Q15 is a highly capable portable DAC/amp but it has a bad situation with the switches. find out in this video. #highresolution #audio #earphone #fiio #q15 #audiophile #lifestyle #review #Dac #amp
I agree that the Phone and Desktop mode switches is stupid and they could have made way with the Phone switch as it doesn't make any sense. But, I guess FiiO tends to over-engineer their products to ensure that advanced users get to appreciate their products. Moreover, after using 2-3 times, you get an idea what each switch does and you grow accustomed to it. You forgot one feature which made me completely adore it though. When you go Ultra High gain, the DAC slowly increases the volume to the max so that you don't blow your eardrums or IEM. This is an underrated feature...
Enjoyed your review. I’ve had the Q15 for a couple of weeks now and have really put it through its paces. It is most definitely an upgrade to my ifi gryphon. The Q15 is warmer and has a more musical presentation. It beats the Gryphon on all metrics.
Appreciate the review. I just ordered the Q15 and should receive it in two days. I disagree with you about the amount of gain levels. If it only had two levels you would have to hope that those two levels would be enough for you hearing devices. I just returned the Hip DAC 3 because it was no loud enough for me even with the gain toggled to the high position. With 5 gain levels I would imagine that the upper levels could be quit loud enough to drive my headphones and earphones. Yes I like it loud. And yes I may go deff but I am ok with that. So I hope the levels on the Q15 are quit loud. And with so many levels you could always put it to the level you like and leave it there. Oh, I alway put the volume level on the highest level and do not lower. Better to have more gain levels and not need them than to not have them and need them.
Umm the difference is actually with power, not gain levels. Hip DAC 3 can only do 480mw max but Q15 can do 1600mw, more than 3 times. It's not about gain, especially when they have 120 steps of volume. 2 gain levels would have been enough. Believe me, low and medium gain levels are so weak that they are practically unusable..
Thanks 4 the review. Let me ask u, did u try Super High Gain and Ultra High Gain mode? I'm curious if it's get hot or warm during these modes activate?
If i already have a dap hiby r6 III do you recommend me this device for headphones like senn hd660 s2 and hd800s? Or my hiby can deliver enough power for those headphones? Thanks
I got the fiio ft5. Is there anything you know of that would pair nicely? Was thinking this one, but would like wide stage and more analog kind of sound.
If you want slightly smoother and less attacking notes go for the Gryphon. It has a more cohesive and pleasing presentation with bass boost and ie matching. This will sound more organic. Q15 is a bit more neutral and slightly smaller with the stage. It lacks other features you get with iFi. But this will deliver more details and it's cheaper. If I have to suggest one, go for Gryphon.
@@eargasmic3060 @iFiaudiochannel Hi! I returned my Mark Levinson 5909 and Ordered a Dan Clark Aeon 2 wondered your thoughts on sound pairing this with the ifi Gryphon I also have Ordered - what shouId I expect in terms of sound? Thanks ifi!
You should expect some smooth and full bodied notes from Gryphon while that HP should deliver high quality details and stage. You should expect high quality performance from both.
Next time, info the dac/ambifer first. You sometimes say wrong things or something you don't know. That is bad. It is a slightly warm and organic sound. It's 399 euro for 1600 Watts. You can buy ifi xdsd gryphon for 599 euro with 1000 Watts. Why do you not let's the sound out a headphone? But you let's the sound out a phone?? It's a tip advise from me. Just advice. But nice camera work.
I don't care about anything but sound quality. 😊 Specs doesn't matter if it sounds better and no, I don't find this warm by a long shot. It's neutral at best. And the figures are in mw, miliwatt.
@@eargasmic3060 ah, I see. Do you prefer the Shanling UA5? And can I ask if your opinion of the Q15 has changed now that you've had more time to use it?
@eargasmic3060 ah, so do you prefer the shanling UA5? I heard from a lot of people complimenting the q15, because they say it sounds analog and spacious
@@radiofreealbemuth oh I have no doubts that Q15 is high quality. I just was a bit disappointed because I was expecting a more rounded stage. I don't prefer UA5 over it. The amount of clarity and definition we get with the Q15 is superior. I don't find the Q15 much warm though.. it's more Neutral in my opinion. Analogue.. no, not really, same for Spacious, not very spacious. Thes guys should try the Zorloo ZuperDac Max. Beats nearly everything under $400 when it comes to stage.
I agree that the Phone and Desktop mode switches is stupid and they could have made way with the Phone switch as it doesn't make any sense.
But, I guess FiiO tends to over-engineer their products to ensure that advanced users get to appreciate their products. Moreover, after using 2-3 times, you get an idea what each switch does and you grow accustomed to it.
You forgot one feature which made me completely adore it though. When you go Ultra High gain, the DAC slowly increases the volume to the max so that you don't blow your eardrums or IEM. This is an underrated feature...
Thanks for pointing out. ✌🏻
Enjoyed your review. I’ve had the Q15 for a couple of weeks now and have really put it through its paces. It is most definitely an upgrade to my ifi gryphon. The Q15 is warmer and has a more musical presentation. It beats the Gryphon on all metrics.
You really find the Q15 warmer? Gryphon is supposed to be super warm and thick like Hip DAC 2. I will have to try it then.
great review. thanks.
