FiiO Q1 MKII is one of the proof that FiiO‘s gearing up in DAC/Amp Products after other amplificators like E series. While we can percieve it as portable device because of the rounded edges, it can be placed on your desk thanks to the plain design just like Headstage Arrow. To be honest design reminds whiskey flask to me.
FiiO Q1 MkII – Unboxing and Functions
Box is white and bright, typical FiiO Box. In the box there are Q1 MkII, Micro USB to Line In Cable, Micro USB to Lightning Cable, Silicone Pad for desktop use, string bag carrying case and 2 pairs (small and large size) of rubber band for sticking Q1 to your Smartphone/DAP. Size of Q1 MKII is between Q5s and BTR5, therefore it can easily fit in your palm. Volume knob is gradual, but there’s no side pressure protectors like Q5S. Q1 MKII is quite lightweight, it’s basically aluminum chassis with circut board. Battery lasts 20hours with standard and 10 hours with balanced output. There’s FiiO logo on top and technical specifications underneath. Oh- it’s also fingerprint magnet just like FiiO K5 Pro! And shares the same disadvantage with Fiio amps. You power up the unit by rotating the volume knob. And because of this, you have to rely on your memory for the next listening session.
Weight: About 101g Dimensions: About 99mm x 59mm x 12.5mm Audio Input: Micro USB/3.5 mm Jack Headphone Output: 3.5 mm stereo jack Balance Headphone Output: Supported (2.5mm balanced headphone jack) Recommended Headphone Impedance: 16~100Ω(PO),16~150Ω(BAL) Bass Boost: 0/5.4dB Channel Imbalance: 0.2 dB Power Input: DC5V 2A recommended Battery Capacity: 1800mAh Charge Time: ≤4h Battery Life: ＞20h（AUX IN）＞10h（USB IN） USB DAC: Up to 384kHz/32bit supported DSD Support: DSD64/128/256 Line output specifications THD+N: ＜0.003% (1 kHz/10kΩ) SNR: ≥110 dB (A-weighted) Frequency Response: 6 Hz~80 kHz（-3dB） Channel Separation: ＞90 dB (1 kHz) Max Input Level: 3.4V
In H Gain mode, loudness is so extreme even in (under 80ohm) Over-Ear Headphones! Presentation is bright even in dark sounding headphones. When you decrease the volume, details of the instruments appears and be poised. Background is close to black.
Bass capacity is on top in bass-heavy mixes like modern pop tracks. But this comes with a disadvantage that causes reduced volume on higher frequencies.
But when you toggle the Bass switch to H, you are becoming immersed with the bass. Naturally sound get little bloated, overall it’s nothing but bassheads dream. In this track bass sounds shaking. If you toggle the switch to L, using Sundara you get neutral sound with fuller experience.
This review is made on 3.5mm standard output listening session. You can connect Q1 MKII to PC via USB cable and you can hear significant difference in sound. This also applies to Apple devices too! Don’t forget that connecting via USB Port activates DAC thus results with smoother and cleaner sound.
Fiio Q1 MKII – Conclusion
Tube Amps sounds warmer and you expect that when you are listening through them. In solid silicone chips you desire non-coloured sound. Fiio Q1 MKII amplifies audio signal without colouration and delivers clean sound. Let’s admit that Q5S handles the amplification much powerful and cleaner compared to Q1 MKII. For it’s price it performs good for its price segment. Much thanks to Advancedmp3playerstr for the review unit.
