FiiO Q5S Bluetooth Decoder Amplifier,Mobile Phone Computer Portable Headphone Amplifier HIFI Balanced All-in-one DSD Hard Solution (Type-C Version) (titanium)

Product Information

Four channel analog volume control with Panasonic film capacitors and high grade audiophile power supply help a lot with the performance. All my desktop headphones are wired with a 4-pin XLR cable, so unfortunately, I was unable to test the balanced 2.5mm or 4.4mm headphone out with bigger cans. Output power doubled. No jokes, from 500mW in 32 Ohm it sits not at full 1 Watt of power at the same impedance Of course the AM3D module is available with the micro USB port so current owners of Q5s can add the THX amp module sans the type C port.

FiiO Q5S High Resolution DAC and Headphone Amplifier FiiO Q5S High Resolution DAC and Headphone Amplifier

Founded in 2007, FiiO is a chi-if superstar. In a decade, they rose from a simple lo-fi manufacturer to a famous, brand, acclaimed by many, and loved by even more. From DAP to IEM, FiiO covers almost all range of products, but it’s all thanks to the DACs and AMPs that we are aware of them now. Switch to something a little more demanding, though (such as GoGo Penguin’s Raven), and ‘natural’ and ‘unforced’ can become a little close to ‘undemonstrative’ and ‘undynamic’ for comfort. One further note is that although the Q5s TC and FiiO M11Pro share the same amp module with the same specs for some strange reason the Q5s TC appears to be more powerful.

As is the case with all the inherently balanced designs of FiiO (and not only) like the Q3 or the M11PRO while the single ended out is already good enough it is the balanced that it is exceptional and of the utmost quality. What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence. Since I am not a big fan of bass boosters, I left it Off most of the time and listened to some favorite tunes.

FiiO Q5s Type-C Bluetooth Headphone DAC/Amp – Apos Audio FiiO Q5s Type-C Bluetooth Headphone DAC/Amp – Apos Audio

I’m glad to tell you that a Q5 made its way to me and I could compare both brothers in arms. From the first beats it was clear that Q5S has more power under its belt, I need to raise the volume by about 10% to have the same sound pressure level (SPL). Once I volume matched both using the sensitive mic inside the MiniDSP E.A.R.S. I resumed my listening session. The Q5s Type C is compatible with the FiiO Control app which allows for greater flexibility and customisation.

I have among others a Superlux HD 681 for the spacious soundstage, but the highs are too sharp. Will the Q3 soften them?

FiiO Q5S Modular DAC/AMP Review - Audiophile Heaven

The USB input is taken care by an advanced XUF208 interface from XMOS, that offers stability, low jitter (noise) and will send a clean signal to other components. You will probably have to use EQ though, to lower the treble if you want to listen little bit louder. All the magic happens here as this is the only place where FiiO engineers were given freedom to come-up with an interesting and good sounding device. Q5S is stuffed with lots of top components, many of which can be found in much more expensive designs.Newest device replaces the one-ear-old Q5 and stands as the new top-of-the line DAC from FiiO’s portfolio. Q5S comes from a long line of portable DACs and headphone amp units, it is not just a refined version of Q5. FiiO has years of expertise in the portable Hi-Fi realm and applied all that knowledge for an affordable but high-performance unit, Q5S is also a successor to the older E17K and E18, it even borrowed a lot of tech from the speedy M11 DAP so that is always good news.

xDuoo XD05 Plus Review - Desktop Power on the Go - Soundnews xDuoo XD05 Plus Review - Desktop Power on the Go - Soundnews

and prog / fusion / metal / jazz mixes , both old style and modern , for bands and non-classical related genres . xDuoo XD-05 Plus + HIFIMAN Deva (250 USD + 300 USD) – With Deva, I always feel that I need more power. XD-05 Plus puts my mind to ease when it comes to powering Deva, as it has more than enough power, authority, and punc, making Deva truly shine their best. The soundstage is natural in size, since Deva had a really extensive stage, and the more intimate presentation of XD-05 Plus narrows that down a bit. It is hard hitting without any added reverb or echo and can naturally portray even the busiest of the passages. Q5S looks very much like the older Q5 but has few notable changes. Gone is the second micro-USB port found on the right side of Q5, it made no sense since it was used only for charging, but the main micro-USB port was also charging the unit, the second port needed to go, a smart move.Details presentation is very well balanced , with a slight tendency for being analitical or analitically bright ; mellow and very detailed tones are preserved on mids and high mids ( i.e. voices and guitars ) but hardly with an upfront position ; the Q5s-TC is quite a fast and rich detail gives when headphones can receive and land the feed , and this quality can be heard in mids too ; but they will not deserve a specially hot or that superlush spotlight for it , they are treated quite unpartially.