Appreciate the review. I just ordered the Q15 and should receive it in two days. I disagree with you about the amount of gain levels. If it only had two levels you would have to hope that those two levels would be enough for you hearing devices. I just returned the Hip DAC 3 because it was no loud enough for me even with the gain toggled to the high position. With 5 gain levels I would imagine that the upper levels could be quit loud enough to drive my headphones and earphones. Yes I like it loud. And yes I may go deff but I am ok with that. So I hope the levels on the Q15 are quit loud. And with so many levels you could always put it to the level you like and leave it there. Oh, I alway put the volume level on the highest level and do not lower. Better to have more gain levels and not need them than to not have them and need them.
Umm the difference is actually with power, not gain levels.
Hip DAC 3 can only do 480mw max but Q15 can do 1600mw, more than 3 times.
It's not about gain, especially when they have 120 steps of volume. 2 gain levels would have been enough.
Believe me, low and medium gain levels are so weak that they are practically unusable..
7:49 In that case, I hope that you will have the opportunity to hear *Ifi* *Hip* *Dac* *3* , and also to convey your impressions to us.
I will try to get hold of one.
@@eargasmic3060
💖✨
Thanks 4 the review. Let me ask u, did u try Super High Gain and Ultra High Gain mode? I'm curious if it's get hot or warm during these modes activate?
Ohh, nice question. It's kind of hot, not much, but definitely warmer than expected.
@@eargasmic3060 u mean in Super High Gain mode?
Both, it does generate heat, not uncomfortable like some 8gen1 phones, so it's okay.
If i already have a dap hiby r6 III do you recommend me this device for headphones like senn hd660 s2 and hd800s? Or my hiby can deliver enough power for those headphones? Thanks
R6 gen 3 is decently powerful, you don't need Q15 along with that.
Thanks for sharing. I have a question. Is it possible to use this dac as a usb output will like to connect it to a vehicle usb input. Thanks
No, it cannot do USB output. You can use 3.5mm lineout if you want.
I got the fiio ft5. Is there anything you know of that would pair nicely? Was thinking this one, but would like wide stage and more analog kind of sound.
I can understand, get the Hip DAC iff you don't have a good budget, you can definitely go for the Gryphon and Micro Signature for more power.
went for the ifi hip dac 3 @@eargasmic3060
Sound-wise, how does this compare with the H2?
Much better extension ar both ends. Better definition and resolution. Cleaner presentation. Doesn't sound agitated like H2.
This or the Gryphon please, and reasons why. Would you recommend this or the Gryphon of Hip Dacs for Soft Jazz (Airy and Breathy Sound.) Thanks
If you want slightly smoother and less attacking notes go for the Gryphon. It has a more cohesive and pleasing presentation with bass boost and ie matching. This will sound more organic.
Q15 is a bit more neutral and slightly smaller with the stage. It lacks other features you get with iFi. But this will deliver more details and it's cheaper.
If I have to suggest one, go for Gryphon.
That's Wonderful, just what I thought. Many Thanks
@@eargasmic3060 @iFiaudiochannel Hi! I returned my Mark Levinson 5909 and Ordered a Dan Clark Aeon 2 wondered your thoughts on sound pairing this with the ifi Gryphon I also have Ordered - what shouId I expect in terms of sound? Thanks ifi!
You should expect some smooth and full bodied notes from Gryphon while that HP should deliver high quality details and stage.
You should expect high quality performance from both.
@@eargasmic3060 Oh Fantastic - would that pair up Trump the Sony XM5 / Mark Levinson 5909?
Next time, info the dac/ambifer first. You sometimes say wrong things or something you don't know. That is bad. It is a slightly warm and organic sound. It's 399 euro for 1600 Watts. You can buy ifi xdsd gryphon for 599 euro with 1000 Watts. Why do you not let's the sound out a headphone? But you let's the sound out a phone?? It's a tip advise from me. Just advice. But nice camera work.
I don't care about anything but sound quality. 😊
Specs doesn't matter if it sounds better and no, I don't find this warm by a long shot. It's neutral at best.
And the figures are in mw, miliwatt.
Naa.. Its akm4191 + akm4499 bra still cant beats old skol Q5S TC which is dual akm4493 + dual THX aaa.. Peace!
Agreed 100%.
9:05 do you know a dac that has a wide stage?
Just wider? You can definitely go for Shanling UA5. It's not tall but wider.
@@eargasmic3060 ah, I see. Do you prefer the Shanling UA5? And can I ask if your opinion of the Q15 has changed now that you've had more time to use it?
Umm, not a lot, what one has to do is put it on higher volume at SH gain for s bit more width but I don't like it that loud.. 😅
@eargasmic3060 ah, so do you prefer the shanling UA5? I heard from a lot of people complimenting the q15, because they say it sounds analog and spacious
@@radiofreealbemuth oh I have no doubts that Q15 is high quality. I just was a bit disappointed because I was expecting a more rounded stage. I don't prefer UA5 over it. The amount of clarity and definition we get with the Q15 is superior.
I don't find the Q15 much warm though.. it's more Neutral in my opinion.
Analogue.. no, not really, same for Spacious, not very spacious. Thes guys should try the Zorloo ZuperDac Max. Beats nearly everything under $400 when it comes to stage.