Joined in 2023 
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The gain switch is not a switch anymore, it's a button, so there's no way to tell the current gain (high or low) unless you directly look at the button, which has an indicating green led The dac chip used is AKM's new efficient AK4462 with decoding support up to 768kHz/32bit PCM and DSD512. Once again, the dual headphone output is a true blessing, even if the Q3 MQA keeps the crown with THREE different output/inputs. This allowed me to test various headphones, even when I forgot my adapters. Just remember that the FiiO Q11 comes with a 3.5mm port and a 4.4mm Pentaconn, so no 2.5mm TRRS here, unless you use an adapter. Bonus point for the 3.5mm port that doubles as a coaxial output.
Soundstage: was naturally open but average and perhaps a little more intimate than other THX amplifiers I have. The imaging is better than average with detail and accuracy to spare. There are small improvements here and there: smoother mids, better bass control, and a fairly wider soundstage. Layering is definitely better though and 3D effects seemed more natural, even more with the FA9. No distortion whatsoever, even when you max out the volume to drive high-end headphones.
Attention
I like that FiiO dimmed those LEDs and knurled its volume knob to have a better feeling of it. Overall, it looks simple, modern, easy to use and really straightforward once you learn its buttons, inputs and outputs.
Lows: deep and powerful. As usual, FiiO really nailed the bass section and there is no shallow echo nor dragging sensation. You can confidently listen at high volume, to never encounter muddy lows, whatever the song. In hand, the result is even more impressive, thanks to that textured body and smooth edges. You could definitely drop it, or step on it, and it shall come out unscathed (I don’t recommend any of that of course), my only worry being the small low/high gain toggle. Yet, after two weeks in my bag, with no protection whatsoever, I’m happy to confirm that the Q11 came out unshattered, and the toggle is still there, unbroken. With a 2600mAh battery, I expected the Q11 to outperform the old FiiO Q3 by large. But in reality, both DAC/AMP achieves the same real life numbers, with a full day of listening, or 14h in my case. But, if you were to alternate phone and computer with your FiiO Q11, you shall never need to charge it more than once a week.I didn't catch this during my write up but I did the final testing of the Q3 connected to the official Apple usb camera dongle. While that dongle will allow the Q3 to charge from my IPhone 12 pro, the Q3 can't be charged from the included FiiO lightning to usb-c cable. Thanks to FiiO for catching that.
FiiO Q3 uses the highly reputed THX AAA Amplifier Technology. Previously used for the replaceable amplification module for the Q5s, FiiO this time they used it at the heart of their Q3. The fully balanced THX amp module has a patented feed-forward error correction topology paired with rigorous OP-Amp components. It helps the Q3 to achieve a powerful output capability. The Q3 also shows low distortion, rich bass, and an overall outstanding music experience. Reduction of harmonic, intermodulation, and crossover distortion by up to 40dB, resulting in a realistic and fatigue-free listening experience Labelled with the MasterHIFI blazon, this DAC fits in the upper range of the manufacturer line-up with features like: Using the USB input of the BTR5, I felt that it has a comparable sound quality to the Q3 in this mode, though it is primarily intended to be used wirelessly, rather than wired. Truth to be told one must pay extra attention to notice and let's not forget that the Q3 isn't targeted for critical listening.Short answer, yes… If you want to pair it with big cans on the go. Going from the AKM4452 to the AK4462 doesn’t sound that big of a difference, even head-to-head. It’s slightly more refined, less grainy in the upper range but, honestly, it’s not massively different.
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