FiiO Q3 Review

Specifications

For the nit-picker and nerdy one here, I’m giving the specs and technical sheets. For all the others, you can just go to the next page to see how the amp performs.

AKM DAC + XMOS 

The FiiO Q3 uses an AK4462 chip from Asahi Kasei, a premium 2 channel DAC issued from the Velvet Sound Series. A great DAC, able to decode up to 32bit/768kHz streams in PCM and DSD512 files.

To do so, FiiO gave the Q3 the same high-end XMOS chip we found in the Q5S, the XUF208. In addition to that, FiiO added almost every certification they could get:

• USB iF
• MFi (one of the few chi-fi brands to get one)
• Thesycon support (USB 1.0 and 2.0)
• THX (we’ll get to that)
• Hi-Res Audio (a classic)

Combined with the USB-C port, that makes the FiiO Q3 almost as versatile as its bigger sibling, the FiiO Q5S. Sure, there is no MQA support, but who needs that?

THX AAA + TI OPA

It’s a fact, the brand loves AKM chips and we’ll encounter more and more AAA amps in the next generation of FiiO’s devices.

Like the Q5S and M11Pro, the FiiO Q3 embeds two THX-AAA amps to drive the most demanding headphones, with “guaranteed low distortion, quality bass, and overall excellent sound quality”.

There is this quote that I really like: “With THX’s patented feed-forward error correction topology, the AAA Amps have low-distortion, high power, and a pure, uncolored sound. You’ll experience subtle details and shocking swings effortlessly with the AAA in your Q3”

In terms of numbers, the THX-AAA + OPA1662 combo delivers up to 100mW @ 300ohm now, a big jump from the previous Q1 Mark II. Distortion is even lower, rated at 0.0012% instead of 0.003% on the MKII, and the peak output voltage reached 9Vpp: twice higher than before.

On paper, this should allow the FiiO Q3 to feed planar headphones like my Audeze or the good old Sennheiser HD800S. We’ll check on that.

Full specs

• Type : USB DAC/AMP
• DAC : AKM AK4462
• USB : XMOS XUF208
• Sample rate : PCM : 8Hz – 768kHz (16/24/32bits) native – DSD64/128/256
/512
• Outputs : 3.5mm (single-ended) – 4.4mm / 2.5mm (balanced)
• Input : USB-C 
• Frequency Response : 20Hz – 20kHz (+/- 0.5dB)
• Output power : 160mW@32ohms – 19mW@300ohms / 325mW@32ohms – 100mW@300 ohms   
• THD : > 0.0015%
• Battery capacity / Life: 1800mAh / 10h(SE)-8h(balanced)
• Size : 105mm x 59mm x 12.5mm
• Weight: 110g

The article continues on Page five, after the click here