio-a5-thread-an-upgrade-of-e12a-muses02-lme49600-800mw-19vp-p-12-hours

Design & Build Quality

The A5 with its typical design is built to be used mostly with a smartphone, it also has the smartphone size and that means it size-wise won’t be compatible with smallest of the popular DAPs on the market.

The Fiio A5 is well built (I do like the E12A more) but it isn’t perfect either. Don’t get me wrong, it is built like a tank and I’m 100% convinced this is an amp that can take a serious beating, just like its ancestors. The point I’m referring to – and this isn’t new – is that the lines of the A5 do not match up with the lines of the head and tail section. OCD-sensitive audiophiles might not like to see this even though it functionally has no impact at all.

The A5 no longer comes with a brushed metal case but this time Fiio chose to use a sandblasted enclosure. I have to say it does feel more plastic-like but it does result in a more durable paintjob. For most people the new design probably is more striking in appearance but I still prefer the E12A’s finish. Different people, different tastes. Of the three models, the E12A still is my fav design wise. Especially the E12A and A5 look very much alike. The Original E12 had some extra switches on the side for gain and crossfeed.

The new A5 does have a dedicated LED specifically designed to let you know the device’s charging status immediately. It also sports CNC (stainless steel) milled headphone connectors which replace the copper ones. The effect should be that the connectors are sturdier and have no gaps, as it is called. The most attractive part of the Fiio A5 to me is the beautifully designed volume/power knob with fifty-six(!) etched 45° lines and a red line. It looks so fancy but at the same time I don’t really like the implementation of the volume pot. When the A5 is lying flat on your desk, changing the volume with just one hand/two fingers is not the easiest, that however isn’t an issue when it’s stacked next to your source.

On top of the unit you’ll find the power and charging indicators and the classic Fiio logo. On the front from left to right you have the 3.5mm input, the 3.5mm headphone out, the H/L gain switch (13dB which is -3dB compared to the E12(A)) and the power/volume know. On the left side of the unit you have Fiio’s awesome Bass Boost (+5 dB) switch and the micro-USB charging port. The unit measures 124 x 65.5 x 14.5mm and weighs 168g which is perfectly ok, it is the heaviest of the E12/A5 series though. The Fiio A5 is just a tad bigger than their new killer X5iii DAP.

Specs and Sound can be found after the jump below or the click HERE

4/5 - (46 votes)
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedin

Lieven is living in Europe and he's the leader of the gang. He's running Headfonia as a side project next to his full time day job in Digital Marketing & Consultancy. He's a big fan of tube amps and custom inear monitors and has published hundreds of product reviews over the years.

48 Comments

  • Reply February 10, 2017

    Eugene

    Thank you for the great review, Liven.

    I have Fiio X5 II paired with Fiio E12A and Sennheiser HD600 (AKG 712 Pro, Beyerdynamic 880 250 Ohm). For comfort listening and to enjoy music I never turn volume knob of E12A more than 11a.m. (high gain), so I have plenty of headroom. These headphones do not sound underpowered or distorted for me (even current hungry AKG).

    Will I notice any significant difference with A5?

    • Reply February 11, 2017

      Lieven

      I’d stick with the 12A. Great amp and the A5 won’t offer you a lot more.

      • Reply November 12, 2018

        Indrajit

        How does A5 compare with Schiit Magni amplifier? Driving power is not an issue as I have a Sennheiser HD 598(50ohms) to drive

    • Reply January 21, 2018

      Rifle

      Hi, I have the E12 but it hisses on my iems too loudly when line out from my DAP. Should I go for the E12a or the A5(considering same price bracket) as I will be keeping the E12 for myself. Thanks in advance!

      • Reply August 24, 2018

        Mike lloyd

        E12A as your IEMs appear very sensitive. Love mine….

  • Reply February 10, 2017

    Eugene

    Sorry, Lieven, I misspelled your name in my previous comment.

  • Reply February 10, 2017

    Carter Dotson

    Thanks for the review! I actually picked one up already, but it’s always good to hear that I’m not crazy based on my impressions! Anyway, how would you compare this to the Cayin C5 amp? Was thinking about picking that one up instead, as I really like the sound of this amp with my HD580, but I prefer an airier-sounding amp with my NightHawk Wood.

    • Reply February 11, 2017

      Lieven

      I’m sorry but Nathan has the C5, not me.

    • Reply August 24, 2018

      Mike lloyd

      Doesn’t the Cayin have a high’ish output impedance, making it unsuitable for low impedance headphones?

  • Reply February 13, 2017

    Wim

    OK not suitable for my 300ohm HD580, the search continues, difficult as I don’t want to spend a lot for a portable amp… Any recommendations always welcome!

    • Reply February 14, 2017

      dale thorn

      What DAC are you feeding into that amp?

    • Reply February 15, 2017

      Carter Dotson

      I think the amp has plenty of power for the 580, it sounds great with my 580. And I don’t think that you’re realistically going to find a portable amp with that much power period, or at least not without buying maybe a Chord Mojo, maybe? The DACport HD might be a decent pickup for you depending on what your source is.

  • Reply March 28, 2017

    Juan Luis

    Hoy its soundstage compared with Cl Picollo?

  • Reply April 7, 2017

    Terence

    Would this amp make a difference when used with the X5 iii ? Or does the X5 iii not really need a separate amp?

