[FiiO]

Ok. I bought the Q11. It arrived today. It sounds less loud than the Q3 MQA!!! I tested with a Denon ah-d5200 and Meze 99 Neo both with a 4.4 mm balanced cable. I used a iPad pro 12.9 2021 with usb-c and a iPhone 12 Pro Max wit lightning and I can confirm the Q11 goes less loud. 360mW for the Q3 and 650mW for the Q11. What is going on?

Dear friend,

Which gain are you using? And did you compare the volume? The output power is not same as the volume.

Best regards

 

[passie42]

Dear friend,

Which gain are you using? And did you compare the volume? The output power is not same as the volume.

Best regards

I am using high gain. I don’t understand what you mean with the difference between output power and volume. When I mailed Fiio and what they said was “ the more the louder it gets”. I assumed that when the output power of the Q11 is 650mW and that of the Q3 is 360 mW then the Q11 will make my headphone sounds louder. Or is that a wrong assumption? Looks logical to me the Q11 must go louder bit it doesn’t. Even the opposite. Am I missing something?

 

[FiiO]

I am using high gain. I don’t understand what you mean with the difference between output power and volume. When I mailed Fiio and what they said was “ the more the louder it gets”. I assumed that when the output power of the Q11 is 650mW and that of the Q3 is 360 mW then the Q11 will make my headphone sounds louder. Or is that a wrong assumption? Looks logical to me the Q11 must go louder bit it doesn’t. Even the opposite. Am I missing something?

Dear friend,

You could not compare the output volume according to the output power parameter/
First of all, for different players/DAC, when connecting to the same headphones and playing the same song, the same output volume is depended on:

1. The difference in gain
Depending on the DAC chips and output power, the gain of each player/DAC is not the same. Some devices only have two gain option while some device like M17 has 5 gains option.
Different gain options could help users to choose the appropriate sound pressure for themselves better.


2. The difference in volume level
According to the different DAC and volume control circuits, as well as different design orientations, each player/DAC's volume range is not consistent. Some may be 0 ~ 60, some are 0 ~ 80, or 0 ~ 100, 0 ~ 120. Overall there is no way to unify into a fixed range such as 0 ~ 100.

So, different players/DACs, even the same brand,the amplification value of each gain and the output of each volume level are not uniform. For example, the M17 which has five gains and large adjustment range, may provide lower output volume when connecting to the same headphone in volume 20, low gain comparing with the other device which has lower output level.

Best regards

 

[BonGoBiLai]

@FiiO I am unable to find the VRMS figures for Q11 anywhere on the internet. Can you provide the VRMS figures for both single ended and balanced output?

 

[passie42]

Just buy the Q3. Goes louder on balanced output.

 

[passie42]

The advertised mW is marketing b*llshit from Fiio.

 

[BonGoBiLai]

I didn't like the Q3. Too sterile for my taste. My headphones are not hard to drive but 650 requires high VRMS to shine thus asking

 

[Enmor39]

I think the balanced out is about 4.5 to 4.75 Volts RMS. See http://www.apexhifi.com/specs.html for calculator

 

[passie42]

Anyway it is is on the balanced output less loud as the Q3 MQA which is rated 360mW.

 

[passie42]

I think the balanced out is about 4.5 to 4.75 Volts RMS. See http://www.apexhifi.com/specs.html for calculator

Wished I payed more attention in math class because the most of the website looks like abacadraba to me…

 

[Enmor39]

Haha not sure I've done calc right so take with grain of salt

 

[FiiO]

@FiiO I am unable to find the VRMS figures for Q11 anywhere on the internet. Can you provide the VRMS figures for both single ended and balanced output?

Dear friend,

3.5mm:

4.4mm:

Best regards

 

[BonGoBiLai]

Dear friend,

3.5mm:

4.4mm:


Best regards

Thanks. BTW I have a product suggestion. Given the popularity of dongles and portable dac amps, who don't you develop a bluetooth receiver that works only as a transport via usb C? that way we can hook up our dongle/ portable dac amps of choice via bluetooth. As it will only be processing digital signal, battery life should be really good as well. I think you should give this a thought given there is no such product in the market right now.

 

[FiiO]

Thanks. BTW I have a product suggestion. Given the popularity of dongles and portable dac amps, who don't you develop a bluetooth receiver that works only as a transport via usb C? that way we can hook up our dongle/ portable dac amps of choice via bluetooth. As it will only be processing digital signal, battery life should be really good as well. I think you should give this a thought given there is no such product in the market right now.

Dear friend,

Thanks for the kind feedback.
It seems that our SR1 which is in the initial stage of development may meet your need:https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fiio-sr1-steaming-music-receiver-roon-bridge-dlna-airplay.966931/

Best regards

 

[BonGoBiLai]

Dear friend,

Thanks for the kind feedback.
It seems that our SR1 which is in the initial stage of development may meet your need:https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fiio-sr1-steaming-music-receiver-roon-bridge-dlna-airplay.966931/

Best regards

looks interesting. Something battery run and compact like the btr5/7 will be even more appealing IMO