Intro:
This review will mainly focus on the FiiO Q5 with the bundled AM3A as well optional AM1 amplifier module.
This and That:
Plenty of accessories included. Cool screwdriver. Highly supple Lightning cable.
In my opinion not FiiO's most beautiful product compared to their more recent releases but not really ugly either. Good build quality.
Pleather rear panel.
The optional LC-Q5 case doesn't look beautiful and makes the Q5 look like an uninspired black brick, however it does its job and protects the DAC-Amp.
Plenty of audio inputs (wired and wireless).
Different settings (e.g. digital filter, LED, power saving) can be controlled using a special FiiO Android or iOS app (unfortunately only iOS 8 and above).
Unlike on the Q1 MkII, operating the Q5's bass switch doesn't cause any audible glitches.
Doesn't require any special drivers to be downloaded on Windows computers.
Separate DAC and charging USB sockets (can be switched in settings).
Amp module screws need to be removed completely else one cannot remove the module.
The optional L26 cable adapter makes headphones with (in my opinion unnecessary and delicate) balanced TRRS 2.5 mm plugs compatible with standard 3.5 mm TRS sockets. It appears quite supple, premium and looks really good.
Line/coax/optical socket somewhat loose with most cables.
The optional amplifier modules come with several sticker skins and spare screws.
Volume Control:
A typical fully analogue implementation of the volume control usually has the disadvantage of poorer channel matching in the low adjustment range.
FiiO are however using a digital volume control implementation in their Q5 (just like in their Q1 MkII and K3), so any channel imbalance is avoided entirely.
What’s also great about the Q5 is that the power button and volume control are separated wherefore the last volume setting is stored (unlike on the K3 and Q1 MkII where it's a combined potentiometer).
The Q5 has got 256 digital volume steps more than the Q1 MkII, resulting in an even somewhat more precise and smoother operation than what the Q1 MkII already offers. Not that one would really notice this advantage though.
Increments are smooth and gradual.
However, I wouldn't mind if the lowest possible volume setting were somewhat quieter using very sensitive in-ears (AM3A unbalanced as well as AM1 module). However, when connected as a USB DAC (Windows), the signal can be further attenuated using the Windows mixer.
Sound: bundled AM3A Amplifier Module:
It should be noted that all measurements, impressions and comparisons were done exclusively using the included AM3A amplifier module in single-ended use. The used digital filters in DAC mode were always sharp roll-off or short delay, sharp roll-off.
(AM3A) Frequency Response (no Load):
… pure Amp (Line In -> Headphone Out):
… DAC-Amp (USB in -> Headphone Out):
… DAC-Amp (Optical in -> Headphone Out):
… pure DAC (USB in -> Line Out):
… Bluetooth DAC-Amp (Bluetooth in -> Headphone Out):
As we can see, no matter what (analogue or digital) input is used, the Q5 basically always puts out a desirably flat signal, just as it should be.
Bass Boost:
(AM3A) Output Impedance (loaded with Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi 10):
Based on the deviation, an output impedance of around 1.3 Ohms can be calculated, which backs up FiiO's own specs of 1.2 Ohms.
While that's still good for the vast majority of multi-BA in-ears, I would have expected better (closer to 0 Ohms) from a device that is meant to be a flagship DAC-Amp.
(AM3A) Hiss Performance:
Using the Q5, regardless in what mode, the amount of audible hiss with very, near-extremely sensitive in-ears such as my Shure SE846, Pai Audio MR3 and the Ostry KC06A is fortunately on the quieter side and pretty mild, however still audible and not as quiet as my iBasso DX90, Leckerton UHA-6S.MkII, RME ADI-2 DAC or the Cowon Plenue 2.
It also hisses very slightly more than the iBasso DX150 or DX200, and is also a hair less quiet than the FiiO Q1 MkII (line in), while it is slightly quieter than my Chord Electronics Mojo, Apple iPhone 4 or FiiO X3.
(AM3A) Subjective Sound Perception…
… in Wired Operation (Line In, TOSLINK In, USB DAC):
No surprise; it sounds just as clean, transparent and neutral as any audio device should these days.
… in Wireless Operation (Bluetooth):
I'm very happy that I cannot reliably tell any difference between the Q5 being used as a wireless or wired DAC-Amp. That's the second time that a Bluetooth audio device sounds audible transparent and just like a proper wired DAC to me (the other device I'm referring to is the Mass Fidelity Relay). There's also no additional noise, hiss or whatsoever when using Bluetooth.
- - - - - - - - -
Sound: AM1 Amplifier Module:
The test was performed using the FiiO Q5 (sharp roll-off or short delay, sharp roll-off filter) and AM1.
(AM1) Frequency Response (no Load):
Just as flat and linear as it should be; no surprise here.
(AM1) Output Impedance (loaded with Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi 10):
The measured deviation is very small and the resulting output impedance can be calculated to be around tiny 0.1, 0.2 Ohms, which is perfect for all multi-BA in-ears.
I really wonder why FiiO didn't include this module with the Q5 as its output impedance is perfectly flagship-worthy unlike the AM3A's that is only "still good" in this regard.
(AM1) Hiss Performance:
Using the AM1, regardless in what mode, the amount of audible hiss with very, near-extremely sensitive in-ears such as my Shure SE846, Pai Audio MR3 and Ostry KC06A is fortunately on the quiet side and quite faint, although ultimately still not as quiet as my iBasso DX90, RME ADI-2 DAC, Leckerton UHA-6S.MkII or the Cowon Plenue 2. It also hisses very slightly more than the iBasso DX150 or DX200, and is also just a hair less quiet than the FiiO Q1 MkII (analogue line in).
Using my even more extremely sensitive Campfire Audio Andromeda, the hiss isn't faint anymore but already mild and audible with music.
So on its own the hiss performance is good and definitely among the better devices, but it should be even better for aimed flagship performance.
Compared to the AM3A, the AM1 outputs just a hair less hiss into extremely sensitive in-ears, but the difference is so minor that it is negligible.
(AM1) Subjective Sound Perception:
To me, it sounds identical to the AM3A, which is not too much of a surprise as properly constructed audio devices should sound identical/almost identical in a controlled listening test.
Conclusion:
The Q5 is versatile and offers plenty of features, such as a digital volume control implementation that has the great advantage of not having any channel imbalance no matter at what setting. However, FiiO's flagship portable DAC-Amp doesn't look as beautiful as their other recent releases.
The Bluetooth implementation is audibly transparent to me.
Unfortunately the bundled AM3A amplifier module is only "still good" in terms output impedance (ca. 1.3 Ohms) while I would expect a value that's definitely closer to 0 Ohms for a flagship device. It seems it is only targeted towards those who think that they'll really benefit from the symmetrical 2.5 mm output (and I'm not referring to the higher power output...).
The optional AM1 module, on the other hand, features a very low output impedance that is perfect for all in-ears (tiny 0.1, maybe 0.2 Ohms) and therefore the better choice. It also sounds, not very surprisingly, just like the AM3A when performing a controlled comparison. So it's definitely the module of choice for a flagship device (and doesn't have that quite unnecessary symmetrical 2.5 mm output that doesn't really have advantage in the headphone realm except for greater power output).
Still, hiss performance is good, although "only" good, almost very good, and won't be fully good for in-ears that are as extreme as my Campfire Audio Andromeda is in terms of unveiling hiss.