FiiO Q7 Portable Desktop-Class DAC/Amplifier Review

o make the most of the FiiO Q7 the portable aspect is somewhat lost, given the higher power outputs are only in a DC plugged in mode. This is a good thing in my books in that you basically have the option of using the Q7 as a purely portable device off the battery and still have enough power for basically anything you will carry along with it, or use it as a desktop DAC/amp on your desk plugged in for even more ooomph. The main issue is that of heat dissipation whereby you are also recommended to use the provided cooling stand when plugged in and in higher gain modes to where suddenly now you have three items connected (Q7, cooling stand, power supply). It also doesn't handle IEMs as well as the K9 Pro ESS in that I still got some sensitive IEMs to hiss off the Q7 that I did not on the K9 Pro ESS. Higher playback rates are nice, but ultimately I feel the K9 Pro ESS does its job as a purely desktop source better than the Q7 does as a portable source that is having an identity crisis. Either way there is so much to like here that was a very close call as to whether or not I'd give it the Editor's Choice award after all. Ultimately, the pricing plays a role here too as does the niche market this serves, I was only happy enough to give FiiO yet another recommendation the company is racking up from us now for a DAC/amp—for good reasons too, mind you.

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Author: VSG; From: techpowerup.com

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