    • Reply April 29, 2018

      Alejo

      I was wondering exactly the
      same…

  • Reply May 14, 2017

    Mihnea

    Hi.
    Would you recommend it paired with a Fiio X5 3rd gen or is the player enough?

    thanks

    • Reply May 14, 2017

      Lieven

      Depends on what you need to drive

  • Reply June 6, 2017

    RS

    Will it be great with beyer DT 990 pro 250 ohm?

  • Reply June 26, 2017

    Ruslan

    Hello! is it worth buying for Fiio X3-II and ATH-MSR7?
    sorry for my english 🙂

  • Reply August 7, 2017

    Angga

    I have HD650 and E17K. Planning to add A5 or E12A to this setup, is it worth?

    • Reply August 7, 2017

      Lieven

      I’d save up for something like the C5/EL/Picollo/duet/CV5

      • Reply August 8, 2017

        Angga

        So Cayin C5 is better than Fiio A5? (the other option were too expensive for me)

        • Reply August 8, 2017

          Lieven

          it is, but I am talking about the JDSLabs C5

  • Reply August 8, 2017

    Angga

    Oh sorry, my bad.
    But JDSLabs C5 already discontinued, right? How about JDSLabs Objectice2?

    • Reply August 8, 2017

      Lieven

      2nd hand market 🙂
      We’re not fan of the O2 amp, sorry.

  • Reply August 8, 2017

    Angga

    Oh okay then.
    Thank you, Lieven.

  • Reply August 13, 2017

    Kyle Stevens

    How does the Fiio A5 work with the HD650? I also have HE 400i which I think the A5 will power sufficiently I’m just worried about the HD650s.

  • Reply August 13, 2017

    Lieven

    It works but the HD650 deserves better

    • Reply September 16, 2017

      Kyle

      Hopefully by the time I get my headphones I’ll have a Dark Voice

  • Reply August 17, 2017

    Martin

    I have the Sony player: NWZ-A17 and for headphones: Sony MDR 100AAP (not the best but still i like them) .With who amp should i pair them ? A5 or E12 ?

  • Reply August 30, 2017

    Alex alex

    I have X5 ll +E12A and I use it with westone um pro 30 & audio technica PRO700, abd plaining to buy HD 650 too. If i could change E12A for new A5 , should I do this?

    • Reply August 30, 2017

      Lieven

      No I wouldn’t upgrade

      • Reply August 30, 2017

        Alex alex

        Ok, thanks

  • Reply November 21, 2017

    rio

    hello , I’m an e12 fanboy since a long ago, but unfortunately I must sell it because of some reasons (hissing is one of them) now I’m searching for an amplifier that warmer than e12 , is a5 a good option for me? my friend said it’s more fun than e12a

    • Reply November 23, 2017

      Lieven

      E12A is dead silent though

  • Reply November 29, 2017

    Beaters

    I have dap Fiio X3 III + MDR 1000x worth it for Ampli A5 ? Thanks

  • Reply March 24, 2018

    Palash

    Cayin C5 vs Fiio A5 . Whcih one to choose.

    • Reply March 25, 2018

      Lieven

      It’s a tough call. We”ll know more soon

      • Reply August 5, 2019

        Ronaldo

        Any updates? I will be pullimg the trigger on either one very very soon. Thanks in advance.

        • Reply August 5, 2019

          Lieven

          I’d go for the Cayin but have you seen the Fiio Q5s?

  • Reply April 25, 2018

    Giorgio Deleo

    Is a worth buy to drive at the best my Sennheiser HD 580?

  • Reply April 29, 2018

    Alejo

    Hello Lieven,

    I have a X5 III and B&O H9I; does it really make a difference adding this A5 to my setup? Will I have better sound? Or will it be louder only? Some months ago I bought a Chord Mojo and I paired it to my iphone6s with Bowers and Wilkins P7: I didn’t notice any difference in sound (it was louder only)…

  • Reply May 31, 2018

    Firman

    Does it worth to buy this if I already have LG V30 as my source? I am using Sennheiser HD 6XX. Will it make a big difference?

  • Reply January 8, 2019

    Heru Pranyoto

    Compare FIIO A5 to Cypher labs Picollo AMP, which is better to pair with FIIO M6 which is small size DAP like Picollo.
    I expect better sound resolution (detail, staging and separation) also higher output power than the stock of the FIIO M6

  • Reply June 18, 2020

    Sean

    I purchased an Fiio A5 a few years ago, and the sound quality is quite impressive. This is my first headphone amplifier, and I use it to drive a V-MODA Crossfade M100 headphone, which has a high impedance playing music from an iPhone 8 Plus. The improvement was shocking. I could feel the bass vibrating the headphone against the sides of my head. There was no discernible distortion at any volume level.

    About a year and a half ago, I thought I had lost it. Turns out it was in a box in my storage unit. The battery won’t hold a charge now, and I can’t afford to replace it. I’m wondering if anyone knows where I can find a replacement battery for sale. I know it’s not designed to be serviced by end users, but I am pretty handy with electronics.

  • Reply November 10, 2022

    Graham Terry

    A bit late to the party I know but I have just bought a second-hand Fiio A5 and paired it with an iPhone 12 (using lightning / phono DAC adaptor) connected to Beyerdynamic DT770 pro 80 ohm cans.

    I have to have the volume turned up to full on the phone and almost full with gain turned on on the A5 which gives a reasonable volume but with nothing in reserve to really crank it up.

    There is no hiss/distortion but seems strange that I am struggling for power out of such a powerhouse of an amp.

    Any ideas? I tried the reset button. Not sure if the iPhone is limiting the power to the amp thus reducing the output. Want to get the best out of my headphones but (very) limited funds.

    Thanks anyone.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.