The Q5s is the flagship portable DAC/Amp from FiiO and an upgrade of the Q5. As a DAC/amp, its primary function is to bypass the built-in digital-to-analog converter of your phone, laptop, or other device and amplify the signal. Its top-notch specs make it a stellar desktop DAC/amp, while its portability makes it the perfect travel companion.
As an upgrade of the Q5, the Q5s features a number of great improvements. A USB Type-C offers hassle-free connecting. A Bluetooth 5.0 chip and upgraded DAC chips provide flagship decoding--whether you plan to go wired or wireless. And a fully balanced THX AAA amp provides increased output power and lower distortion.
AK4493EQ x 2
The Q5s uses an AK4493EQ digital-to-analog converter (DAC) chip for each channel, resulting in imperceptible distortion and noise. With a total harmonic distortion plus noise rating of <0.002% and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of >117dB, the Q5s plays 32bit/768kHz tracks against a pitch black sonic background.
To put these numbers in perspective, the loudness of a jackhammer is 110dB, an ambulance 120dB. So under any normal, healthy listening scenario with the Q5s, you’re going to hear nothing but pure signal.
Fully balanced THX AAA amp
The THX AAA lineup of amps are known for their power and clarity. Unlike many amplifiers, THX AAA amps use a feed-forward error correction topology that removes common distortion issues. To put it simply, the amp measures errors in an early part of the system and corrects them in a later part of the system.
Additionally, the Q5s uses two THX AAA amps in a fully balanced architecture. This allows the Q5s to achieve greater output power as well as lower distortion.
The most sophisticated Bluetooth yet
Gone are the days of downsampled Bluetooth. Thanks to Qualcomm’s QCC5124 Bluetooth chip, the Q5s supports all the hi-res bluetooth audio codecs: AAC, SBC, aptXLL, aptX HD, and LDAC.
Ditch the charger
Depending on which input you’re using, the Q5s’ battery can last between nine and twenty-five hours--9 for USB and bluetooth, 25 for AUX. So at the very least, the Q5s can survive a flight from Boston to Seattle with time for layovers.
Six inputs and outputs
We never said this was just a Bluetooth DAC/Amp. With inputs for optical, coax, line-in, and USB, plus outputs for line out, 3.5 single-ended, 2.5 balanced, and 4.4 balanced headphones, the Q5s is your personal middleman for a million different listening scenarios.
Product highlights
- Portable DAC that’s perfect for traveling
- USB Type C
- 2x AK4490EQ DAC
- THX AAA Amplification
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Sampling rate indicator
- DSD512 support
- 32bit/768kHz USB sampling
- 4-level battery indication
- 50-50kHz frequency response
- Ultra-low noise floor and distortion
- Recommended headphone impedance: 16-150Ω (unabalanced), 16-300Ω (balanced)
- Headphone Output power
- Balanced: ≥ 535 mW into 16 Ohms (1% THD)
- 1/8" / 3.5 mm Unbalanced: ≥ 280 mW into 16 Ohms (1% THD)
- Headphone Output Current: 150 mA (Max, for Reference Level)
- Analog circuitry
- Low-pass filter op-amp: AD8620
- Digital chipset
- DAC: 2 x AK4490EQ
- USB: XMOS XU208
- Bluetooth: CSR8675
- EQ: Bass boost
- Analog I/O
- 1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Unbalanced Headphone Output
- 1 x 2.5 mm Balanced Headphone Output
- 1 x 4.4 mm Balanced Headphone Output
- 1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Line Input (Optical/Analog Combo Jack)
- Digital I/O
- 1 x TOSLINK 1/8" / 3.5 mm Optical Input (Optical/Analog Combo Jack)
- USB: 1 x USB-Type C (Update, Power/Charging Input)
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- Supported Audio Codecs: AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX LL, aptX HD, LDAC, LHDC
- Frequency Response:
- Balanced headphone output: 5 Hz to 50 kHz -3 dB
- Headphone outputs: 5 Hz to 50 kHz -3 dB
- Line outputs: 5 Hz to 90 kHz -3 dB
- Max output level
- Balanced headphone outputs: 10.5 V p-p
- Headphone outputs: 6 V p-p
- Impedance
- Balanced headphone outputs: < 2 Ohms (32-Ohm Load)
- Headphone outputs: < 2 Ohms (32-Ohm Load)
- THD+N
- Headphone outputs: < 0.001% (1 kHz)
- Line outputs: < 0.001% (1 kHz, 10-Kilohm Load)
- Balanced headphone outputs: < 0.002% (1 kHz)
- Sample rates
- USB inputs: Up to 768kHz
- Coaxial S/PDIF: 192kHz
- Optical S/PDIF: 96kHz
- Bit depths: 24/ 32-bit
- Power
- DC input power: 5 VDC at 2A (recommended)
- Internal battery: Rechargeable, 3800 mAh
- Battery charging time: 3.5 hours
- Approximate battery life: 25 hours (analog input), 9.5 hours (digital input)
- Dimensions: 4.9 x 2.5 x 0.6” (124 x 64 x 16mm)
- Weight: 6.9oz (195g)
- Package weight: 1.085lbs
- Box dimensions: 6.6 x 4.4 x 2.1” (167.64 x 111 x 53mm)
What’s included
- FiiO Q5s
- USB A-C charging cable
- Type-C to Lightning cable
- 3.5mm line cable
- 2x long straps
- 2x short straps
- Coaxial patch cord
- Optical adaptor
- T5 Screwdriver
- Non-slip mat
- Carrying pouch