i actually use the q1 dac that i bought back 3 years ago and i use it for gaming with my ath ws1100 from audio technica is just a whole different experience never going back to gaming headsets.
Only the 2.5mm output is balanced, the 3.5mm is unbalanced. Also, I believe you need to have a specific cable for the balanced output as well, a 4 pole fiio balanced connector to be exact, you can pick one up from brainwavz for way cheaper. Also, the q1 does actually provide more power than the a3, however, you need to run balanced in order to get the full output power of the amp.
Hi Williams If I had to choose from lg v30 plus and mark 2, which is the best music device in these two? I need best music. External DAC or inbuilt DAC in phone doesn't matter.
Sorry for replaying for this so late. If it was me I would pick the mark 2 solely on the fact that no matter what phone I have I could still use my mark 2, and for some phones, my wired headphones. The LG V30 has a lot of praise behind it because of the internal Quad DAC. Question, if you are considering the v30 how come not the v40 so that you can get the DTS:X 3D Surround Sound support? There are other things to consider too like how external amps processes the sound (the actual file) better and the fact that the AMP part of the DAC is mostly for items connected to your DAC. In my opinion, the LG V30 will still cost you north of $300 and there are external music players that could offer you what you are looking for when it comes to DACs for around that price. If you already have the V30 then I can see why the Q1 Mark 2 might look unappealing in that regard plus the V30 has HI-FI support (V30 + Tidal subscription would be a good pair) which could be triggered with the right set of cans, but as soon as you move on to another device there goes your DAC. TLDR, my suggestion with everything that I just said is to get the Q1 Mark 2, because I feel that this will be the best for sound quality and longevity of the product, making it a better investment.
Hey! I'm actually planning to buy this to pair it with my phone (Huawei Nova 3i)- aside from all the shittery that Huawei puts out: Where can I find a micro usb to micro usb cable where the host/female is my phone? There's a lot of them in Amazon but most... Or all of them are male to male One of the issues this thing (or Fiio in general) has from what I've read is the occassional incompatibility with Android devices, sometimes even draining from your phone to the DAC. Just wondering if OTG usb micro adaptors are a good solution to this since generally, most of them are host/female formats.
That's a good question but I'll answer it with the experiences that I've had up to this point with OTG cables in general. FIrst I recommend just getting the otg cable from fiio. Here is the Amazon link: www.amazon.com/Fiio-ML06-Micro-Converter-Cable/dp/B07FBZ963D/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?crid=3UF672S7L9HQY&keywords=fiio+lightning+to+micro+usb&qid=1551588346&s=gateway&sprefix=fiio+micro+usb+to+mic%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-1-fkmr1 . Second, finding an OTG cable that is both off brand and whether or not it will drain your phone while in use sometimes boils down to buy it then try it. I have run into multiple issues where the online seller said that is wont act like a charger or won't do a, b, or c and it just does. for the Q1 Mark 2 I ended up buying the OTG cable for my galaxy s9+ off hand to solve the problem because they were sold out online but it was the only thing that didn't give me issue. As for getting one with a female otg honestly, I don't think it will make a difference. Plus it will be one extra thing you will be connecting and it will make using the Mark 2 a pain. the Huawei Nova 3i supports hosting so you shouldn't have any issues using the fiio ML06 that I linked above. Let me know if that helps.
With these earbuds, it's worth a try. Since I don't have these to try myself it's hard to give you a more experienced position on earbuds like these but from what I read on the Shure I believe this would work for you.
This works amazing with my macbook pro. amplifies everything cleanly. however is fails with my windows devices and non apple devices. very mixed feelings on this one.
Wait, does it actually work when connecting it to your PS4 controller? Does the mic work as well? I just ordered it for my hd 58x minutes before watching this and it would be awesome if I would be able to use this on my xbox lol
@@altimanzify I was going to type it all out but instead I just made a quick video on my channel on how to use it with a console. Go check it out! th-cam.com/video/P_6DxYwL9_I/w-d-xo.html
I would advise against it, mainly because for $100 there are a lot more audio options that you can go to bestbuy or walmart for to improve your TV's audio. Were you going to try and use this dac for another reason?
From testing both iOS and android devices I've come to the conclusion that the only real reason this says for iOS is because it comes with the lightning cable. Using the USB type c cable that you can buy the experience was the same for me especially when it came to the s9+ and the iPhone x.
Good review. Thanks for explaining about this device.
You're welcome
i actually use the q1 dac that i bought back 3 years ago and i use it for gaming with my ath ws1100 from audio technica is just a whole different experience never going back to gaming headsets.
Only the 2.5mm output is balanced, the 3.5mm is unbalanced. Also, I believe you need to have a specific cable for the balanced output as well, a 4 pole fiio balanced connector to be exact, you can pick one up from brainwavz for way cheaper. Also, the q1 does actually provide more power than the a3, however, you need to run balanced in order to get the full output power of the amp.
Use the balance 2.5 section is louder than the unbalanced 3.5 output in the fiio m2 ..
great review
Thank you
If you use 3.5 to 3.5 the fiio will only work as an amp... Can you stream music on your android when using this dac/amp?
Difference between fiio q1 mark ii vs q5 ??? Which has Bluetooth fax ?
Hi Williams
If I had to choose from lg v30 plus and mark 2, which is the best music device in these two? I need best music. External DAC or inbuilt DAC in phone doesn't matter.
