FiiO Q3 Headphone Amps Amplifier Portable High Resolution DAC DSD512 for Smartphones/PC/Laptop/Home/Car Audio Compatible with iOS/Android 2.5/3.5/4.4mm Output (Q3-MQA)

I have a number of DACs for various purposes. This one is married to my MacBook Pro, both at my desk and on the move. It’s more than powerful enough to sub as my desktop DAC at home, and the battery allows me to work on long flights without the DAC draining my laptop battery. Hence, a perfect pairing.I appreciate the bass/gain boosts, but I generally run it at normal gain and bass levels. I like the FiiO natural sounding neutral balance and clarity it brings out of the native mastered sound, clear and full without distorting the engineer’s intentions.I have two other FiiO DACs, the KA13, BTR15, and both the UTWS3 and the upgraded UTWS5. All work great in their intended space (wired or Bluetooth + cable, or true wireless Bluetooth). All have a similar, but still individually identifiable sound signature, and I pair them intentionally with both my source and IEM choice. I like the Q3 with my FH9 IEMs to drive every detail, the portable KA13 with either my FH9 or FH15, and the FH15 or Shure 425 with the BTR15 or UTWS5 depending on how much freedom of movement I need. All told, they allow me to get the best listening experience whatever my circumstances.

This portable DAC/HPA punches much higher above it's price point, as usual for FiiO products. Paired with IEMs that cost $3100 and $2900 respectively (Empire Ears Legend Evos and Noble Sultans using a 2.5mm Project 8 Plato x Socrates cable by Eletech) and over-heads that cost $4500 each (Audeze LCD-5's and Focal Utopias using a 4-pin XLR balanced with cable with 4.4mm adapter by Cardas), the soundstage is wide enough and the 3D imaging is satisfactory considering this tiny portable only cost $150. It's sound quality is fantastic. Paired with FiiO FDX's, FH9's, and FA9's all were pleasant considering the difference in tier compared to the previously mentioned IEMs. The bass is deep and clear - and does not muddy the mids. Treble is not fatiguing. Pairing something this inexpensive with my higher end gear is something I would only do with FiiO, and perhaps Topping. I think the Q3 competes well with the desktop FiiO K5 Pro (which can support 32/768 and native DSD512) and the DAP FiiO M11 Plus LTD (which in USB DAC mode can support 32/384 and native 256) in terms of cost/value.If you are considering this versus the FiiO K3, I would implore you to buy this, the Q3, hands down.My iPhone, Samsung Fold Z, Windows 11 PC, and Macbook Air recognized the Q3 immediately using Roon. This DAC, like my other (significantly more expensive and similarly spec-ed) trans-portable DAC/amps, turned my iPhone into a fantastic Roon-endpoint. I already had the Windows drivers installed because I own other FiiO DACs and DAPs which use the same ASIO driver (which is required for DSD over PCM sampling). No driver is required for WASAPI. The driver can be downloaded from the FiiO website.Unlike my other portable DACs (Chord Mojo, Chord Hugo2, CEntrance M8, Questyle M15, iFi xDSD, FiiO K3, FiiO M11 in USB DAC mode, FiiO M17 in USB DAC mode), the Q3 is able to unfold MQA files which is an added bonus. While I do not necessarily drink the MQA kool-aid, I do own several hundred MQA files so it is nice to have a portable that is able to completely unfold the files .~~~Where the Q3 really shines, for me, is as a portable amplifier for my DAPs using the 3.5mm jack as a line-in and the balanced jacks as the phone-outs. Paired with my FiiO M11… holy buckets! The analog sound is PHENOMENAL for a $699 DAP + $149 portable amp. Blows away DAPs at twice the price without an external amp! This alone makes the Q3 worth twice the price for me.

I use this primarily with my desktop but I wanted something portable if needed. I don't know if it's a problem with my phone (S24 Plus) but a lot of the times it takes a few unplugs and replugs to get it to work. And sometimes on my desktop the volume knob stops working until I turn the DAC off and back on twice.I'm using this with my beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X headphones and have no issues powering them. I leave the bass off because it's too much. I wish it was either a slider or another knob but with how compact and slim this DAC is, it's fine.

I usually don't write reviews on products I purchased but this one warrants a review. After fully testing out FiiO Q3 I must say this is a well built device with really outstanding sound. I tested this against all 3 models of the Dragon Fly Black, Red and Cobalt Dac's. I wanted to love one of the models as product reviews were quite positive. I can say that the sound quality of the FiiO Q3 was superior in all categories. I used Tidal music service to test all 4 models with their MQA music catalog. The highest quality sound was incredible with the Q3. It sounded more natural and the level of sound stage and instrument definition was just pleasantly enjoyable. I am so impressed with the overall quality of the Q3 and I recommend the model that allows MQA sound to be delivered to your headphones. My only recommendation for improvement is in the size and portability of the Q3. It requires that I use this at home where I can use the bans to keep it strapped to my iPhone 12 mini. It works well with my MacBook Air as it sets right next to it. For the money I don't think you can find a better Dac than the FiiO Q3. It packs a powerful sound quality and is a very solidly built unit. This one is a keeper and has enhanced my music listening immensely!

Great product but I have to go back to docs to remember which switch/button does what. I thought it was meant to be that way until I read another review here about having to need bright light and a 10x magnification glass to see gray markings (only on some of the back controls). The other reviewer and mine obviously missed the paint shop! If this is their quality control then I hope that they do better on the quality of their electronics. My eyesight is 20-20 and only with a 10x jeweler's loop can anything be seen. The 1st photo was a screengrab from Amazon, that is what I expected mine to look like. My photos were taken with iPhone 12 zoomed to 10x. I have attempted to contact FIIO via their Website but its link is broken. I, unfortunately, was out of the country and missed Amazon return time but perhaps someone from FIIO will read this and want to make it right!