Sorry for replaying for this so late. If it was me I would pick the mark 2 solely on the fact that no matter what phone I have I could still use my mark 2, and for some phones, my wired headphones. The LG V30 has a lot of praise behind it because of the internal Quad DAC. Question, if you are considering the v30 how come not the v40 so that you can get the DTS:X 3D Surround Sound support? There are other things to consider too like how external amps processes the sound (the actual file) better and the fact that the AMP part of the DAC is mostly for items connected to your DAC. In my opinion, the LG V30 will still cost you north of $300 and there are external music players that could offer you what you are looking for when it comes to DACs for around that price. If you already have the V30 then I can see why the Q1 Mark 2 might look unappealing in that regard plus the V30 has HI-FI support (V30 + Tidal subscription would be a good pair) which could be triggered with the right set of cans, but as soon as you move on to another device there goes your DAC. TLDR, my suggestion with everything that I just said is to get the Q1 Mark 2, because I feel that this will be the best for sound quality and longevity of the product, making it a better investment.
Can u use the fiio q1 with a synthesizer like a Korg kronos? To amplify the sound in the headphones ?
What would be the cheapest but good headphones for this dac?
thanks man! subscribed!
would this be a good dac/amp for sennheiser hdxx?
If you mean the hd6xx then yes this would be a great dac for that pair.
Alex Ortega not good for the 6xx unless you use the balance output 2.5 jack.
Hi, how to connect it to Android phone? Use 3.5 cable or OTG USB type c cable?
Otg usb. I use a type c version to micro usb.
Hey! I'm actually planning to buy this to pair it with my phone (Huawei Nova 3i)- aside from all the shittery that Huawei puts out:
Where can I find a micro usb to micro usb cable where the host/female is my phone? There's a lot of them in Amazon but most... Or all of them are male to male
One of the issues this thing (or Fiio in general) has from what I've read is the occassional incompatibility with Android devices, sometimes even draining from your phone to the DAC.
Just wondering if OTG usb micro adaptors are a good solution to this since generally, most of them are host/female formats.
That's a good question but I'll answer it with the experiences that I've had up to this point with OTG cables in general. FIrst I recommend just getting the otg cable from fiio. Here is the Amazon link: www.amazon.com/Fiio-ML06-Micro-Converter-Cable/dp/B07FBZ963D/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?crid=3UF672S7L9HQY&keywords=fiio+lightning+to+micro+usb&qid=1551588346&s=gateway&sprefix=fiio+micro+usb+to+mic%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-1-fkmr1 . Second, finding an OTG cable that is both off brand and whether or not it will drain your phone while in use sometimes boils down to buy it then try it. I have run into multiple issues where the online seller said that is wont act like a charger or won't do a, b, or c and it just does. for the Q1 Mark 2 I ended up buying the OTG cable for my galaxy s9+ off hand to solve the problem because they were sold out online but it was the only thing that didn't give me issue. As for getting one with a female otg honestly, I don't think it will make a difference. Plus it will be one extra thing you will be connecting and it will make using the Mark 2 a pain. the Huawei Nova 3i supports hosting so you shouldn't have any issues using the fiio ML06 that I linked above. Let me know if that helps.
www.startech.com/Cables/USB-2.0/USB-Adapters/usb-otg-cable-micro-micro~UUUSBOTG8IN
How do you think this DAC/AMP would help drie the Shure SE846's?
With these earbuds, it's worth a try. Since I don't have these to try myself it's hard to give you a more experienced position on earbuds like these but from what I read on the Shure I believe this would work for you.
So basically if i only listen to mp3 and youtube the A3 is better on the Ath r70x?
I would agree that is a good assessment.
This works amazing with my macbook pro. amplifies everything cleanly.
however is fails with my windows devices and non apple devices. very mixed feelings on this one.
aoFeliX instal driver for windows in webstie fiio.com
can you use the 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable to a smartphone to this amp and make it work? please answer thanks
Yes
DuShaun Williams thank you! might consider buying this because of such portable and beautiful dac amp
Wait, does it actually work when connecting it to your PS4 controller? Does the mic work as well? I just ordered it for my hd 58x minutes before watching this and it would be awesome if I would be able to use this on my xbox lol
I have a modmic to go with my hd 58x
@@DjElflaco4 did this work?
@@altimanzify I was going to type it all out but instead I just made a quick video on my channel on how to use it with a console. Go check it out! th-cam.com/video/P_6DxYwL9_I/w-d-xo.html
amp dac for sennheiser hd8 dj ?
Looking at the headset, I believe the Q1 Mark 2 will work for you.
You show your Ps4 but say nothing that it can be used for better audio with Ps4 headsets?????
Can we use too on tv this?
I would advise against it, mainly because for $100 there are a lot more audio options that you can go to bestbuy or walmart for to improve your TV's audio. Were you going to try and use this dac for another reason?
Amp dac for ath msr7b?
Yes, those headphones are very similar to the ones I use daily.
DuShaun Williams thank you also do you know the background music in this video? Thanks
This was specifically made for IOS so why would they add Usbc
From testing both iOS and android devices I've come to the conclusion that the only real reason this says for iOS is because it comes with the lightning cable. Using the USB type c cable that you can buy the experience was the same for me especially when it came to the s9+ and the iPhone x.
This amp is more dedicated to iOS devices.
You need a fiio cable to make it work with android, its seamless with the cable.
@@deimosphob it'll not work when you don't use the proprietary fiio cable?
@@goodnightmoon Yeah, if not it pulls from the phone battery, and they don't provide a cable for android phones with usb type C.
Damn! Who wants to blow out their eardrums??
All for the best music experiences
@@DushaunWilliams
....I see your point